AGP Executive Report
Last update: 6 hours agoThune’s Return: South Dakota Sen. John Thune was reelected to lead Senate Republicans as they prepare to move into the minority next Congress. He says the party will focus on voters’ cost-of-living concerns and push to finish work before Democrats take control. Legislative Watch: Rep. Mike Stevens, a 12-year lawmaker from Yankton, was elected South Dakota House speaker and says he wants every legislator to get a fair hearing for proposed bills. Separately, Sen. Steve Kolbeck, an Xcel Energy executive, cast the lone vote against accepting a legislative staff report on data centers, calling it opinionated; staff said their assignment was to summarize documented impacts and other states’ responses. Health Care: Gov. Larry Rhoden announced nearly $188 million in federal rural health funding for South Dakota. Native Americans are exempt from upcoming Medicaid work rules, but states lack a uniform process for confirming eligibility; South Dakota uses claims data to identify some enrollees, and uneven checks could put coverage at risk. Energy: Montana regulators approved the $15.4 billion NorthWestern Energy–Black Hills Corp. merger, clearing the final state hurdle. The combined company is expected to be based in Rapid City and named Bright Horizon Energy. Courts: The South Dakota Supreme Court is weighing how judges should apply a state law allowing new trials based on DNA evidence, in an appeal involving a man imprisoned for more than four decades.
Note: AI summary from news headlines; neutral sources weighted more to help reduce bias in the result. Feedback is welcome. Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions about the AGP Executive Report.
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