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Dakota Rural Action

@dakotarural.bsky.social
165 followers 53 following 718 posts

We build community power in promoting & protecting natural resources & resilient food & energy systems for future generations in South Dakota. ORGANIZE! Likes & reposts are not endorsements. www.dakotarural.org

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Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
💯 “The public will pay for these people’s health care, whether you cut Medicaid or not." - SD Nurses Association President Deb Fischer-Clemens. Amendment I will just make healthcare access even harder. southdakotasearchlight.com/2026/09/29/p... #VoteNOonI
southdakotasearchlight.com
Passing Medicaid ballot measure would reduce services and spike insurance costs, opponents say • South Dakota Searchlight
Opponents of a ballot measure to end Medicaid expansion if federal funding is cut said the measure would reduce access to care.
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
💯 “The public will pay for these people’s health care, whether you cut Medicaid or not." - SD Nurses Association President Deb Fischer-Clemens. Amendment I will just make healthcare access even harder. southdakotasearchlight.com/2026/09/29/p... #VoteNOonI
southdakotasearchlight.com
Passing Medicaid ballot measure would reduce services and spike insurance costs, opponents say • South Dakota Searchlight
Opponents of a ballot measure to end Medicaid expansion if federal funding is cut said the measure would reduce access to care.
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
We couldn't agree more! David Owen spells out the simple truth about Amendment L in The Dakota Scout: "Ask yourself why the political leaders that keep putting this mess on the ballot don’t seem to have that same trust in your vote."
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Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
Food & Water Watch @foodandwater.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The reporters at @sentientmedia.org did the research, and the numbers don't lie: 10,830 factory farms. 170B pounds of 💩manure💩 per year. Over 60% of lakes and reservoirs failing water quality standards. And Iowans are paying with their health.
sentientmedia.org
We Mapped All 11,000 Factory Farms in Iowa. Here Are Five Things We Learned.
Here’s what the data reveal about the country’s factory farm hotbed.
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Join us in Pierre Nov. 6 - 7 for our Annual Meeting: Rooted & Resilient: 39 Years of Building Power. We kick off the weekend at Drifters w/ dinner & keynote address from Austin Frerick, author of Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry. bit.ly/39thAnnMtg #sodak
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Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
Civil Eats @civileats.com · 29/09/2026
The U.S. Department of Agriculture failed to distribute $12 million in funding allocated to support farmers in urban and suburban areas over the past two years.
civileats.com
Lawmakers Press USDA on Funding for Urban Ag
The agency has failed to make grant funds allocated by Congress for urban and suburban farmers available over the past two years.
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Great news! Two judges have both ruled against the EPA's decision to block Solar For All, which was established to help low-income households install rooftop #solarpower www.utilitydive.com/news/second-... #solar4all
utilitydive.com
Second federal judge overturns $7B Solar for All cancellation
The decision in a suit brought by Harris County, Texas, follows a similar ruling last week. A Harris County judge called it “a really important victory for energy resilience.”
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
There are more hungry South Dakotans than there were a year ago. Nearly 5,000 people have lost #SNAP assistance since July 2025. Who is this serving? We should be working to reduce #hunger, not increase it southdakotasearchlight.com/2026/09/24/r...
southdakotasearchlight.com
More Americans lose food assistance as Congress weighs program's future • South Dakota Searchlight
Tens of thousands of Americans continue to lose access to food assistance each month, even as Congress debates slowing down major cuts to federal food stamps.
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
5 million people have lost food assistance since July 2025, and 330,000 in just 1 month this summer. Hungry people do make our communities & state stronger. We've got to do better than this. #hunger #SNAP
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Thinking that the good people of Aberdeen will have thoughts about this. Literally selling #water to an out-of-state #datacenter.
