 Public Affairs Director, Jon Michaels talks with Brion Schnurr MMC (SS) Ret. and Kent Winter RM@ (SS) of the United States Submarine Veterans, South Dakota "Scorpion Base". The conversation mainly talked about their community work and the new USS South Dakota submarine.

Public Affairs Director, Jon Michaels talks with Brion Schnurr MMC (SS) Ret. and Kent Winter RM@ (SS) of the United States Submarine Veterans, South Dakota "Scorpion Base". The conversation mainly talked about their community work and the new USS South Dakota submarine.

A community issues and answering program that focuses on the city and people of the Sioux Empire.

Jon Michaels' Forum

FORUM WEEK 2,037: United States Submarine Veterans (South Dakota)

Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Paul Horsted about his new book South Dakota Yesterday & Today.

From Chat GPT:

. Paul Horsted has a significant Sioux Falls connection, especially early in his photography career:
He grew up in Brandon, South Dakota, near Sioux Falls. While still in high school, he began photographing assignments for the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.
After high school, he continued doing freelance and sports photography for the Argus Leader and eventually worked there full-time.
His current statewide historical photography project also includes Sioux Falls locations and historic photographs.
He is scheduled to present “South Dakota Yesterday & Today” at the Old Courthouse Museum in Sioux Falls on October 4, 2026, at 2 p.m. The presentation includes historic views of Sioux Falls and photographs he made from the Old Courthouse Museum clock tower.
Horsted was also a featured author at a 2025 “Beyond the Books” literary event in Sioux Falls.

So, although Horsted now lives in Custer, his professional photography career has strong roots in the Sioux Falls area.

I found a specific Sioux Falls photograph by Paul Horsted from his new South Dakota Yesterday & Today project, plus some useful clues about the other Sioux Falls locations he documented.

Confirmed Sioux Falls photograph

Queen Bee Mill — view from the upper floor, 1910

This is the clearest example I could verify. Horsted found a historic photograph taken from an upper floor of the Queen Bee Mill in 1910. Because the mill burned in 1956 and no longer exists, he used other historic photographs to determine the original camera position and then used a drone to recreate the same view today.

The resulting pair shows:
Then: Sioux Falls as seen from the Queen Bee Mill in 1910.
Now: The same perspective recreated by Horsted with drone photography.
The photograph is included in his 2026 book, South Dakota Yesterday & Today.

Other Sioux Falls locations

Horsted's new book contains 350 historic/modern photo pairs covering more than 100 South Dakota communities and numerous landmarks, and the project specifically includes Sioux Falls.

Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Paul Horsted about his new book South Dakota Yesterday &amp; Today.
From Chat GPT:
. Paul Horsted has a significant Sioux Falls connection, especially early in his photography career:
<ul data-start="111" data-end="1089">
<li data-section-id="1hnw2dz" data-start="111" data-end="310">He grew up in Brandon, South Dakota, near Sioux Falls. While still in high school, he began photographing assignments for the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.</li>
<li data-section-id="17sbnhw" data-start="311" data-end="485">After high school, he continued doing freelance and sports photography for the Argus Leader and eventually worked there full-time.</li>
<li data-section-id="12vcxzh" data-start="486" data-end="644">His current statewide historical photography project also includes Sioux Falls locations and historic photographs.</li>
<li data-section-id="1hcyh7y" data-start="645" data-end="950">He is scheduled to present &ldquo;South Dakota Yesterday &amp; Today&rdquo; at the Old Courthouse Museum in Sioux Falls on October 4, 2026, at 2 p.m. The presentation includes historic views of Sioux Falls and photographs he made from the Old Courthouse Museum clock tower.</li>
<li data-section-id="1qcap5n" data-start="951" data-end="1089">Horsted was also a featured author at a 2025 &ldquo;Beyond the Books&rdquo; literary event in Sioux Falls.</li>
</ul>
So, although Horsted now lives in Custer, his professional photography career has strong roots in the Sioux Falls area.
I found a specific Sioux Falls photograph by Paul Horsted from his new South Dakota Yesterday &amp; Today project, plus some useful clues about the other Sioux Falls locations he documented.
Confirmed Sioux Falls photograph
Queen Bee Mill &mdash; view from the upper floor, 1910
This is the clearest example I could verify. Horsted found a historic photograph taken from an upper floor of the Queen Bee Mill in 1910. Because the mill burned in 1956 and no longer exists, he used other historic photographs to determine the original camera position and then used a drone to recreate the same view today.
The resulting pair shows:
<ul data-start="686" data-end="946">
<li data-section-id="9inq9x" data-start="686" data-end="750">Then: Sioux Falls as seen from the Queen Bee Mill in 1910.</li>
<li data-section-id="1am2ecz" data-start="751" data-end="827">Now: The same perspective recreated by Horsted with drone photography.</li>
<li data-section-id="1gm8rpi" data-start="828" data-end="946">The photograph is included in his 2026 book, South Dakota Yesterday &amp; Today.</li>
</ul>
Other Sioux Falls locations
Horsted's new book contains 350 historic/modern photo pairs covering more than 100 South Dakota communities and numerous landmarks, and the project specifically includes Sioux Falls.

