CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT SHUTS DOWN DRUG SMUGGLING AT STATE PRISON FACILITIES

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.- The South Dakota Department of Corrections (DOC) has busted a ring of drug smuggling coming into state prison facilities through an internal investigation. Secretary of Corrections Kellie Wasko announced the preliminary results of that investigation.

“We are stopping the flow of drugs into our prison facilities. My team has worked collaboratively with the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to achieve this,” said Secretary Kellie Wasko. “We have identified and stopped methods used to introduce dangerous contraband that had a direct effect on the overdose deaths.”

The following three methods of drug delivery into the state prison facilities were identified and stopped:

• Through the use of counterfeit packages imitating well-known manufacturers with large amounts of drugs sent in through these packages; and
• Through false use of the privileged mail system, such as counterfeit legal mail; and
• Through the actions of visitors, including family members and friends, bringing drugs into the prison during visitation, which contributed to one of the deaths.

A total of three offender deaths, including two during May and one in February, are linked to drug overdoses in DOC facilities in Sioux Falls. Two of the overdoses happened at the Jameson Annex, while one occurred at the South Dakota State Penitentiary.

The DOC will not tolerate introduction of drugs to harm our staff or offenders. An investigation involving the DOC Inspector General’s Office, the DCI, and the U.S. Postmaster General is ongoing. If the results of the investigation warrant prosecution, criminal charges will be sought. We will continue to counter every attempt to introduce dangerous contraband into our facilities.

The introduction of drugs in the prison facilities has led to the DOC enacting non-contact visits for family and friends of offenders in certain facilities. Non-contact visits may be expanded to other prison facilities. Additional policy changes are also under review.

“We wanted to ensure that the public is aware of the work that has been done in these cases. We are taking action to keep staff and inmates safe,” continued Secretary Wasko.

Anyone who delivers or procures to be delivered, or possesses with the intent to deliver, to any inmate in a state correctional facility a prescription or nonprescription drug or controlled substance, except as authorized by the Department of Corrections, is guilty of a Class 4 felony, punishable by up to ten years in prison and a fine of twenty thousand dollars.

 

DOEDEN JOINS RACE FOR GOVERNOR WITH PLEDGE TO ELIMINATE PROPERTY TAXES

ABERDEEN, S.D. (Joshua Haiar / South Dakota Searchlight) – Toby Doeden, an Aberdeen businessman, officially launched his campaign for governor of South Dakota on Wednesday evening, promising a sweeping overhaul of state government including the elimination of property taxes.

Doeden is seeking the Republican nomination in 2026 and is the second member of his party to officially declare a candidacy, after state House Speaker Jon Hansen, of Dell Rapids. Other Republicans frequently mentioned as potential candidates include former lieutenant governor and current Gov. Larry Rhoden, who is serving the remainder of former Gov. Kristi Noem’s second term after she resigned to join the Trump Cabinet, along with U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson and Attorney General Marty Jackley.

Rhoden signed a bill earlier this year that includes several forms of property tax relief. Doeden said he’ll go further.

“As governor, I will fight to eliminate property taxes so that each and every resident — regardless of class, color, creed or profession — can truly own their home and their land once and for all,” Doeden told an enthusiastic crowd of at least a couple of hundred supporters.

He proposed the creation of a new agency, the “South Dakota Department of External Revenue,” to identify alternative revenue sources.

Doeden repeatedly criticized what he called a “bloated $8 billion enterprise,” referring to state government and its budget. He said he would create a “South Dakota Department of Government Efficiency” and promised to audit every state agency and publicly release “every line item” of spending. He also pledged to reject a salary, eliminate executive perks such as state-funded air travel, and shred all executive branch credit cards.

Doeden called for reform of South Dakota’s public education system. He pledged to refocus schools on “reading, writing, math and critical thinking,” and said classrooms should be “free from indoctrination and divisive ideologies.”

“I will work with President Trump and our Legislature here at home to develop and implement an education system that prepares our children for a future of winning,” he said.

Doeden tied his campaign closely to President Donald Trump, saying he would work to combat crime and illegal immigration.

“Any elected official who suggests defunding the police will forfeit their right to hold office,” he said.

Doeden was introduced by state Sen. Taffy Howard, R-Rapid City, who lost a 2022 primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Johnson. Among the other state lawmakers in attendance was Rep. Brandei Schaefbauer, R-Aberdeen.

“Toby is a businessman, and we need someone who understands jobs, the economy, and why people are struggling,” Schaefbauer said.

Doeden, a married father of four grown children, is the owner of Aberdeen Chrysler Center, Redfield Ford and other retail businesses and real estate.

