Sioux Empire Today

Heather and Charles Maude, ranchers from West River, were facing up to ten years in prison due to a fence line dispute with the U.S. Forest Service under the Biden Administration. However, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced this week that criminal charges against the Maude family have been dropped under President Trump's leadership.

In response to this development, a statement was made: "Thanks to the advocacy of people like you, the Trump Administration, members of Congress, and more, we brought an end to this political prosecution." A celebration of this outcome was attended by Secretary Rollins, Secretary Noem, and the Maudes.

Transportation issues were also highlighted as a major topic recently. The House of Representatives debated and passed legislation opposing California's zero-emissions vehicle requirements. These mandates would require all vehicles sold in California to be zero-emissions by 2035. The concern is that these requirements could affect car sales nationwide since it is inefficient for manufacturers to produce different models for each state. It was stated that "All Americans should have the choice to purchase the car that best fits their needs."

Additionally, budget reconciliation discussions are underway in which spending reductions exceeding $10 billion are proposed while investing significantly in areas such as the Coast Guard and air traffic control technology updates.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved year-round E-15 sales shortly after receiving a letter from several colleagues requesting this waiver's approval. This decision is seen as beneficial for South Dakota producers and consumers by providing a cheaper fuel option and enhancing energy security.