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Move into South Dakota bunker backfires on family seeking a new life

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Move into South Dakota bunker backfires on family seeking a new life


EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second part of a series featuring the Black Hills Army Depot munitions storage facility developed in 2016 into the Vivos xPoint bunker complex that is now a residential community.

Read the first part here.

IGLOO, S.D. — David Streeter thought abandoning his traditional life to relocate into a survival bunker in South Dakota would allow his family to retreat from the stresses, expenses and restrictions of the modern world.

The family of three also wanted to be prepared in case an apocalypse of some kind altered the course of mankind and threatened their lives and way of life.

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But 18 months after leasing a former Army munitions bunker in the Vivos xPoint residential complex south of Edgemont, the Streeters have had their dreams shattered. And they now find themselves embroiled in a situation that has brought on a level of upheaval, worry and danger they specifically sought to avoid.

“It’s been nothing but a nightmare,” Streeter, 51, said during an interview. “We just wanted to get away from the rat race and live peacefully, but obviously that hasn’t happened.”

In August, Streeter – an Army veteran who was injured while serving in Bosnia – shot a Vivos contract employee at close range. Streeter said the man had threatened his family and he was defending himself. No charges were filed in that case or another fatal shooting involving Streeter in Montana in 2010.

Streeter’s daughter witnessed and videotaped the shooting while his 12-year-old daughter was calling 9-1-1 for help. His younger daughter now sometimes cries in her sleep, Streeter said.

Streeter and his wife, Katja, a nurse who works in Hot Springs, were evicted from their bunker and are living in cramped quarters with nine other adults and children in a home with only one shower not far from the Vivos complex.

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Streeter and his wife are the plaintiffs or defendants in a handful of lawsuits related to their eviction, the shooting, a protection order request against him and small claims cases.

For now, the Streeters have lost the money paid to lease and build out the Vivos bunker, a tab Streeter estimates is around $300,00. They’ve also spent about $15,000 in legal fees to file or fight several lawsuits.

Chris Yellow Thunder, left, stands with David Streeter outside Streeter’s bunker in the Vivos xPoint bunker complex, shown Oct. 4, 2024 near Igloo, S.D.

(Photo: Bart Pfankuch / South Dakota News Watch)

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Streeter said that even after moving out of Vivos, the on-site subcontractor he shot – a convicted felon known to carry guns – frequently parks outside or drives by the house where they now live.

Streeter said he also has been interviewed twice by agents of the FBI, which former Vivos residents say has launched an investigation in the bunker complex and its owner.

The stress of protecting his family, battling for his legal rights, maintaining financial solvency and trying to retain a sense of normalcy has led Streeter to make late-night calls to a veterans’ mental health hotline on four occasions, he said.

“I find myself in a situation where I have to constantly defend my family, and it should never have been that way,” said Streeter, who carries a handgun at all times.

Bunker complex a source of resident unrest

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Streeter is not alone in his stress and disappointment on how things have turned out at the bunker complex, but he has become a lightning rod in the effort to hold the owners accountable and push for positive change.

The Vivos xPoint survivalist community was developed in 2016 on the site of the former Black Hills Army Depot munitions storage facility. More than 500 above-ground concrete bunkers are marketed for lease to those who are worried about a potential national or global disaster or who want to live mostly off-the-grid. It’s located in a remote area 8 miles south of Edgemont in southwestern South Dakota.

The concrete bunkers, which look like earthen igloos, held military conventional and chemical munitions from 1942 to 1967. The town of Igloo grew up around the depot and was once home a young Tom Brokaw, a South Dakota native and former NBC anchor. The base and town are now abandoned.

A four-month

News Watch investigation

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recently revealed that the Vivos complex has been the subject of at least 16 lawsuits or legal filings, five complaints to the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office, and is now part of an inquiry by the FBI.

Vivos is owned and managed by California businessman Robert K. Vicino, who told News Watch in an interview that the complex is largely peaceful, well-maintained and has been a financial success.