When Doeden was publicly considering a challenge last year to Johnson, Doeden’s past social media posts drew scrutiny. He had encouraged the shooting of immigrants in gangs, used a profane insult to describe President Joe Biden, and labeled statistics about hatred of Jewish Americans as “fake.”

Doeden ultimately decided against running for U.S. House last year. He founded a political action committee called Dakota First Action, which he used to support legislative candidates and play a role in 14 June primary losses by incumbent Republican lawmakers.

The committee faced immediate scrutiny due to a $100,000 contribution from Doeden himself. Following concerns raised about state campaign finance laws – particularly the $10,000 limit on individual contributions to PACs – Doeden amended the report, stating that the money was a loan rather than a donation. Because loans can be forgiven, critics alleged that Doeden had found and exploited a loophole allowing him to make an unlimited individual contribution.

The Legislature passed a bill this winter closing the loophole with a new requirement that any loan, when combined with contributions from the same source, cannot exceed contribution limits in state law. Had the law been in effect last year, Doeden would have been limited to a combined $10,000 of annual contributions and loans to his political action committee.

In October, Doeden and Dakota First Action hosted a fundraising event in Sioux Falls that sparked controversy for featuring a video message from North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. CNN had recently exposed Robinson’s racist and sexually explicit comments on a pornographic website’s message board, including referring to himself as a “black Nazi,” expressing support for reinstating slavery and praising Adolf Hitler. Robinson, who was running for governor of North Carolina, lost to a Democrat in the general election.

 

COALITION FORMS TO PUSH SOUTH DAKOTA SENATORS TO OPPOSE POTENTIAL MEDICAID CUTS

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The issue of potential Medicaid cuts has been at the forefront of many protests and discussions across the country. Now, a newly formed coalition is looking to carry on that fight.

The coalition is called “Hands Off Medicaid” and they are looking to rally support to encourage senators in South Dakota and around the country to oppose the cuts in the “Big Beautiful Bill.”

The group estimates that if the cuts from the Big Beautiful Bill are passed then almost 27,000 South Dakotans could lose out on coverage entirely.

“This is a sharp reversal of an eighty-year trend to try and get families the health care that they need,” Earl Pomeroy, a former North Dakota congressman said.

Dr. Thomas Dean, a doctor with over 30 years of practice in family medicine, said it will hurt many mothers in the state.

“Medicaid is a major payer for prenatal and delivery and post-partum care and that’s a major concern, especially in rural areas but across the country,” Dr. Dean said.

Without Medicaid, Dr. Dean said medical care for the pregnancy journey is tough to support.

“OB care typically is a money loser for hospitals, especially for small rural hospitals that are already financially stressed and if we lose Medicaid coverage it will make that problem worse,” Dr. Dean explained.

Nearly 150,000 South Dakotans are enrolled in Medicaid with 42% of enrollments being pregnant and postpartum women.

“Often those adults aren’t eligible for Medicaid until they have a dependent which makes their dependent eligible. When babies are born, that is often the first time people are able to receive Medicaid and we’re grateful that kids born into Medicaid have the access to the services that they need,” Dr. Dean said.

The Big Beautiful Bill narrowly passed the Congressional House and is now waiting on a vote in the Senate.

 

NEBRASKA GOVERNOR JIM PILLEN TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION IN 2026

LINCOLN, NE (WOWT) – Jim Pillen intends to remain Nebraska’s governor for a second term, kicking off his re-election campaign online Thursday morning.

In a video posted to his campaign page on Thursday morning, the Republican governor touts his accomplishments as those of all Nebraskans, using “we” as he talks about the passage of permitless concealed carry, known to gun advocates as “Constitutional carry,” as well as an allegiance to President Trump.

In recent weeks, several posts on the governor’s official social media accounts — including a video of the governor in Washingon D.C. just last week — continuing to applaud the president and affirming his team’s committment to working with Trump and his administration. He’s also posted photos showing one of Trump’s books called “Saving America” on display in the foreground of the Nebraska governor’s desk. Those posts, like nearly all posts made on his official Facebook page, don’t allow comments.

In his new campaign video, Pillen also talks about several controversial topics that Nebraskans have wrestled with under his administration, including rules for transgender athletes, which he phrased in the video as keeping “men out of girls sports.” Pillen’s ad also doesn’t mention “winner-take-all,” which he identified as legislative priority for the current session; or medical marijuana, which Nebraskans overwhelming voted to legalize last November after several hard-fought court battles.

I ran for governor with a clear mission: make our great state even greater. Together, we are doing just that. Nebraska is stronger, safer, and freer – but if you learn anything growing up on the farm, there’s always more work to do. That’s why I’m running for re-election.

