Frye-Mueller back in state Senate

South Dakota Senators have reinstated one of their own, after a brief investigation into a harassment claim.

Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller, R-Rapid City, was suspended from the Senate after leadership became aware of an interaction with staff.

A committee investigated the personnel matter and held a four-hour public hearing Tuesday night.

Senators voted 33 to 1 in favor of censuring and reinstating Frye-Mueller.

Frye-Mueller returned to the chamber Wednesday afternoon. Frye-Mueller was not reassigned to her committees.

"Committee slots are full and committees running fine," said Senate President Pro Tempore Lee Schoenbeck said. "No reason to change."

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Lee Strubinger is SDPB’s Rapid City-based news and political reporter. A former reporter for Fort Lupton Press (CO) and Colorado Public Radio, Lee holds a master’s in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois-Springfield.