Latest news with #SouthDakotan
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Xcel customers to receive $5 credit on monthly bill
SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — South Dakotan Xcel Energy customers will receive a $5 monthly credit to their bill starting in June, according to a news release from Xcel. Xcel Energy is moving forward with plans to deliver $25 million back to North Dakota and South Dakota customers on their bills through federal tax credits on the energy generated by the company's nuclear fleet. Former state worker accused of forging marijuana card Xcel Energy's two nuclear power plants, Monticello and Prairie Island, together account for nearly 25% of the electricity used by customers across the company's five-state Upper Midwest system, a news release said. This is the first time customers will see savings from the federal tax credit on nuclear energy generation, which the company advocated for in recent law. Starting this month, the average residential customer in South Dakota will receive $5.08 a month in savings, totaling $50.80 through February 2026. Xcel Energy services most of the Sioux Falls area, along with other areas of southeastern South Dakota. 'Our nuclear power plants have produced safe, reliable, always-available electricity for our customers across the Upper Midwest for more than 50 years. Now, tax credits on the energy they generate will produce savings for our customers,' Ryan Long, president of Xcel Energy—Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, said in a news release. 'Nuclear energy is an important piece of American energy security. It helps us support economic growth in the Upper Midwest, deliver reliable and resilient electricity, and keep customers' bills as low as possible,' Long said in a release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Divided reaction to passing of reconciliation bill
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – South Dakota lawmakers have mixed reactions of the passing of the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill,' some calling it the 'Big, Beautiful Disaster.' On May 22, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson voted in favor of the reconciliation bill on the U.S. House floor. The bill passed by a vote of 215 to 214, with every Democratic legislator in attendance voting 'nay.' Now, the bill will make its way to the U.S. Senate for a vote. Rep. Johnson passes Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' On X, Johnson posted a video listing the three reasons why he voted yes, citing tax cuts, spending decreases, and investments into the country's safety, like border security. Democratic State Representative Erik Muckey called the reconciliation bill a 'Big, Beautiful Disaster' on a social media post. On May 22, Muckey's post said he's angry that the bill passed, and said, 'there is nothing South Dakotan or fiscally responsible about what Representative Johnson just did.' In the post, Muckey listed examples of the billions of dollars cut from programs, like Medicaid and SNAP. But Johnson created his own list of examples that make the bill a win. On X, Johnson listed 32 examples of common-sense, conservative wins within the reconciliation bill. From May 18-22, Johnson faced pressure by South Dakotans and President Donald Trump over the passing of the reconciliation bill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Voters show concern for Amendment L
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Some South Dakotans are expressing concerns about Amendment L. Earlier this year, Lawmakers passed a resolution putting it on the 2026 ballot. If it passes, Amendment L would require future constitutional amendments to pass by a 60% majority instead of 50%. A group that calls itself the Voter Defense Association of South Dakota says the that proposed change would restrict voters' constitutional rights. 'It's really about this more fundamental question about how our democracy works. Should every South Dakotan's vote count equally? It's one person, one vote. Do we believe in the will of the people? If 50% support it, should that take effect?' said Matthrew Schweich, Chairman and President, VDA. This isn't the first time something like this has been on a South Dakota ballot. Passed attempts have failed Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ranching family fights off Biden-era charges with Trump admin's help in land battle
"Politically motivated" criminal charges have been dropped against a South Dakota ranching family whose lives were turned upside-down after the Biden administration prosecuted them over a 25-acre land dispute last year, federal officials said. Charges against Charles and Heather Maude, who own the 400-acre Maude Hog and Cattle, were dropped Tuesday night by President Donald Trump's Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins held a press conference in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday morning with the Maudes, officially announcing the end of the ordeal. "Thanks to the leadership and the unequivocal and bold leadership of President Trump and his directive to put Americans first, we have the pleasure to announce that the criminal prosecution of the Maudes is now over," Rollins said during the news conference. "They will not be driven from their home. They will not be jailed. They will not be fined. And their children will grow up with the mother and the father they love and who love them." Trump To Sue Doj For $100M Over Mar-a-lago Raid, Alleging 'Political Persecution' The Maudes were charged with theft of federal property last year when the Biden administration's U.S. Forest Service (USFS) said they were using federal grasslands adjacent to their property for grazing without permission, according to Tri-State Livestock News. The couple, who are both fifth-generation South Dakotan ranchers, reportedly held a USFS National Grasslands grazing allotment in good standing since USFS' inception, which was well after the Maude family purchased the farm in 1910. Read On The Fox News App When Biden's USDA notified them that fencing on their property blocked access to the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, they agreed in good faith to a survey of the property lines, the USDA said. Instead of settling the issue over the small patch of land, the Biden administration brought criminal charges against the family, claiming that they "did knowingly steal, purloin and convert to their own use National Grasslands managed by the United States Department of Agriculture, a department and agency of the United States, namely, approximately, 25 acres of National Grasslands for cultivation and approximately 25 acres of National Grasslands for grazing cattle, having a value in excess of $1,000 and did aid and abet each other, all in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 641 and 2." Charles and Heather Maude each faced up to 10 years in prison and millions of dollars in fines. Rollins invited Heather Maude to the podium to speak on behalf of her family on Wednesday. "We are incredibly grateful to the Trump administration and all of these great players that have done so much so quickly relative to what we were facing before to get us where we are today," Maude said. Maude, who also descends from five generations of farmers, spoke briefly about their families' histories of fighting for freedom. "We are both fifth-generation farmers and ranchers. Our