Two pieces of legislation are going to South Dakota’s House and Senate floors with different levels of increased penalties for disturbing worshippers.
One bill, introduced by Rep. Brandei Schaefbauer, R-Aberdeen, would create a new felony crime of entering or remaining in a place of worship with the intent to “menace or harass congregants or employees,” or for “the purpose of political intimidation of or the incitement of fear of violence in those attending.”
The Trump administration and the Republican Party are currently scrambling to deal with the fallout after the unjustifiable killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino have been sidelined after spending the weekend lying about Pretti and blaming him for his own death. The border czar Tom Homan, who was under investigation for public corruption before returning to office, will now oversee Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Minnesota. Republicans in Congress are fretting about the public backlash.
Continue reading “The Legal Fallout in Minnesota Has Only Just Begun”
State and local law enforcement in Minnesota have said they are investigating federal agents’ killing of Alex Pretti and have gone to court to block federal officials from destroying or altering evidence. Videos show Pretti was disarmed and restrained on the ground when he was shot multiple times last weekend, part of a pattern across the country of escalating violence by federal officers.
It’s not easy for states to prosecute federal law enforcement officers, particularly if federal officials impede an investigation. At the same time, states have more power than people may realize.
Continue reading “When Can States Prosecute Federal Agents?”
The South Dakota Highway Patrol announced on Monday that sobriety checkpoints will be conducted in 15 counties throughout February.
Continue reading “South Dakota Highway Patrol announces February sobriety checkpoints”
Imagine criminals using Bitcoin or Ethereum to hide money from scams, hacks, or worse. Law enforcement wants tools to fight back. On January 6, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced new bills to update state laws. One big change? A proposal to let police seize digital currency during criminal probes.
This move comes as crypto plays a bigger role in bad activities. Its fast transfers, no bank checks, and border-free moves make it perfect for crooks. But South Dakota’s laws don’t clearly say crypto counts as “property” that cops can grab. This bill fixes that gap. Continue reading “South Dakota’s Crypto Crackdown: AG Pushes Legislation to Seize Digital Currency in Crime Fights”
South Dakota will expand a specialty program for people facing drug charges, a move spurred by a decision last year to lessen the penalties for drug use.
The state will also pilot a program meant to keep a closer eye on people serving probation sentences, South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Jensen said Wednesday during his State of the Judiciary message to lawmakers.
South Dakota’s top law enforcement official wants lawmakers to stiffen penalties for selling drugs in prison and making deepfake pornography, to create consumer protections for DNA data, and to give internet crime investigators swifter access to suspects’ user data.
Those bills are among the 10 proposed by Attorney General Marty Jackley for the 2026 legislative session that begins Tuesday at the Capitol in Pierre.
State and county officials vowed to investigate after an ICE officer shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis Wednesday, but the FBI says it is handling the investigation and won’t share evidence with Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
The death of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good during an immigration enforcement operation has sparked widespread protests and calls for ICE to leave the city, while the Trump administration continues to defend the officer amid its “largest immigration enforcement operation ever” in Minneapolis. Continue reading “Can Minnesota prosecute ICE agents? What the law says”
Iowa House Republicans say they want to move early in the 2026 legislative session on a “tough on crime” package aimed at repeat offenders — a push Speaker Pat Grassley framed as a proactive effort to keep Iowa from developing the kinds of public safety problems that have drawn national attention in larger Midwestern cities.
Early outlines include a “three strikes” approach tied to longer mandatory prison sentences for people who have previously been convicted of violent crimes and some form of bail reform, though GOP leaders say the specifics are still being developed and no bill language has been released.
Continue reading “Iowa House Republicans eye ‘tough on crime’ package for 2026”
As the calendar turns to 2026, a new set of laws approved by North Dakota lawmakers will officially take effect on January 1, bringing changes that touch healthcare, taxation, vehicle ownership, education, public safety, and state governance. While some of these measures have been discussed for months, their implementation marks a significant shift in how state policy will affect the everyday lives of residents, businesses, and public institutions.
Continue reading “North Dakota Laws Taking Effect January 1, 2026”