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
😬Well this awkward....state AG says Amendment I does in fact remove Medicaid Expansion despite what legislators thought when passing it. Just vote NO on Amendment I. southdakotasearchlight.com/2026/09/18/b... #medicaid #ruralhealthcare
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
This illustrates yet another way in which #rural residents are disadvantaged when it comes to #healthcare
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
When the legislature & the attorney general disagree on what a ballot measure will do, it's best to vote no. Vote no Amendment I on the ballot.
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Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
DRA's Chase Jensen on Amendment L: “We view this third attempt in eight years to make it harder for citizens to change our form of government as disrespectful to South Dakota voters." www.keloland.com/news/local-n... #SouthDakotaelection #L-No #NoonL
keloland.com
Amendment L: Pros and cons
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — South Dakotans will be back at the polls for the general election in less than two months. One of the ballot questions would change the percentage of votes required…
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Yes - be sure your're registered to vote & if not, get registered. Deadline is Oct. 19th for the November election. #sdelection #yourvotematters
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
DRA's Chase Jensen on Amendment L: “We view this third attempt in eight years to make it harder for citizens to change our form of government as disrespectful to South Dakota voters." www.keloland.com/news/local-n... #SouthDakotaelection #L-No #NoonL
keloland.com
Amendment L: Pros and cons
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — South Dakotans will be back at the polls for the general election in less than two months. One of the ballot questions would change the percentage of votes required…
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Great to see Big Eagle named to this important South Dakota position as the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person specialist www.sdpb.org/crime-courts... #MMIW #MMIP
sdpb.org
Longtime DOJ liaison named as South Dakota's MMIP specialist
A woman with decades of experience in the justice system is set to serve as South Dakota's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person specialist.
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Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 16/09/2026
In response to a lawsuit, South Dakota's secretary of state has instructed county auditors to send voters stripped of their right to vote in state and local elections more accurate letters explaining why. The letters will also offer guidance on how to get those rights back. buff.ly/fFwxfIi
southdakotasearchlight.com
Lawsuit causes South Dakota secretary of state to issue new guidance on federal-only voter notices • South Dakota Searchlight
South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson has instructed county auditors to send voters stripped of their right to vote in state and local elections more accurate letters explaining why.
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Early voting for South Dakota's general election starts on Friday, Sept. 18! #vote
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Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
IEEFA North America @ieefa-northamerica.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The U.S. Department of @ENERGY's emergency orders to keep coal plants open, including Craig Unit 1 in Colorado, have cost ratepayers more than $300 million in extra costs through mid-May. These costs could soar much higher. via @cprnews.bsky.social buff.ly/0RdwwWn
cpr.org
Trump administration order to keep Colorado coal plant open will cost ratepayers millions of dollars
Xcel Energy has asked to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s emergency order
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
THIS: “This is a pipeline to nowhere." - Kerry King, Iowa farmer. That's exactly right. Why is the Iowa Utilities Commission even considering hearings for Summit's proposed (somewhere) #CO2 #pipeline? insideclimatenews.org/news/1409202...
insideclimatenews.org
What’s Next for Summit’s Carbon ‘Pipeline to Nowhere’? - Inside Climate News
While its Midwest pipeline languishes in legal limbo, Summit Carbon Solutions is urging Iowa regulators to fast-track its next round of hearings.
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Mark your calendar for Nov. 6-7 in Pierre for our Annual Meeting! Austin Frericks, author of Barons, will be our keynote speaker on Friday night. Registration coming soon.
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Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
DRA's Chase Jensen on Amendment L: "if they would like to stop packing ballots with constitutional amendments, they should just up their own threshold to a 2/3 majority before they can push anything forward. That would probably solve a lot of the busy #ballot issues that they focus on bit.ly/46jZtka
southdakotasearchlight.com
Podcast: Pros and cons on a ballot question to raise the bar for changing the state constitution • South Dakota Searchlight
Supporters of the measure say voters have been putting too much policy in the constitution. Opponents say Republican lawmakers want to prevent voters from passing amendments that the lawmakers don’t l...
