Opinion

Governor Larry Rhoden has issued a proclamation declaring January as National Mentoring Month in South Dakota, recognizing the powerful role mentors play in helping young people and adults reach their full potential and strengthening communities across the state.

As I write this, we are just a few days from the convening of the 101st session of the South Dakota State Legislature. Before serving as Lieutenant Governor and now Governor, I was a legislator for 16 years, including in several leadership roles. When I was first elected House Majority leader, I oversaw a caucus of 52 members with a wide range of experience and wisdom – and many different ideas on how to solve problems.

The South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office has released the 2025 3rd Quarter Economic Report, outlining continued economic strength across the state while identifying emerging challenges related to workforce availability and housing demand.

Tripp County State’s Attorney Zachary Pahlke and South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announce an ongoing investigation into an email scam that led to the fraudulent transfer of $826,357 from the Tripp County government.

The work of cons tructing the trading poston the James Riverwas completed in June of 1858. At the time, Van Meter, a French-Canadian, was engaged in carrying the United States mail and express from Sioux City to Fort Randall. He made the round trip once a week by using two horses in the journey, one of which he rode and the other was the pack animal.

I’m pretty stoked for 2026. This year brings the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the freest nation in history – and South Dakota remains the freest state in that nation.

Legislation aimed at protecting children from internet crimes and human trafficking, along with safeguarding consumers’ genetic privacy, will be among two bills Attorney General Marty Jackley introduces during the 2026 legislative session.

I hope you had a Merry Christmas making memories with loved ones! The holidays are a special opportunity to take stock and reflect. The calendar turns pretty quickly to New Year’s, which is often an opportunity for us to peek in the rearview mirror while also looking forward out the windshield.

What is now known as the historic city of Yankton in 1857 was an Indian village occupied by the Yankton tribe of Dakota Indians and was the residence of its most influential chief, “Struck by the Ree.” It was the principal village, or capital, of the Yankton tribe. Before and after this time it was known among the whites who traveled on the Missouri River as “Struck by the Ree Camp.” The locality had earlier been designated by traders and steamboat men as the “Yankton Valley.”

As the calendar turns, many of us feel a familiar pull: This year will be different! Traditionally, that feeling turns into New Year’s resolutions, bold promises to change our habits, bodies, productivity, or lifestyles overnight. Yet by February, most resolutions are abandoned, leaving behind guilt and frustration.