Gov. Larry Rhoden and Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen discussed South Dakota’s gubernatorial runoff, property tax relief and prison rehabilitation during the latest episode of the “Dakota Town Hall” podcast, while co-host Murdoc used part of the conversation to pitch an unusual new Black Hills tourism attraction.

Rhoden said the runoff against Toby Doeden has created a clearer contrast than the four-candidate primary. He said many supporters of former candidates Dusty Johnson and Jon Hansen reached out shortly after the primary to offer their support. Rhoden said his campaign does not plan to slow down before the runoff election. “We’re not easing up, letting off the gas until the finish line,” Rhoden said.

The conversation shifted to Rapid City and the Black Hills when Murdoc pitched bringing some of the descendants of Pablo Escobar’s escaped hippos from Colombia to Reptile Gardens. Murdoc argued the animals could become a major tourism attraction, create construction work and give Interstate 90 travelers another reason to stop in the area. He also jokingly appointed Venhuizen chairman of a proposed hippo task force. “If you’re driving down I-90, and this is how I know it works, you can see the billboard, governor: See Pablo Escobar’s hippos, turn right,” Murdoc said.

Rhoden responded with concerns about the animals’ reputation for aggression “Hippos make our buffalo look like gentle little kittens for the number of human attacks and deaths,” Rhoden said.

The discussion later returned to state policy. Rhoden said passing the state budget would remain his administration’s primary responsibility during the next legislative session. He also said property tax relief approved by lawmakers is scheduled to begin Jan. 1, 2027.

Venhuizen provided an update on a state task force studying prison rehabilitation and recidivism. He said existing rehabilitation programs have shown promise, but limited space, staffing and funding prevent the state from offering them as widely or quickly as officials would like.

“Our programming in South Dakota is actually pretty good,” Venhuizen said. “It’s just that we don’t have the capacity to offer it to everyone or offer it as quickly as we would like.”

Venhuizen said the new women’s prison in Rapid City, expected to open this summer, will provide additional space for programming. He said the task force is also considering ways to simplify overlapping programs and create a clearer sequence for incarcerated people participating in rehabilitation efforts.