South Dakota

Western South Dakota Community Action saves money, lives with home weatherization

Published

1 year ago

October 30, 2024

Western South Dakota Community Action saves money, lives with home weatherization

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Western South Dakota Community Action welcomed the community to view demonstrations of their weatherization processes to celebrate the 48 anniversary of weatherization programs with the Department of Energy on Wednesday.

Demonstrations included how carbon monoxide moves through a house, insulation blowing and how to prevent catastrophic events like fire in homes.

WSDCA has many programs for those working their way out of poverty, the weatherization of homes is just one. Auditors will check doors, windows, insulation, HVAC systems and more. After the audit is done, auditors put all the information from the audit into a computer software system created by the Department of Energy to find the most cost-effective way to improve the home if necessary. They will finish with installing the material and final inspection.

The weatherization is not just to save money, but also to keep people healthy.

“Low-income people survive by making things happen, and sometimes that’s not up to code. In other words, they make themselves in dangerous situations. As part of the final inspection is making sure everything is operating the way it’s supposed to be as far as HVAC goes and making sure no carbon monoxide is going to happen in that home,” William Thompson, an energy auditor with Western South Dakota Community Action, said.

Thompson added saving energy is huge for people with low income, so the organization tries to save the homeowner at least 15 percent their first year after weatherization.

WSDCA’s operations manager, Laura Fletcher, said weatherization of homes doesn’t just benefit the current occupant but also the community.

“Rapid City has increasing aging housing stock and the more we can keep these older homes livable, the longer that those homes are available to live in,” Fletcher said.

Thompson said he knew of many people who had their lives saved by the weatherization work WSDCA provides.

“It‘s one of the most gratifying things you can do, especially when you find life safety issues, and you actually save peoples’ lives. Personally, I know of at least five to 10 people that we’ve actually saved their lives. They medically had carbon monoxide poisoning and by our process we ended up making their homes safe after that. It’s a very gratifying job,” Thompson said.

Fletcher is hoping to put on another day of demonstrations for the 60 anniversary of Western South Dakota Community Action.

For more information about Western South Dakota Community Action and their programs like weatherization, visit WSDCA’s website.

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Mega Millions, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for April 21, 2026

Published

9 hours ago

April 22, 2026

Press Room

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

Here’s a look at April 21, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 21 drawing

01-36-43-56-58, Mega Ball: 07

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 21 drawing

01-04-40-47-58, Bonus: 04

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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South Dakota

Tim Begalka seeks re-election to South Dakota Senate

Published

21 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Press Room

Tim Begalka seeks re-election to South Dakota Senate

Staff Reports
| Watertown Public Opinion

Clear Lake businessman Tim Begalka is running for re-election to the South Dakota Senate for District 4. Begalka served two terms in the State House and two terms in the Senate.

He and his wife Rhonda live in Clear Lake. Their have three adult children also live in the state.

Begalka has owned Sodak Gardens, a local greenhouse and nursery, for the past 30 years. The business was started by his late father Leon Begalka in 1954. Begalka is a graduate of Clear Lake High School and South Dakota State University, and is a fifth generation Deuel County resident.

While in the legislature, Begalka served on the agriculture, education and commerce committees and was vice-chairman of the Judiciary Committee. In his release he said he has always looked out for the “little guy,” whether that be an individual, family, township, small-town, farm, business or school. He is a defender of property rights, the 2nd amendment and the right to life, he said in a release.

“While in Pierre, I frequently witnessed the bigger businesses, schools, and government entities try to take advantage of the little guys,” Begalka said in a release. “The big guys already have more money, power, numbers, and lobbyists. The little guys need a Senator with a backbone to stand up for them. That’s what I promise to continue to do, represent the citizens of District 4.”

He has never lost an election, and his winning philosophy, he said, is “Always tell the truth, and try to be nice to everyone”.

Begalka will be on the ballot for the June 2 Republican Primary. In order to vote in that primary, you need to be a registered Republican in District 4 by May 18th. District 4 includes all of Deuel, Grant, and Hamlin Counties, greater Codington, southeastern Roberts, and all of Clark County except the southwest corner.

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for April 20, 2026

Published

1 day ago

April 21, 2026

Press Room

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

Here’s a look at April 20, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from April 20 drawing

09-17-36-47-64, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from April 20 drawing

05-07-31-41-43, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 20 drawing

19-37-40-41-53, 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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