South Dakota State News

GOP rallies solidly against Democrats' virus relief package

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 02:26:34 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans rallied solidly Wednesday against Democrats' proposed $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill as lawmakers awaited a decision by the Senate's parliamentarianthat could bolster or potentially kill a pivotal provision hiking the federal minimum wage.

Despite their paper-thin congressional majorities, Democratic leaders were poised to push the sweeping package through the House on Friday. They were hoping the Senate, where changes seem likely, would follow quickly enough to have legislation on President Joe Biden's desk by mid-March.

By late Wednesday, not one Republican in either chamber had publicly said he or she would back the legislation. GOP leaders were honing attacks on the package as a job killer that does too little to reopen schools or businesses shuttered for the pandemic and that was not only wasteful but also even unscrupulous.

“I haven’t seen a Republican yet that’s found something in there that they agree with," said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. "I think all Republicans believe in three simple things: They want a bill that puts us back to work, back to school and back to health. This bill is too costly, too corrupt and too liberal.”

The hardening opposition suggested that Biden’s first major legislative initiative could encounter unanimous GOP opposition. That was a counterpoint to the new president’s refrain during his campaign about bringing the country together and a replay of the Republican wall that new President Barack Obama encountered in 2009 and most of his administration.

Democrats showed no signs of backing down, citing the assistance the measure would spread to people, businesses and state and local governments.

“If congressional Republicans want to oppose all that, my response is: Good luck,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor.

By Wednesday evening, the most suspense was over a decision anticipated from Elizabeth MacDonough, the Senate's nonpartisan arbiter of its rules, that promised enormous political and legislative consequences.

The relief bill includes a provision that over five years would hike the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. The parliamentarian is involved because Democrats are pushing the overall $1.9 trillion measure through Congress under special rules that will let them avoid a Senate filibuster by Republicans.

Those same rules prohibit provisions with only an “incidental” impact on the federal budget because they are chiefly driven by other policy purposes. The parliamentarian decides if a provision passes that test.

With Republicans strongly against a minimum wage increase, the only way for it to survive is by including it in a filibuster-proof bill like the COVID-19 relief measure. To end a filibuster, Democrats would need 60 votes, an impossibility for them in the evenly divided 50-50 Senate.

If the parliamentarian decides the minimum wage provision can remain in the bill, it would be a major boost for its proponents. But there would be no guarantee the measure would survive because some moderates oppose it or want it dialed back. That suggests grueling bargaining on its final form would lie ahead.

A decision by the parliamentarian that the minimum wage hike must fall from the bill could be fatal, but not necessarily. Democrats could employ a rarely used procedural move to muscle the minimum wage provision into the bill with just 51 votes anyway, but it was unclear if they could muster enough support to do that.

The minimum wage has stood at $7.25 since 2009. Winning the increase is a top priority for progressives at a time when Democrats control Congress and the White House.

The overall bill would provide millions of Americans with $1,400 direct payments to help them weather the pandemic that’s stalled much of the economy for a year and killed half a million people. It contains billions of dollars for vaccines and COVID-19 testing, schools, state and local governments and emergency jobless benefits while providing tax cuts or payments for many families with children.

$15 minimum wage: Where the debate and alternatives stand

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 01:40:25 +0000

(NEXSTAR) - Consensus is building on Capitol Hill around an increase to the federal minimum wage, but the final passage of any legislation appears to hinge on swaying key moderate Democrats or building a bipartisan coalition in support of the pay increase.

Democratic leadership wants to raise the federal floor, fixed at $7.25 hourly since 2009, to $15 over five years as part of President Joe Biden's sweeping relief package. But opposition has emerged from within the party, putting the $15 proposal on shakier footing than new stimulus checks, child tax credits and other broadly popular stimulus measures.

Democrats are attempting to pass the relief bill through a process known as budget reconciliation, which would shield the bill from Senate Republican filibusters, requiring 60 votes to pass. Sixty votes is out of reach for Democrats in a 50-50 chamber they control with Vice President Kamala Harris' tie-breaking vote.

