Immigrants at the county jail, riding with Rhoden, ESAs v. vouchers, replacing Tonnis & a sheriff's call to serve

PIERRE — The similarities between South Dakota’s new governor and his predecessor are plentiful — particularly when it comes to their conservative ideologies.

PIERRE — South Dakota legislators have dealt a pair of blows to “school choice” advocates who want state funding for homeschool and private education.

PIERRE — In their first joint interview since being sworn into their respective offices, Gov. Larry Rhoden and Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen sat down with The Dakota Scout’s Austin Goss and Joe Sneve to discuss how they navigated the succession of power after the departure of former Gov. Kristi Noem, and their visions for the remainder of South Dakota’s 100th Legislative Session. Among topics covered were a new men’s prison planned in Lincoln County, a push to create an education savings account (ESA) program, and Rhoden’s hopes of bringing fireworks back to Mount Rushmore’s annual Independence Day celebration.