families have a combined 250-plus years of production agriculture," she said. "We paused briefly in that pursuit in our grandfathers' generation, when both of my grandfathers fought in World War II. Charles's great-grandmother is a four-star war mom, meaning that four of her sons went to war and all four went home." "But before and after fighting for the freedoms of this nation, we have pursued our primary passion that led Charles and I to meet each other, which is our production, agriculture," she said. Former Doj Lawyer Slams Georgia Grand Jury Investigation Into Trump: 'Political Persecution' After thanking a host of local officials, activists and local media organizations who told their story, Maude became emotional. "I want to thank my mom and dad, and thank Charlie's parents, too, [and] our neighbors who stood up for us at the threat of retribution to their own operations that they still face until we get this completely resolved," she said. "And we are so thankful for the efforts that are being rolled out today to help make progress in the right direction and everyone else to who wrote, contributed financially, and who prayed for us. May God bless you, and God bless America and God bless American agriculture." Rollins offered a message of support to all ranchers and farmers who faced government persecution under the last administration. "For all American farmers, ranchers, and producers who are subject to the similar egregious lawfare from the Biden administration, we will work with our counterparts, including my great colleague Kristi Noem, and others across the Trump government, to address any other government overreach in situations like this. We must ensure that our farmers and ranchers have not and will not be targeted for living the American way of life." Attorney General Pam Bondi spoke out about the case in a Monday news release. "The prior administration's misguided agenda must be reversed in order to make America safe again," she said. "This Department of Justice will spend our resources and efforts on prosecuting criminals, getting drugs off the streets, and identifying and dismantling the weaponization." A Biden spokesperson did not return a request for article source: Ranching family fights off Biden-era charges with Trump admin's help in land battle
Fox News
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Ranching family fights off Biden-era charges with Trump admin's help in land battle
"Politically motivated" criminal charges have been dropped against a South Dakota ranching family whose lives were turned upside-down after the Biden administration prosecuted them over a 25-acre land dispute last year, federal officials said. Charges against Charles and Heather Maude, who own the 400-acre Maude Hog and Cattle, were dropped Tuesday night by President Donald Trump's Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins held a press conference in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday morning with the Maudes, officially announcing the end of the ordeal. "Thanks to the leadership and the unequivocal and bold leadership of President Trump and his directive to put Americans first, we have the pleasure to announce that the criminal prosecution of the Maudes is now over," Rollins said during the news conference. "They will not be driven from their home. They will not be jailed. They will not be fined. And their children will grow up with the mother and the father they love and who love them." The Maudes were charged with theft of federal property last year when the Biden administration's U.S. Forest Service (USFS) said they were using federal grasslands adjacent to their property for grazing without permission, according to Tri-State Livestock News. The couple, who are both fifth-generation South Dakotan ranchers, reportedly held a USFS National Grasslands grazing allotment in good standing since USFS' inception, which was well after the Maude family purchased the farm in 1910. When Biden's USDA notified them that fencing on their property blocked access to the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, they agreed in good faith to a survey of the property lines, the USDA said. Instead of settling the issue over the small patch of land, the Biden administration brought criminal charges against the family, claiming that they "did knowingly steal, purloin and convert to their own use National Grasslands managed by the United States Department of Agriculture, a department and agency of the United States, namely, approximately, 25 acres of National Grasslands for cultivation and approximately 25 acres of National Grasslands for grazing cattle, having a value in excess of $1,000 and did aid and abet each other, all in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 641 and 2." Charles and Heather Maude each faced up to 10 years in prison and millions of dollars in fines. Rollins invited Heather Maude to the podium to speak on behalf of her family on Wednesday. "We are incredibly grateful to the Trump administration and all of these great players that have done so much so quickly relative to what we were facing before to get us where we are today," Maude said. Maude, who also descends from five generations of farmers, spoke briefly about their families' histories of fighting for freedom. "We are both fifth-generation farmers and ranchers. Our families have a combined 250-plus years of production agriculture," she said. "We paused briefly in that pursuit in our grandfathers' generation, when both of my grandfathers fought in World War II. Charles's great-grandmother is a four-star war mom, meaning that four of her sons went to war and all four went home." "But before and after fighting for the freedoms of this nation, we have pursued our primary passion that led Charles and I to meet each other, which is our production, agriculture," she said. After thanking a host of local officials, activists and local media organizations who told their story, Maude became emotional. "I want to thank my mom and dad, and thank Charlie's parents, too, [and] our neighbors who stood up for us at the threat of retribution to their own operations that they still face until we get this completely resolved," she said. "And we are so thankful for the efforts that are being rolled out today to help make progress in the right direction and everyone else to who wrote, contributed financially, and who prayed for us. May God bless you, and God bless America and God bless American agriculture." Rollins offered a message of support to all ranchers and farmers who faced government persecution under the last administration. "For all American farmers, ranchers, and producers who are subject to the similar egregious lawfare from the Biden administration, we will work with our counterparts, including my great colleague Kristi Noem, and others across the Trump government, to address any other government overreach in situations like this. We must ensure that our farmers and ranchers have not and will not be targeted for living the American way of life." Attorney General Pam Bondi spoke out about the case in a Monday news release. "The prior administration's misguided agenda must be reversed in order to make America safe again," she said. "This Department of Justice will spend our resources and efforts on prosecuting criminals, getting drugs off the streets, and identifying and dismantling the weaponization." A Biden spokesperson did not return a request for comment.