Democrats are arguing that the increase is appropriate to include in the package, but a legislative gatekeeper known as the Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, could add an obstacle if she rules the proposal is not appropriate as part of the budget process. If the wage hike is stripped from the bill, Dems will have to find another path to a wage increase. Even if Ms. MacDonough sides with Democrats, it's not clear Chuck Schumer's Senate colleagues will all line up to support the $15 number.

Over the past week, West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin has signaled resistance to more than doubling the decade-old wage floor. Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema has also said she is opposed to the $15 increase during reconciliation, meaning the Democrats aren't currently assured of 50 votes to pass reconciliation with the increase included.

As the Democrats work to shore up support, a number of competing proposals have begun to emerge. Here's a look at some of the alternatives being floated:

Manchin himself is targeting a more modest increase nationally, telling reporters Monday "Eleven dollars is the right place to be,” according to the Hill. Manchin also wants to link the wage floor to inflation in the future. Critics from the left have said this proposal would not lift enough people out of poverty nationally.
Earlier this week two GOP senators unveiled a less generous counter offer to $15. Utah's Mitt Romney and Arkansas Tom Cotton have called for an increase to $10 per hour. As USA Today reports, that plan would also require employers to use the E-Verify system to curb the hiring of undocumented workers. Democrats have largely been against E-Verify mandates outside of broader immigration reform.
On Wednesday, Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley - recently in the news for his role in objecting to the 2020 election certification - released his own alternative to the $15 hike. Dubbed the "Blue Collar Bonus," Hawley's plan would be paid for by taxpayers, not employers. As Axios reports, the money would come in the form of a tax credit to help cover part of the wage gap for people working for less than $16.50 per hour. The program would also be tied to inflation and would be carried out over three years.

Earlier this month a Congressional Budget Office projection found the existing Democratic proposal would help lift millions of Americans out of poverty but increase the federal deficit and cost 1.4 million jobs as employers scale back costlier workforces.

Democrats have argued that the proposal impacts the deficit and means the minimum wage hike is relevant to the budget and can be included in the reconciliation bill. We should know soon whether the Senate parliamentarian agrees. If she does not, Democrats may be forced to look at less ambitious increases that could win bipartisan support.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Above average temps and dry conditions to stick around

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 00:34:28 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- We're getting to the crossroads of getting out of the cold snowy months and entering the warmer rainy months. But precipitation, may be hard to come by.

Temperatures warmed again Wednesday and it led to more snow and ice melt in eastern KELOLAND. With the frost line remaining deep, a lot of this hasn't been able to soak into the ground. Moisture will play more and more of an important factor as we go forward.

It's no secret that the southwestern United States has been dry. This is an area that will be monitored. What typically happens is, once this takes hold in the fall and winter month, it usually expands to the east. Along with the dry conditions, temperatures will easily be above average.

So, what you see going away you might actually want back as we go into the spring months. I'm not saying we need heavy snow, but any rain or snow will be beneficial.

In the meantime, mostly dry conditions and above average temperatures will remain for awhile. And I think we'll start to green up before you know it.

Jack and Charlie's Summit League Challenge gives fans a chance to compete

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 00:31:41 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- The Summit League basketball championships won't have people in the stands this year, but that doesn't mean fans can't show their support. USD and SDSU have found a way to keep their friendly rivalry alive.

Basketball isn't the only kind of competition around Summit League tournament time.

The bookstores at SDSU an USD are in a showdown of their own called Jack and Charlie's Summit League Challenge.

"I think it's fun to see a virtual challenge, something different that we've never done," USD retail operations manager Brittany Sage said.

"USD came up with it, brought it to us, we loved it, and we both just went with it," SDSU bookstore director Amber Healy said.

But in this game, the fans are the star players.

"It's something we dreamed up because of the changes that are happening at the Summit League related to fans and the inability for all of us to get together and compete from a fan standpoint, so we challenged SDSU and they've been friendly competitors on this front to join us in a challenge to see how many, basically, items we can sell," USD vice president of enrollment, marketing, and university relations Scott Pohlson said.

