PIERRE, S.D. – As the legislative session kicks into gear, various state institutions are formalizing budget requests. But in the case of the state Board of Regents, it may be more apt to say the lack of requests. The Board of Regents, the body overseeing all public colleges and universities in South Dakota, has successfully held tuition rates effectively flat over multiple years. Regents executive director Nathan Lukkes said this has made the state university network attractive to potential students. Despite this success, Lukkes said there are no requests for the coming financial year.
RAPID CITY, S.D. – A legislative committee is advancing a measure to ask South Dakota voters whether the state should increase the threshold to pass constitutional amendments.
The proposal would require constitutional amendments on the ballot to receive 60 percent of the vote to pass. Currently they pass with a simple majority.
This comes after South Dakota voters saw a surge in ballot questions in several recent elections. There were seven ballot questions in the 2024 election.
Rep. John Hughes is the bill’s prime sponsor. The Sioux Falls Republican said constitutional amendments should have a higher threshold than initiated measures.
PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota lawmakers are debating a new law that some say will protect kids from harmful websites. House Bill 1053 would require age verification before users can access pornographic content online. Republican Rep. Bethany Soye says websites are using tricky tactics to attract children.
She says studies show most teens first see inappropriate content accidentally. Law enforcement officials report even kindergarteners are encountering this material.
Nineteen other states have similar laws.
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Dozens of Palestinian prisoners have been freed by Israel after three hostages left Hamas captivity in an exchange that took place after 15 months of collective grief and anxiety. Both Israelis and Palestinians are torn between celebration and trepidation as the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took hold Sunday. The skies above Gaza and Israel were silent for the first time in over a year, and Palestinians began returning to what was left of the homes. After months of tight Israeli restrictions, more than 600 trucks carrying humanitarian aid rolled into the devastated territory. The ceasefire has stirred modest hopes for ending the Israel-Hamas war. But many questions and more challenging negotiations are ahead.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Joe Biden says the Equal Rights Amendment should be considered a ratified addition to the U.S. Constitution. It’s unclear if Biden’s statement will have any impact. The archivist has said the amendment cannot be certified because three-quarters of state legislatures did not ratify it before a deadline set by Congress. It wasn’t until 2020, when Virginia lawmakers passed the amendment, that 38 states had ratified it. The National Archives says nothing has changed to allow for certification. Activists later gathered outside the National Archives to celebrate Biden’s statement and call on the archivist to take action.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Events honoring Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and advocating for his vision of a just, nonviolent society will occur the same day as Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration. The coincidence has been met with mixed feelings by civil rights leaders who broadly reviled Trump’s rhetoric and stances on race and civil rights during his third presidential campaign. But many leaders, including King’s own family, see the juxtaposition as an opportunity to reflect and refocus the work of advancing civil rights in a new political era.
SPORTS (AP) Josh Allen rushed for two touchdowns, Buffalo’s defense forced three turnovers and the Bills advanced to the AFC championship game with a 27-25 win over the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round.
Saquon Barkley dashed through the snow for touchdown runs of 78 and 62 yards and finished with 205 yards rushing, Jalen Hurts had a 44-yard scoring run and the Philadelphia Eagles held on against the Los Angeles Rams 28-22 to advance to the NFC championship game for the second time in three seasons.
In weather, sunny and cold today, with a high near -3. Wind chill values as low as -34. Blustery, with a northwest wind 16 to 21 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 39 mph.
Mostly clear tonight, with a temperature falling to near -7 by 9pm, then rising to around 1 during the remainder of the night. Wind chill values as low as -20. Southwest wind around 6 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
That was your Daily Slice for Wednesday, January 15, 2025. The Daily Slice is a production of Homeslice Media Group. Hosted by Amy Rose with Gary Matthews. Executive Producer Mark Houston. Engineered by Chris Joaques. I’m Mark Houston . Have a great day!