Vicino also denied allegations of financial impropriety, breaking of contractual obligations or retaliation against people who complained in legal or state documents. He said any unrest present at Vivos is being perpetuated by a small group of disgruntled residents and “bad apples,” including Streeter.

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A bunker being used as a residence, in foreground, is part of the Vivos xPoint bunker complex, shown Oct. 4, 2024, near Igloo, S.D.

Bart Pfankuch / South Dakota News Watch

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In mid-2023, Streeter sold his home in Montana and leased a bunker at Vivos xPoint to get away from the modern world and test his mettle at building a home inside the bunker and successfully living off the grid.

The relatively low lease cost and monthly and annual fees, when compared to the cost of a traditional home and property taxes, would also allow Streeter and his family to travel internationally, he said.

After living for a time in a camper outside, he eventually moved himself, his wife and his daughter into the bunker. Later, he built out the bunker with a sub-floor, walls, and a kitchen, bathroom and TV rooms.

However, it wasn’t long after that problems arose and his expectation of a peaceful life on the South Dakota prairie was shattered.

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Streeter’s complaints rejected by Vivos

Streeter began to contact Vivos management with complaints that his septic system at the bunker wasn’t functional and that the tires on his truck had been destroyed by nails and railroad spikes mixed within the road gravel.

In email communications with Vicino, Streeter asked to be compensated for the ruined tires and to have Vivos pay to get the septic system fixed. Streeter also made extensive allegations about how Vivos was being run, how resident money was being spent, and warned that he would file in small claims court to be paid if a financial arrangement could not be made.

In an email correspondence from March 30, reviewed by News Watch, Vicino rejected Streeter’s claims that Vivos was responsible for tire or septic system damages.

“So now you are threatening extortion and tort,” Vicino wrote, warning that “I think you are going down the rabbit hole.”

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In April, Streeter filed two small claims cases against Vivos xPoint, both of which are pending.

A near-fatal shooting, but no charges filed

After that, Streeter said, Vivos’ on-site contract employees began to frequently drive by his home, sometimes fast and sometimes slowly, give him the middle finger or take pictures or videos of him, his bunker and his family.

Streeter said Vivos contract employee Shear “J.R.” Rodriguez ran him and his wife off the roadway several times within the Vivos complex. Even though Streeter complained to management and law enforcement, he said the dangerous behavior continued. Streeter said a Fall River Sheriff’s Office lieutenant told him that officers could not respond because the Vivos complex was on private property.

In August, Streeter said his concerns intensified when his adult daughter and young grandchildren moved onto his bunker property.

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David Streeter kisses a puppy outside a friend’s bunker in the Vivos xPoint complex on Oct. 4, 2024 near Igloo, S.D.

(Bart Pfankuch / South Dakota News Watch)

On Aug. 23, Streeter said Rodriguez drove at high speeds past Streeter’s bunker. Streeter said he tracked down Rodriguez, pulled him over and reached into his truck and grabbed him by the shirt, warning him to stay away from his family.

A while later, Vivos contract employee Kelly Anderson drove up to Streeter’s bunker on a Caterpillar track loader, which the manufacturer indicates weighs up to 9,000 pounds and has a top speed of 7 mph.

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Streeter said Anderson began to threaten Streeter, who pulled his handgun and pointed it at Anderson.

At one point, Streeter said Anderson lunged toward him, and Streeter filed a single shot, striking Anderson in the chest. A few moments later, Streeter, a former emergency medical technician, left his yard and began to provide aid to Anderson.

Streeter and another man who arrived on the scene, Chris Yellow Thunder, loaded Anderson into a truck and drove him off the bunker property, where they were met by an ambulance and authorities.

Prior to arriving at Streeter’s property, Anderson sent text messages to Yellow Thunder, who is an acquaintance of both Anderson and Streeter, that he was heading to Streeter’s bunker to confront him.

In the text message, viewed by News Watch, Anderson stated: “I’m about to f— his ass up” and “What he did isn’t right and I’m gonna educate this mother f———.”