Each item sold, no matter the cost, represents a Summit League seat on a virtual scoreboard.

"I think it helps them feel involved even though they're not there in person or maybe in the state of South Dakota," Healy said.

The challenge to see which side can rack up the most points runs until March 9th.

"Having everyone engaged, even though we can't be there, is just a great idea," Healy said.

"I think we're both great schools and we're all just in this together," Sage said.

Any purchases made at the on-campus or downtown locations and online count toward the challenge.

Click here to keep track of which university is in the lead.

Six recipients receive Community Dreamer Award

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 00:28:47 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) - The Arc of Dreams is a staple of downtown Sioux Falls - paying tribute to the dreamers of the past and present, and serving as an inspiration to the dreamers of the future.

The Arc of Dreams spans across the Big Sioux River in downtown Sioux Falls. In the center, there is a gap, which represents the leap of faith dreamers take to help their dreams come true.

Wednesday, six recipients are being recognized for those leaps of faith they've taken to better themselves and the community.

"We had a selection team that we put together, consisting of community members, and we all came up with some candidates, and then made the decision for these six, we wanted people representing all walks of life in Sioux Falls," director of SculptureWalk, Jim Clark said.

Kasey Olivier is one of the people who recieved a Community Dreamer Award plaque.

"I lived a life of, when I was so much younger, where was my next meal going to come from, would I have heat, where would I end up, and I was working so many jobs, and so many hours a week, that when I realized I could make my dreams come true, go to college, go to law school, become a lawyer, and now to be a business owner, to have my own law firm, where we advocate for other people, has been an honor of a lifetime," recipient, Kasey Olivier said.

Olivier hopes to be able to inspire others to achieve their goals.

"I hope to work everyday to continue to achieve dreams and to take steps forward to advocate for other people in the community, to give people opportunities and chances that I've had that have helped me succeed," Olivier said.

Just like the Arc of Dreams, Olivier hopes her success inspires others to take a leap of faith.

This group was the first to receive this recognition. Clark says it's something they will continue into the future.

Police reminding people to not leave valuables inside their vehicles

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 00:16:57 +0000

Sioux Falls police are once again reminding people to not leave valuables inside their vehicles. This comes after officers received several reports of items being stolen from cars, including outside the Great life along Tennis Lane.

"All three of them had car windows broken and purses were taken. So we've talked about this, locking your cars is great, but if you leave your purse in there, or a bag or a laptop, something that somebody can walk by and see, it doesn't take long to break a window," Sam Clemens with Sioux Falls Police said.

Clemens says if you have to leave valuables in your car, make sure they're out of sight.

Crash in western Sioux Falls knocks out power

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 00:16:50 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- A car crash this afternoon in Sioux Falls knocked out power to some people on the west side of the city.

Officers were called to the area of Marion Road and 26th Street for a vehicle that had crashed into a pole. Sioux Falls Police asked people to avoid the area as they cleaned up the crash and turned the power back on.

No word yet if anyone was injured.

Ravnsborg interrogation video release first of its kind for SD

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 00:14:32 +0000

The video release of North Dakota investigators questioning Attorney General Ravnsborg by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety is a first of its kind in South Dakota. While there has often been talk of transparency in state government, the reality is, getting records from government agencies, especially law enforcement, can be virtually impossible.

It's safe to say that every journalist in the state was surprised by the release of hours of video of Ravnsborg being questioned by investigators in the fatal crash that killed Joe Boever. It allowed a glimpse behind the curtain of secrecy that typically surrounds investigations in South Dakota.

I was one of the journalists who was a member of a 2016 Open Government Task Force, which tried to make more law enforcement records public in the 2017 legislative session.

The 2016 Open Government Task Force succeeded in convincing lawmakers to allow booking photos be made public. At the time, there was also an effort to open up police incident reports to the public.

