SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING SCHEDULED FOR KRISTI NOEM
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Governor Kristi Noem will undergo a confirmation hearing in front of the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on January 15.
The hearing could establish her as the next Secretary of Homeland Security.
The hearing is set to begin at 9 a.m. and Noem is one of a handful of appointments made by President-elect Donald Trump to appear. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida will also undergo his hearing for Secretary of State.
Although Republicans have the majority in both chambers, nominees will still be subjected to public questioning before a vote is taken.
“We need to be fair but thorough and give every nominee a chance to make their case, while also subjecting them to some tough scrutiny — that is, after all, what any reasonable job application process demands,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Noem accepted Trump’s nomination in November, stating that was the position she asked for. If appointed, Noem would likely be succeeded as South Dakota Governor by Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden, who would fulfill the rest of her term until January of 2027.
TRIBAL EMPLOYEES CHARGED WITH STEALING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Two former employees are accused of stealing millions of dollars from a department of the Oglala Sioux Tribe on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Patrick Ross and Buffy Redfish are facing a list of charges, including wire fraud and money laundering, according to federal court documents.
Court documents say that from November 2017 to May 2024, Redfish would keep the number of fee checks and then give them to Ross.
He would deposit it into a bank account and then write Redfish a check for her share.
Documents say they deposited 166 checks for nearly $5 million.
Redfish worked for the Tribal Employment Rights Office, known as TERO, inside the OST government. The TERO office receives checks from construction companies that perform work on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Redfish would collect fee checks from contractors but then divert and embezzle checks under a different business checking account.
The case is being prosecuted in U.S. District Court in the District of South Dakota.
WATERTOWN MAN SENTENCED FOR SEX CRIMES
WATERTOWN, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced that a Watertown man will spend the next three decades behind bars.
James Kaska was sentenced to 50 total years in prison with 20 years suspended after pleading no contest to first-degree rape of an underage child.
The incident happened between June 12, 2021, and June 11, 2020.
“This was a horrific crime involving a young child, and this defendant has and should be, held accountable,” said Attorney General Jackley. “Thank you to law enforcement and prosecutors for their work on this case.”
The case was investigated by the Watertown Police Department, with assistance from South Dakota DCI, and the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office prosecuted.
WAYNE STATE COLLEGE HOLD OPEN HOUSE FOR STEARNS HALL
WAYNE, NE – A local college recently built a brand new residence hall for the first time in nearly 60 years.
Wednesday, Wayne State College held an open house for students, staff, and the community to see Stearns Hall on Wednesday afternoon.
The new residence hall is the first-ever suite-style living option for the college.
Stearns Hall can hold 276 students with 168 suite-styled rooms and 108 traditional dorm-style rooms. The building also includes an exercise area, lounge areas on each floor and a main lobby with an open kitchen.
The last residence hall built at Wayne College was Bowen Hall in 1966 and leaders say it’s no longer conducive for students to live in.
“We’re very excited because all the rest of our residents are very traditional, you know the traditional wing and they share a bathroom. So we are very excited everyone gets their own bathroom. I think that’s really exciting for them,” said Heidi Acton, Director of Residence Life at Wayne State College. “We also have a fitness center in here which we don’t really other halls. So I think it’s some really cool amenities for the students.”
Construction on the hall started in the fall of 2023.
After months of work, students can begin moving in on Thursday.
“I can’t believe that it’s built and it’s here we, you know all you saw mock-ups stuff of it, like pictures on computer renders. It’s pretty exciting. Can’t believe it’s already done,” said Acton.
The residence hall was named after the first female president of Wayne State College, Dr. Sheila Stearns.
They plan to hold a special dedication ceremony this spring.