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Months later, according to Fall River State’s Attorney Lance Russell, a grand jury heard testimony and reviewed evidence in the case and decided not to charge Streeter with a crime related to the shooting. Streeter was charged with one count of simple assault for the earlier confrontation with Rodriguez, according to court documents.

Rodriguez could not be reached for comment. Anderson did not return a message left on his voicemail.

Streeter was evicted from his bunker and is being sued in civil court for damages by Anderson, who did not return a call seeking comment. A court overturned the eviction, but Streeter is still unable to legally enter Vivos due to a separate legal filing.

“Vivos promises to do all this vetting, but why do you then hire a known felon who carries guns to work down here?” Streeter said.

Vicino told News Watch that he hopes the state attorney general’s office, despite the grand jury ruling, will eventually charge Streeter with attempted murder.

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“There’s no vendetta here, and we had no bone to pick with this guy,” Vicino said. “He has a temperament issue, and that was an egregious act.”

Streeter’s attorney, J. Scott James of Custer, said the relationship between Streeter and Vivos, and the on-site subcontractors, has left Streeter in an almost untenable situation.

“I think Mr. Streeter came here with a lot of hope about how his life would be when he got here, and I think that he’s been frustrated and disappointed by the way his interactions with Vivos have gone, and that he certainly didn’t expect to be in the middle of a shooting match with a (Vivos) employee,” James said. “He didn’t expect to be fearful for his safety and his life at all times, and has to basically guard himself 24 hours a day to keep everything from being taken from him.”

Streeter, by nature, is not one to back away from a fight. He grew up on a ranch in Montana, and his military service in Bosnia and his later work as a federal prison correctional officer, law enforcement officer and certified emergency medical technician are all roles that require some fortitude.

Streeter is also no stranger to using violence to protect his loved ones. In 2010, he was called to his mother’s home to break up a violent fight between her and Streeter’s stepfather. When his stepfather emerged with a loaded shotgun, Streeter shot and killed him. No charges were filed in that case, according to

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local press accounts

.

When Streeter was evicted, his friend Yellow Thunder immediately opened his home to Streeter, his wife and daughter as well as Streeter’s adult daughter and her four children. The home is one of a handful in the former town of Igloo and sits a mile or so from the entrance to Vivos xPoint.

“I don’t trust easy, but Dave and I hit it off the second we met,” Yellow Thunder told News Watch. “So when they needed a place to stay, it was never a question that they would come in here, and in fact, I would have been offended if they had gone to a hotel or anywhere else to live.”

Streeter said he is angry over how he and other Vivos residents have been treated. But he is also disappointed that formal complaints made by him and other Vivos residents to the Fall River County Sheriff’s Office and the state attorney general’s office of consumer affairs have not led to substantive investigations or action.

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“It’s like they think, ‘If we don’t see any problems, they’re not there,’” Streeter said. “All we need is for someone to take an interest and do something. All of this has happened down here, and I’ve reported it to every entity I can find, everybody that should have authority over it, and nothing has been done to help me or all these other people being hurt down here.”

Fall River County Sheriff Lyle Norton did not return calls seeking comment, and attorney general’s office spokesman Tony Mangan said there is no ongoing AG investigation into Vivos.

Meanwhile, Streeter said he is waiting for lawsuits he has filed or those filed against him to be resolved before making any plans for the future.

“I don’t like to run from things, and I’m tired of giving in to all this bulls—,” Streeter said. “My wife and my daughter have asked me not to go back down there to Vivos, but what do we do? I’ve got $300,000 into that (bunker), and we’re not a rich family. We put all of our savings into building a home there.”

— This story was first published on southdakotanewswatch.org.

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Poll: Johnson, Jackley and Rounds lead in SD GOP primary

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Poll: Johnson, Jackley and Rounds lead in SD GOP primary


Alexander Rifaat

Politics and Statehouse Reporter
605-736-4396
alexander.rifaat@sdnewswatch.org

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Editor’s note: If you cite the results of this poll, credit South Dakota News Watch and the Chiesman Center for Democracy, per copyright law and our republishing policy.

