Oops..

In case you wanted to read the Affidavit in support of the application for Tom Pischke’s arrest warrant, here you go! And it makes interesting reading considering the investigative work done to point the finger at Senator Pischke. In fact, they went so far as to gather DNA evidence.

2 counts of FILE FALSE OR FORGED INSTRUMENT 22-11-28.1.

This might be a tough arrest for Tom to beat.

Looks like Tom Pischke really stepped in at this time. I know he’s done dumb things in the past, but I think he might’ve topped himself this time as he finds himself charged with a felony:

On Monday, the Minnehaha County State’s Attorney’s Office issued an arrest warrant for state senator Thomas Pischke.

And..

According to the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, in late March, the sheriff’s office initiated an investigation into potentially fraudulent Republican Precinct Committeeman and Committeewoman statement forms submitted to the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office.

Read the story here on KELOland.

Does this mean he’s not on the State Republican Party executive board anymore?

There are stories everywhere on this, and the Dakota Scout has their own version:

A South Dakota lawmaker is accused of committing election fraud earlier this spring.

State Sen. Tom Pischke has been arrested on two felony charges following a monthlong investigation into a series of candidate filings suspected by election officials in Minnehaha County to be bogus. According to the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, the Dell Rapids legislator voluntarily turned himself into the Minnehaha County Jail Tuesday on two counts of Offering a False or Forged Instrument for Filing. He was booked and subsequently released on a personal recognizance bond.

Read that here.

Whoof! Election Fraud is not a good look for someone running for the State Senate.

As someone just noted to me, first Travis Ismay, now Tom Pischke. Lawmakers should not be law breakers.

Rounds Requests South Dakotans Submit Complaints with Postal Service

Office of the Inspector General is requesting first-hand accounts of poor mail service in South Dakota

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) is requesting that South Dakotans submit comments to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) detailing the issues they are having with the United States Postal Service (USPS). As part of their investigation in South Dakota at Rounds’ request, OIG is asking for first-hand accounts of poor mail service.

“My office continues to hear from South Dakotans on a daily basis about the issues they’re experiencing with mail delivery,” said Rounds. “At my request, the Office of the Inspector General has opened an investigation into South Dakota’s postal service. They are currently soliciting feedback from South Dakotans as a part of this investigation. I encourage anyone experiencing issues with their postal service to submit a comment to help paint a full picture of USPS problems in our state.”

OIG is taking comments from South Dakotans until July 26, 2026. Click HERE to submit feedback.

BACKGROUND:

Rounds has been a leader on USPS issues in South Dakota, leading the push to keep local processing facilities in South Dakota. In April 2024, Rounds sent a letter to USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy urging USPS to avoid downsizing or significantly reorganizing mail processing operations in South Dakota. As a result, in February 2025, USPS committed to keeping the Dakota Central processing facility in Huron open, as well as investing $3 million in improvements to the facility. Rounds also secured a commitment from former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to keep mail that originates within South Dakota from leaving the state for processing.

In September 2025, Rounds sent a letter to new Postmaster General David Steiner urging him to restore reliable mail service and requesting a meeting. Rounds and Steiner met in October. Steiner followed up on the meeting with a letter dismissing the issues raised by Rounds, claiming that the mail delays were caused by issues at processing facilities in Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City despite none of these facilities handling South Dakota’s intrastate mail. USPS leadership continues to deny any issues with South Dakota’s mail service despite the first-hand accounts from South Dakotans that say otherwise.

In December 2025, Rounds requested an investigation into persistent issues with USPS delivery in South Dakota. In April 2026, Rounds was notified that the Office of the Inspector General was on the ground in South Dakota to investigate mail service. In June 2026, Rounds sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs announcing his intention to place a hold on all USPS nominees until South Dakota’s issues are resolved.

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Rhoden for Governor Unveils “Did the Right Thing” Ad

Pierre, SD – Today, the Rhoden for Governor campaign unveiled the “Did the Right Thing” ad. The ad features State Senator Amber Hulse and emphasizes how Governor Larry Rhoden delivered the largest property tax cut in South Dakota history.

