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State Politics

Rep. Dusty Johnson criticizes Gov. Larry Rhoden's commitment to K-12 education

Rhoden included no funding increase in next year's state budget; Johnson says students should be 'top priority'

Jonathan Ellis's avatar
Jonathan Ellis
Dec 15, 2025
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Rep. Dusty Johnson criticized Gov. Larry Rhoden Monday for proposing a state budget next year that does not include an increase for K-12 education funding.

Johnson also said that the Rhoden administration has failed to introduce a serious plan to address slumping student achievement scores in reading and math.

“Over the last year, I have not seen any kind of a bold education plan,” Johson told The Dakota Scout. “Unlike most states, our economy is not growing. We have, for the first time in state history, K-12 education not being our top spending area, our top spending priority. And the governor seems to accept that as just a necessity that can’t be adjusted. His budget address was more a shrugging of the shoulders, and I think we need a stronger vision than that. I mean, where is the affirmative leadership for how to move forward?”

Jury sides with funeral home, director in burial dispute

Jonathan Ellis
·
December 15, 2025
Jury sides with funeral home, director in burial dispute

A South Dakota jury has vindicated a funeral director for his decision to bury a man contrary to the wishes of the deceased man’s biological children.

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