South Dakota City Council Called Out for Voting in Secret, Defying Open Meeting Laws

Watertown, SD — Local governance and transparency are under scrutiny in Watertown as allegations surface regarding the City Council’s practices of casting votes behind closed doors, raising concerns about the violation of open meeting laws. This issue isn’t isolated but reflective of a broader pattern observed in various municipal governments, where decisions meant to be public are made in private, escaping the eyes of the citizenry. In a notable case, the South Dakota Citizens for Liberty initiated legal action against the Rapid City Area School District (RCAS) in November 2021, citing breaches of mandated transparency. … Read more

North Dakota Judge Limits Challengers in Gender-Affirming Care Ban Case; Pediatrician Allowed to Proceed

Bismarck, North Dakota – A recent legal decision in North Dakota has left three families without the ability to contest a state law prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors, a ruling which focuses primarily on the standing of a pediatric endocrinologist, Dr. Luis Casas, to challenge the legislation. The 2023 law that criminalizes the provision of such care to anyone under the age of 18, with exceptions for minors already receiving treatment, has sparked intense debate and is part of a broader national conversation about transgender rights and healthcare. The ruling, delivered by District Court Judge … Read more

New Legislation ‘Hailey’s Legacy’ Aims to Strengthen Gun Purchase Requirements Linked to Mental Health in South Dakota

Last year in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Hailey Barrick was briefly treated at Avera Behavioral Health. Shortly following her release, which occurred less than a day later, she purchased a firearm and fatally shot herself. This tragic event has since propelled her mother, Larissa Strong, into action. Strong is now spearheading a legislative initiative, set to be introduced during South Dakota’s 100th Legislative Session in Pierre. The bill, known as “Hailey’s Legacy,” aims to address gaps in firearm acquisition processes, particularly concerning individuals with recent mental health treatments. According to Strong, the current system in … Read more

South Dakota Receives ‘F’ in Nationwide Gun Legislation Evaluation, Sparks Debate on Gun Laws and Mental Health Support

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — South Dakota has received a failing grade in a recent evaluation of its gun legislation conducted by the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. The organization, which focuses on promoting gun safety, cited the state’s “weak laws” as the primary reason for this low rating. Despite the criticism, local responses vary. Kevin Jensen, a Republican senator-elect from Canton, expressed skepticism about the grading system used, labeling the Giffords Law Center as a “liberal, anti-gun organization.” Julie Parker, the South Dakota Chapter Leader for Moms Demand Action, highlighted the effectiveness of … Read more