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
DRA's Chase Jensen on Amendment L: "if they would like to stop packing ballots with constitutional amendments, they should just up their own threshold to a 2/3 majority before they can push anything forward. That would probably solve a lot of the busy #ballot issues that they focus on bit.ly/46jZtka
southdakotasearchlight.com
Podcast: Pros and cons on a ballot question to raise the bar for changing the state constitution • South Dakota Searchlight
Supporters of the measure say voters have been putting too much policy in the constitution. Opponents say Republican lawmakers want to prevent voters from passing amendments that the lawmakers don’t l...
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Proof that people being engaged with their #localgovernment matters! Rapid City is going to vet updates to the #datacenter ordinance with the public before beginning formal review www.newscenter1.tv/news/local/r... #localcontrol #zoning #peoplepower
newscenter1.tv
Rapid City Planning Commission tables data center ordinance update for 60 days
Two years ago, the City Council approved data centers in light and heavy industrial zones.
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Wow, what a coincidence...🙄 The SD AG claims this investigation is all about her residency but DCI showed up a day after she was at the county commission meeting AND he had a copy of the complaint she filed. But this isn't about the industrial dairy....sure, sure.
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Want to have meaningful work right here at home in #SouthDakota? We're hiring!
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Julie Burgod calls the South Dakota Attorney General's claim that the investigation is a coincidence "absurd." www.agweb.com/coincidence-... #SouthDakota #cafo #corporatecapture #intimidation
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Work with us! We're hiring a community organizer for our chapter & issue based organizing in Eastern South Dakota. Priority deadline is Sept. 21: www.dakotarural.org/who-we-are/e... #organizing #peoplepower #SouthDakota
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Excellent reporting from @kotatv.com on #datacenters & tech in #SouthDakota. Great to see Rapid City working for greater #transparency & public participation www.kotatv.com/video/2026/0...
kotatv.com
Rapid City Data Center backlash: EPA Rules, Meta cash & space tech
The early evening news on KOTA Territory TV.
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Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
Ben Lilliston @benlilliston.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
The Trump admin's gutting of USDA is affecting farming in big and small ways. This excellent piece ties job losses for the Natural Resource Conservation Service to more farmers closed out of programs protecting and improving water, soil, biodiversity - www.wpr.org/news/us-farm...
wpr.org
US farmers lost conservation experts in Trump's federal cuts. Now they're hurting for help
The Natural Resources Conservation Service lost nearly a quarter of its staff nationwide in 2025 after the Trump administration’s cuts to the federal government. Many were local experts that help farm...
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
"L-NO!" It's already difficult for constitutional amendments to make it to the ballot, and the 60% requirement is overkill. This is a key right for South Dakotans & we should protect it! #democracy #powerofthepeople
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Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 02/09/2026
A South Dakota Democratic Public Utilities Commission candidate is calling for a one-year ban on new artificial intelligence #DataCenters in the state, while his Republican opponent calls the proposal “reckless and pandering” and says new laws regulating the industry are sufficient. buff.ly/xrAh2Lt
southdakotasearchlight.com
South Dakota utility regulator candidates clash over AI data center pause • South Dakota Searchlight
A regulatory commission candidate is calling for a one-year ban on new artificial intelligence data centers in the state.
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
ICYMI: Edmunds County farmer investigated by state law enforcement for questioning decision to approve a proposed mega dairy #SouthDakota #industrialdevelopment #rural
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Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Very sobering reporting about #water wells drying up West River as aquifer levels drop. Great example of why we shouldn't allow #uraniummining or even exploratory drilling - it wastes millions of gallons of water. We can't afford to lose it.
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Very sobering reporting about #water wells drying up West River as aquifer levels drop. Great example of why we shouldn't allow #uraniummining or even exploratory drilling - it wastes millions of gallons of water. We can't afford to lose it.
