North Dakota limits bathroom use for transgender people
April 26, 2023 GMTTransgender kids and adults in North Dakota won’t be able to access bathrooms, locker rooms or showers that match the gender they identify with in places like college dorms or jails, under a new law signed by Republican Gov.
Florida abortion ban could have impact beyond the state
March 10, 2023 GMTTALLAHASSE, Fla. (AP) — Less than a year after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, an expected GOP presidential contender, signed a ban on abortions after the 15-week mark of pregnancy, he’s showing support for an even stricter ban introduced this week by state lawmakers.
South Dakota House nixes ban on lawmaker spouse lobbying
March 6, 2023 GMTPIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A bill that would prohibit the spouses of South Dakota state lawmakers from serving as lobbyists was defeated Monday in the state House.
Backers described the bill as a much-needed ethics measure, while opponents said it targeted Republican Sen.
Trans people face ‘horrifying’ rhetoric at statehouses
February 27, 2023 GMTLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — It was pharmacist Gwendolyn Herzig's first time testifying before a legislative committee when she spoke to several Arkansas lawmakers in a packed hearing room this month about a bill restricting gender-affirming care for minors.
Transgender advocates sue South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem
February 10, 2023 GMTPIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A transgender advocacy group in South Dakota sued Republican Gov. Kristi Noem and the head of the state's Department of Health on Friday over the state’s decision to terminate a contract with the group last December.
Native children welfare bill passes South Dakota committee
February 4, 2023 GMTPIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A bill aimed at placing Native American children with other relatives when they are taken from their families during abuse and neglect proceedings was approved in a South Dakota House committee Friday.
In South Dakota Senate, far-right lawmakers rankle GOP
February 3, 2023 GMTPIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The conversation between a state senator and a legislative aide started with a seemingly routine discussion about a bill. It suddenly spiraled as the senator allegedly harassed the aide because she had vaccinated her young child, plunging the Senate into a political drama that has divided South Dakota's Republican Party.
Senate moves forward with child witness protections bill
January 27, 2023 GMTPIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Child witnesses have the right to a safe courtroom, South Dakota state legislators agreed during an initial bill hearing on Thursday.
The Senate Judiciary committee unanimously voted to move forward with a legal amendment that would provide extra support to court witnesses under the age of 16 who are survivors of sexual violence, like rape and trafficking.
S. Dakota Senate suspends lawmaker after vaccine exchange
January 26, 2023 GMTPIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Senate on Thursday suspended a Republican state senator in a rare move that stripped the lawmaker of all legislative power while keeping the allegations against her a secret.
Some Jan. 6th rioters gain sympathy for cause in red states
January 25, 2023 GMTPIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Trennis Evans III joined the mob in the 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, climbing through a broken window and tossing back a swig of whiskey in a congressional conference room.
South Dakota state senator stripped of committee assignments
January 25, 2023 GMTPIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A Republican South Dakota state senator had her committee assignments stripped Wednesday in a rare punishment in the Legislature.
The move to strip Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller of her seats on two legislative committees was announced during the Senate's session on Wednesday, but legislative leaders in the Republican-controlled chamber refused to comment on what led to the move.
South Dakota House passes $200M for housing infrastructure
January 23, 2023 GMTPIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota House passed a $200 million fund for housing infrastructure projects, pushing the funding package over its final hurdle in the Legislature after a right-wing group of Republicans sought to thwart its passage.
State lawmakers: Teach ‘American exceptionalism’ in schools
January 23, 2023 GMTPIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A group of South Dakota lawmakers pushed forward an initiative on Monday that offers an optional social studies curriculum for K-12 and university students rooted in “American exceptionalism” and the founding ideals of the U.S.
South Dakota’s Noem says cell phone number hacked
January 23, 2023 GMTPIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said Monday that her personal cell phone number has been hacked and blamed it on the release of her Social Security number amid hundreds of documents that the House Jan.
South Dakota tribe: Storm deaths ‘could have been prevented’
January 23, 2023 GMTHonor Beauvais’ every breath was a battle as a snowstorm battered the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota.
The asthmatic 12-year-old's worried aunt and uncle begged for help clearing a path to their cattle ranch near the community of Two Strike as his condition worsened, his fragile lungs fighting a massive infection.
S. Dakota lawmakers reject proposal to limit ballot measures
January 20, 2023 GMTPIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota lawmakers on Friday dismissed a proposal that the state constitution ban ballot measures from being reconsidered if they failed in the previous election.
The Republican-controlled House State Affairs Committee rejected the proposed constitutional amendment after lawmakers said it relied on vague language and unwieldy implementation.
South Dakota GOP lawmakers push trans youth health care ban
January 17, 2023 GMTPIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A group of South Dakota Republican lawmakers introduced a bill Tuesday to outlaw gender-affirming health care for transgender youth, pushing the state to join at least a dozen others considering anti-transgender legislation this year.
AG creates council to advise on missing indigenous people
January 5, 2023 GMTRAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Attorney General Mark Vargo has created a council to advise him on missing and murdered indigenous people.
The Rapid City Journal reported Wednesday that a disproportionate percentage of missing people in South Dakota are indigenous.
Riders complete trip to honor victims of mass execution
December 27, 2022 GMTMANKATO, Minn. (AP) — Dakota tribal members have completed what could be their final annual 330-mile ride on horseback to honor 40 of their ancestors who were killed in the aftermath of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.
US blizzard expected to impact millions in Rockies, Midwest
December 13, 2022 GMTSIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A massive winter storm blew toward the center of the U.S. on Monday, threatening millions of people with heavy snow, freezing rain and flooding.
The National Weather Service warned that there would be “numerous, widespread, and impactful weather hazards in the heart of the country this week.” Across the Rockies and into the northern Plains and parts of the Midwest, people were warned to prepare for blizzard-like conditions.