October 26, 2004 - South Dakota's race for the U.S. Senate is close. The margin for a victory could be just a few hundred votes. Two years ago, Native American votes decided a U.S. Senate race in South Dakota. The Indian vote helped Democrat Tim Johnson beat former Republican Congressman John Thune. In June, the Indian vote secured Democrat Stephanie Herseth's victory in a special election for the U.S. House of Representatives. This year Senator Tom Daschle and his Republican challenger John Thune are both looking at Native Americans to give them a victory. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland has an installment of our occasional series, "Every Vote Counts."
January 21, 2004 - A remarkable political career ends this week. Bill Janklow is one of the most powerful figures in South Dakota history. The one time juvenile delinquent went on to become a 4-term governor, and then a Congressman. It all ended in a car crash last summer. Janklow's resignation from the U.S. House took effect yesterday. Tomorrow he'll be sentenced for felony manslaughter. He faces a maximum sentence of eleven years. Bill Janklow was loved and hated. He was an outspoken man of action, bulldozing his way through political obstacles to get things done. He believed he knew best what South Dakotans needed, and didn't care whom he offended as he pushed forward his programs and policies. Janklow threatened opponents, and sometimes crushed them. As the echoes of his political life fade, some argue he was a great man humbled by a terrible accident. Others say he lived a reckless life that finally caught up with him. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland has our story.
December 9, 2003 - Bill Janklow has resigned. The South Dakota Congressman released a letter last night which he'll send to House Speaker Dennis Hastert today (Tuesday). Janklow's announcement came just hours after his conviction of felony manslaughter and three misdemeanors related to a fatal accident in August. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland has been covering the trial and has this report:
December 9, 2003 - Observers say it's too soon to predict what's next in South Dakota politics. US Representative Bill Janklow resigned Monday evening after a jury convicted him of felony manslaughter for an August accident that killed a Minnesota motorcyclist. Now South Dakotans are wondering what's next for Bill Janklow and what's next for his seat. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports:
December 5, 2003 - Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle testified Thursday in the felony manslaughter trial of South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow. The defense contends Janklow who is an insulin dependent diabetic was having a reaction at the time of an accident that killed Randy Scott. The defense also offered its own version in reconstructing the accident. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports:
December 4, 2003 - The prosecution rested its case yesterday (Weds) in the felony manslaughter trial of South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow. Witnesses testified Janklow was coherent after the accident and declined medical attention. And jurors heard about Janklow speeding and running a stop sign a year ago. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland is covering the trial and has this report:
December 3, 2003 - Prosecutors in South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow's trial put nine witnesses on the stand Tuesday. They intended to show Janklow was not confused after an accident that killed Randy Scott of Hardwick, Minnesota. Janklow is charged with second degree manslaughter, reckless driving, speeding and running a stop sign. Jurors saw an hour long videotape from a highway patrol troopers car where Janklow can be heard talking about the accident. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland was in the courtroom and has this report:
December 2, 2003 - Nine women and four men will decide the guilt or innocence in the felony manslaughter trial of South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow. Janklow is charged with second-degree manslaughter, speeding, running a stopsign and reckless driving in the August collision that killed Randy Scott of Hardwick, Minnesota. The jury was seated yesterday (Monday) afternoon and immediately heard opening statements. Today (Tuesday) the prosecution begins calling witnesses. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports:
December 1, 2003 - Jury selection in the Manslaughter trial of South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow begins today in Flandreau, South Dakota. Janklow is accused of second degree manslaughter, reckless driving, speeding and running a stop sign stemming from an accident that killed motorcyclist Randy Scott on August 16th. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland will be covering the trial and she joins us now with a preview. That is MPR's Cara Hetland. Cara will a full report on today's developments in the trial tonight on All Things Considered.
December 1, 2003 - Opening statements began this afternoon in the felony manslaughter trial of South Dakota US representative Bill Janklow. Janklow sped through a stop sign on a rural road last August and Motorcyclist Randy Scott of Harwick Minnesota collided with Janklow's car. He died at the scene. The judge and attornies in the case spent much of today selecting a jury, but both sides delivered opening statements before court adjourned. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland was in the courtroom in Flandreau (FLAN-droo) South Dakota, and joins me now on the line. ________________________________________________________________________________ Cara,