[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6385962,"mediaKeyId","2118753-04d7a5de1bb73643ddb9ca2e5cb8820f","parentId",2118753,"title","Noem honors flood response teams and names state geologist in joint session","audioSeconds",307,"startMs",2160000,"endMs",2467000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2118753-04d7a5de1bb73643ddb9ca2e5cb8820f&start=2160&end=2467","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2118753-04d7a5de1bb73643ddb9ca2e5cb8820f/thumbnail_2160000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6385962/South-Dakota/Noem-honors-flood-response-teams-and-names-state-geologist-in-joint-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385962-239668b29933ef38d874083b8e2c2b80/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146901&Signature=OOkbcxFHKEARSZYQorbYgH0l215ndMOBmHyWDgnm9BHrXGC2ch3CLahyngyGS7z1MXLFbbyGFi9yp4VR2dCKfAzWst7DKXDmwhq4VFs~KqlT2eFW1KTbkQRVwrezX4eTEkkYA2K4De1FDjhA8cEe7OMHmVAa4uPZJ1dxt61Ldcb7Xuf6L99aRS6uaEexzdzRj6GzNnMaMKF39HIEoZjxDDKHO-bJSYptEsmE2mx9umc3lk7AsyyaTw~pKdEXRshydRad5I9cy~t2Y1ggIkQFg~ITYD6sjzLdinA7iOWtggpu-bgfwRq5NSwper5hfXuFGWU0uZFAS0-PzGU39Yi7Hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of South Dakota","date","2025-01-14T00:00:00Z","article","Governor Kristi Noem recounted the state’s response to recent floods and presented hero awards to state and local responders in the joint legislative session.

Noem singled out the state geologist at the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources for providing what she said were reliable river‑flow projections when federal forecasts were unreliable. “Tim is our South Dakota state geologist with the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. He lives, and has he saved lives with his water flow projections,” Noem said.

The governor also described a high‑risk rescue in rural Union County in which Game, Fish and Parks personnel launched a boat through a highway ditch to reach a trapped individual and thereby averted a more dangerous helicopter rescue. She honored specific Department of Game, Fish and Parks staff and members of the Sioux Falls Swift Water Rescue Team. Noem listed award recipients by name: Sam Skalhas, Jeremy Rowe, Christopher Shearer, Taylor Ethington, and six members of the Sioux Falls Swift Water Rescue Team: Mike Murphy, Mike Olson, Adam Frick, Chris Lohan, Jack Claussen, and Rob Flannery.

Why it matters: Noem used the address to emphasize coordinated state agency response during natural disasters, highlight investments in levees and dams, and recognize personnel who participated in rescues. The governor framed emergency management and improved infrastructure as a continuing legislative and budget priority.

Details and context: Noem said that in the cited flood year 63 of 66 counties were declared federal disaster areas during her first year in office, and described multi‑agency coordination that included the Department of Public Safety, Department of Transportation, Department of Game, Fish and Parks and local responders. She emphasized that some rescues were executed without aerial support because of hazards to air crews.

Next steps: Noem indicated the state will continue to prioritize emergency preparedness, levee improvements and training; specific budget or program proposals were not introduced during the joint session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","State of the State 2025 | Statehouse","oneSentenceSummary","In her address, Gov. Kristi Noem praised state and local emergency responders for flood rescues, cited state geologist Tim Kalman for providing critical river forecasts, and presented hero awards to named individuals and the Sioux Falls Swift Water Rescue Team.","taxTitle","2025 Legislative SD, South Dakota","taxId",77845,"location","South Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6385970,"State to transfer Keep Farmers Farming program to South Dakota Ag Foundation with one‑year grant",162,1546000,1708000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2118753-04d7a5de1bb73643ddb9ca2e5cb8820f&start=1546&end=1708","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2118753-04d7a5de1bb73643ddb9ca2e5cb8820f/thumbnail_1546000.jpg","/articles/6385970/South-Dakota/State-to-transfer-Keep-Farmers-Farming-program-to-South-Dakota-Ag-Foundation-with-oneyear-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385970-3af7d420e4864f52c821bbdd111fe9cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146901&Signature=bdoOO~TVfZVJ4UqgimCweitpwYoO4zuBZxo2nKeZzj296sXEB97r50gMRomC~Gpv4QI9vZSGY74ucgiS-5JPu625BWfPWVmOoeOxyI9YrMkCjVZUayA2NqLlEWxLm~3j4xeK1cMtGnebePfRU9ghFjs4regdezF~QOdRvdBFHxDz0HzVAo8r0UVb0-1oJOUD4Tmrca8nt0tk2P8auDYJx8k0fihZwaTbYFnc-LDnocd6V8O-CJkjK3wyezIRJptIY10wSK8QcDW7i2CWvvS6l9yg~GHz6PInHEyShjrcqV-8zUqib9bXjzgeENLLOAQHr3JBYyxzlOKU49tTm8v9gQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Governor Kristi Noem told lawmakers she had reached an agreement to transfer the Keep Farmers Farming program from First Dakota National Bank to the South Dakota Ag Foundation, and that the governor’s office of economic development will provide a one‑year grant to help the foundation administer, market and grow the program.