"We need to be careful of those that are innocent out there, and protect them and at the same time, release information to the public that could be of public interest," Lt. Paul Gerken of the South Dakota Highway Patrol said in Oct. of 2016. Gerken has since retired from the SD Highway Patrol

However, that effort to open police reports failed. South Dakota Newspaper Association Executive Director, Dave Bordewyk, was part of the open government task force.

"I've heard from countless editors and reporters over the years who have said, how can we go about getting access to these types of records, whether it be an interrogation video or some type of report that law enforcement has made and again and again frustrated, because the law is not on the side in terms of access to these records and just continually denied."
Dave Bordewyk, South Dakota Newspaper Association

KELOLAND Investigates has requested video evidence numerous times over the years, only to be denied.

In February of 2018, we asked for video of an altercation from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, but were denied citing two sections of South Dakota law that protect law enforcement records from being made public.

In 2016, KELOLAND Investigates asked then-Minnehaha County State's Attorney for video of two abuse incidents involving former LifeScape employees, on the condition we would blur out the victim's face.

McGowan responded saying: "We are not permitted to release any evidence in a criminal case - other than through discovery to the defendant/defense attorney."

In 2016, we asked then Attorney General Marty Jackley for video of an assault by an inmate in the South Dakota State Prison of Correctional Officer Zane Mathis. Jackley responded that no video was shown in court, so therefore it wasn't considered public record.

Kennecke: Do you believe this sets a precedent for journalists and the public to see more of these kinds of videos in future cases?
Bordewyk: Until the open records law we have in South Dakota is amended; changed, to deal with some of these issues, this is where we are at. I think this was a very unique circumstance we saw with the release of these videos, It certainly was extraordinary but I don't think we're going to see much of it again unless the law changes.

The South Dakota Department of Public Safety issued KELOLAND Investigates the following statement about the videos' release:

"The decision to release these videos was because the Attorney General is the state’s highest ranking law-enforcement official and he had been involved in a pedestrian-vehicle fatal crash. The Department of Public Safety was directed by the Governor’s Office to release this information as part of her commitment to be transparent in this case."
Tony Mangan, SD Dept. Of Public Safety Spokesperson

Winter warmup creates new batch of potholes in Sioux Falls

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 23:36:25 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) --Street crews are fanning-out across Sioux Falls repairing a fresh patch of potholes that have punctuated the pavement during this week's warm weather. We caught up with one of the crews Wednesday making steady progress along busy Sioux Falls streets.

Patching crews are performing emergency surgery on city streets riddled with potholes formed by this late-winter thaw.

"Everybody likes smooth roads, so we're throwing the kitchen sink at this," Street Maintenance Supervisor Chad Sundvold said.

The kitchen sink, in this case, includes rock-asphalt fill that cars can drive over as soon crews are finished.

"We were doing about fifty, with six of our crews a day. But then, not all of them are fifty potholes. Sometimes, they give us one pothole, that could be 15 or 20 potholes," Sudvold said.

Drivers can have a difficult time maneuvering the obstacle course of potholes.

"When you have cars coming on one side or the other, it's really hard sometimes to get around them. But you just try and maneuver around them as best you can, but sometimes it is a little harder than normal," Susan Dykshorn of Sioux Falls said.

The street department is asking drivers to slow down when they approach these pothole crews because the workers are in the middle of traffic with very little protection.

"Every day, we have a close call. A lot of times, you'll hear brakes squealing behind you so it's always a little nerve-wracking on busy streets and that's where a lot of potholes are," Sundvold said.

The patchwork being done now is only temporary. The permanent fixes will come during the summer. Crews can fill a pothole in just a matter of minutes, before it's onto the next one.

"When this beautiful sun comes out, potholes show up, so it's that time of year," Sundvold said.

The city is also asking people who report problem potholes to be patient for a crew to arrive since they have so many more potholes to fill.

The city has an app to report potholes, you can download it by clicking here

Highway Patrol car damaged during chase

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 23:30:46 +0000

We have an update tonight on a chase that ended in a crash and a Highway Patrol car damaged.