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Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
South Dakota News Watch @sdnewswatch.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
If you don't use it, do you lose it? A Fact Brief on voter status and when you can start voting this election season. Read more ⬇️ buff.ly/AqeVLxk
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Why is the state of #SouthDakota wasting #taxpayer dollars on "investigating" an Edmunds County farmer who filed a complaint regarding the county's process in approving an #industrialdairy? www.agweb.com/news/busines... #cafo #intimidation #firstamendment
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
What this has shown us is that strengthening our #localfood systems is important! Head to your local #farmersmarket
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Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
Food & Water Watch @foodandwater.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
“Located roughly a mile from two schools,” this data center’s “tractor-trailer-size generators emit substantial amounts of health-harming air pollution linked to asthma, heart attacks and even premature death. None have permits.” 😡
theguardian.com
One of east coast’s largest datacenters accused of ‘violating federal law’
Thermal drone footage shows a Microsoft-backed AI datacenter powering its operations with dozens of unpermitted generato
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Black Hills Energy #ratepayers could face a new surcharge on top of the rate increase the company has already proposed. Customers facing a total $45/month increase southdakotasearchlight.com/2026/08/25/a... #energysky #utilityrates
southdakotasearchlight.com
Average Black Hills Energy customer faces potential $45 increase in monthly bill • South Dakota Searchlight
Documents show that if two requests are approved at the proposed amounts, the average residential customer’s bill would rise from $98.96 to $143.70 — a 45% increase.
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Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
Barn Raiser @barnraiser.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Nearly 40 years ago, concentrated animal feeding operations arrived in rural America with bold promises of jobs and a county tax base. Data center hyperscalers promise the same fat pitch. They’ve also learned from CAFOs about how to destroy local resistance. barnraisingmedia.com/2026-electio...
barnraisingmedia.com
Do Rural Residents Have the Power to Say No?
Data center hyperscalers promise the same fat pitch of jobs and revenue CAFOs once did. They’ve also learned about how to destroy local resistance.
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Black Hills Energy is also requesting a surcharge on top of the rate increase they've already propsed. This one-two punch would increase residential #electricityrates by $45 per household. This is a lot for working families to absorb in a short period of time. #ratepayers
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
This is a significant increase for #SouthDakota households. #ratepayers #electricityrates
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Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 25/08/2026
A nonprofit organization and a Sioux Falls voter filed a lawsuit in federal court over the implementation of South Dakota’s new proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration. southdakotasearchlight.com/2026/08/24/s...
southdakotasearchlight.com
State of South Dakota faces lawsuit over proof-of-citizenship voter registration law • South Dakota Searchlight
Senate Bill 175, passed by lawmakers and signed into law by Gov. Larry Rhoden, requires proof of citizenship from people registering to vote.
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Reposted by Dakota Rural Action
Black Hills Clean Water Alliance @bhcwa.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
There is word going around that F3 Gold has dropped their Newark Project about a mile west of Custer and given up their claims in South Dakota. Much of this statement appears to be untrue. PLEASE READ SLIDES FOR FULL UPDATE. Follow us to stay up to date with accurate information! Thank you!
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
The #SouthDakota legislature's repeated attempts to reduce the strength of our #directdemocracy tools is insult to voters. Another amendment to constrain citizen power is on the November ballot boltsmag.org/measures-to-... @boltsmag.org
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
The takeaway: "Cattle market reports from Friday showed “crashing futures” because of the Trump announcement." And no country-of-origin-labeling. Oh the packers are cheering. #beef #breakupthepackers #COOL
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
DRA's Chase Jensen on Amendment L ballot question “This is the third time in about eight years that our legislature has attempted to make it more difficult for citizens to use #directdemocracy methods." boltsmag.org/measures-to-... #sdleg #electionprotection
boltsmag.org
"Disrespectful for Voters": The Dakotas Weigh Raising the Bar for Direct Democracy - Bolts
Frustrated that voters are bypassing the legislatures they control, the GOP is pushing two ballot measures this fall in North Dakota and South Dakota to require a supermajority to amend the state cons...
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Dakota Rural Action @dakotarural.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Did you know that 58% of #SouthDakota #Medicaid enrollees are kids? This program provides vital #healthcare coverage for thousands of South Dakotans!
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