Latest news with #Daugaard
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Politically tied loan request awaits state panel's decision
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — A Sioux Falls-based business that has significant political connections to the highest levels of South Dakota state government is seeking a $1.2 million low-interest loan from the state Board of Economic Development. The board on Wednesday delayed a decision on the REDI loan application, however, until after CoAxis Energy Company can provide additional information to the Governor's Office of Economic Development that the board has requested. The board operates as the decision-making arm of GOED. CoAxis is a liquid natural gas supplier and system designer. Its president is Scott Stern. He was GOED commissioner during the latter years of the Daugaard administration and is president of family-owned Stern Oil Company, based in Freeman. Cheyenne River Reservation authorities investigating 2 deaths Among others listed on the CoAxis website's leadership page is Dennis Daugaard, who served as South Dakota governor from 2011 through 2018. Daugaard appointed Stern in 2016 as GOED commissioner. Stern stepped down in November 2018 as Daugaard's time as governor came to a close. A business record on file at the South Dakota Secretary of State office shows that Stern established CoAxis in 2019, the year after he had returned to the private sector. The CoAxis vice president is Trent Arlint. He is married to Republican Rep. Amber Arlint. Stern is her father. Two of the state board's members, chair Jeff Erickson of Sioux Falls and Joy Nelson of Watertown, recused themselves from the discussion during the teleconference on Wednesday. Erickson said they serve on the board of directors for a bank that may be participating. Erickson, Nelson and Daugaard are directors for American Bank & Trust. Erickson and Daugaard have also been involved with Standard Trust, a Sioux Falls-based investment company. Gov. Larry Rhoden appointed Daugaard's son-in-law, Tony Venhuizen, as lieutenant governor earlier this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Perth Now
03-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Tuna tune-up: calls for clearer green claims on cans
There could be something fishy going on with the green claims slapped on tins of tuna. Promises of "responsibly-sourced" and "planet-friendly" on cans of the go-to source of cheap protein are not always backed up with evidence. The findings of the Marine Stewardship Council-commissioned study cast light on the way brands communicate to consumers rather than their actual efforts to avoid bycatch and source fish from healthy populations. Indeed, the commercial tuna fishing industry has made inroads on environmental performance, with more than half the tuna caught and sold in supermarkets worldwide wearing the international not-for-profit's sustainability badge. Associate Professor Dan Daugaard, lead researcher at the University of Tasmania, said the industry was at the start of a "healthy discussion" about clear and direct eco-labelling. All businesses are under pressure to prove they are not making misleading environmental claims, as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission cracks down on the widespread practice known as 'green-washing'. Assoc Prof Daugaard said imprecise or opaque wording, such as "eco-friendly", was fairly common across the 14 brands he assessed against ACCC guidelines for businesses hoping to avoid accusations of green deceit. At the other end of the spectrum was the use of scientific terms consumers struggled to understand. Brands that scored highest relied on concrete, clear phrases such as "line-caught to reduce bycatch" on their labels. What separated the top performers from the rest was evidence to support claims, with brands getting around lack of space on packaging with third-party certification markers. QR codes and website links were also used to provide more detailed information about supply chains. "If that's not existing, then that's where the ACCC is saying 'it could well just be a greenwash'," Assoc Prof Daugaard told AAP. Coles, John West, The Stock Merchant, Little Tuna, Walker's Tuna and Safcol emerged as leaders for their credible and clear packaging communication. Even the best examples failed to execute on one of the ACCC's more aspirational asks, calling on brands to communicate their future plans to become more sustainable as a business. "It's a very interesting area of almost pushing the brands to new levels of norms of what is expected by consumers," Assoc Prof Daugaard said. Marine Stewardship Council Oceania program director Anne Gabriel said the report underscored the need for clearer sustainability messaging and evidence to support claims. "Every purchasing and sourcing decision is a chance to protect our oceans and secure a healthier future for people and planet," she said. Canned tuna is growing in popularity, new YouGov polling suggests, with one in four Australians eating more than they were two years ago Health, convenience and affordability were common reasons cited by consumers for eating more of the tinned fish.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senate panel recommends Venhuizen confirmation