Noem described the program as a tool for farm and ranch transition planning, helping producers pass land and operations to the next generation while preserving the family farming tradition. “There will be no loss of service for those existing program participants,” the governor said.

Why it matters: the program is intended to ease farm succession and keep farmland and operations in family hands. A state grant to a nonprofit administrator aims to preserve continuity while the foundation assumes program operations.

Details provided: Noem said the state reached an agreement with the South Dakota Ag Foundation and First Dakota National Bank for the transfer. The governor asked representatives of the South Dakota Ag Foundation to stand during the address; she did not provide the grant dollar amount or an implementation timeline.

Next steps: The governor’s office will supply a one‑year grant to support program administration and marketing; program participants will continue to receive services during the transition. Legislative oversight or appropriation beyond the one‑year grant was not mentioned in the address.","Gov. Noem announced the state has reached an agreement to transfer the Keep Farmers Farming program from First Dakota National Bank to the South Dakota Ag Foundation and that the governor's office of economic development will provide a one‑year grant to support the transition.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6385977,"Noem touts telehealth, mental‑health facilities and support for workforce; Democrats warn on Medicaid work requirements",208,1374000,1582000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2118753-04d7a5de1bb73643ddb9ca2e5cb8820f&start=1374&end=1582","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2118753-04d7a5de1bb73643ddb9ca2e5cb8820f/thumbnail_1374000.jpg","/articles/6385977/South-Dakota/Noem-touts-telehealth-mentalhealth-facilities-and-support-for-workforce-Democrats-warn-on-Medicaid-work-requirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385977-433f1008f8bd105deebb20111f5e4747/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146901&Signature=CSVAoDs2T1uu~204s0n2~XbGqqXHfUdIa7-~W-42syG7moDxXLbGKRk-NgjPFv~hUPXYGa3qwaijWJM8E~f2i4xVUopg~uXvqd8-CTlXKqIF4efqBn-J7yuxtllh9l1Toz-gwQe8rwsva5-0betGiLpNCapDhaTOC-JYdS2pYzs7cjNO3IffPnuhGRkUSaTR6XKvVL4fkRhmxU6vzCRfCrjfJbarOomRy3V824XyJVW4i7jwCykPfeDenFQgVV9Eb0eOwsAKMyqW81kwzWJrWLSCGcl17Szg-wxbgZUQ68jgxVuG48K~g2rHdQ6tcwVvA4ncMgY3pUBh7iwHsMvlAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Governor Kristi Noem emphasized several health‑care initiatives in her State of the State address, including telehealth in ambulances, regional mental‑health facilities and expanded career supports for Medicaid recipients while backing work requirements enabled by a voter‑approved amendment.

Noem said the state “created a first in the nation initiative that put telehealth services into the backs of our ambulances” and credited such programs with increasing access in rural areas. She also said the state had “created regional mental health facilities across our state to get South Dakotans care closer to their homes.”

Noem referenced Amendment F, which South Dakota voters passed in November, saying that it “allows for future work requirements under Medicaid expansion.” She said the Department of Social Services will use South Dakota CareerLink to connect individuals with job training and supports. “We’re going to connect them with the training, the guidance, and the support that they need to find a stable and a meaningful career,” Noem said.

