Dakota

Residents Sue South Dakota Over Collapsing Homes Built on Old Gypsum Mine

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Black Hawk, S.D. — In the spring of 2019, a sudden sinkhole emergence in a residential area of Black Hawk drew immediate concern from the community. The incident exposed a significant risk for numerous homeowners in the Hideaway Hills neighborhood, revealing that the land beneath their homes, formerly a gypsum mine, could potentially collapse. Following the discovery, residents quickly mobilized to file a class action lawsuit against the state of South Dakota, citing a lack of proper geological assessments prior to the neighborhood’s development. Represented by the national law firm Fox Rothschild, the homeowners are … Read more

Judge Dismisses Excessive-Force Lawsuit Involving Dakota Access Pipeline Protests

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BISMARCK, N.D. – A federal judge in North Dakota has dismissed an excessive-force lawsuit filed by a woman from New York who was injured in an explosion during protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline. U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Traynor granted motions to dismiss the 2018 lawsuit on Wednesday and Friday. Sophia Wilansky, the plaintiff, suffered injuries to her left forearm when an explosive munition or flashbang went off during a clash between demonstrators and law enforcement officers on a blocked highway bridge in November 2016. The lawsuit named Morton County, its sheriff, and … Read more

South Dakota Judicial Vacancies Close to Being Filled as New Candidate Emerges

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Sioux Falls, South Dakota – The search for two federal judges to fill vacancies in South Dakota’s U.S. District Court has gained momentum with the emergence of a new candidate. Camela Theeler, a state circuit court judge and former assistant U.S. attorney, is being considered by President Joe Biden’s administration for a lifetime federal appointment. Theeler’s potential nomination, along with that of Sioux Falls lawyer Eric Schulte, could help alleviate the strain on the crowded federal court docket. Theeler, 48, has been designated as an acceptable choice by Republican U.S. Sens. John Thune and Mike … Read more

President Biden Experiences Deep-Fake Shock as AI-Generated Sexual Material Raises Concern in South Dakota

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PIERRE, S.D. – Deep-fake videos and images have become a growing concern, raising questions about the authenticity of what we see and hear. Even President Biden has been affected by this technology, as he expressed surprise after watching a manipulated recording of himself. The issue has also gained attention in South Dakota, where Attorney General Marty Jackley is pushing for legislation to combat the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in creating child pornography. In Washington state, an alarming incident unfolded as a high school student used AI to alter pictures of female classmates, resulting in … Read more