The sad news comes today of the passing of Frank Brost. Brost never served in elected office, but he was … More
Category: Uncategorized
Harvey Krautschun, former house speaker, passes on
The new year brings the sad news that former House Speaker Harvey Krautschun of Spearfish has died, age 76. Krautschun, … More
South Dakota History in 2025
As the year comes to a close, we think back on the year that was. It was a historic year … More
Farewell to Orv Smidt
The holiday weeks brings news of the passing of Orville B. “Orv” Smidt, who died on December 23, aged 82. … More
Governor Rhoden launches reelection bid
Governor Larry Rhoden made it official this week. In events at Rapid City’s historic Alex Johnson Hotel, and at the … More
South Dakota was Cheney’s “undisclosed location”
The news comes of the passing of Vice President Dick Cheney at the age of 84. For Cheney, South Dakota … More
“Perpich,” a Minnesota history, offers much for South Dakotans
South Dakotans, especially those of us east river, have always paid attention to Minnesota. We travel there for shopping, ballgames, … More
Lady Thatcher at 100
Today, October 13, 2025, is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Margaret Thatcher. The daughter of a grocer and … More
Walter Dale Miller at 100
Walter Dale Miller, the 29th Governor of South Dakota, was born October 5, 1925 in the unincorporated community of Viewfield … More
Charles Droz, former House Speaker, dies at 101
Charles Droz, a World War II veteran and former speaker of the SD State House of Representatives, died on July … More
Remembering Karen Soli
Karen Soli, a Lutheran minister who served in the State House from 2013-18, passed away last week after a battle … More
ChatGPT sums up every SD Governor
Peter Robinson of the Hoover Institute hosts an interview program called “Uncommon Knowledge.” He often credits Clare Booth Luce for … More
Rep. Richard Vasgaard dies in farm accident
Richard Vasgaard, a second-term Republican state representative from Turner County, died yesterday in a farming accident. As I said online, … More
Former legislator profiles added to LRC site
The Legislative Research Council, for years, has maintained the Legislator Historical Listing, which is a searchable database of every person … More
Farewell to Mike Diedrich
The sad news comes today that Mike Diedrich, a former state senator from Rapid City, has died after a battle … More
New “Running Mates” podcast focuses on U.S. Presidential Elections
Today is launch day for “Running Mates,” a limited-series podcast presented by Dakota Town Hall and featuring Town Hall host … More
Dusty runs for Governor
Congressman Dusty Johnson announced today that he will seek the Republican nomination to be the 35th Governor of South Dakota. … More
South Dakota Law Review highlights the SD State Legislature
Volume 70, Issue 3 of The South Dakota Law Review is out. Prompted by the South Dakota State Legislature’s 100th session, … More
Farewell to Mac McCracken
The sad news comes that Royal “Mac” McCracken died late last week, aged 83. McCracken was an eight-year state senator … More
First Democrat files for gubernatorial bid
The first Democratic candidate has created a campaign committee to run for Governor in 2026. Robert Arnold, a 19-year-old student … More
Toby Doeden announces candidacy for governor
Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden announced today that he will seek the Republican nomination for governor in 2026. He is the … More
Jon Hansen launches 2026 gubernatorial bid
House Speaker Jon Hansen, a state representative from Dell Rapids, announced yesterday afternoon that he will be a candidate for … More
Address in honor of the 100th Legislative Session
It was this blogger’s honor to chair the planning committee for the commemorations of the 100th Legislative Session. In that … More
Termesphere unveiled to commemorate 100th Legislative Session
Over the past several months, state legislators have celebrated the milestone of the 100th Legislative Session, which concluded in late … More
New book celebrates 100th Legislative Session
This weekend, current and former legislators will gather for an all-legislator reunion in Pierre, a celebration that is the culmination … More
Rhoden picks Tony Venhuizen for LG
Note: I find myself in the awkward position of writing a historical blog post about myself. I am just going … More
Mackenzie Decker to be second female chief of staff
Governor Larry Rhoden, who took office on Saturday upon the resignation of Governor Kristi Noem, has announced his appointment of … More
Governor Noem’s resignation letter
Governor Kristi Noem resigned today, shortly after being confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. Her resignation makes Lt. Governor … More
Larry Rhoden is the 34th Governor of South Dakota
It’s Official: Larry R. Rhoden, a Union Center rancher and legislative veteran who has served for six years as lieutenant … More
Kristi Noem rides off
Governor Kristi Noem’s confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security was this morning, and the nearly three-hour … More
100th Legislative Session celebrates milestones
This Tuesday, January 14, 2025 marks the first day of the 100th Session of the South Dakota State Legislature. South … More
South Dakota History in 2024
As the year comes to a close, we think back on the year that was. It was a historic year … More
Jimmy Carter 1924-2024
James Earl Carter Jr., the 39th President of the United States, has died. Known always as “Jimmy,” the Georgia governor … More
Arnold M. Brown, former president pro tempore, passes on
The sad news comes that Arnold M. Brown died this week, aged 93. Brown was a 12-year legislator from Brookings … More
SD Legislature sees big shift in occupations from 1973-2023
South Dakota is proud to have a part-time, citizen legislature. Legislators meet in Pierre for a few weeks each winter, … More
Cheers to Churchill at 150
Today is the 150th anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill’s birth. Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill was born on November 30, 1874 at … More
Greg Redlin’s “Janklow” takes on state’s most colorful leader
Books about South Dakota governors are few and far between. My book, The Governors of South Dakota, is a general … More
Appropriators honor Jean Hunhoff
The 2024 election and its aftermath has brought about many significant stories in South Dakota politics, from John Thune’s election … More
Is Union Center the smallest SD town to produce a governor?
With the announcement this week that Governor Kristi Noem will accept a position in the Trump cabinet as Secretary of … More
Thune elected Senate Majority Leader
U.S. Senator John Thune was elected by his Republican colleagues today to serve as the next Senate Majority Leader. Senator … More
Noem pick would make Rhoden 34th Governor of South Dakota
The news comes that Governor Kristi Noem will be appointed by President Donald J. Trump to serve as Secretary of … More
Trump picks Noem for Homeland Security
Just as the clock struck midnight on the morning of November 12, 2024, CNN reported that President Donald J. Trump … More
“The Dakota Scout” features post on 2024 election
Another issue of The Dakota Scout has hit the newsstands, once again featuring content from this blog. The November 8-14, 2024 includes this … More
SD Democrats elect first two women as legislative leaders
The 2025 South Dakota State Legislature will have more female members than ever before, and it will also feature the … More
SD legislative Republicans elect leadership
Tuesday’s general election delivered a 32-3 Republican majority in the State Senate and a 64-6 Republican majority in the State … More
Donald Trump’s 2024 historical milestones
Every presidential election makes history, and the 2024 election set more historical milestones than most as Donald J. Trump will … More
Republicans gain as women reach new high in SD Legislature
The 2024 general election is in the books, as voters have once again elected Republican supermajorities to the South Dakota … More
Dusty wins big as Trump carries SD
It was a big Republican night, in South Dakota and across the United States, as Donald J. Trump was elected … More
What to watch for on Election Day 2024
Election Day is finally here. Once the polls are closed and the results are known, this blog will write about … More
When Kneip resigned
The 2024 general election is next week. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been an active spokesman for Former President … More
SoDak Governors 