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — Tonnis Henry 'Tony' Venhuizen should be the next lieutenant governor of South Dakota, a special panel of lawmakers has decided. The Senate Select Committee on the Nomination for Lieutenant Governor voted 5-0 Wednesday afternoon to recommend Venhuizen. The hearing came less than six hours after South Dakota's new governor, Larry Rhoden, had announced that Venhuizen was his choice for the role that Rhoden previously held. Rhoden became governor on Saturday when Kristi Noem resigned after the U.S. Senate confirmed her as the nation's new secretary of homeland security. Rhoden, Venhuizen and Noem are Republicans. The South Dakota Constitution requires that the Senate and the House of Representatives hold confirmation votes on any replacement lieutenant governor-nominee. The Senate vote could come as early as Thursday afternoon. Gov. Rhoden spoke to the select committee about Venhuizen. 'He will be a great partner in my service as governor,' Rhoden said. Various lawmakers and lobbyists also spoke favorably about Venhuizen. 'He can find the compromise to move stuff forward,' Republican Sen. Ernie Otten said. 'He knows how to solve problems. He knows how to manage people in a fair manner. He's a great listener,' long-time lobbyist Dianna Miller said. Former Gov. Dennis Daugaard, who is Venhuizen's father in law, took the witness chair too. Daugaard, who was a state senator and a lieutenant governor before winning the first of two terms as governor, said Venhuizen has the 'intellectual horsepower' and 'emotional stability' for the position. Venhuizen led Daugaard's campaign for governor. After Daugaard won, he told Venhuizen he couldn't hire him in state government because it would appear to be nepotism. After an event in Sioux Falls, Tony and his wife Sara asked to meet Daugaard and his wife, Linda, at a McDonald's for coffee. Daugaard said the Venhuizens convinced him that he was wrong. Venhuizen served as communications director during Daugaard's first term as governor and was chief of staff for the second term. Daugaard told the committee that Venhuizen should be confirmed. 'I know you won't go wrong if you do,' he said. Venhuizen went forward to make an opening statement to the committee. He joked that hearing the comments that others made reminded him of an old TV show. 'It was a little like 'This Is Your Life' or something,' he said. He introduced Sara and the couple's three children. Republican Sen. Chris Karr chaired the committee. He is the Senate president pro tempore and presides when the lieutenant governor isn't present — or when the post is vacant, as was the case this week. Karr read aloud the South Dakota Constitution's provision regarding the lieutenant governor, including the part that says the lieutenant governor is the Senate president. 'Pretty big shoes to fill. Pretty big role there,' Karr said. He asked what Venhuizen's duties will be. 'The governor has asked me to serve on a full-time basis, which I will be doing,' Venhuizen replied. Specific duties haven't been fully defined yet, Venhuizen explained, saying that he would be flexible and do whatever Rhoden needs him to do. As for his on-the-job arrangements, Venhuizen said he will work from the Capitol office some of the time and from Sioux Falls some of the time, and he also expects that he will be traveling the state. Venhuizen said that was the arrangement during the 14 months he was chief of staff for Noem. Republican Sen. Greg Blanc asked Venhuizen what his leadership strengths are to be the next governor. 'I'm just getting used to being lieutenant governor. One step at a time,' Venhuizen said. 'We're a cautious, conservatively run state. I would want to maintain that.' He also would want to maintain freedom, he said. Democratic Sen. Liz Larson said that Gov. Rhoden in his first speech to the Legislature on Tuesday had talked about resetting state government's relationship with tribal governments. 'I was happy he included that in the speech. That commitment has to come from the top,' Venhuizen responded. But it's not one relationship, it's nine, he continued, and said he'll do whatever role the governor wants him in. State government can't tell tribal governments what to do, Venhuizen said: 'It needs to come from them, but we need to be a willing partner as those challenges arise.' Republican Sen. David Wheeler asked the committee to recommend Venhuizen's confirmation, and Larson seconded the motion. 'He'll be a great asset to the executive branch and to the Senate,' Wheeler said. Venhuizen was in his third year as a member of the House. He resigned Wednesday morning, shortly before the news conference where Rhoden announced the pick. Karr recalled getting to know Venhuizen when Karr was a first-year legislator and Venhuizen was on Daugaard's staff. 'I just hope that the perspective that you have gained wearing the hat as a legislator, you take that with you,' Karr told Venhuizen. He suggested that Venhuizen could serve as 'a potential buffer.' 'Be the individual who can help problem solve,' Karr said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