“The largest property tax cut in South Dakota’s history would not have happened without Larry Rhoden’s leadership,” State Senator Amber Hulse says in the ad. “He put aside politics and did the right thing for the people of South Dakota.”

Senator Hulse points out that the average South Dakota homeowner will see at least a $1,000 property tax cut on their home – 30% or more in total relief in counties that adopt the local option provided for in SB 96.

“In the Legislature – and in life – all you have is your word. I think Larry embodies that,” concluded Sen. Hulse. “Larry Rhoden delivered that relief that families need here in South Dakota.”

The gubernatorial runoff election is July 28, 2026.

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

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Thune: A Stronger America Is a Safer America

“The Working Families Tax Cuts is a big step toward a more secure America.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Click here to watch the video.

 

It’s only Monday of convention week, and it’s already crazy.

The State Republican Party tonight and this past weekend improperly held platform committee hearings via Zoom, for which there is no provision in the State bylaws to conduct electronically. But those in charge of the Republican Party don’t seem to worry about the rules.

And now tonight, Republican Party Convention chair and Pennington County Republican Party chair, Amy Wagner, decided to use the Pennington County Republican Party mail server to attack one of the candidates for Attorney General on the cusp of the convention.

Someone explain to me why the State GOP’s executive board isn’t holding an emergency meeting tonight to replace her as convention chair?

I think if there is any danger to the convention process, it’s being brought about by the fact that people aren’t following the bylaws, and using their position and titles to try to influence the process. Despite a long, long-standing tradition of the party not doing that.

That kind of nonsense is going to erode any credibility from the convention far before anything.

You never know what you’re going to find out there. Just picked this campaign ribbon up, pretty inexpensively.

 

I think mainly because no one had a clue what it was.

It’s actually coincidental, because we’re going to be voting for the – if not in name, in spirit – the successor of the office this weekend, as we select the candidate for School and Public Lands.

This ribbon is for the 1902 SDGOP Convention fight over who the nominee should be for the South Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction.  M.A. Lange of McCook County was in a convention fight against George W. Nash, who won the nomination (Sioux Valley News, May 30, 1902):

That was one of the better $10 I spent!

 

Methinks the people in charge of the Republican party at the moment are a little nervous about having skipped an important part about how the party platform has been formed over, oh the past 8-10 decades.

Because today, in another e-mail that half the delegates – including myself – are not getting despite having registered, they have announced that they are holding platform zoom calls.

Those in charge seem to think that this somehow fulfills the State Party bylaws (as referenced with the Secretary of State, and their own website)?

SECTION IV
STATE CONVENTION

4. Convention Organization:

C. Committees: Prior to the state convention, the state chairman shall designate the members of the platform committee, rules committee, resolutions committee, and credentials committee. The platform committee shall conduct hearings around the state prior to the state convention. The convention chairman shall appoint any other convention committees.

Here’s the problem. This section of the State GOP’s bylaws are VERY specific that the platform committee shall conduct hearings around the state prior to the state convention. 

That’s shall. Not, oh, if you remember to do it. 

Equally important to note is that under this section there is NO provision for electronic meetings.

Under Section I of the bylaws, there’s a provision for electronic meetings for the State Central Committee Meetings.

I. Electronic Meetings: A meeting of the State Central Committee may be held electronically.

The Exec Board can do it under Section II (A meeting of the State Executive Board may be held electronically.). And County Central Committees can also do it under Section III.

E. Electronic Meetings: A meeting of the County Central Committee may be held electronically.

Buuuuttt…  THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR ELECTRONIC MEETINGS FOR THE STATE CONVENTION. INCLUDING THE PRE-CONVENTION PLATFORM HEARINGS.

If they have provisions for electronic meetings in other parts of the bylaws, but not under the portion for the State Convention, they can’t send out a zoom call announcement to convention participants and pretend they’re following the bylaws.

It doesn’t work that way. And it takes the legitimacy out of the process since they can’t seem to read and follow their own rules.

