Tony Venhuizen | SDPB Radio

Noem Selects Venhuizen For Chief Of Staff

By Lee Strubinger • Mar 2, 2020

Governor Kristi Noem is naming former-Governor Dennis Daugaard’s chief of staff as her new chief of staff.

Tony Venhuizen served during Daugaard’s second term in office. He is Noem’s third chief of staff since taking office just over one year and one month ago.

Governor Noem says Venhuizen brings a unique set of skills to her team, given his tenure in the executive branch and wealth of historical knowledge.

Second Auction For Star Academy In January

By Lee Strubinger • Dec 12, 2017

In less than a month, the state-owned STAR Academy in Custer will go up for bid again.

The 170 acre site was home to a juvenile correctional facility went to auction in October, but didn’t sell.

If the facility doesn’t sell in January, one state lawmaker says he wants to introduce legislation reopen the STAR Academy.

State Representative Tim Goodwin originally voted to sell the facility, but he says that was a mistake. He says the state needs a place to send juveniles.

SD Supreme Court To Hear Online Vendor Tax Case The State Concedes It Will Lose

By Victoria Wicks • Aug 28, 2017

The state legislature in 2016 passed a law requiring out-of-state vendors to collect sales taxes from their South Dakota customers. The law is particularly aimed at online sellers. Legislators acknowledged that the law is unconstitutional, and that they instigated it to try to get the issue to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Before the highest court considers hearing it, however, the law and its aftermath have to face scrutiny from the South Dakota Supreme Court. That happens Tuesday, Aug. 27, when justices hear oral arguments from both sides.

GFP To Rope Off Areas Of Non-Meandered Water Over Private Land

By Lee Strubinger • Apr 12, 2017

The head of South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks says it will block off access to water situated over private land.

The move is a result of a state Supreme Court decision saying landowners have property rights under non-meandering water.

Last week Game Fish and Parks officials announced they were closing Department-managed boat launches and halting fish stockings on non-meandered bodies of water over private land.

State Reaches Settlement With SDRC for $1.5 Million

By Lee Strubinger • Mar 14, 2017

The State of South Dakota reached a settlement with the company in charge of the EB 5 immigrant investor program for the state.

South Dakota Regional Center Incorporated agreed to pay the state $1.5 million for past EB 5 related expenses.

The Governor’s chief of staff, Tony Venhuizen, says the money should also cover any further litigation.

In The Moment ... History Of The Governor's Of South Dakota

By Chris Laughery • Jan 30, 2017

In The Moment ... January 30 2017 Show 019 Hour 1

Guests: Tony Venhuizen, author of The Governor's of South Dakota; SDPB's Victoria Wicks, national seed swap day; Tong Wang, South Dakota State University extension specialist; Mike Thompson, associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Sioux Falls

State Officials Battle Ambiguity, Vagueness In New Victims' Rights Amendment

By Victoria Wicks • Dec 2, 2016

Public officials confused by the language of the recently passed victims' rights amendment are hoping a task force will sort out the issues. Amendment S, or Marsy's Law, was added to the state's constitution last month, after voters approved it. In response, certain agencies are now closing public records. The attorney general has appointed a 25-member group of state and local officials to study the reach of the new law. SDPB's Victoria Wicks reports.

Crow Creek Rescinds Contact With The State

By Lee Strubinger • Oct 25, 2016

The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe is rescinding any and all contact with the State of South Dakota. Tribal officials say they’re not happy the state is offering aid to North Dakota law enforcement at a pipeline blockade near the Missouri River.

In a letter sent to the governor’s office on Monday, the chairman of Crow Creek says the state chose to stand against its people in favor of big oil.

However, the governor’s office says North Dakota requested help, and that resource sharing is a common practice.

UPDATE: Forest Service Opposes Spearfish Canyon Land Transfer, State Says It’s Best For The Area

By Lee Strubinger • Oct 14, 2016

UPDATE: Black Hills National Forest Service supervisor Mark Van Every issued the following statement in regards to earlier claims the state never reached out to the forest service about Spearfish Canyon.