South Dakota
28 teams battle for 2024 VEX Robotics State Championship
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Last year, a team of Harrisburg High School seniors represented South Dakota in the World Robotics Championships and took home first place.
On Saturday, over 20 teams battled for VEX Robotics State Championship. The interest in robotics is growing around the state and the tougher competition will only help students grow in their skills.
“It’s been crazy. We’ve been doing this for eight years now and I remember at our first competition, there were eight teams there,” said Sam Newitt with the “Robo Chickens” team.
“The state robotics as well as Mitchell robotics has grown a lot in my time being here and that’s really exciting to see the program grow and be sustainable,” said Gabe with the “Vexinators” team.
Young minds and bright futures are pushing robotics forward in South Dakota. From humble beginnings in the first competitions to a world champion last year, youth are being inspired to get involved.
“For me, it’s very important to see this growth because we need a place for these kids, these future engineers, these future programmers to practice these skills and learn about what they can do early on,” said Event Engagement Manager with REC Foundation Chris Stewart.
Stewart was a former teacher at Harrisburg South Middle School and helped kickstart robotics there. Now, he works for the tournament organizer. Seeing the students flourish is his favorite part of the state championship.
“Today is the testament of how much work they’ve put in, how many hours they’ve put in and what they’ve managed to accomplish,” Stewart said.
While robotics is not a school-sponsored activity, students each have a unique path to getting interested and getting started.
“The way that I got involved initially was my dad was involved back when I was in elementary school and he took me along to a couple competitions and I just know I fell in love with it. Thomas and I kind of knew each other already and we just kind of decided to start from there,” Newitt explained.
“What interests me is I’m really into the building aspect. I like problem-solving and the creating aspect of just building something with your hands from scratch,” Gabe said.
Word of mouth is huge for growing the activity in South Dakota and it helps to have recognition from last year’s world champion team from Harrisburg.
“To see them go from a small town community and we compete against them and everything and then to see that kind of level at worlds was really awesome to see,” Gabe said.
Saturday’s winners included Robotics from Sioux Falls and Flapjack from Harrisburg.
The Vexinators from Mitchell took home the excellence award.
The new champions will make their way to Dallas for the world championships in April.
Copyright 2024 KSFY. All rights reserved.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 2, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 2 drawing
13-21-25-37-47, Bonus: 01
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.
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – The President set to travel to Mount Rushmore to mark America’s 250th anniversary.
Friday, President Donald Trump is taking that celebration to one America’s most iconic sites, Mount Rushmore
The President is traveling to South Dakota for a celebration at Mount Rushmore that will include fireworks, military bands and flyovers – including one by the new Air Force One – which had its maiden flight on Wednesday to North Dakota. The Boeing 747 is a gift from Qatar.
While at Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills near Keystone, South Dakota, President Trump will deliver a keynote address marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The sculpture at Mount Rushmore features 60-foot-tall depictions of the heads of four U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. They were chosen to represent the nation’s foundation, expansion, development, and preservation
President Trump last visited Mount Rushmore for a Fourth of July Celebration in 2020. The event featured the first official fireworks display at the monument in over a decade.
He’s also repeatedly joked that his face should be added to the monument.
Copyright 2026 Gray DC. All rights reserved.
PIERRE, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota State Museum in Pierre reopened three rooms to the public on July 1st after three years of renovations.
The State Historical Society received funds to enhance the Cultural Heritage Center in 2022, aimed at improving the building and expanding collection storage.
The museum’s exhibits were redeveloped based on extensive public input and updated state social studies standards, ensuring they reflect South Dakota’s story for modern visitors.
The reopening of the three rooms is part of the America 250 celebration.
“Come to Pierre and experience South Dakota’s history! People of many backgrounds have aided the process, so come see the collective work,” said South Dakota State Museum Director David Grabitske.
The South Dakota State Museum is closed on Mondays, but is open from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm on Sundays.
Admission is free for all South Dakotans and children from anywhere.
The remainder of the museum gallery space will be reopened later this year.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
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