FEDERAL SHUTDOWN LEAVES SOUTH DAKOTANS GUESSING AS AGENCIES OFFER UNEVEN GUIDANCE

SOUTH DAKOTA (South Dakota Searchlight) – The federal government shutdown that began Wednesday created confusion for South Dakotans as communication about affected departments and services was inconsistent, with some agencies posting messages blaming the “radical left” and saying their websites won’t be updated until Congress approves additional funding.

The U.S. Senate was unable to advance two short-term government funding bills on Tuesday before the beginning of the new fiscal year, resulting in a shutdown beginning Wednesday morning.

About 750,000 federal workers are expected to be furloughed, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Across South Dakota, federal offices provided uneven communication Wednesday.

Park Service, other impacts

Spokespeople for several National Park Service sites in the state declined to comment, referring inquiries to national or regional offices that didn’t respond to South Dakota Searchlight’s messages.

The state Department of Tourism ultimately provided information on the national park sites, saying Mount Rushmore National Memorial — which was first dedicated 100 years ago today — and Badlands National Park remain open with some limitations, including temporarily closed visitor centers at both locations. Only the above ground portion of Wind Cave National Park was open Wednesday, while Jewel Cave National Monument and Minuteman Missile National Historic Site both closed temporarily.

The National Park Service planned to furlough 9,300 of its 14,500 workers, according to its published contingency plan.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said its recreation areas on the Missouri River will remain open “contingent on available funding and staffing,” with critical operations such as dam maintenance and hydropower production continuing.

“If or when appropriated funds are no longer available, USACE will execute orderly closures of USACE-owned and -operated campgrounds and other facilities,” the agency said in an emailed statement.

In federal court, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for South Dakota said in a written motion Wednesday that “the appropriation that had been funding the Department of Justice expired and the appropriations to the Department lapsed. The government was shut down, and the Department of Justice does not know when funding will be restored by Congress.

“Absent an appropriation, Department of Justice attorneys are prohibited from working, even on a voluntary basis, ‘except for emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property.’”

The National Weather Service said critical forecasting will continue uninterrupted, but all public outreach has been suspended.

“The NWS will continue to provide critical forecast, watch, and warning information to protect life and property throughout the shutdown,” the service said on its website.

The Department of the Interior, which includes the National Park Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, among other agencies, shared that its website “is not being updated and will not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted.”

Amid concerns about impacts to Native American tribes, which rely on treaties with the federal government for much of their revenue, KFF Health News reported that operations at the Indian Health Service would continue.

Troy Heinert, bison management chief with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, said he and many others have been furloughed.

“It’s hitting a lot of people and hitting a lot of programs,” said Heinert, a Democratic former state legislator from Mission.

Some agencies politicize messaging

Meanwhile, some federal websites took a political tone in describing the shutdown.

“The Radical Left in Congress shut down the government. HUD will use available resources to help Americans in need,” read a statement posted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The website of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, displayed a similar message: “Due to the Radical Left Democrat shutdown, this government website will not be updated during the funding lapse. President Trump has made it clear he wants to keep the government open and support those who feed, fuel, and clothe the American people.”

Nearly half of all U.S. Department of Agriculture employees will be furloughed during the federal government shutdown, according to the department’s contingency plan, though key programs that support nutrition, forest preservation and wildfire prevention, the most pressing plant and animal diseases, and agricultural commodity assessments will continue.

Congressional delegates react; health care debate continues

South Dakota’s all-Republican congressional delegation took to social media Wednesday morning, posting messages that included criticism of Democrats.

Rep. Dusty Johnson called shutdowns “stupid,” adding Senate Democrats were responsible for the funding lapse. Sen. Mike Rounds said a Republican bill to keep the government open failed because “Democrat colleagues did not join us,” and he called the situation “unacceptable and fully avoidable.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune said “Democrats have bowed to the far left.”

Yet GOP lawmakers wrote their short-term funding bill behind closed doors and then expected Democrats to help advance it in the Senate, where bipartisanship is required for major legislation.

Democratic leaders have raised concerns for weeks about the end-of-year sunset of enhanced tax credits for people who buy their health insurance on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, arguing a solution is needed now ahead of the open enrollment period starting on Nov. 1.

According to a national analysis from U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, the top marketplace insurer in South Dakota, Avera Health Plans, would increase premiums by 9%.

The last government shutdown that began in December 2018 and lasted until January 2019 led to a loss of about $3 billion in gross domestic product that couldn’t be recovered, according to a CBO analysis.

