Legislative Session 2022

The White House wants states to remember our heroes. Our Dakota Political Junkies explore who could be memorialized in a new statue garden in the Black Hills.

While South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska are different in many ways, some of the issues the tri-state area faces are closely aligned. From cybersecurity to growing pushes to revisit nuclear power to agriculture, all three have some issues in common.

Joe Batcheller is throwing his hat into the ring and announcing a run for Sioux Falls Mayor.

Some lawmakers say tax collections are strong enough it can reduce the sales tax rate by a half penny to four percent.That shakes out to about $150 million in tax relief.

Governor Kristi Noem is signing a bill that she says will protect fairness in girls sports.The law ultimately bans transgender girls from playing on certain sports teams.

In a close vote, the South Dakota Senate has passed a bill that proposes to make hazing a crime. It now heads to the House side. The prime sponsor says hazing has been an ongoing problem in the United States, with multiple deaths attributed to initiations into school groups and fraternities.

Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg is responding to accusations of inconsistencies in his interviews following a fatal crash in 2020.North Dakota agents interviewed Ravnsborg twice in the days following the incident.

The House Judiciary Committee is considering a proposal that would place restrictions on how state and local law enforcement officers might be able to assist federal authorities. We listen in to a summary of arguments during the debate on House Bill 1052 “An act to place limitations on the enforcement of federal laws and directives related to firearms and ammunition.”

Sex offenders listed on the state registry could be facing a felony instead of a misdemeanor for sexual contact if the South Dakota legislature approves Senate Bill 77A.

Lawmakers have voted down a bill to require Native American history and culture in state-approved social studies curriculum.

State Representative Jamie Smith has announced his intention to challenge Governor Kristi Noem's bid for reelection. Dakota Political Junkies Mike Card and Tom Dempster join us with thoughts on Smith, Noem, and the battle for Democrats seeking a seat at the political table.

The Senate State Affairs committee unanimously approves two bills related to DSU's expanding cyber programs.

Republican lawmakers are rejecting Governor Kristi Noem’s proposal that bans abortion after 6 weeks. It's modeled after Texas’ abortion law.Some Republican lawmakers say the move is part of a long game to dismantle Roe V. Wade in the courts.