"South Dakota Yesterday & Today"...Meet Paul Horsted 2 PM Sunday Old Courthouse Museum Oct. 

Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum and Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead about everything you need to know about Flock cameras,  Sharp Shooters at Levitt Falls concerts, curfews at the Sioux Empire Fair and more.

from AI::

Sioux Falls Flock cameras
The Sioux Falls Police Department partnered with Flock Safety to deploy ALPR cameras around the city.
The city says the system is intended to help investigate crimes, locate stolen vehicles and missing people, and identify vehicles of interest.
Sioux Falls' policy says the cameras do not use facial recognition and are not used for speeding, red-light, or parking enforcement.
The city's policy states that ALPR data should generally be retained for no longer than 30 days, subject to South Dakota records-retention requirements.
An independent, volunteer-maintained mapping project currently documents about 50–54 ALPR locations in Sioux Falls, most identified as Flock cameras. This is not an official city inventory, so the exact number and locations can change.

Jon Thum is the current Chief of the Sioux Falls Police Department. Born and raised in Sioux Falls, Thum began his career with the department as a patrol officer in 2005 and served in various roles including sergeant, lieutenant, and SWAT commander before being appointed chief in July 2021.

He succeeded Matt Burns, who retired after six years as chief. Thum’s tenure has focused on community engagement, diversity within the force, and modernizing operations, including the recent launch of the department’s Real Time Information Center in January 2025 to assist with crime tracking and investigations

Mike Milstead is the current Minnehaha County Sheriff, having served since May 1997 — nearly 30 years. He began his law enforcement career with the Sioux Falls Police Department in 1973, rising to lieutenant before being appointed sheriff. He was re-elected six times without opposition.

On January 28, 2026, Milstead announced he will not seek re-election and will retire at the end of his term (January 4, 2027). At 71, he described the decision as a "huge step" after over 50 years in law enforcement.

He endorsed Captain Josh Phillips, a 22-year veteran of the sheriff's office, as his successor. Bobby Smith has also launched a campaign for the seat.

Milstead served on the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, the U.S. Attorney's Anti-Terrorism Task Force, and the National Sheriff's Association board. He is the state's most experienced sheriff.

Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum and Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead about everything you need to know about Flock cameras,&nbsp; Sharp Shooters at Levitt Falls concerts, curfews at the Sioux Empire Fair and more.
from AI::
Sioux Falls Flock cameras
<ul data-start="120" data-end="1110">
<li data-section-id="10g12ea" data-start="120" data-end="265">The Sioux Falls Police Department partnered with Flock Safety to deploy ALPR cameras around the city.</li>
<li data-section-id="10yyqc1" data-start="266" data-end="448">The city says the system is intended to help investigate crimes, locate stolen vehicles and missing people, and identify vehicles of interest.</li>
<li data-section-id="1rzjnqb" data-start="449" data-end="629">Sioux Falls' policy says the cameras do not use facial recognition and are not used for speeding, red-light, or parking enforcement.</li>
<li data-section-id="esf6z7" data-start="630" data-end="826">The city's policy states that ALPR data should generally be retained for no longer than 30 days, subject to South Dakota records-retention requirements.</li>
<li data-section-id="1axvgo9" data-start="827" data-end="1110">An independent, volunteer-maintained mapping project currently documents about 50&ndash;54 ALPR locations in Sioux Falls, most identified as Flock cameras. This is not an official city inventory, so the exact number and locations can change.</li>
</ul>
Jon Thum is the current Chief of the Sioux Falls Police Department. Born and raised in Sioux Falls, Thum began his career with the department as a patrol officer in 2005 and served in various roles including sergeant, lieutenant, and SWAT commander before being appointed chief in July 2021.
He succeeded Matt Burns, who retired after six years as chief. Thum&rsquo;s tenure has focused on community engagement, diversity within the force, and modernizing operations, including the recent launch of the department&rsquo;s Real Time Information Center in January 2025 to assist with crime tracking and investigations
Mike Milstead is the current Minnehaha County Sheriff, having served since May 1997 &mdash; nearly 30 years. He began his law enforcement career with the Sioux Falls Police Department in 1973, rising to lieutenant before being appointed sheriff. He was re-elected six times without opposition.
On January 28, 2026, Milstead announced he will not seek re-election and will retire at the end of his term (January 4, 2027). At 71, he described the decision as a "huge step" after over 50 years in law enforcement.
He endorsed Captain Josh Phillips, a 22-year veteran of the sheriff's office, as his successor. Bobby Smith has also launched a campaign for the seat.
Milstead served on the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, the U.S. Attorney's Anti-Terrorism Task Force, and the National Sheriff's Association board. He is the state's most experienced sheriff.

