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Larry Rhoden Sworn in as South Dakota Governor Following Kristi Noem’s Homeland Security Appointment
PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota has a new governor as Larry Rhoden has assumed command following Kristi Noem’s appointment Saturday as Director of Homeland Security. The longtime policymaker from Union Center has a long history in state politics, having served as a lawmaker in both the South Dakota House and Senate before becoming lieutenant governor in 2019. He took a brief hiatus from Pierre politics in order to run for U.S. Senate in 2014, but lost in the GOP primary to Sen. Mike Rounds. He and his family ranch in Meade County. Rhoden will be sworn during a ceremony in Pierre today.
Kristi Noem Confirmed as Homeland Security Secretary in Senate Vote
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has been confirmed as the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following a Senate vote on Saturday morning. Noem received 59 votes in favor and 34 votes against, easily clearing the simply majority threshold she needed for confirmation. The 53-year-old governor passed the Senate’s, which allows the chamber to review and approve presidential cabinet nominees. President Donald Trump selected Noem for the role based on her strong stance on immigration. She has been a loyal supporter of Trump.
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Tens of thousands return to shattered northern Gaza for the first time since the war’s earliest days
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Tens of thousands of Palestinians are streaming into Gaza’s most heavily destroyed area after Israel lifted its closure of the north for the first time since the early weeks of the 15-month war with Hamas. And Israel says eight of the hostages to be freed in the weeks ahead are dead. A fragile ceasefire has entered a second week. The return of Palestinians is a dramatic reversal of the mass exodus from the north that many had feared Israel would make permanent. Palestinians who have been sheltering in squalid tent camps and schools-turned-shelters are eager to return to their homes, even if they are likely destroyed.
Trump Administration Launches Immigration Enforcement Blitz, Nearly 1,000 Arrested
The Trump administration has swiftly acted on its promise to ramp up immigration enforcement, with nearly 1,000 undocumented immigrants arrested across the U.S. as part of a nationwide operation. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted “enhanced targeted operations” in cities like Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Austin, and areas of Colorado over the weekend. These actions are expected to continue throughout the week. On Sunday, President Donald Trump briefly imposed a 25% tariff on Colombia but suspended it shortly after, contingent on the country’s agreement to accept deported migrants on U.S. military flights.
Auschwitz memorial holds observances on the 80th anniversary of the death camp’s liberation
OSWIECIM, Poland — The 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by Soviet troops is being observed at the site of the former death camp. Monday’s ceremony is widely being treated as the last major observance that any notable number of survivors will be able to attend. Nazi German forces murdered some 1.1 million people at the site in southern Poland, which was under German occupation during World War II. Most of the victims were Jews killed on an industrial scale in gas chambers, but the Germans also murdered many Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war, gay people and others who were targeted for elimination in the Nazi racial ideology.
Kia Recalls Over 80,000 Vehicles for Airbag and Seat Belt Wiring Issue
Kia America is recalling more than 80,000 2023-2025 Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid, and Hybrid vehicles due to improper wiring that may prevent airbags and seat belts from deploying during emergencies. Dealers will replace and reroute the affected floor wiring assembly at no cost, with owners set to receive notification letters in March. This recall follows a similar issue in November when Kia and Hyundai recalled over 200,000 electric vehicles to address a damaged transistor in the charging control unit, which posed a risk of power loss and potential crashes.