Tulio Buscaglia
by Thomas E. Simmons

For anyone with a father, I’d like to recommend a short book, “Papa, My Father: A Celebration of Dads” (copyright 1989). It’s out-of-print but used copies sell for a dollar and change. Mine cost me four bits at the local library sale. I consumed it in a single evening.

Those who were living during the 1980s may remember with fondness its author, Felice Leonardo “Leo” Buscaglia (1924-1998). He was a WWII vet and a professor at the University of Southern California. He taught courses on special education. He became a nationally known speaker.

He was such a dynamic speaker that his televised lectures became some of the highest rated broadcasts on public television, which is where I discovered him, sweating and gesticulating for effect as he ranted about love and family. A key moment in each of his lectures was the point when his perspiration reached the level where he removed his suit jacket in order to continue. He gushed warmth and goodwill.

Dr. Buscaglia is remembered for introducing himself to everyone on an elevator and for hugging everyone after one of his speeches. He was a cauldron of Italian energy. Unreserved. Benevolence radiated from him, even through the TV screen. He was an advocate of hugs. While I’m not much of a hugger, his essays on the benefits of hugs are difficult to fault.

In “Papa, My Father,” Buscaglia writes, of course, of his father. Buscaglia writes through the lens of recollection, acknowledging:

“I am aware that years of having known and loved my father have transformed him from Papa, the simple human being, into Papa, the near saint. And I’ve come to the conclusion that there is nothing wrong with that. Creating saints of our departed loved ones can help us fill the void and make the parting easier.”

These recollections are divided into ten terse chapters with three-word titles like “Papa, the Husband,” “Papa, the Patriot,” and “Papa, the Oenophile.”

Papa (his Christian name is given only once: Tulio) spoke a Piedmontese dialect and grew up in a tiny village in northern Italy, “the son of a dirt-poor farmer.” He worked hard his entire life. In the family’s Los Angeles home lived Papa, a loving mother, Leo, his ten siblings, and one bathroom.

In the chapter, “Papa, the Philanthropist,” Buscaglia writes:

“Philanthropy is often equated with money or wealth. Still, the dictionary definition of the word is simply ‘one who shows goodwill toward all, whose actions and efforts are directed toward promoting human welfare.’ The word has its roots in the Geek language, meaning ‘love for mankind.’ If this is so, then papa was certainly among the world’s greatest, albeit poorest, philanthropists.”

In the chapter, “Papa, the Philosopher,” Buscaglia recalls being beaten up by a group of boys who called hm a ‘dop’ and his mother a ‘garlic licker,’ then running home in tears and into his father’s arms. After his tears subsided, his father spoke, quietly:

“I see. It’s finally happened. They finally found you. Those people who hurt us and make us cry. They don’t know us, but they hate us all the same. Those cowards who are strong only in groups and pick on us because they know we’re few and not likely to fight back. I know they hurt you, but what happened wasn’t meant just for you. You just happened to come along. It could have been any of us.”

Young Leo snarls, “I hate being Italian! I wish I could be anything else!”

His father’s voice grew strong and threatening: ‘Never let me hear you say that again! You should be proud to be what you are. Just think about it. America got its name from Italians. Italians make sweet music, sing gloriously, and build beautiful buildings. How can you not be proud to be an Italian? And you’re extra lucky because you’re an American, too.”

“But” – Leo objects – “I’d rather be like everyone else”

Papa cautioned, “Well, you’re not. God never intended us all to be the same. He made us all different so that we’d each be ourselves. Different is good. Would you like to be like the boys who beat you up and called you names?”

At the time, young Leo didn’t find his father’s explanation satisfactory. He especially didn’t care for his father’s suggestion: “Bring them home with you! When they know us, they won’t be able to hate us anymore.” Such is often the case with fatherly advice; what once seemed absurd, with time, becomes astute.

The wisdom of Tulio Buscaglia soaks each page of this short book. But for his son’s pen, the lessons might otherwise have disappeared when his father died. In the final chapter, a list of Papa’s rules is preserved. Among them:

Discrimination, for any reason, is wrong.

Cruelty is a sign of weakness.

Dance, sing, and laugh a lot.

Don’t ever betray yourself.

Stay close to God.