I can always tell it is fair season in South Dakota when the smell of funnel cakes mixes with the sounds of summer concerts coming from the grandstand or cheers from the crowd at the rodeo. Fairs are time honored traditions in South Dakota with events that bring together young... Continue Reading
From political targeting at the Internal Revenue Service to secret wait lists and delayed care at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Obama presidency has been riddled with crises of misinformation and mismanagement at the highest levels of the administration. Despite these missteps, the president and White House continue to... Continue Reading
Our state slogan, “Great Faces, Great Places,” has helped make South Dakota a household name for vacationers around the world. The South Dakota Department of Tourism does a great job marketing South Dakota’s numerous iconic and historic sites, such as Mount Rushmore and the Corn Palace, to people throughout the... Continue Reading
As stewards of the land, our state’s agriculture producers and property owners take seriously the responsibility of caring for our wide open spaces. Agriculture, hunting, and travel are all big business in South Dakota and greatly depend on well-maintained cropland, forestlands, and wetlands. For these reasons, more than anyone, our... Continue Reading
As South Dakota farmers plan for another harvest season, many producers and other rail shippers remain concerned about the availability of rail cars and the price of cars upon receipt. I understand the impact these delays have on our state’s economy, especially our agriculture industry, and continue to work directly... Continue Reading
South Dakota is famous for its numerous outdoor recreation opportunities, especially pheasant hunting. Dubbed the “pheasant hunting capitol of the world,” the state attributes much of the success and popularity of upland bird hunting to the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The CRP land, along with shelterbelts, crop stubble, and patchwork... Continue Reading
Throughout South Dakota and across the nation, friends and families will gather this July 4th to celebrate our nation’s independence. While it is a day of national pride, the parade of backyard barbeques, endless red, white, and blue paraphernalia, and community fireworks displays can sometimes make it easy to overlook... Continue Reading
Mother Nature’s storms, floods, and tornados move quickly into communities, but can leave a lasting wake of devastation and destruction in their paths. We’ve seen the pictures on the news and heard the stories about the damage of the flooding in southeast South Dakota and the wreckage from the tornado... Continue Reading
South Dakota students stay busy with a multitude of activities offered in our school districts. From track and drama club, to FFA and volleyball, extracurricular activities provide students with opportunities to learn teamwork, leadership, and life skills outside the classroom. Of course none of these would be possible without the... Continue Reading
It seems like middle-class Americans just can’t catch a break. Over the past five and a half years of the Obama presidency, the price of everything has risen. Tuition prices have soared. Gas prices have almost doubled. Food prices have skyrocketed. And of course, health care costs just continue to... Continue Reading
Many people have heard me tell stories about my father, Harold. Hal, as we sometimes refer to him, but better known to me as Dad, has been the head of the Thune home for a long time—so our family has lots of good stories and fond memories. From time to... Continue Reading
South Dakota is a state known for its beautiful landscapes, abundant wildlife, and numerous attractions that draw millions of visitors to the state each year. While there are unique tourist destinations throughout the state, the Black Hills of South Dakota has come to be known for its nationally recognized sites,... Continue Reading
