The South Dakota Standard

Greetings.

Welcome to the launch of The South Dakota Standard! Tom Lawrence and I will bring you thoughts and ideas concerning issues pertinent to the health and well-being of our political culture. Feel free to let us know what you are thinking.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a happy, relaxing holiday … and some great musical classics to go with it!

Dec 24

Dec 24 Merry Christmas to all, and to all a happy, relaxing holiday … and some great musical classics to go with it!

Rick Knobe: I would still love to be governor — but despite being healthy in mind and body, I’m not running in 2026

Dec 23

Dec 23 Rick Knobe: I would still love to be governor — but despite being healthy in mind and body, I’m not running in 2026

While South Dakota politicians focus on SNAP and a can of pop, they ignore the real financial issues

Dec 22

Dec 22 While South Dakota politicians focus on SNAP and a can of pop, they ignore the real financial issues

Trump is helping farmers with a one-time $12 billion payment, but it’s a temporary fix. Long term solutions are needed

Dec 20

Dec 20 Trump is helping farmers with a one-time $12 billion payment, but it’s a temporary fix. Long term solutions are needed

The USDA’s plan to rescind the Roadless Rule on Forest Service land places 45 million acres of wilderness land at risk

Dec 19

Dec 19 The USDA’s plan to rescind the Roadless Rule on Forest Service land places 45 million acres of wilderness land at risk

New Music That Doesn’t Suck: Box sets and deluxe versions of classic albums usually become musical “coffee table” books.

Dec 19

Dec 19 New Music That Doesn’t Suck: Box sets and deluxe versions of classic albums usually become musical “coffee table” books.

Congress needs to keep working, into the holidays if necessary, to keep health insurance costs from skyrocketing

Dec 18

Dec 18 Congress needs to keep working, into the holidays if necessary, to keep health insurance costs from skyrocketing

Creating his own reality, President Trump’s speech last night was a blend of bombast, bluster — and baloney.

Dec 18

Dec 18 Creating his own reality, President Trump’s speech last night was a blend of bombast, bluster — and baloney.

Kahler: Don’t let financing add to the stress of building a home. Your construction loan is probably not a rip-off

Dec 17

Dec 17 Kahler: Don’t let financing add to the stress of building a home. Your construction loan is probably not a rip-off

Indiana Republicans resisted Trump’s demand to redraw congressional districts. SD politicians could learn a lesson

Dec 17

Dec 17 Indiana Republicans resisted Trump’s demand to redraw congressional districts. SD politicians could learn a lesson

Testosterone has had its day. It’s time for the next step in social evolution. Our world will be better off with women in charge

Dec 16

Dec 16 Testosterone has had its day. It’s time for the next step in social evolution. Our world will be better off with women in charge

Rapid City research psychologist Christy Heacock: Self-forgiveness opens the door to forgiving others

Dec 15

Dec 15 Rapid City research psychologist Christy Heacock: Self-forgiveness opens the door to forgiving others

Christy Heacock

When will Republicans who put their fear of Trump and his behavior ahead of our country stand up to him?

Dec 15

Dec 15 When will Republicans who put their fear of Trump and his behavior ahead of our country stand up to him?

S.D. Democratic Party Director: We deserve straight talk, not contradictions, about state budget from Gov. Rhoden

Dec 13

Dec 13 S.D. Democratic Party Director: We deserve straight talk, not contradictions, about state budget from Gov. Rhoden

Trump's rhetoric continues to splash gasoline as the fire of political violence spreads across country

Dec 12

Dec 12 Trump's rhetoric continues to splash gasoline as the fire of political violence spreads across country

Trump helps out farmers battered by his trade policies. Is this what he meant when he promised “so much winning”

Dec 11

Dec 11 Trump helps out farmers battered by his trade policies. Is this what he meant when he promised “so much winning”

Brian Bengs, who is charting an independent course in quest for U.S. Senate, sees reasons for optimism in poll

Dec 9

Dec 9 Brian Bengs, who is charting an independent course in quest for U.S. Senate, sees reasons for optimism in poll

Despise or adore him, Trump's statue is a piece of public art. It belongs with the other presidential statues in Rapid City

Dec 8

Dec 8 Despise or adore him, Trump's statue is a piece of public art. It belongs with the other presidential statues in Rapid City

As former Sioux Falls mayor Rick Knobe marks his 79th birthday, he continues to consider a run for governor

Dec 6

Dec 6 As former Sioux Falls mayor Rick Knobe marks his 79th birthday, he continues to consider a run for governor

Trump’s treatment of others is shameful. He has no sense of compassion. Can’t we treat each other with kindness?

Dec 5

Dec 5 Trump’s treatment of others is shameful. He has no sense of compassion. Can’t we treat each other with kindness?