Doeden, Crabtree rocking affordability concerns

What are Trump/GOP even doing?!? Americans are in a stinking affordability crisis due to Trump/GOP’s illegal tariffs (taxes on consumers) increasing costs; a war of choice in Iran causing soaring gas prices that we’re paying for; inflation pushed from the high costs; & healthcare subsidies gutted!!!

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— Analisa Swan (she/her) (@analisaswan.bsky.social) April 17, 2026 at 9:11 AM

As far back as 2015 a company representative told WNAX radio that the state's attractions, road conditions, nightlife options, scenic byways, tourist attractions, cost of traveling, hotel affordability, gas prices and camping all suck. 

Today, a state that calls itself conservative depends on federal Social Security benefits to pay the property taxes that currently bankroll South Dakota's red state failure while video lootery drives poor residents even deeper into despair. 

And, as the Trump Organization touts deregulation and tax cuts as keys to making life affordable critics and recent economic data suggest that because of the war on Iran costs for essentials like housing, gas, and groceries remain high. Just recently while apparently thumbing their noses at Herr Trump, Toby Doeden mentioned affordability at least three times during the Earth haters' gubernatorial debate and in a Dakota Town Hall discussion State Senator Casey Crabtree did, too. Crabtree cited the dysfunction in his own party as as part of his decision to end a run for congress.

“I think without a doubt, the number one issue across the state is affordability. It is strengthening the economy,” Crabtree said during the episode. He added that the candidate who best explains how to put “more money back in people’s pockets” will likely gain the edge in the final stretch before Election Day. For western South Dakota listeners, the affordability conversation may resonate especially strongly as Rapid City continues balancing growth, housing pressure and infrastructure demands, all of which tie directly into the larger statewide tax and economic development debate now taking shape ahead of November. [Affordability Dominates Dakota Town Hall Debate]

A Clinton era housing bill is awarding funds for tribal communities so there is that.

As of post time Doeden is leading Trump lover, Dusty Johnson at Polymarket.

Learn more at South DaCola.

AI on the Black Hills

The historical landscape of He Sapa (the Black Hills) was significantly different from its present-day appearance, with quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) playing a much more dominant role in the ecosystem, particularly in mesic (moist) areas, prior to European settlement. 

• Pre-Settlement Landscape: The area was characterized by a mosaic of diverse habitats, including open ponderosa pine parks, grass prairies, and dense stands of hardwoods, of which aspen was a significant component in moister, sheltered areas and lower valleys.
• Role of Fire: Quaking aspen is a pioneer species that thrives following disturbances like fire. Historically, natural and indigenous-led fires maintained a diverse landscape that favored the regeneration of aspen.
• Settlement and Environmental Change: Following settlement, fire suppression and changes in land management allowed conifers, particularly ponderosa pine, to encroach upon areas previously dominated by aspen and other hardwoods.
• Ecological Significance: Before these landscape shifts, these mesic aspen habitats served as crucial biodiversity hotspots. 

Today, the prevalence of aspen has been heavily influenced by logging and fire suppression, which have, in many parts of the region, increased the overall acreage of aspen but altered its historical distribution and competitive relationship with other tree species.

Trump stopped Noem from running in Earth hater Senate primary: report

Told you so. 

Recall that the late Jean Rounds pleaded with her husband not to run for the US Senate but Reich Mike Rounds knew he had to run to stall then-US Attorney for the District of South Dakota Brendan Johnson from opening an investigation of Rounds' role in Bendagate to the public.

Today, it's widely known that the relationship between short guy Rounds and former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is primarily characterized by a long-standing, public political rivalry within South Dakota's party of Earth haters. While they have served together in various capacities for over at least a decade, their relationship has been marked with frequent snubbing and policy disagreements. Rounds even posted photos of a hemp harvest to intentionally counter Noem's opposition to industrial cannabis.

The title of “Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas”—announced on March 5 by Trump, 79, as he publicly fired Noem from her role as DHS secretary—was effectively fabricated to ensure she missed the filing deadline for the South Dakota Senate race and would thus be unable to challenge incumbent Sen. Mike Rounds, according to multiple sources. [Trump Created Fake 'Shield' Job to Keep Noem Away From Senate Run]

Watching Mrs. Noem become a spoiler by running as an unaffiliated or third party candidate in November is not impossible.

Hansen backed by West River lawbreakers

Charles and Heather Maude, the West River lawbreakers just endorsed Jon Hansen for South Dakota's chief executive.

Recall that on January 6, 2021 the attack on the US Capitol was a climax of an anti-law enforcement movement emboldened by the 2014 Bundy standoff. So, it's hardly surprising that Earth haters like Cliven Bundy and Harriet Hageman are defending Charles and Heather Maude because they hate what they call the administrative state even as it benefits them. 

In South Dakota members of the law enforcement industry enjoy qualified immunity from prosecution for the often lethal offenses they commit in the line of duty so the violence they visit on suspects is usually dismissed as justified. 

The US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service Supervisor Jack Isaacs (now retired), Special Agent Travis Lunders and District Ranger Julie Wheeler received death threats just for doing their jobs then were thrown under the bus by the Trump Organization's agriculture secretary. Extremists are screaming that Agent Lunders came unannounced to the Maude ranch in 2024 in full tactical gear to serve the summons to appear in district court because the Maudes blew off civil remedies after breaking federal law. 

The Forest Service denies the agent was outfitted with "any tactical uniform, gear or assault weapons" even though it is widely known property owners in that part of South Dakota are militantly opposed to gubmint especially those of Democratic administrations but love all that subsidized crop and livestock insurance anyway. Heather Maude is a Wyoming native and her parents are Trump supporting Earth haters, too. 

The charges have been dropped but the case is not resolved after the Maudes allegedly stole access to public land by claiming it as their own then after being advised of their crime flouted its repercussions because a Democrat was sitting in the White House. Blame lies with the State of South Dakota, Custer County and the lawyers who drafted the Maude Family Trust and neglected to order a survey. Maude Hog and Cattle has been providing product to Wall Meats which is heavily subsidized by the USDA and Charles Maude has received nearly $300,000 in ag subsidies since 1995.