South Dakota

Amendment H could change primary election system in South Dakota come November

Published

1 year ago

October 17, 2024

Amendment H could change primary election system in South Dakota come November

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – With the general election only 20 days away, South Dakota voters have several amendments to vote on, including one that could change the primary election system in the Mount Rushmore state.

If “Amendment H” passes in November, it would remove partisan-primaries and replace them with top-two primary elections for state legislative and executive, county and congressional offices. As it stands, major party candidates have to participate in a partisan-primary election to appear on a general election ballot. A candidate’s party members can only vote for that candidate, except in the case when that party opens the primary to voters, who are not in the party.

”It might give this idea that the parties aren’t necessary, and maybe they aren’t. Maybe there’s an argument to go in that direction. I don’t believe that, but I can see people maybe considering that,” the Democratic Candidate for South Dakota State Senate District 30, Bret Swanson, said.

Another candidate for State Senate District 30 does feel “Amendment H” could be a problem for the state as well if it passes.

”I think South Dakotans deserve to choose their own party nominees without interference from those who don’t share their political values. Our open primary, if open primaries were instituted, outsiders would influence our local decisions, and they already are with how much ballot initiatives we have this year,” the Republican Candidate for South Dakota State Senate District 30, Amber Hulse, said.

If it passes in November, ”Amendment H” would establish one “South Dakota Primary”. Every candidate from each party would be placed on one-primary ballot. The top two candidates with the most votes will move on to the general election.

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Feb. 2, 2026

Published

9 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Press Room

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

Here’s a look at Feb. 2, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Feb. 2 drawing

03-08-31-60-65, Powerball: 04, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Feb. 2 drawing

27-34-36-39-47, Lucky Ball: 17

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Feb. 2 drawing

10-30-40-47-50, Star Ball: 01, ASB: 05

Check Lotto America 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.

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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South Dakota

South Dakota lawmakers not ready to call emergency medical services ‘essential’

Published

21 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Press Room

South Dakota lawmakers not ready to call emergency medical services ‘essential’

South Dakota doesn’t recognize emergency medical services as essential under state law, and that wouldn’t change under an ambulance bill passed Monday by a state Senate panel. A legal designation of “essential” in this case would have put the onus on state or local units of government to guarantee availability. A legislator-led summer study on […]

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South Dakota

Could there be a ban on lab-grown meat in South Dakota?

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2026

Press Room

Could there be a ban on lab-grown meat in South Dakota?

Meghan O’Brien
| South Dakota Searchlight

A bill to outlaw lab-grown meat in South Dakota has passed in the state House.
Supporters of the ban cite concerns for the state’s livestock industry and potential health risks.
Opponents argue the ban would restrict the free market and consumer choice.

PIERRE — New legislation could outlaw lab-grown meat in South Dakota.

It passed 45-22 in the state House on Wednesday, Jan. 28, and will now go to the Senate.

Rep. Julie Auch, R-Lesterville, said Tuesday during the bill’s first committee hearing that she proposed the legislation with concern for “the takeover of the livestock industry here in South Dakota.” She said that “takeover” is being orchestrated by people claiming the cattle industry is bad for the environment.

“Being a witness to my industry being taken over by a society that is more concerned with climate change and sustainability is disheartening,” Auch told the House Agriculture Committee. “I am not going to stand by and allow global elites to take over South Dakota’s livestock industry.”

Additional supporters of the proposal alleged the chemicals and processes used to create lab-grown meat can cause health problems. Rep. Tesa Schwans, R-Hartford, described the process as “a petri dish that’s full of hormones and sludge.”

Other lawmakers pushed back, citing freedom of choice.

Rep. Kevin Van Diepen, R-Huron, said he doesn’t like lab-created meat, but that doesn’t mean it should be banned.

“We shouldn’t hold back the free market,” he said. “If people want to buy this stuff, let them buy it.”

Some opponents worry that passing the bill could open the state up to lawsuits, similar to ones filed against state bans in Florida and Texas. Auch said her bill is modeled after a law in Nebraska.

Last year, South Dakota legislators passed a law requiring lab-grown meat to be clearly labeled. They also passed a law prohibiting the use of state money for the research, production, promotion, sale or distribution of lab-grown meat. There’s an exception for public universities, which can still do research on lab-grown meat. But the law prevents, for example, the awarding of state economic development grants to companies that sell the product.

Auch’s bill would effectively ban lab-grown meat by adding it to the state’s list of adulterated foods.

Opponents worry about listing a product as “adulterated” with laws that say those products are “filthy,” “putrid” and “unfit for food.”

Taya Runyan spoke against the bill Tuesday on behalf of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association.

“We do not support the cell-cultivated proteins,” she said. “However, not supporting them and not wanting people to eat them is altogether different than defining it as adulterated.”

Rep. Kadyn Wittman, D-Sioux Falls, said she spoke with a cattle producer about the bill.

“There’s producers out there that are not viewing this as competition or infringement on their production,” she said. “I’m not comfortable with us saying what people can and can’t spend their money on in South Dakota.”

Three other bills have been introduced this legislative session that could ban or temporarily ban lab-grown meat. Two have been withdrawn, and the other one hasn’t had a hearing yet.

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