I remember how proud I was the day I got my first key for work. It felt official. Like after years of working, I’d finally reached a new level of importance. I wasn’t just the grunt labor anymore. I had a position of authority.
At the same time, that knowledge made the key feel heavy. It came with a weight of responsibility, because now I really was in a position of authority. Now I had people who looked to me for direction.
Greetings. Sen. Greg Blanc, Rep. Mike Derby, and I had the opportunity to attend the Defense Industry Symposium April 8-10 at The Box. You may say, “Where in the heck is The Box?” Well, it has a Box Elder address, but that doesn’t explain it.
As another election cycle approaches, many campaigns — by both newcomers and incumbents — are reconsidering how they communicate with voters.
Some view newspaper advertising as outdated. Others assume digital platforms alone can carry their message. In many parts of the country, that thinking may pass as a modern strategy.
In South Dakota, it reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of how voters actually engage — and it risks surrendering critical ground in an election.
I know I’m old when I’m about to go on a “back in my day” rant.
I was scrolling mindlessly through Facebook not long ago (something I do entirely too often, mind you), when I stumbled across a fascinating video by Scott Galloway, a professor of marketing at NYU Stern School of Business, a successful entrepreneur, and a bestselling author known for his provocative, data-driven insights on technology, business and society.
In the video he discusses the world of digital dating, and more specifically, the effect it is having on men.
The Custer Area Chamber of Commerce needs our help.
The chamber has had a bit of a rough time lately, having to deal with budget cuts, and now dealing with the loss of some longtime volunteers who have for years helped out during summer activities. As those activities near this summer, the chamber is in desperate need of volunteers. That’s where you come in. Do you have some free time to spare during these wonderful weekends? The chamber wants to hear from you.
That slurping sound you heard in early March was coming from Pierre. It was lawmakers drinking the Kool-Aid of property tax relief, trying as hard as they could to convince themselves that the best way to provide tax relief for homeowners was through higher sales taxes for everyone.
Greetings. Let’s talk about the biggest thing happening in the Black Hills, shall we? No, it’s not the July 3 fireworks at Mt. Rushmore. No, it’s not President Trump attending the fireworks ceremony. So, what is it? How about Ellsworth Air Force Base?
Specifically, the anticipated arrival of the B21 Raider Bomber coming to the base in 2027. Currently Ellsworth AFB is scheduled to be the first base to receive the B21s. They are/were scheduled to have two squadrons, or 40 B21 bombers.
Greetings. We all need to pray for rain or snow or any kind of moisture. Well, maybe not hail.
During the 2026 session, Sen. Steve Kolbeck and I prime-sponsored SB36 “Authorize certain utilities to establish wildfire mitigation plans and associated liability limitations for wildfire damages.” I know, a super long title for a super long bill, but it needed to be done. I had 30 House members sign it and Sen. Kolbeck had 17 senate members sign on.
Where do we start?
Elsewhere in the pages of this issue of the Chronicle, you will read the stories of some of those involved in fighting and dealing with the Qury Fire, which, thankfully, is now just some smoldering fuel southeast of town. Included in those stories are the thoughts of some firefighters who battled the blaze. And of course, you will also see the large thank you for each and every entity that fought the fire. For you, we are truly grateful.
The calving season is well underway and we have an official Cutest Calf of 2026 nomination, and so far I haven’t seen anything that comes close to rivaling him for looks. His mama is a pretty little black baldy heifer, with a delicate white face, not blocky like some can be, and cute black eye patches.
