Noem's Cabinet appointment will make a plain-spoken rancher South Dakota's new governor

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem built a national profile during the COVID-19 pandemic, had fellow Republicans buzzing about her future, and published two political memoirs in three years. Lawmakers describe the man set to replace her as a friendly, plain-spoken rancher and specialty welder whom they...

Republican John Thune of South Dakota is elected the next Senate majority leader

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans have elected South Dakota Sen. John Thune as the next Senate majority leader, completing a momentous shift in their leadership that elevates a top deputy of Mitch McConnell into a key position as President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. ...

Senate Republicans settle on a new party leader after seizing the majority on Election Day

WASHINGTON (AP) — It was the first seriously contested Senate Republican leadership election in decades. Three senators were competing to succeed longtime GOP leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, when he steps down from the post at the beginning of next year and Republicans take...

Josh Dix scores 23 to lead 5 Iowa players in double figures, Hawkeyes beat South Dakota

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Josh Dix made 5 of 6 from 3-point range and finished with 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting to lead five Iowa players scoring in double figures Tuesday night and helped the Hawkeyes beat South Dakota 96-77. Seydou Traore and Payton Sandfort scored 12 points...

What to know about Kristi Noem, Trump's pick for Homeland Security secretary

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has selected South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to head the Department of Homeland Security, one of the biggest government agencies that will be integral to his vow to secure the border and carry out a massive deportation operation. Here are five things to...

Trump builds out national security team with picks of Hegseth for Pentagon, Noem for DHS

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump moved to build out his national security team Tuesday, announcing he is nominating Fox News host and Army veteran Pete Hegseth to serve as his defense secretary and former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe to lead the...

Trump says he will nominate South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to head Homeland Security Department

South Dakota visits Iowa after Sandfort's 22-point showing

South Dakota Coyotes (3-0) at Iowa Hawkeyes (2-0) Iowa City, Iowa; Tuesday, 9 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Hawkeyes -22.5; over/under is 173.5 BOTTOM LINE: Iowa hosts South Dakota after Pryce Sandfort scored 22 points in Iowa's 89-74 win over the...

A record 13 women will be governors next year after New Hampshire elected Kelly Ayotte

The election of Republican Kelly Ayotte as New Hampshire's governor means 13 women will serve as a state's chief executive next year, breaking the record of 12 set after the 2022 elections. Governors hold powerful sway in American politics, shaping state policy and often using the...

South Dakota visits Iowa following Sandfort's 22-point game

South Dakota Coyotes (3-0) at Iowa Hawkeyes (2-0) Iowa City, Iowa; Tuesday, 9 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Iowa faces South Dakota after Pryce Sandfort scored 22 points in Iowa's 89-74 victory against the Southern Jaguars. Iowa went 19-15 overall with a 13-4...