Chief Jon Thum and Sherriff Mike Milstead on Flock Cameras, Sniper Shooters at Concerts 

Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Frank Kloucek about his candidacy for Public Utilities Commissioner.

from Chat GPT

Frank J. Kloucek is a South Dakota farmer and former Democratic state legislator from the Scotland area. He served 22 years in the South Dakota Legislature — 16 years in the Senate and 6 years in the House. A 2025 South Dakota legislative commemoration described him as the longest-tenured Democrat to have served in the state Legislature.

Background
Born: September 27, 1956, in Yankton, South Dakota.
Education: South Dakota State University; he graduated in 1978.
Occupation: Farmer; he and his wife, Joanie, farm near Scotland.
Legislative service: District 19, serving in both the House and Senate over multiple terms.
Legislative work: He served on water-development oversight committees and worked on issues including agriculture, veterans, transportation, public safety, environmental matters and rural economic development.

2026 Public Utilities Commission campaign

Kloucek is currently campaigning for a seat on the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC). His campaign says he is emphasizing fair utility rates, renewable energy, consumer protection, transparency and accountability.

A June 10, 2026 filing with the South Dakota Secretary of State identifies Frank John Kloucek as the candidate and treasurer of the campaign committee.

One recent campaign-related issue is his proposal for a one-year pause on new AI data-center projects, which he says would allow time to study effects on electric rates, grid reliability, water supplies, infrastructure and property rights.

Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Frank Kloucek about his candidacy for Public Utilities Commissioner.
from Chat GPT
Frank J. Kloucek is a South Dakota farmer and former Democratic state legislator from the Scotland area. He served 22 years in the South Dakota Legislature &mdash; 16 years in the Senate and 6 years in the House. A 2025 South Dakota legislative commemoration described him as the longest-tenured Democrat to have served in the state Legislature.
Background
<ul data-start="430" data-end="1131">
<li data-section-id="1m312er" data-start="430" data-end="525">Born: September 27, 1956, in Yankton, South Dakota.</li>
<li data-section-id="d6eese" data-start="526" data-end="633">Education: South Dakota State University; he graduated in 1978.</li>
<li data-section-id="5l8qn5" data-start="634" data-end="742">Occupation: Farmer; he and his wife, Joanie, farm near Scotland.</li>
<li data-section-id="1udzf9s" data-start="743" data-end="878">Legislative service: District 19, serving in both the House and Senate over multiple terms.</li>
<li data-section-id="16qwjr6" data-start="879" data-end="1131">Legislative work: He served on water-development oversight committees and worked on issues including agriculture, veterans, transportation, public safety, environmental matters and rural economic development.</li>
</ul>
2026 Public Utilities Commission campaign
Kloucek is currently campaigning for a seat on the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC). His campaign says he is emphasizing fair utility rates, renewable energy, consumer protection, transparency and accountability.
A June 10, 2026 filing with the South Dakota Secretary of State identifies Frank John Kloucek as the candidate and treasurer of the campaign committee.
One recent campaign-related issue is his proposal for a one-year pause on new AI data-center projects, which he says would allow time to study effects on electric rates, grid reliability, water supplies, infrastructure and property rights.

FORUM WEEK 2,037: United States Submarine Veterans (South Dakota)

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