South Dakotans invited to voice concerns at town halls
Members of Congress are back in their districts for a two-week recess Iowa's U.S. Senator Check Grassley is scheduled to hold town hall meetings in the coming weeks. Grassley can expect to face tough questions like he did a few weeks ago.
'I win by landslides, but I don't win by 100% of the vote. So having people disagree with you is what democracy is all about,' said Grassley.
CBS News reports Republican lawmakers have been advised by leadership to avoid town hall meetings, so others are stepping in to organize them.
Nikki Gronli is the former USDA Rural Development Director for South Dakota. She is hosting town hall meetings across the state with support from the Democratic party to hear people's concerns about the issues in Washington D.C.
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'We are going to keep our comments at the beginning of it very brief and the we are going to invite people to come up to the microphone tell us what their concerns are or ask us questions. I'm coming there with an open mind and I'm really interested to hear what people are concerned about,' said Gronli.
Any fears and frustrations expressed at the town hall will be passed on to South Dakota's members of congress.
'No matter what party you are in you have concerns abut what we are seeing with the stock market, you have concerns about the way the tariffs have been on again off again. I would love to hear from a variety of people, what their thoughts are on it, how do they feel about it and what do they want to see,' said Gronli.
The first town hall takes place tonight at the Dahl Arts Center in Rapid City.Town Halls are also scheduled for Sioux Falls tomorrow night, Vermillion on Thursday and Aberdeen next Monday.
Sioux Falls
Tuesday, April 15th 7pm – 8pm CT
Hamre Hall at Augustana University
Vermillion
Thursday, April 24th 7pm – 8pm CT
Farber Hall at the University of South Dakota
Aberdeen
Monday, April 28th 6:30pm – 7:30pm CT
Aberdeen Public Library
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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President Donald Trump attends a military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary, coinciding with his 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington. President Donald Trump attends a military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary, coinciding with his 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson Vietnam-era helicopters buzzed the parade route in tribute to the "Helicopter War." The Huey, Cobra, and Loach were among those that soared over the capital. Soldiers from the Army 82nd Airborne Division, dressed in World War I era uniforms, march past the reviewing stand and President Donald Trump during a military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary, coinciding with his... Soldiers from the Army 82nd Airborne Division, dressed in World War I era uniforms, march past the reviewing stand and President Donald Trump during a military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary, coinciding with his 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington. More AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson As the armored columns passed, the U.S. Army's Golden Knights parachute team glided toward the Ellipse, trailing red smoke. Their appearance was moved up because of the weather. Members of the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights make their landing during an event to honor the Army's 250th anniversary, coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington. Members of the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights make their landing during an event to honor the Army's 250th anniversary, coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein Trump then administered the oath of enlistment to 250 new and reenlisting soldiers as the crowd looked on. Vendors outside sold Army memorabilia and Trump-themed merchandise, including MAGA hats and novelty dolls. Inside the festival area, celebrity chefs Robert Irvine and Andre Rush mingled with troops. Though protests were reported in other parts of Washington and across the country, the parade route remained tightly secured. The National Mall was heavily policed, and streets were reinforced to handle the 60-ton tanks. What People Are Saying U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, speaking before the House Armed Services Committee: "I believe very specifically that telling that story will directly lead to a recruiting boom that will fill up our pipeline for the coming years." Senator Bernie Sanders, on X, formerly Twitter: "We all like to enjoy a nice birthday party. But most of us don't celebrate with a $45 million taxpayer-funded military parade. What Happens Next The parade, according to senior defense officials, is estimated to have cost between $25 million and $45 million — a figure that includes logistics, security, transportation of heavy equipment, and air operations. That total makes it one of the most expensive single-day ceremonial military events in U.S. history.
