Opinion

R ecords Jeremiah J. McClellan, 49, Spencer, NE, speeding on a state highway, fine $19.00, court costs $50.00, surcharges $28.50.

The American frontier of the 19th century, often referred to as the “Wild West,” invokes images of rugged cowboys, lawless territories, and untamed wilderness. However, the stories of the courageous and resilient women who helped shape this era are often overlooked. It is important that we understand the life of the pioneer women in the 1800s, their challenges, triumphs, and their lasting impact on the American West.

hoden The 2026 Legislative Session is off to a strong start. I signed my first bill of the session: HB 1044, which appropriates funding for the Rural Health Transformation Plan in South Dakota.

Trump's rambling address, starting his 2nd year, about how he has, by decree and tariff, built up the economy and fulfilled his election promises, wasn't even carried in full on Fox News. In Switzerland, he spoke against Norway for denying him the Nobel Peace Prize. He degraded NATO and the European Union; he confused Greenland with Iceland and vowed to take over Greenland militarily to protect North America. Canadian Prime Minister Carney responded, saying the Canadian military will join Danish forces to maintain Greenland's independence. Since then, Canada has moved forward with a deal with China to remove tariffs on canola and peas, in exchange for the importation of China's EVs and their manufacture in Canada. Trump said he would put 100% tariffs on all Canadian goods if Carney went ahead with this deal with China. Know that global warming has diminished the sea ice over the top of Canada, so the Northern Passage is the way to get Canadian goods out and for China to ship its goods to Europe. The EU and India have announced a new trade and security agreement in response to Trump's vow to increase tariffs on them. In short, Trump has lost the respect and trust of the leaders of most countries.

R eports Aurora, Charles Mix, Douglas, Gregory, Tripp Counties Committees: Chair of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chair of House Government Operations and Audit, Vice Chair of State Affairs, Member of Legislative Procedure Capitol Address: 500 E. Capitol Ave.

Committees: Education, Health & Human Services Capitol Address: 500 E. Capitol Ave.

Senator Mykala Voita District 21 Aurora, Charles Mix, Douglas, Gregory, Tripp Counties Committee: Appropriations Capitol Address: 500 E. Capitol Ave.

A woman’s life is transhis torical. It is cyclical and repetitive; the similarities between a peasant woman’s life in the twentieth century and her sister three hundred years before are great. The life of an urban woman also shares many characteristics with the life of a rural woman: the generations of women’s lives, crossing the time and space barrier, are more alike than different. A study of women’s lives over time show more similarities than differences between generations, cultures, and times.

Government Can Do Good: 2026 Today I highlight significant rural water infrastructure financing news. As reported in the January 14 edition of The Gregory Times Advocate, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) has announced $48.9 million in loans and grants for statewide rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvements. Most of this amount ($36,958,000) comes in the form of low interest state loans, and the remaining amount ($11,900,000) comes from state (Emerging Contaminants for Small or Disadvantaged Communities) and federal (American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA) grant funding. The DANR also reports the total amount of ARPA funding received by recipient rural communities since the Biden Administration passed the ARPA in 2022.

hoden South Dakota is the freest state in America – a nation that was founded on the principle of freedom. Freedom is the bedrock of our communities, our businesses, and our churches.