Posted by Jim Pillen on Thursday, May 29, 2025

“That’s why we stand with President Trump and sent Nebraska National Guard troops to stop the illegal invasion at the border. Out here, we still know right from wrong: We fought to keep men out of girls sports; criminalized sex changes for minors; and banned ‘woke,’ DEI, nonsense. Because here in Nebraska, it’s what you do, not how you look, that still determines, how far you go.”

After refusing to debate his opponents in the 2022 primary and general elections, Pillen soundly defeated Democrat Carol Blood to take office. He succeeded Pete Ricketts, whom he appointed a week later as Nebraska’s junior senator after Ben Sasse resigned.

“I ran for governor with a clear mission: make our great state even greater. And together, we are doing just that,” Pillen wrote in the Facebook post Thursday.

In his campaign video, Pillen talks about signing “the largest income tax cut in Nebraska history,” and reducing property taxes. Last August, the governor signed a tax reform bill granting some property tax relief last summer, but it was a far cry from the 50% he promised taxpayers ahead of the special session he called to get the job done.

Since Trump took office for his second term in January, Pillen has also prioritized the president’s agenda. In his campaign video, he talks about support for Trump’s immigration policies and sending Nebraska troops to the border; but doesn’t mention the executive order he signed in January requiring all state entities to comply with the administration’s new immigration policies days after the Omaha mayor and police chief emphasized they wouldn’t be shifting their immigration enforcement policies.

“Nebraska is stronger, safer, and freer — but if you learn anything growing up on the farm, there’s always more work to do. That’s why I’m running for re-election,” Pillen says in his social media post.

Right now, the governor is working with state senators to wrap up the 109th State Legislative Session.

“There’s always more work to do. But if you keep your head down and work hard, anything, is possible,” Pillen says in his campaign video.

Thursday’s reelection announcement comes about two weeks after he delivered harsh remarks to Omaha Republicans after Democratic challenger John Ewing defeated longtime Mayor Jean Stothert’s bid for a fourth term.

No other challengers have stepped forward for Nebraska’s primary election, set for May 12, 2026.

A spokesperson for Charles Herbster, who lost a hard-fought primary campaign against Pillen in spite of an endorsement from Donald Trump in 2022, told First Alert 6 in an email on Thursday that Herbster has been “hearing from a lot of Nebraskans who want him to run,” but hasn’t yet made a decision and has no timeline for any sort of announcement.

In that race three years ago, Herbster came in just a hair ahead of Brett Lindstrom, who had previously served in the Nebraska Legislature. Herbster blamed his loss on “a smear campaign” involving allegations from then-State Sen. Julie Slama, saying he was targeted by Pillen and Ricketts.

 

WATERED-DOWN VERSION OF NEBRASKA EDUCATION PACKAGE ADVANCES AS CLEAN-UP BILL

LINCOLN, NE (Nebraska Examiner) – An education bill that was once a vehicle for an education package advanced Thursday a lot leaner, as many of the proposals previously included failed to be attached as amendments to the bill.

Legislative Bill 306, which largely ended up clean-up language sought by State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil to address terms and provisions in state law relating to higher education, was brought back for debate after a previous attempt at the education package failed on the floor after lawmakers removed Central City’s State Sen. Loren Lippincott’s proposal allowing K-12 students to be excused during the school day for off-site religious instruction and coursework.

Lost in the shuffle again were three proposals that were once married — a measure that would have given Nebraska teachers more paid time off around significant life events, one offering student loan help for special education teachers and the release time proposal.

State Sen. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha’s measure would have helped schools fund more long-term substitutes so teachers can take paid time off. She revised it to give teachers two weeks of paid leave instead of three. The proposal would have funded the leave by implementing a new payroll fee on teacher salaries. The fee would also would have helped pay for special education teacher recruitment and retention.

Her amendment, backed by the state teachers union, failed 17-25.

State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln offered an amendment that would have provided forgivable loans for special education teachers in the state. Dungan’s proposal was combined into Spivey’s amendment, as the Legislature’s Education Committee had combined the two previously. It also failed 20-23.

Lippincott brought back his release time proposal after lawmakers pulled it from the education package. He withdrew the attempt after Spivey and Dungan’s amendments failed. The latest version of Lippincott’s proposal removed the private cause of action, the ability to sue if a school doesn’t enforce the ability to leave for that purpose, which some Republicans had expressed concerns about.

“This is going to be a filibuster; we need 33 votes,” Lippincott said during Thursday’s debate. “I do not want my amendment to put the bill down.”

Some social conservatives in the Legislature had been trying to show a growing base of lawmakers willing to consider and advance bills with religious themes.