Tuesday afternoon a Highway Patrol trooper spotted a stolen vehicle at the intersection of Madison Street and I-29.

The trooper tried to pull the vehicle over but the driver took off.

During the pursuit, a 51-year-old man who was a back seat passenger jumped out. He was later arrested.

The pursuit continued and at one point the suspect's vehicle collided with the Highway Patrol car. The driver kept going until it went into a ditch, hit the patrol car again and got stuck.

The driver and another passenger were arrested.

COVID-19 precautions are helping cut down on cases of the flu

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 23:22:23 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- South Dakota health officials say precautions taken in the state against COVID-19 is also helping fight the seasonal flu.

During Wednesday's COVID briefing, State Epidemiologist Dr. Joshua Clayton gave an update on the flu in South Dakota. He says so far this season there have been 45 influenza cases in South Dakota with 7 people hospitalized and 2 deaths due to the flu.

"This same time last year, we'd had already seen around 7,600 cases, 270 hospitalizations and 12 deaths from influenza. And so again when I say it is a very mild season it definitely has been a-typical so far," Clayton said.

State health officials says the flu season usually peaks in February but they have seen earlier and later peaks in different years.

State video of Ravnsborg being questioned by detectives reveals details of fatal crash

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 23:17:17 +0000

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) -- For the first time at the South Dakota State Capitol, a resolution for impeachment was read on the House floor. It comes one day after the Governor called for Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg's resignation.

In an unusual move, The South Dakota Highway Patrol released three hours of interviews between detectives and Ravsnborg. North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation special agents interviewed Ravnsborg. two days after the crash on September 14th and a second interview 16 days later on September 30th.

Ravsnborg has insisted all along that his car was in the driving lane of Highway 14. But investigators say the evidence says otherwise. During this interview, they pressed him on it.

"One of the other things we know Jason is you weren't in the middle of the road," said one of the investigators. "You were on the shoulder. And I know it happens fast because it's happened to me. We have three people putting him next to the grass. So we knew something was happening. You're a smart man, you know, we're- Joe and I have done this a long time, we know what the evidence is going to show us. What the evidence does show us."

Ravsnborg responded, "I don't remember, I remember being in the road, but you know, but you show me what the evidence shows."

Joe Boever was carrying a flashlight that night as he walked along Highway 14 near Highmore. Investigators say they found it next to his body the following day. It was still on and shining just inches from the road. Investigators thought it was odd that Ravsnborg did not see the light the night of the crash.

A second investigator asked "After the crash did you see that light in the dark? Because it's pitch dark. If there was something glowing it would make sense for you to see it."

Ravsnborg: "Right, I did not see any light, no."
Investigator: "Are you certain?"
Ravsnborg: "I am absolutely certain."

"Because Jason we went out there, another night with that flashlight recently, and put it back in the same spot it was in with it back on, and it is hard to miss. It truly is hard to miss when you are out there especially if you are walking back towards Highmore," the investigator said.

When investigators went back to the crash sight to reenact the scene with Boever's flashlight. One investigator called the flashlight "a beacon."

And Joe Boever's glasses ended up in Ravnsborg's car. They were broken into two pieces, half on the floor of the passenger side and the other portion ended up in the back seat.

Investigator: His glasses are right there. Jason, those are Joe's.
Ravsnborg: I did not see the glasses.
Investigator: So the only way for them to get there is through the windshield. At the impact did you look over and see anything?

Ravsnborg "I did not see anything, it was, again I then was looking to get to the side I did not see anything. No, absolutely not. I did not know it was a human until the next day."

As the interview wrapped up an hour later Ravnsborg once again reiterated that he did not know he had hit a man until the next day and he would go to his grave saying that.

Shortly after he was charged with three misdemeanors last week a spokesman for Ravnsborg said that the Attorney general had no plans to resign. At this point, lawmakers have not released a timeline for the impeachment process.

Winter warmup creates new batch of potholes in Sioux Falls

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 23:10:13 +0000