South Dakota

State changes child care subsidy policy to better support providers – South Dakota Searchlight

Published

2 years ago

January 9, 2024

State changes child care subsidy policy to better support providers – South Dakota Searchlight

A program meant to help low-income families pay for child care changed this month to better support providers.

The change to the South Dakota Department of Social Services’ Child Care Assistance Program moved from an attendance-based policy to enrollment-based, which child care advocates say is welcome.

Department Secretary Matt Althoff said in a news release last month that the program is intended to serve “both families and providers in a way that can provide predictable payments that ease budgeting as well as the administrative burdens of program participation.”

The change took effect on Jan. 1.

The state’s child care subsidy programs have been under fire in recent years. Of the roughly 29,000 South Dakota children who qualify for subsidized child care, only 1,800 receive assistance — about 7%.

That low participation rate is compounded by the fact that child care providers often lose money when they accept state subsidies, Early Learner South Dakota Director Kayla Klein told South Dakota Searchlight last year.

“People tend to want paying parents and don’t want to deal with subsidies because there are so many flaws in the system,” Klein said at the time.

The previous assistance program policy reimbursed child care providers based on the hours a child was in child care, rather than for a full day. Many families don’t keep their children in day care for the entire time a provider is open.

If parents who are eligible for a subsidy picked up their child early, the provider wouldn’t get the full day’s amount, even though the spot was reserved for a full day.

“At the end of the day, the child spot still needs to be paid in full,” Klein said in a news release.

The switch to enrollment-based subsidies would cover the entire day, saving child care businesses money and allowing providers to better predict their bottom line, said Mike Bockorny, chair of the Economic Development Professionals Association, in a news release.

Child care advocates have cited a number of other policy and legislative changes that could boost South Dakota’s child care industry, including:

Changing regulations that disqualify or discourage some low-income families — single parents, teen parents and homeless families — from the state subsidy program.
Basing child care subsidy rates on true costs rather than market rates.
Partnering with a national organization to analyze how the state is financially supporting the child care industry.

“This change is part of an ongoing effort to reduce barriers to Child Care Assistance participation,” Althoff said. “We will continue to look towards opportunities afforded through system modernization.”

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South Dakota

Where to watch SDSU at South Dakota men’s basketball today, time, TV

Published

28 minutes ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Where to watch SDSU at South Dakota men’s basketball today, time, TV

The South Dakota State men’s basketball team has a chance to get some payback against South Dakota today in both teams’ final game before the Summit League Tournament begins.

The Jackrabbits (14-16, 7-8 Summit League) have won three of four and just beat Kansas City 73-59 on Thursday, Feb. 26. The Coyotes (15-15, 7-8) are headed in the opposite direction, having stopped a three-game skid with an 89-72 win over Omaha on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Here’s how to watch the two rivals battle again.

South Dakota State at South Dakota men’s basketball TV, radio, stream

Radio: Jackrabbit Sports Network, Coyote Sports Network

Stream: Summit League Network

South Dakota State at South Dakota time today

Location: Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion

South Dakota State at South Dakota prediction

Paul Cifonelli, Argus Leader: Like the first time these two teams met, this is a matchup between two squads headed in different directions. Somehow, they’ve managed to flip roles in just three weeks.

South Dakota looks like it is running out of steam quickly after impressing and threatening the third spot in the Summit League in early February. South Dakota State has rebounded from losing five of six nicely, giving themselves a chance at hitting .500 on the season.

I expect the Jackrabbits to continue playing inspired and hard, and for them to overwhelm a Coyote side that has shown more fight than anyone could’ve imagined.

South Dakota State 73, South Dakota 65

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Mega Millions, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for Feb. 27, 2026

Published

13 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Feb. 27, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

11-18-39-43-67, Mega Ball: 23

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

03-04-13-28-42, Bonus: 02

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.

When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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