South Dakota
Ambitious South Dakota State women’s basketball team visits St. Thomas on Wednesday
The St. Thomas women’s basketball team has started 1-4 in the Summit League, and Wednesday night would not appear the optimum time for a turnaround. South Dakota State, among the most ambitious mid-major programs in the country, is making what’s now its annual visit to St. Paul.
Coach Aaron Johnston, in charge at SDSU full-time since the 2000-01 season, has become a firm believer in tough scheduling. The opponents before Summit play included Rice, Creighton, Wisconsin, Duke, Georgia Tech, Oregon and Texas — a gantlet that gave the Jackrabbits the nation’s No. 10-rated strength of schedule in nonconference Division I games.
Duke (currently rated No. 14) came to Brookings, S.D., for a nationally televised game and survived 75-71. SDSU split two games in Hawaii — losing to Georgia Tech (No. 18) and beating Oregon. The Jackrabbits were drilled 103-57 at No. 7 Texas, but that’s all part of Johnston’s theory of scheduling tough, one reason being:
When a Summit League team gets to the NCAA tournament, it generally will be as a double-digit seed and facing a very difficult first-round game. The Jackrabbits managed to get a No. 6 seed in 2019 and won two NCAA games to reach the Sweet 16.
This time, Johnston’s team went 10-3 in nonconference games (including two non-D1 teams) and now has started 5-0 in Summit play. The Jackrabbits are 7-0 vs. St. Thomas in the previous three seasons.
The commitment to the SDSU women’s program is impressive. The old, larger Frost Arena underwent a $66 million renovation that opened this season: First Bank & Trust Arena, with a 5,500-seat capacity.
Downstairs, there’s a trophy room with two doors: One leads to a full gym and facility for the women’s team, the other door to the same for the men’s team.
Paige Meyer, a star guard for the Albany team that beat Providence Academy in Minnesota’s 2A title game in 2021, said: “We have our own space — no shuffling practices around. We have a fan base. And we have tough nonconference schedules. Those are all things that drew me here. When teams like Duke come here, the players are always saying great things about the atmosphere.”
South Dakota
SD Lottery Lucky For Life winning numbers for Jan. 8, 2026
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 8, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
05-12-13-39-48, Lucky Ball: 13
Check Lucky 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.
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.
South Dakota
Sheridan Lake rescue prompts winter ice safety warning
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – A harrowing scene at Sheridan Lake ended without serious injury Tuesday after a man, a woman and their dog fell through thin ice near the swimming beach, authorities said.
Keep pets on a leash and never attempt a risky rescue if someone falls through the ice, officials said. Call 911 immediately.
The South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks agency advises that ice three inches or less is unsafe. Four inches is generally considered the minimum for walking, ice fishing or skating.
Lt. Casey Kenrick of the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office said the incident is a reminder to take extra precautions this winter.
“Usually at this time the ice is significantly thick on the lakes around the area, well, some aren’t even frozen all the way at this point. The temperatures have been up and down so much that the ice isn’t solid even though it may look like it is, so make sure you know the ice depth that you’re getting onto,” Kenrick said.
Kenrick said those precautions could mean the difference between a close call and a tragedy.
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Copyright 2026 KOTA. All rights reserved.
South Dakota
A day in South Dakota history
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – On Jan. 7, 1995, William Janklow began his third of four terms as governor. From statehood until 1972, governors served two-year terms. Voters then approved a constitutional amendment in 1972 allowing governors to serve two consecutive four-year terms.
Janklow served from 1979 to 1987 and again from 1995 to 2003. His 16 years are the longest stint of any governor in South Dakota history
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Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.
Copyright 2026 KOTA. All rights reserved.
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