South Dakota Elected Officials Named Leadership in Commerce Award Winners

Washington, D.C., July 13, 2026 – The Cigar Association of America (CAA) has named South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden (R) and House Majority Leader Will Mortenson (R-24) as winners of its inaugural Leadership in Commerce Award for their work in support of breaking down barriers in support of the industry

“Leader Mortenson was pivotal in the South Dakota Legislature this year in working to license cigar bars,” said CAA President Scott Pearce. “And Gov. Rhoden signing the bill (HB 1215) into law made a huge difference. Both Gov. Rhoden and Leader Mortenson demonstrated vital leadership to support small businesses in South Dakota. And it is exactly this type of leadership we are recognizing with our inaugural Leadership in Commerce Awards,” said Pearce.

“Getting together and enjoying a cigar is an American tradition. I spent my career fighting for common sense and freedom. As I wrap up my service in the Legislature, I’m honored to receive this award. I know just how I’m going to celebrate it!” Majority Leader Mortenson said.

Backed by registered lobbyists in 47 states, CAA has seen a wave of successes in state capitals during the 2026 legislative sessions; additional awards will be announced in the coming weeks.

About the Cigar Association of America (CAA): Founded in 1937, the Cigar Association of America is the leading national trade organization dedicated exclusively to protecting and promoting the interests of cigars, their manufacturers, importers, distributors, and adult consumers.

Flags at Half-Staff in Honor of Senator Lindsey Graham

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden ordered that flags be flown at half-staff statewide effective immediately until 6 pm on Saturday, July 18, 2026, as a mark of respect for the memory of Senator Lindsey Graham.

This announcement is consistent with President Trump’s order, which can be found here.

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Law Enforcement Voices Support for Gov. Larry Rhoden

Pierre, SD – Today, the Fraternal Order of Police and several South Dakota sheriffs endorsed Governor Larry Rhoden in his re-election campaign.

“I have such tremendous respect for the men and women of law enforcement who work so diligently to keep South Dakota safe,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “My brother is a life-long sheriff’s deputy, and my son is a deputy sheriff, so when law enforcement comes under attack, it’s personal to me. I’ve delivered results to support law enforcement and improve public safety, and if I have the privilege to serve for four more years, I will continue to do so.”

Governor Rhoden received endorsements from the following sheriffs: Pennington County Sheriff Brian Mueller, Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Swenson, Corson County Sheriff Alan Dale, Edmunds County Sheriff Jonathan Waldner, Perkins County Sheriff Kelly Serr, Potter County Sheriff Curt Hamburger, Walworth County Sheriff Josh Boll, and Ziebach County Sheriff Gary Cudmore.

“I’ve spent my career working to keep our communities safe, and I know how important it is to have leaders who stand with law enforcement,” said Sheriff Brian Mueller. “Governor Rhoden has consistently supported the men and women who wear the badge and has made public safety a priority. That’s why I’m proud to endorse him for Governor.”

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with Governor Rhoden on important public safety issues, from securing a new location for the State Penitentiary to expanding the Highway Patrol’s presence in our region,” said Sheriff Steve Swenson. “He listens to law enforcement, values our input, and follows through on keeping our communities safe. That’s why I’m proud to endorse him for Governor.”

The Fraternal Order of Police stated, “Governor Rhoden is delivering real results for law enforcement and public safety,” including:

• Launched Operation: Prairie Thunder, deploying targeted patrols that have produced strong results against crime and drug activity statewide.
• Added a full-time trooper to the Sioux Falls Drug Task Force, authorized License Plate Readers for local agencies, and secured a new $5 million patrol airplane to enhance officer safety during pursuits.
• Led the construction of a new men’s prison in a better location with expanded rehabilitative programming and prioritized 96 new drug treatment beds at the women’s prison in Rapid City.
• Implemented meaningful parole reforms, including additional parole officers, tougher penalties for violators, and new technical training programs to reduce recidivism.
• Partnered with federal authorities through 287(g) agreements, mobilizing the South Dakota National Guard and Department of Corrections to deport illegal alien criminals — with over 600 processed for removal.

“These are not just promises. These are proven results that support our officers, improve public safety, and make South Dakota a safer place,” continued the Fraternal Order of Police.

Learn more about Governor Rhoden’s results to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free at RhodenResults.com

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Attorney General Jackley Announces $15 Million Settlement With Interactive Gaming Platform Roblox

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that South Dakota has reached a $15 million settlement with Roblox, an immersive gaming and creation platform. The settlement will be used to protect children from online threats and enhance the state’s educational system.

“This settlement is about protecting our kids,” said Attorney General Jackley. “South Dakota is establishing a national standard for platforms to protect kids and work with law enforcement to help parents. It improves on-line security and provides funds to those state agencies involved in protection and education.”

The proceeds from this settlement will go to:

*** Year One – $2.6 million to fund South Dakota’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, which is part of the Attorney General’s Office.

*** Year One – $1 million, to be divided into $500,000 for a two-year period, to create a PSA campaign on online child safety, including specific references to interacting with Roblox safely, designed to reach a South Dakota audience.