Democratic lawmakers responded in interviews after the speech. Representative Erin Healy said her caucus opposes new work requirements and that they would “harm South Dakotans” by creating barriers to care and employment. Healy reiterated that health‑care access and affordability remain Democratic priorities for the session.

Details and figures mentioned: Noem said a decline in nurse shortages included “the number of nurses working in South Dakota has increased by at least 1,100 across all nursing classifications,” and highlighted state enforcement of transparency from health insurers.

Next steps: Lawmakers will consider statutory language and appropriations in committee hearings. Noem’s reference to Amendment F signals that sponsors may pursue enabling legislation or administrative changes to implement work‑requirement policies; specific bill text, target populations and enforcement mechanisms were not specified during the address.","In the State of the State, Gov. Kristi Noem highlighted ambulance telehealth, regional mental‑health facilities and job‑training for Medicaid recipients; she also referenced Amendment F and work‑requirement proposals that Democrats called harmful to access.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6385981,"Noem renews push for education savings accounts; sponsors identified",161,1308000,1469000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2118753-04d7a5de1bb73643ddb9ca2e5cb8820f&start=1308&end=1469","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2118753-04d7a5de1bb73643ddb9ca2e5cb8820f/thumbnail_1308000.jpg","/articles/6385981/South-Dakota/Noem-renews-push-for-education-savings-accounts-sponsors-identified","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385981-0af2faf86bca96a811fc51b686d9f232/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146901&Signature=MDsZI~SM2nZoF1XodLqL7jn2tmJMQEsNL22FhucZGMTstG2MrqIJVyYC7SIulnVtEpfS1-pzkVa9XmZzl8957lpJjjlzeFr35ehj4LYFdiVuW1uRvOOzCOhuiCBOaaWj69HftVChsxZvREqXxEntK5zZ6DbxBikj9oggr4sxfoNGfjl5xIYwUNweYrhfQwPK~M5qbE9U7hclBWbamul6DOQDYWmIDmTQhleeoY1N1VqIr3mLFYE8PVKdpplwyii4jRTSk1GCQ5V43tCVl6wYR~glU9IJsvBuoWAoQH3rD2eR9gNpZa4U-gzyAhQ9DHH9pMiPC9zymJ2qB~7p0H6p2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Governor Kristi Noem used her State of the State to spotlight education savings accounts as a priority for the 2024 legislative session, saying the program would “support all of our South Dakota students” and “not impact any of the funding that goes to our great public schools.”

Noem said the ESA bill was introduced “in conjunction with” Representative Odenbach and Senator Jim Melhoff. “These education savings accounts will support all of our South Dakota students. We will provide families greater opportunities to choose the best fit for their children's education,” she said.

Why it matters: ESAs typically redirect public education funding to accounts that families can use for private school tuition, tutoring, or other approved education expenses. Noem’s statement that ESAs would not reduce public school funding was disputed by incoming House Minority Leader Erin Healy, who told SDPB after the speech that “any money that is utilized is going to take away from the general fund” and that her caucus will not support ESAs this year.

Legislative posture: Senate Majority Leader Jim Melhoff said he expects to work on ESA language with Representative Odenbach and the caucus to seek acceptable bill text. Melhoff said the proposal has already changed since its first draft and that the goal is to expand parental agency in education.

Details available from the address and post‑speech interviews: Noem said ESAs will be created in coordination with legislative sponsors; she did not provide bill text, a dollar amount per account, an eligibility formula or a timeline for implementation. Representative Odenbach and Senator Melhoff were identified as sponsors; specific bill number and fiscal‑note details were not specified in the joint session.

