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Thursday, Oct 1, 2026

Did a campaign tell SD broadcasters to stop running an ad?

Emily DeCock, South Dakota News Watch
yes

Supporters of Amendment L, which would require at least 60% of the vote to amend the state Constitution, said they sent cease-and-desist letters to television and radio stations.

A news release from the group Wednesday to media organizations asked “that they immediately stop airing misleading and untruthful commercials funded by opponents.”

News Watch heard back from two TV newsrooms, KOTA and KNBN in Rapid City, which said they had not received the letter. 

T.J. Nelson of the Redstone Law Firm, which sent the release, confirmed its veracity and said the group reserves all of its options “to make sure that there’s truth in advertising as federally licensed entities.”

The move stems from a claim in the ad that the Yes on L supporters are funded by “out of state billionaires and their lobbyists.”

“That’s just a blatant lie. The proponents of Amendment L are a completely grassroots coalition,” Nelson said.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

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