Rich Keller

Colorado

Writer at Freelance

Articles

National Women’s Day protest in Sioux Falls

1 month ago | kelo.com | Rich Keller

A large protest occurred at the Federal Courthouse in downtown Sioux Falls. The participants were angry with DOGE cuts and the reversal of Roe v. Wade. Cyndi Olson is from the Facebook group Indivisible 605. The protesters were concerned that women’s right were being reversed.
Amtrak service in South Dakota?

1 month ago | kelo.com | Rich Keller

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) — Will new train service begin chugging through South Dakota? A Senate Committee has concurred with a House resolution showing support for bringing Amtrak passenger rail service to South Dakota. Dan Bilka with All Aboard Northwest says research done on the expansion of Amtrak shows the potential for high usage. The Senate Transportation Committee unanimously concurred with the resolution, sending it to the Senate consent calendar for approval.
Sentence handed down in Lake Andes manslaughter case

1 month ago | kelo.com | Rich Keller

LAKE ANDES, S.D. (KELKO.com) — Eighty five years. That’s the sentence for a Lake Andes man after earlier pleading guilty to one count of first-degree manslaughter in the stabbing death of another man in May 2024. Mackenzie Antelope, 18, was sentenced Friday in Charles Mix County Circuit Court. He was sentenced to 85 years in prison, with 35 years were suspended. Quinlan Ream was killed in the May 21 2024 stabbing in a Lake Andes motel. A second person also was injured in the same incident.
Accused embezzler prosecution to begin

1 month ago | kelo.com | Rich Keller

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) — An accused embezzler will begin to face the music for her actions. Lonna Carroll of Algona, IA, is charged with stealing an estimated $1.8 million in state and federal funds from the South Dakota Department of Social Services. The Attorney General’s Office in 2024 indicted Carroll on two felony counts of Aggravated Grand Theft. Carroll has pleaded not guilty to the crimes. Her trial is scheduled to start April 1 in Hughes County Circuit Court.
Will South Dakota librarians become criminals?

2 months ago | kelo.com | Rich Keller

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) — Could South Dakota librarians suddenly become criminals? The State House passed House Bill 1239, which would update South Dakota’s criminal code to remove current protections given to public schools and libraries preventing them from being charged with crimes for distributing material they deem “harmful to minors.”Multiple legislators opposing the bill contended that the proposal to update the criminal code would result in librarians being arrested.
South Dakota Congressional delegation silent on government wide terminations

2 months ago | kelo.com | Rich Keller

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KELO.com) — Silence from South Dakota’s congressional delegation. South Dakota Searchlight has reached out for comment from Senators Thune and Rounds, as well as Representative Johnson, concerning how the recent firings of federal workers is affecting South Dakotans. Liz Renner, a fish biologist for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, was fired via email on February 14.
New State Prison funding defeated in Legislature

2 months ago | kelo.com | Rich Keller

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) — They don’t have the votes to build a prison in Lincoln County…(TR/ID)After years of saving, planning and debate, the South Dakota House has defeated plans to build that facility. House first began the debate by approving an amendment to the package. The amendment passed, reducing the amount going into the prison construction fund from 182-million to 148-million dollars.
Aberdeen teacher wins prestigious award

2 months ago | kelo.com | Rich Keller

ABERDEEN, S.D. (KELO.com) — An Aberdeen teacher got a big yet well deserved surprise last week. During what was a regular school assembly, Roncalli middle school and High School teacher Dan Gallagher was awarded the prestigious Milken Educator Award along with a check for $25,000. Hailed as the “Oscars of Teaching,” the Milken Educator Awards inspire educators, students and communities to “Celebrate, Elevate and Activate” the K-12 teaching profession.
Gender bill defeated in South Dakota State Legislature

2 months ago | kelo.com | Rich Keller

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) — A gender identity bill was voted down in the South Dakota Legislature this week. HB 1201 would have required public and state accredited private school teachers, counselors, and staff to alert parents if a student discussed gender identity. South Dakota Searchlight reported that some lawmakers worried that if schools reported to parents the contents of the conversations that it might possibly expose the students to abuse. The bill was defeated by a 40-28 vote.
South Dakota near to compelling public schools to posting the Ten Commandments in every classroom

2 months ago | kelo.com | Rich Keller

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) — The South Dakota Legislature is endorsing a bill that would require the posting of the Ten Commandments in every public school. The bill would require an 8 by 14 inch poster in “easily readable font” with the Commandments, and a statement explaining its historical significance. The bill is opposed by a number of public education groups who say the bill is an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion.