Northeast South Dakota News

Law enforcement officers were recognized for their service during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, with a visit from U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-Aberdeen) and Sheriff Pat West in Sturgis. Johnson expressed gratitude to the officers working overtime to ensure the safety of both South Dakota residents and visitors. He highlighted that, due to the One Big Beautiful Bill, overtime pay for these officers will now be tax free.

In other developments, Johnson addressed California’s Proposition 12 (Prop 12), which mandates minimum living space requirements for farm animals and restricts sales of products not meeting these standards. "This rule was adopted in 2018 and has only increased costs for producers and consumers with little to no benefit for livestock. For example, the price of a pound of pork loin in California rose more than 40%, and producers are facing a $4,000 cost per animal on construction to be compliant with California’s unscientific law. Even with that amount of investment, studies show that Prop 12 rules have not led to better welfare conditions for livestock," Johnson said.

He continued, "Reality check—producers know and want what’s best for their livestock. Prop 12 is a fantastic failure, and Congress must fix that mistake."

Johnson also took part in Ag Appreciation Day at the Sioux Empire State Fair, where he thanked agricultural producers. "In Congress, I’ve fought nonstop for policies which support the agricultural industry. The One Big Beautiful Bill was full of wins for rural America, including funding key agricultural priorities that protect farmers, promote trade, and invest in research," he stated.

Dusty Johnson has served as South Dakota's at-large representative in Congress since 2019 after succeeding Kristi Noem. Born in Pierre in 1976 and currently residing in Mitchell, Johnson holds a BA from the University of South Dakota.