*** Year Two – $2.5 million to fund the South Dakota Department of Education, with 20 percent of the payment allocated for funding governmental and nonprofit after-school programs.

*** Year Three – $2.5 million to fund the South Dakota Department of Education, with 20 percent of the payment allocated for funding governmental and nonprofit after-school programs.

*** Year Four – $1 million to fund the South Dakota Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Fund, which will fund future investigation and litigation against companies that violate our consumer protection laws.

South Dakota could also receive up to another $5.4 million in damages if Roblox fails to meet any of the agreement provisions.

“Keeping South Dakota safe isn’t limited to our streets. It extends to our digital world where our children spend more time than ever before,” said Gov. Larry Rhoden. “I am grateful for Attorney General Jackley’s leadership on this issue. We will continue to work together to build a safer South Dakota.”

As part of the agreement, Roblox will underwrite a two-year multi-media PSA campaign valued at $1 million. The campaign will focus on online child safety, including specific references to interacting with Roblox safely, designed to reach a South Dakota audience. South Dakota may suggest local organizations to be considered as partners in the campaign.

Roblox will require all users to undergo age verification to ensure children have access only to age-appropriate content on the platform. Roblox has committed to using facial age estimation technology and government- issued ID for age confirmation and will use behavioral monitoring to identify users who may have been aged incorrectly. The settlement also explicitly addresses privacy concerns related to age verification.

Parents will also have expanded control over their children’s use of the platform under the agreement. The expansion of parental controls allows parents to decide who their children are talking to and the games they are playing on the platform as well as restrict the transfer of in-game currency (Robux) from adults other than trusted connections. In the absence of a parent account, the default content mode provides protections to minor users.

Adult users and users under 16 will not be able to chat unless they are identified as a “trusted friend” on the platform. Trusted friends for users under 13 require parental consent. Unless a parent elects otherwise, users between 13 and 15 years old may add trusted friends through a QR code or phone contact importer.

Under the agreement, Roblox will not allow communication involving minors to be encrypted. Unencrypted communication allows law enforcement to be able to more easily combat child exploitation networks, trafficking, and the distribution of illegal and harmful content.

South Dakota is one of several states to secure agreements with Roblox. The ‘most favored nation’ clause included in the agreement ensures that South Dakota is entitled to any improved terms that are later agreed to by Roblox and any other state.

The agreement is attached: https://atg.sd.gov/docs/Roblox%20SD%20-%20AVC.pdf

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• John Beranek – Intersections Group
• Tamien Dysart – CEO and Co-Founder at Think 3D Solutions; Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Board Chair
• Scott Erickson – President and CEO at American Bank & Trust; Commissioner at South Dakota Housing Development Authority
• Alex Jensen – Henry Carlson Construction; Sioux Falls City Council (2020-2024); State Representative (2015-2016)
• Rick Kiley – Retired Teacher; Sioux Falls City Council (2014-2022); Sioux Falls Charter Revision Commission (2025-present)
• Matt Paulson – Founder and CEO at MarketBeat
• Jodi Schwan – Align Content Studio; former Chief of Staff to Sioux Falls Mayor Dave Munson (2006-2010)
• Justin Smith – Woods Fuller Law Firm; Parks and Recreation Board (2026-present); Sioux Falls Charter Revision Commission (2015-2023)
• Karlie Solum – Director of Community Relations at Marsh McLennan Agency
• Kadyn Wittman – State Representative (2023-present); Sioux Falls YMCA Director of Development

The Emerson poll is in the field tonight. Just took it myself.

I’m guessing we will see the results on KELOland.com fairly soon.

Rhoden for Governor Responds to Toby’s Attacks with “Toby Tax” Ad

Pierre, SD – Today, the Rhoden for Governor campaign responded to Toby Doeden’s attacks with a new “Toby Tax” ad.

“Larry Rhoden delivered the largest property tax cut in South Dakota history – reducing property taxes 30% or more,” the ad states. “Toby Doeden’s plan blows a $1.8 billion hole in the state budget.”

The ad points out that the fiscal hole created by Doeden’s plan would gut funding for education, roads, police officers, and firefighters. Doeden’s plan would also create a $500,000 tax windfall for himself.

The only way to pay for Doeden’s plan would be to double the sales tax or impose a new state income tax. Governor Larry Rhoden has signed a pledge to not support any new taxes.

“A half-million for Doeden – a new Toby Tax for us,” the ad concludes.

Learn more at thetobytax.com.

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From USA Today, former Governor Kristi Noem’s family is confirming that former Governor Noem and her husband Bryon are planning to divorce after public allegations of Bryon patronizing on-line adult entertainers:

Kristi Noem plans to divorce her husband of 34 years, Bryon Noem, her mother said, bringing a public end to a marriage that came under new scrutiny this year after allegations about his private life surfaced in a tabloid investigation.

Corinne Arnold, Noem’s mother, told the Daily Mail that the former Homeland Security secretary shared the decision with family members this spring. The revelation comes months after a Daily Mail report alleged Bryon Noem paid adult entertainers and cross-dressed during role-playing encounters, which left the family “blindsided,” according to a spokesperson.