Conflicting claims and next steps: Noem’s assurance that the program would not affect public school funding contrasts with the minority leader’s prediction that ESAs will draw money from the general fund. Lawmakers said they will negotiate language and fiscal impacts in committee hearings scheduled during the legislative session.","Governor Kristi Noem told the joint session she will work with Representative Odenbach and Senate Majority Leader Jim Melhoff on education savings accounts (ESAs). The proposal drew immediate reaction from opponents who say ESAs will reduce funding available to public schools.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6385986,"Noem delivers top‑10 State of the State and signals possible departure to federal post",2796,916000,3712000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2118753-04d7a5de1bb73643ddb9ca2e5cb8820f&start=916&end=3712","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2118753-04d7a5de1bb73643ddb9ca2e5cb8820f/thumbnail_916000.jpg","/articles/6385986/South-Dakota/Noem-delivers-top10-State-of-the-State-and-signals-possible-departure-to-federal-post","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385986-cf3805ba97dfde6c58037241819fbdd7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146901&Signature=eqzAIh9UDyCHnSMcPp2T-w3LCRgRvyQA6ZMBpIBQgm5PBrJiMAb8vyKYCb0mJ4VBHNrOg4anlnXOlrlG0t2aw~ksl8hAaRS1gt8UpZYhLKdgEKVSVhMyfaVtZiEakboSKiZV01u0B849VJoydgpidPMbUojtc8UWAdwLvdPohVwMYiVGb8ycKoxJtkz22Wl9tBMxNy1PkaGZ0MgfyjcXR~scW6oFMJHTHVmElzpWPi6np274Sm7aM~3eoWtQjIwYV6Dk9OYYWdrs~cSUvE0X8gfysXlFPwWjyVz8XsISCKR3OEf5k2wtZ0lUFkbqXE48sNRMKca86Nv9eH61o-koow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gov. Kristi Noem delivered the State of the State address to a joint session of the South Dakota Legislature, praising the state’s economy, public safety and rural values while previewing policy priorities for the coming session and referencing a potential move to a federal post.

Noem opened by framing her remarks as a “top 10” list of reasons South Dakota is an example to the nation, and repeatedly noted that she may soon leave the governor’s office if confirmed for a federal appointment. “This may well be the last opportunity that I have to introduce the governor,” Lieutenant Governor Larry Rhoden said when introducing Noem. In the address, Noem told lawmakers she had been asked to serve in President‑elect Trump’s administration and called border security “nothing short of an invasion.” She said, in part, “Leadership has consequences.”

Why it matters: the address combined a political farewell with policy signals that the Republican majority in the Legislature has already said it will consider. Noem highlighted education changes, workforce and health initiatives, a large planned prison project, and emergency response investments—areas likely to shape budget and bill priorities this session.

Most prominent policy touches included a renewed push for education savings accounts (introduced, Noem said, in coordination with Representative Odenbach and Senate Majority Leader Jim Melhoff), health‑care measures such as expanded telehealth and regional mental‑health facilities, and a transfer of the Keep Farmers Farming program to the South Dakota Ag Foundation with a one‑year grant from the governor’s office of economic development. Noem also recounted the state’s response to recent floods, and presented awards to state and local emergency responders.

The speech was largely celebratory: Noem characterized the state’s unemployment rate as the lowest in the nation and credited state initiatives with adding more than 1,100 nurses to the workforce “across all nursing classifications.” She emphasized protections for firearms rights, state‑led law‑enforcement training for tribal officers, and investments in outdoor recreation and conservation.

Reaction from legislators in immediate post‑speech interviews showed the topic areas that are likely to receive early attention. Senate Majority Leader Jim Melhoff said he expects to work on the education savings account proposal; Representative Erin Healy, the incoming House minority leader, said her caucus opposes ESAs and expressed concern that new programs would reduce funds available for public schools.

Two routine motions concluded the joint session: the appointment of a committee to escort the governor to the rostrum (motion carried) and a motion to dissolve the joint meeting (motion carried).","Gov. Kristi Noem used the 100th legislative session State of the State to recap priorities in a top‑10 format, promote education savings accounts and workforce initiatives, highlight disaster response and public‑safety accomplishments, and reference a likely nomination to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Noem honors flood response teams and names state geologist in joint session

State to transfer Keep Farmers Farming program to South Dakota Ag Foundation with one‑year grant

Noem touts telehealth, mental‑health facilities and support for workforce; Democrats warn on Medicaid work requirements

Noem renews push for education savings accounts; sponsors identified

Noem delivers top‑10 State of the State and signals possible departure to federal post