Political tensions and questions swirling around the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) promise to be a key test for South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) as she takes over the department that houses the agency.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security, vowed to overhaul FEMA's disaster response times, enforce stricter in-office policies and eliminate political bias in relief efforts during her confirmation hearing.

President-elect Trump's pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security will face her confirmation hearing on Wednesday, where illegal immigration is likely to be a top topic.

The Senate voted on Saturday to confirm Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary, putting a former South Dakota governor in charge of the department at the heart of President Trump’s agenda to crack down on immigration. The vote was 59 to 34, and she was sworn-in on Saturday afternoon by the Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has been confirmed as the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following a Senate vote on Saturday morning.

The US Senate on Saturday confirmed South Dakota governor Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a key agency in President Donald Trump's push to clamp down on illegal immigration.

FEMA provides funds to governments and individuals to rebuild after natural disasters, but Trump has criticized it for being too slow and costly.

Governors and state legislatures may have to bolster their natural disaster response and recovery efforts in the coming years as President Donald Trump looks for ways to shift the federal government’s role onto states.

States may end up bearing the brunt of natural disaster management instead of benefitting from the resources of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), President Donald Trump suggested Wednesday.

If passed, the bill would require the U.S. Congress to formally declare war to deploy South Dakota National Guard members.

House Bill 1017 was inspired by the Sioux Falls School District’s decision over the summer to transition to digital, cashless ticketing for events.

The US Senate on Saturday confirmed South Dakota governor Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a key agency in President Donald Trump's push to clamp down on illegal immigration.