You can read the story here.

Please keep the family in your thoughts.

More Opportunities for the Next Generation
By Sen. John Thune

There’s almost nothing parents won’t do for their kids. From the moment they hand you that little bundle, your whole life becomes about giving them a better life. For many of us, that’s the essence of the American Dream: to give your children a better life than you had.

Last year, in the Working Families Tax Cuts, Republicans worked to make it easier for parents to set their kids up for success. This bill opens new education pathways, helps parents save for their kids’ education, and creates new investment accounts to empower parents to give their kids a nest egg for the future – money they can use down the road to get a head start on their American Dream.

Parents know that a good education is the foundation of their kids’ success. For decades, the 529 savings plan has been a powerful tool for parents to save and invest in their kids’ education. At first, 529s could only be used for college. Then, in 2017 Republicans expanded them to include K-12 expenses too. And in last year’s Working Families Tax Cuts, Republicans again expanded 529s so parents can use them for things like tutoring, vocational education, homeschool materials, and continuing education. And in addition to these new flexibilities, we doubled the amount that you can withdraw from a 529 account to $20,000 per year.

For postsecondary education, the Working Families Tax Cuts implements reforms and accountability measures to put downward pressure on the cost of college degrees. On top of those measures, it also makes permanent a policy I’ve long championed that allows employers to repay a portion of an employee’s student loans each year without the employee having to pay federal taxes on that income.

The Working Families Tax Cuts also creates a new Workforce Pell grant program, which supports students pursuing shorter-term training programs that prepare them for in-demand jobs. This promising new program began just this month, and I’m proud that South Dakota has begun working to identify programs in our state that will be eligible for the Workforce Pell program and will enable South Dakotans to seize new opportunities and strengthen our local workforce and economy.

In addition to supporting education, the Working Families Tax Cuts created Trump Accounts, a new tax-advantaged investment account designed to allow parents to save for their children’s future beyond their education: to give kids a nest egg, help them buy a home, or start a business. If they choose not to withdraw money once they reach adulthood, they can also use these accounts to kickstart their retirement savings. And to get savings started, parents can opt in for an initial deposit of $1,000 from the government for kids born between 2025 and 2028. Millions of Americans have already signed up their children for Trump Accounts, and parents can enroll their kids online or by downloading the Trump Accounts app.

As we celebrate 250 years since our nation’s founding, we’re especially mindful that America is a land of opportunity. The Working Families Tax Cuts helps create new opportunities and empowers the next generation to seize them and enjoy even greater success. The Working Families Tax Cuts is about our country’s future, and it’s helping to strengthen the American Dream for the next generation.

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Responding to Devastation
By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
July 10, 2026

Natural disasters are devastating, but they also provide opportunities for our state to show what we are made of. I’ve served as a volunteer firefighter my entire life, and my administration is ready to respond to any emergency.

Most recently, Sandy and I have been on scene in Hyde and Beadle counties after record setting straight line winds. Everywhere we looked, there were neighbors helping each other, folks from the next town bringing needed equipment, and businesses offering goods and shelter. The volunteer efforts have just been incredible.

I’m always amazed by how well our state agencies work together and with local officials to respond quickly. In both recent storms, state agencies responded within hours of the damage – and they stuck around for a week of long hours from seven agencies.

In both Huron and Highmore, our public safety officials are on the ground providing security and traffic control. Transportation crews are helping with road closures and heavy equipment. We have crews of inmates cleaning up debris at no cost to the communities. While all that is happening, the Department of Social Services is working with community partners to make sure residents have access to the resources and support they need, and the Department of Human Services is working with nursing homes across the region to place displaced residents in facilities that have offered to provide care.

My immediate visits are always worth the time. It is important to me to look people in the eye and let them know we are doing everything we can to put their lives back together.

The National Weather Service has now confirmed a tornado touched down in Huron. Even before that confirmation, we were working with FEMA to receive a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, which will hopefully draw down federal support. These communities are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage and calculate recovery costs. Although it is too early to determine whether the disaster will meet the thresholds necessary for FEMA, we will continue to put in the work to help get these communities back on their feet.

There are many more heroes to mention, but a special thanks to our electric companies. A natural disaster often comes with loss of power for some of our citizens. This is when linemen become heroes. They are out at all hours and in all conditions getting power back to as many customers as possible as fast as possible.

In addition to the seven agencies responding to storm damage, we have National Guard and the Bureau Information and Technology helping Pennington County through a cybersecurity incident. The GRIT task force I created last year has had countless benefits for our preparedness as a state, including the strengthening of partnerships between state agencies and our communities. The investigation is still underway, but GRIT has laid a foundation for a faster and more robust response to these types of situations. I am proud of the work of our soldiers and technology professionals. Their specialized expertise in cybersecurity has been critical to this response.

South Dakotans always look out for one another, especially when times are tough. Thank you to everyone lending a hand and praying for those who have been impacted. We can be thankful that neither of these storms resulted in a loss of life. We’ll continue working together to help our fellow South Dakotans rebuild.

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