Opinion

Controlled Substances in Penitentiary, Protection of Youth From Illegal Substances, AI Adult Pornographic Images South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced three issues that his office has worked on throughout 2025 -- controlled substances in the state penitentiary, protection of youth from illegal substances, and Artificial Intelligence- generated pornographic images, are centerpieces of his legislative bill package that will be introduced in the 2026 South Dakota Legislature. “These issues require stronger legislative action, and it is my duty as Attorney General to bring these bills to the Legislature for its consideration,” said Attorney General Jackley.

Wi n t e r began early when a mid October blizzard swept through Dakota Territory in 1880. Never before had anyone seen such severe snowfall, recalled Doane Robinson in 1904. The snow was so bad, it prevented regular train access.

YES. South Dakota is one of almost 30 states that requires front and back license plates on vehicles, though there are a couple of exceptions.

Horace Mann once said, “Education… is the great equalizer—the balance-wheel of social machinery.” He reminded us that nothing shapes opportunity, strengthens democracy, or fuels progress more than a strong public education system.

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

The Internal Revenue Service Whistleblower Office announced that it is making it easier for whistleblowers to report tax noncompliance to the IRS with the launch of the new digital Form 211, Application for Award for Original Information.

hoden Growing up on our family ranch near Union Center, the holiday season was always a time of simple joys. The ornaments might not have been the fanciest, but they were ours – and they reflected the true meaning of Christmas.

Here is the other side of the news, and please fact-check. All the changes in the B blankety Bill are to reduce income taxes on billionaires. ICE has detained Tribal members in SD, not recognizing their tribal papers. Who are the immigrants here? Costco is joining other companies suing the Trump administration over price increases caused by his tariffs. Farmers are to receive $12 B in compensation for the effect of tariffs, coincidentally the same amount they received in his first term. Farmers will recognize that his palatial ballroom is 90,000 square feet (2 acres) after he tore down The West Wing without any Congressional approval. From his first term, we learned “Don’t listen to what he says, pay attention to what he does”.

DITOR Dear editor, Government is Doing Bad #6 Can you believe that “Sage” Eric Putnam in his November 26 letter to the editor perfectly illustrated the main point of my November 26 letter that the mixing of religion and politics derails democratic politics! Testifying to the power of religion to act as an insurmountable barrier to political negotiation and cooperation between groups – necessary cornerstones of successful democratic politics in America – he states: “This old boy, for one, would rather be financially bankrupt than morally bankrupt, which he would be if he would sign on to such a Faustian deal”, meaning work with Democrats. Blocking flexible political maneuvering, speaking the language of religion has had the effect of cutting off South Dakotan small livestock producers from reaping the wide-ranging benefits of representational democracy.

An old pastor of mine used to give the advice, “Don’t wait for doors to open; check the doors, and see if they’re unlocked.” More often than not, South Dakota takes this advice. We don’t settle for the way things are – we always strive to do better and pursue opportunity.