PIERRE, S.D. – With seven weeks until the June 2 primary, U.S. House Rep. Dusty Johnson is close to avoiding a runoff in the race to secure the GOP nomination for governor, according to a new poll sponsored by South Dakota News Watch and the Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota.

In the contests for U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, state Attorney General Marty Jackley and U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds have solid leads over their challengers.

The scientific survey of 500 registered Republicans, conducted April 7-11 by Mason-Dixon Polling and Strategy, found Johnson leading the four-way contest for governor with 34% of likely GOP primary voters supporting his candidacy.

The other three candidates are effectively tied for second due to the margin of error being plus-or-minus 4.5%. State House Speaker Jon Hansen, of Dell Rapids, has 18% support from GOP voters, and Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden and Gov. Larry Rhoden both have 17%. Roughly 14% of those surveyed were undecided.

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Everything South Dakota voters need to know about statewide contests in the primary and general elections.

If no candidate receives at least 35% of the vote on the June 2 ballot, a runoff between the top two finishers will take place July 28. The winner of the contest will meet Democrat Dan Ahlers in the Nov. 3 general election.

Rhoden’s support drops; Hansen surges

While Johnson, who grew up in Pierre and lives in Mitchell, saw a 6-point increase from the News Watch/Chiesman poll conducted last October, Rhoden’s support fell 10 points.

Julia Hellwege, director of the Chiesman Center and USD associate professor in political science, said Rhoden’s association with his predecessor, former Gov. Kristi Noem, could be behind the drop in poll numbers.

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“He has aligned himself closely with Noem. They worked closely together, and he continues to champion her and stand by her,” she said. “There’s a potential that has been a side effect.”

Rhoden served as lieutenant governor under Noem and became governor in January 2025 when President Donald Trump made her secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. He fired her last month after severe criticism.

Hellwege pointed out the poll found that Johnson even leads in West River, a stronghold for Rhoden, who is from Union Center east of Sturgis.

She said one candidate more than any other has been the main beneficiary of the declining support for the sitting governor.

“Anyone shifting from Rhoden is more likely to shift towards Hansen,” Hellwege said, noting that Hansen is a state lawmaker, like Rhoden was, who plays up his conservative Christian credentials.

Hellwege said in comparing the new poll results with those from last year, a certain pattern can be seen. That includes the surge in support for Hansen and Johnson, a decline in support for Rhoden, a stable level of support for Doeden and a lower number of undecided voters.

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“My interpretation is many Rhoden voters in the last poll shifted to Hansen voters and the undecideds went to Johnson,” Hellwege said.

SD governor: Johnson in driver’s seat

Hellwege highlighted the extent to which the math favors Johnson.

“Even if all the undecided voters go to one of those second-place candidates, plus if you factor in the margin of error, they still would barely reach where Johnson is sitting right now,” Hellwege said.

Brad Coker, founder of Mason-Dixon Polling and Strategy, ranked as one of the least-biased and most-factual pollsters, also believes Johnson is in a comfortable position.

“Johnson is moving into the clear front-runner status,” he said.

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“People know him. People like him, and that’s probably why he’s ahead right now. Whether he can hold on to that will depend on what the other campaigns – particularly Hansen’s – are able to do in the coming weeks,” Coker told News Watch, pointing to the poll results that found Johnson has a 47% favorability rating, the highest of any of the candidates.

Coker said Hansen has the best chance to challenge Johnson not only because his candidacy has seen the biggest increase in support but also due to not many people knowing him – yet.

“Hansen’s name recognition is only 73%. He’s still got 27% of the voters who don’t know who he is, which I think gives him a much higher ceiling than Doeden and Rhoden,” Coker said. “That tells me Hansen is getting some traction.”

On the flip side, Doeden’s 35% unfavorable rating and high name recognition indicate his support has mostly peaked, Coker said.

“He has a higher negative rating than positive rating, which tells me he’s got a core group behind him, but his growth potential is far more limited, especially since he has 89% name recognition,” Coker said.