 

AREA LAWMAKERS WILL NOT ACCEPT PAY UNTIL SHUTDOWN ENDS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson says he won’t take a paycheck until the federal government shutdown ends. He’s joined by Iowa Representatives Randy Feenstra, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Ashley Hinson, and Zach Nunn.  In Nebraska Representatives Mike Flood, Don Bacon, and Adrian Smith have all waived their pay along with Senators Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts who are also refusing pay.

Johnson called the shutdown “stupid,” as roughly 11,500 federal workers in South Dakota face furloughs or delayed paychecks. Essential services continue, but many agencies are operating with limited staff.

Governor Larry Rhoden says the state is prepared for now, with Mount Rushmore and other national parks remaining open — though visitor centers are closed.

That decision comes despite a joint letter from the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks and the Association of National Park Rangers urging the Interior Secretary to close parks entirely during the shutdown, citing safety and resource concerns.

As Congress remains deadlocked, the shutdown’s impact continues to ripple across federal services and local communities.

 

THOUSANDS OF SOUTH DAKOTANS COULD LOSE HEALTH COVERAGE

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (DakotaNewsNow) – Thousands of South Dakotans could lose their health insurance by year’s end if Congress fails to extend key tax credits under the Affordable Care Act.

The Enhanced Premium Tax Credit, introduced in 2021, helped lower insurance costs for middle-income families by capping premiums at 8.5% of household income. Without an extension, those credits will expire just as open enrollment begins in November.

Shelly Ten Napel, CEO of the Community Healthcare Association of the Dakotas, says the impact will be felt most by the self-employed and those working for small businesses — groups less likely to have employer-sponsored coverage.

Premiums could rise by as much as 18% on average, and in some cases, double. But Ten Napel says basic subsidies will still be available, and residents should explore their options on the ACA Marketplace.

Kate Serenbetz with Avera Health Plans says the credits have helped families afford coverage and should be made permanent. She urges people to plan ahead — especially if major medical needs are expected in 2026 — and to seek help from a trusted insurance agent.

The CDC says the credits are designed to support lower and middle-income families, not the wealthy, and safeguards are in place to prevent abuse

 

NEBRASKA LAWMAKER FILING SUIT OVER CANNABIS REGULATIONS

LINCOLN, NE – A Nebraska lawmaker is formally challenging new medical cannabis regulations, arguing they defy what voters approved at the ballot box.

State Senator John Cavanaugh of Omaha filed a complaint Thursday against the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission. He says emergency rules adopted this summer limit access in ways voters never intended. Among his objections: the rules restrict which cannabis products can be sold, ban smoking or vaping despite voter approval, and only allow Nebraska-based doctors to recommend cannabis.

Cavanaugh says the commission and the governor “overrode the clearly expressed will of Nebraska voters” without public input.

Nebraskans have been able to legally possess small amounts of medical cannabis since December, but dispensaries still aren’t open. Regulators missed an Oct. 1 licensing deadline after two commissioners resigned, and the commission is now planning a public hearing on October 15 in Lincoln.

Legislative leaders say Cavanaugh’s complaint is legitimate — both because of the missed deadlines and the risk of lawsuits over voter-approved timelines. Cavanaugh is urging lawmakers to step in during next year’s session to make sure the program reflects what voters demanded.

Nebraska voters approved medical cannabis in 2024 with strong support, but rollout delays mean the program isn’t expected to be fully operating until at least mid-2026

 

72 NEW AMERICANS SWORN IN AT MT. RUSHMORE

MT. RUSHMORE, S.D. – A powerful moment of patriotism unfolded Thursday at Mount Rushmore, where 72 people from 34 countries took the final step to become American citizens.

The naturalization ceremony was hosted by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who returned to her home state to administer the Oath of Allegiance beneath the iconic presidential monument.

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden and Congressman Dusty Johnson joined Noem in welcoming the new citizens. Rhoden reflected on the significance of the moment, saying, “Taking the oath in front of such a crowd, at such a historic site — it’s pretty incredible.”

Johnson praised the diversity of the group, noting, “They come from all over the world, but they share one thing — a love for America.”

Noem encouraged the new citizens to embrace the values of the nation’s founders, saying, “You may know more American history than many born here. I can’t wait to see what you’ll accomplish.”

The ceremony was filled with emotion, pride, and a reminder of the enduring promise of the American dream