Opinion

Looking at the voter registration flap

Published by admin on Wed, 08/05/2026 - 12:44pm

The first ever gubernatorial runoff in South Dakota history is now behind us, with current Gov. Larry Rhoden winning in convincing fashion. Rhoden maintained a lead of roughly 71 percent to 29 percent over Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden as results came in, and that was the final outcome. That may have come as a bit of a surprise, since it was Doeden who grabbed most of the vote during the initial four-person primary, where Doeden received 31 percent of the primary vote on June 2 and Rhoden received 25 percent.

Making time to slow down

Published by admin on Wed, 08/05/2026 - 12:43pm

Where did summer go? I blinked and June was gone, turned around and there went July. Now it’s August, and I’m looking at back-to-school schedules, planning sports interviews and marking the first home soccer game on my calendar so I can take pictures for the paper. It all feels too soon, and I’m not ready. 
Instinct would say we need to squeeze as much into these last days of summer as possible. But instead, I’m trying to do less. I’m trying to pause more, do more without my phone and fully experience each moment before it’s gone.

Brown lawns, dry creeks and a little common sense

Published by admin on Wed, 08/05/2026 - 9:36am
There is one thing South Dakotans can always count on talking about—and almost always agree on—the weather.
This year’s weather has been one for the record books—literally. South Dakota has seen historic temperature, high-wind records and as of lately, record-shattering heat has taken over the Black Hills. 

Taking stock of the GOP gubernatorial runoff

Published by admin on Wed, 08/05/2026 - 9:35am
Greetings. Man oh man what a republican primary election! I mean, specifically, the governor’s race. To recap a bit, four Republicans ran for their name to be on the general election ballot for the Republican party. Former Rep. Dan Ahlers ran unopposed in the Democrat primary, so automatically is their candidate.
The primary election was June 3. Voting in it was at 35 percent, which I guess is deemed high voter turnout for a primary election. That means 65 percent did not vote. In my humble opinion that is a pathetic voter turnout.

Custer County does not need hand counting

Published by admin on Wed, 07/29/2026 - 12:11pm

Recent reports coming out of Pennington County Commission meetings is that it is looking at moving to hand counting ballots during upcoming elections, although the commission decided not to move in that direction for yesterday’s gubernatorial runoff because there wasn’t enough time to train election workers, recruit them, etc. That does not mean that county won’t do it in the future, however. And, Pennington County is not alone in taking steps to move in that direction.

Bill Young is a true Custer icon

Published by admin on Wed, 07/29/2026 - 12:11pm

Man, this one hurt.
It was last Thursday morning when John Culberson called me and told me the news that Bill Young—the man, the myth, the legend—had passed away.
I was stunned. I was sad. I don’t even remember what I said to John. Something to the effect of “Oh my God...that sucks.”
It still sucks.

LOLA (Leave Our Libraries Alone)

Published by admin on Wed, 07/29/2026 - 9:35am
The Pennington County budget is beginning to take shape, and once again I question some decisions by commissioners. Let me begin by saying their job is not easy. State law pretty much limits how the county is funded—with property taxes, fees and interest on accounts being used to support all the services the county provides. Property taxes are nearly not enough. They cover about half of the budget. 

Thank you chamber, city and volunteers

Published by admin on Wed, 07/22/2026 - 12:22pm

The gauntlet has been run once more.

Some post-primary observations

Published by admin on Wed, 07/22/2026 - 12:21pm

The outcome of June’s Republican gubernatorial primary raised plenty of questions and provided few answers. When the dust settled, Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden and Gov. Larry Rhoden were heading for a July 28 runoff and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson and state Speaker of the House Jon Hansen were looking for work.
Among the questions raised by the outcome:
How does an early frontrunner end up finishing in third place?
How does a man with no political experience finish ahead of an incumbent governor and a sitting congressman?

Soaring higher

Published by admin on Wed, 07/22/2026 - 9:44am
America 250 is a great time to reflect on who we are and what we have fought to build and keep for so long. We are an example for freedom to the rest of the world, and a symbol of hope as well. But we have our own symbols that represent who we are.