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The poll was conducted after the four candidates met in the March 31 KELO-TV debate but before the April 13 SDPB and South Dakota News Watch forum.

US House: Jackley has comfortable lead

Since Johnson ran for governor, that opened up South Dakota’s only seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In that contest, Jackley – who is from Sturgis and previously served as U.S. attorney for the District of South Dakota – has a comfortable lead toward securing the GOP nomination.

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According to the poll, he has 68% support from South Dakota Republican voters surveyed, well ahead of challenger James Bialota Jr., who has 12%, with 20% of respondents undecided.

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“This primary is definitely in Jackley’s favor, even if all the undecideds move to Bialota,” Hellwege said.

The winner will face Democrat Nicole “Nikki” Gronli in the November general election.

US Senate: Incumbent Rounds ahead by large margin

Rounds – who’s from Pierre and was South Dakota’s governor from 2003 to 2011 – also enjoys a sizable lead over his challenger.

He received 66% support from GOP voters surveyed, compared to 18% for challenger Justin McNeal, with 16% of respondents undecided.

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“The fact that McNeal, who is vastly outspent by Rounds, is able to get up to 18% is commendable. But at the same time, I don’t think there’s any expectation that Rounds will not be able to hold on to that seat,” Hellwege said.

The winner will take on Democrat Julian Beaudion in November.

Favorability poll results for all governor, House and Senate candidates

The News Watch/Chiesman poll also asked Republicans their opinions of the candidates. To see results for each person, click the arrow below and the tab for each section: overall, by gender, age and region where they’re from.

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Coming Tuesday

Tuesday’s story will focus on South Dakota News Watch/Chiesman Center for Democracy poll results on the job performance rating South Dakotans give Gov. Larry Rhoden, Sen. John Thune and other elected officials. The story also includes voter thoughts on Noem’s time as DHS secretary and President Trump’s decision to fire her.

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South Dakota News Watch is an independent nonprofit. Read, donate and subscribe for free at sdnewswatch.org. Contact politics and statehouse reporter Alexander Rifaat: 605-736-4396/alexander.rifaat@sdnewswatch.org.



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FCS Football Recruiting Roundup: South Dakota, Montana State Target 2027 Defensive Standouts

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FCS Football Recruiting Roundup: South Dakota, Montana State Target 2027 Defensive Standouts


Welcome to another edition of the FCS Football Central Recruiting Roundup.

As spring practice winds down, recruits are still continuing to get on campus to visit schools and meet with their coaching staff. I caught up with some of the latest prospects who received an offer from an FCS program after their visit.

Amarie King | 2027 | DB | 5’7″ 140 lbs | Case High School | Racine, WI

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King received his latest offer from South Dakota on April 17 after speaking with defensive coordinator Billy Kirch.

“Coach Kirch told me bout the offer, and that conversation went well. He told me a lot about the school, and asked me what my family and parents do. He said that my film was amazing and that he wanted to offer me,” King said.

“My recruitment is going well, although it is a little stressful here and there, but I am really just being patient and trusting the process, and keep working.”

He has visits to South Dakota and Drake coming up. Last season, he finished with 44 tackles, eight pass breakups, and six interceptions for the Eagles.

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Jayden Harris | 2027 | ATH | 6’2″ 170 lbs | Manteca High School | Manteca, CA

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Harris picked up his latest offer from Montana State on Friday when he was in Bozeman for the Bobcats’ Junior Day, and meeting with cornerbacks coach Jordan Lee, defensive coordinator Bobby Daly, and head coach Brent Vigen.

“First, it was Coach Lee, then I had meetings with Coach Daly and Coach Vigen, who broke the news while we were talking. They want me to come in and play early. They like my versatility as a defensive back, and that’s why they offered me,” Harris said.

“The visit was cool! The snow was coming down, and the coaches still showed love. Recruiting is going well right now. Most schools that are in touch with me see something in me for sure, especially since I’m a zero-star athlete, so that’s love.  I feel like I’m the best DB in California, and my measurements and production speak for themselves.”

