South Dakota
Senators, representatives discuss South Dakota Public Broadcasting, state library
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – With the South Dakota legislative session coming to a close at the end of the month, citizens still have concerns and questions about various bills and funding.
Funding for the state library and South Dakota Public Broadcasting has been discussed since the beginning of the session, and was among the topics discussed at Saturday’s legislative crackerbarrel in Deadwood.
Senator Randy Deibert and Representatives Scott Odenbach and Mary J. Fitzgerald all discussed their support of SDPB.
“I wouldn’t bet a lot of money that those cuts are going to be sustained,” Odenbach said. “What I do think is, we need to take a look at cuts to government, whether it’s the rate of growth or an outright cut. I think it needs to be, and this was a discussion I had with the governor, they should be more across the board and not necessarily just targeting for destruction or elimination of one agency like PBS.”
Fitzgerald agreed.
“I do think that public TV and the state library will be fine,” Fitzgerald said. “I think that they are doing everything they can to make sure that we can keep those available to the residents of South Dakota.”
Deibert said without public broadcasting, whether it be in the form of radio or television, the citizens of South Dakota would have much less information available to them.
He added he had more concern for the state library.
“It’s come out of appropriations with an $800,000 cut,” Deibert said of House Bill 1041. “We haven’t discussed that in our caucus yet, but it will be interesting if that stays on. But, I don’t support that cut. I think we need to make cuts and watch spending, but we need to do that as a group. We need to review that in our caucuses and with members of our body.”
House Bill 1041 passed committee with 16 yeas and two nays. It will now head to the House floor.
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Copyright 2025 KOTA. All rights reserved.
South Dakota
Human trafficking survivor advocate to speak at Rapid City church event
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – A Rapid City church is hosting a free community event Thursday to raise awareness about human trafficking, with organizers saying the danger may be closer than people think.
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League at Bethlehem Lutheran Church is opening the presentation to the entire community because organizers say awareness alone can save a life.
“If we can get 20 people to understand what to look for — if we can get 20 people to understand that this organization exists — then we can start shining light into every corner, and suddenly it’ll be a better world,” said Alexandra Loverink, co-president of LWML Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Event details
The free presentation is Thursday, May 14 at 6 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Rushmore Street. The speaker is Reverend Tess Franzen, founder of Freedom’s Journey, a Rapid City-based ministry that has assisted hundreds of trafficking survivors over more than a decade.
Franzen said the problem in South Dakota is far more widespread than most people realize.
“We see mostly sex trafficking, but much of what we see is — some people might call it homegrown or familial,” Franzen said. “We see trafficking here where young people are being trafficked out, their family members are selling access to them when they’re children. And in many cases, they don’t really even realize there’s anything wrong with it.”
Organizer Cari Garwood-Beard said Franzen’s presentation changed how she sees her own neighborhood, and she wants others to have that same wake-up call.
“She told a story about her neighbor one time — just a good old guy — and found out that he was a trafficker. Her neighbor, who she thought was above boards,” Garwood-Beard said. “And it really hit home. My next-door neighbor could be.”
A freewill offering will be collected for Freedom’s Journey at Thursday’s event. Bethlehem Lutheran Church is at 1630 Rushmore Street.
Resources
If you suspect trafficking, dial 9-1-1 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
For more information about Freedom’s Journey, visit their website or call 805.380.8009.
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Copyright 2026 KOTA. All rights reserved.
South Dakota
SD Lottery Mega Millions, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for May 8, 2026
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 8, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing
37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing
14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03
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.
South Dakota
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive being held Saturday in South Dakota and across the nation
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