Opinion

On October 20, 2025, Governor Larry Rhoden announced that Nick Lamb will serve as the new Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary. “After an extensive interview process and aggressive national search, we found the right person that will help keep our corrections system strong and safe for both inmates and officers,” said Governor Larry Rhoden.

For some across the state, it’s like Christmas. The opening weekend of pheasant season is full of family traditions. Folks come home from across the country to shoot our state bird, and great times are had by all!

In the early settlement and development of South Dakota, the ox was an important and indispensable critter. With a patience and fortitude only exceeded by that of his master, he transported the pioneers and their household goods onto the frontier, where he broke the sod, logged the land, planted the crop, and lugged it to market.

DITOR Dear Editor, Continued from last week: It’s time for a change! Worst of all, does anyone still believe that our government is truthful to us? Not only do our congressmen not call out when Washington insiders lie to us, they also participate with glib half-truths, ‘Washington speak’ and what they call ‘spin’ or ‘alternative facts’. (What even is that?) They should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.

I recently visited Washington, DC, to see our South Dakota National Guard soldiers who are part of President Trump’s effort to make DC safe and beautiful again. I was amazed by what they told me about their mission. But I was even more impressed by what I heard from a South Dakota native who lives in DC: “Having the National Guard here has changed everything. I’ve been here for five years, and I’ve never felt so safe as right now.”

In June of 1883, the County Clerk at Canton (Lincoln County) came to work and found a man of 77 years, giving his name as Szvman Szezech, resting his weary limbs at the office door. “I want a license,” the visitor said, “and I want it right away quick – I’m in a hurry.”

Dear Editor: South Dakotans, it’s time for a change! It doesn’t matter whether you blame the Democrats or the Republicans, the fact is, our congress is not doing their job. Politicians fussing, and fighting, and namecalling, and railing against the opposing party is getting old, and it’s just not funny anymore. This won’t change until we make a change. So, it’s time - vote them ALL out of office!

Recently, I got to visit one of the greatest symbols of freedom in the world: Mount Rushmore. I’ve been there many times, but I will never cease to be amazed by the power and splendor of that monument. We were there for a naturalization ceremony, which made that symbol of freedom even more powerful.

It’s tough rounding up 1,500 buffalo in the annual Buffalo Roundup, but it’s a whole lot tougher rounding up a two-thirds vote in both chambers of the Legislature to support a new prison. Regardless, we got both done this week, and what a week it was!

Doane Robinson, in his 1925 edition of the Encyclopedia of South Dakota reported that in South Dakota “Cauc asians cannot be licensed to marry Africians, Coreans (Koreans), Malayans or Mongolians. Consanguineous (descended from the same ancestor) marriages are forbidden. Marriages may be dissolved for adultery, extreme cruelty, willful desertion, willful neglect, habitual intemperance, or conviction of felony.”