Our Dakota Political Junkie explores the political futures of a few of our most powerful state leaders, as well as the many ballot measures that failed last week.

With another year quickly wrapping up, state lawmakers, budget writers, and economists are taking stock of the last 12 months. Now, they prepare to move forward into the legislative session

A new agreement between the Justice Department and Bennett County helps Native Americans receive equal voting opportunities.

The legislative executive board is reviewing reports from various oversite committees including the one that monitors Medical Marijuana. State Senator Erin Tobin is the Chair of the committee. She said there have been issues at each meeting that should be easy to fix.

South Dakota US Senator John Thune has been elected the majority leader of the Senate. Leading his national caucus, Thune now joins other South Dakota politicians to have held some of the most powerful roles in DC.

Following the 2024 election, more women have been elected to the South Dakota Legislature than ever before.

Eminent domain has been a hot topic for the state as carbon pipeline projects attempt to utilize the law to their benefit. The state legislative research council was tasked to generate a report on what the law means for the state.

Governor Kristi Noem is the Trump administration’s nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security. That nomination will lead to changes in the state’s executive branch.

Two measures, a repeal of the state human consumption tax and an effort to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, failed at the ballot box. Now, advocates question how to best move forward.

South Dakota voters rejected an amendment to put abortion rights into the state constitution in the 2024 election. As SDPB’s Lee Strubinger reports, the success and failure of the campaigns came down to funding and organization.