The South Dakota Standard

Greetings.

Welcome to the launch of The South Dakota Standard! Tom Lawrence and I will bring you thoughts and ideas concerning issues pertinent to the health and well-being of our political culture. Feel free to let us know what you are thinking.

Large pipeline project returns to S.D. Public Utilities Commission, with multiple voices seeking input

Jan 27

Jan 27 Large pipeline project returns to S.D. Public Utilities Commission, with multiple voices seeking input

Jan 26

Jan 26 ACLU of South Dakota opposes trio of bills in state legislature regarding residency, voter registration

ACLU South Dakota

As climate change worsens and environmental disasters ensue, denier Trump takes office

Jan 26

Jan 26 As climate change worsens and environmental disasters ensue, denier Trump takes office

Noem departs Pierre, headed to Washington to serve in Trump's cabinet. She leaves behind a rocky record

Jan 25

Jan 25 Noem departs Pierre, headed to Washington to serve in Trump's cabinet. She leaves behind a rocky record

Leonard Peltier: Life behind bars is ‘miserable’ but he has not given up hope of being free some day. Part 5

Jan 25

Jan 25 Leonard Peltier: Life behind bars is ‘miserable’ but he has not given up hope of being free some day. Part 5

Remembering FBI Special Agents Jack R. Coler and Ronald A. Williams, who were shot to death on June 26, 1975. Part 4

Jan 24

Jan 24 Remembering FBI Special Agents Jack R. Coler and Ronald A. Williams, who were shot to death on June 26, 1975. Part 4

Former federal judge who once sentenced people to long prison terms now working to free Peltier. Part 3

Jan 23

Jan 23 Former federal judge who once sentenced people to long prison terms now working to free Peltier. Part 3

Famous allies advocate for Leonard Peltier’s freedom. The FBI and a group of former agents push back. Part 2

Jan 22

Jan 22 Famous allies advocate for Leonard Peltier’s freedom. The FBI and a group of former agents push back. Part 2

After nearly half a century in custody for a murder he says he didn't commit, Leonard Peltier sentence commuted. Part 1

Jan 21

Jan 21 After nearly half a century in custody for a murder he says he didn't commit, Leonard Peltier sentence commuted. Part 1

The day that many of us have dreaded is upon us, as Trump takes control, vowing to be a ‘dictator’ on first day

Jan 20

Jan 20 The day that many of us have dreaded is upon us, as Trump takes control, vowing to be a ‘dictator’ on first day

A foreshadowing of a 2026 South Dakota public school classroom lesson and the Ten Commandments

Jan 19

Jan 19 A foreshadowing of a 2026 South Dakota public school classroom lesson and the Ten Commandments

Jan 18

Jan 18 S.D. ACLU opposes House Bill 1053, which would require age-verification to access sites deemed harmful to minors

ACLU South Dakota

South Dakota humorist Rosby explains how two calendars have made her twice as organized and half as efficient.

Jan 17

Jan 17 South Dakota humorist Rosby explains how two calendars have made her twice as organized and half as efficient.

Mental health advocate Johnson: Don’t stigmatize mental health. SD needs a psychiatric residential treatment facility in state

Jan 16

Jan 16 Mental health advocate Johnson: Don’t stigmatize mental health. SD needs a psychiatric residential treatment facility in state

Beverly Froslie Johnson

SDDP legislative leaders: Gov. Noem’s State of the State Address didn’t include vital, pressing issues

Jan 15

Jan 15 SDDP legislative leaders: Gov. Noem’s State of the State Address didn’t include vital, pressing issues

South Dakota Democratic Party

South Dakota attorney David Ganje: New eminent domain bill filed, as once again the wealthy and powerful seek control

Jan 14

Jan 14 South Dakota attorney David Ganje: New eminent domain bill filed, as once again the wealthy and powerful seek control

Counselor for troubled youth in South Dakota: SD is not providing adequate mental-health care for young people

Jan 13

Jan 13 Counselor for troubled youth in South Dakota: SD is not providing adequate mental-health care for young people

South Dakotans have rejected politicians who rose to power. Can Sen. John Thune avoid that fate?

Jan 12

Jan 12 South Dakotans have rejected politicians who rose to power. Can Sen. John Thune avoid that fate?

Trump covets Panama Canal, Greenland, won’t rule out force to take them, stays mum about domestic issues

Jan 11

Jan 11 Trump covets Panama Canal, Greenland, won’t rule out force to take them, stays mum about domestic issues

Five presidents come together for Jimmy Carter's state funeral, but President-elect Trump can’t act appropriately

Jan 10

Jan 10 Five presidents come together for Jimmy Carter's state funeral, but President-elect Trump can’t act appropriately