He also has offers from Idaho, Washington State, and Sacramento State. He has upcoming visits to Arizona State and New Mexico.

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Last season, he finished with 63 tackles, 11 pass breakups, nine interceptions, six tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and two pick-sixes for the Buffaloes.

Maurice “MJ” Harrell | 2026 | DB | 6’1″ 170 lbs | Hutchinson CC | Hutchinson, KS

Harrell picked up his first Division I offer from Houston Christian on April 17 after he spoke with cornerbacks coach DeMarcus Coleman.

“Coach Coleman called and told me he liked what we saw from the videos I sent him, and that he wanted me to be a part of his program,” Harrell said.

Last season, he finished with 20 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and a fumble recovery for the Blue Dragons. Mercyhurst, Division II UTPB, and Missouri Southern are some other schools he has been in contact with.

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Jadhari Young | 2026 | WR | 6’1″ 200 lbs | De Anza College | Cupertino, CA

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Young received his latest offer from Eastern Illinois on April 15 after speaking with wide receivers coach Tino Smith.

“Coach Smith called me, and we had a long and great conversation. He told me he believes in me and that he thinks I can be great under his coaching,” Young said. “My recruitment has been going great since I graduated two weeks ago. A lot of coaches have expressed a lot of interest in me.”

Young also has offers from Sacramento State, Prairie View A&M, and Chicago State. Last season, he hauled in receptions for 559 yards and seven touchdowns for the Mountain Lions. He was named a Golden Coast Conference First Team selection.

He will be taking his official visit to Eastern Illinois on April 24. Gardner-Webb, West Florida, Monmouth, Stony Brook, and UMass are some other schools he is hearing from.

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AJ Moore | 2027 | RB | 5’9″ 200 lbs | College of Dupage | Glen Ellyn, IL

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Moore received his first Division I offer from Lindenwood on April 17 after speaking with running backs coach Lane Lawson.

“Coach Lawson called and offered me. He just told me he’d be really excited to have me over and thinks I could be a part of something special with the program they got going over there,” Moore said.

Last season, he finished with 81 carries for 518 yards and five touchdowns, while adding nine receptions for 73 yards and two touchdowns for the Chaparrals, who won their fifth consecutive NJCAA Division III national championship. Moore is working on scheduling his official visit to Lindenwood.

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Leshem Nyante | 2027 | OT | 6’5″ 265 lbs | Anna High School | Anna, TX

Nyante picked up his latest offer from Texas Rio Grande Valley on April 17 after he spoke with offensive line coach Jeff Bowen.

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“Coach Bowen reached out this morning to officially extend the offer. It was a great talk, and he mentioned they really liked my film and how I would fit their system. So we are focused on building that relationship now,” Nyante said.

“I’m really grateful for how my recruiting process is unfolding so far. Things are definitely moving fast with spring ball right around the corner, and it’s been great seeing the increase in interest every week.”

He also has offers from Arkansas State, Division II Midwestern State, and East Central University. Old Dominion, Texas State, UTEP, and New Mexico are some other schools he is hearing from. Nyante will be taking an official visit to Arkansas State in June.

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Matthew Lashley | 2027 | DB | 6’1″ 198 lbs | Riverside City College | Riverside, CA

Lashley received his latest offer from East Texas A&M on April 15 after speaking with safeties coach Luke Jaicks.

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“Coach Jaicks called and offered me. He’s a great coach, and I would love to play for him,” Lashley said. “My recruitment is going well; it’s starting to heat up after spring ball.”

He also has an offer from Southern Utah. Last season, he finished with 14 tackles and two interceptions for the Tigers.

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Follow FCS Football Central on social media for ongoing coverage of FCS football, including on XFacebook, and YouTube.

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Nature: Prairie chickens in South Dakota

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Nature: Prairie chickens in South Dakota




Nature: Prairie chickens in South Dakota – CBS News

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We leave you this Sunday morning with prairie chickens and sharp tail grouse near Ft. Pierre, South Dakota. Videographer: Kevin Kjergaard.

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