South Dakota
Annual Chanukah celebration provides new spin on traditions
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Tradition and symbolism of freedom, peace and hope carry the holiday known as the Festival of Lights.
For Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz of the Chabad Jewish Center of South Dakota, Chanukah has always been a joyous time.
“The best memories I have as a child growing up are of Chanukah, lighting those candles, those colorful candles, spinning that dreidel,” recalled Alperowitz.
The eight-day celebration is observed annually to remember the rededication of the Jewish temple following an important battle between the Assyrian Greeks and the Maccabees. It’s often called the Maccabean Revolt, which took the temple back for the Jewish people, and the word Chanukah means “dedication.”
Every year, the Jewish community of South Dakota holds an event to celebrate together. Notably, the biggest change of this year’s celebration event was the new location to accommodate a growing Jewish community in South Dakota. Last year was hosted at the Empire Mall, but this year was hosted at the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance.
They were grateful for local leadership who they believed helped to foster the growth of the community and partnering with different faiths. The Chabad Jewish Center of South Dakota brought in Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken to help light the menorah.
“I think it’s very important when we can have events like this just to remember how different we are, but how alike we are at the same time and to be able to come out and just publicly express that we are one Sioux Falls,” TenHaken explained. “I use that term all the time whether it’s our Jewish community, our Muslim community, our Christian community or people who practice no religion at all. We’re all part of one community. We coexist together.”
The menorah was one of many fun touches to this year’s gathering. The gelt drop, where chocolate coins are dropped for children, was done with assistance from Sioux Falls Fire Rescue. The seven-foot menorah itself was made out of Legos by children of the South Dakota Jewish community.
“It was exciting to watch them build it and it’s going to be very exciting to light it this evening,” Alprerowitz said.
For Rabbi Alperowitz, there was an emphasis on creating something for the whole family and involving youth in their longstanding traditions of the Jewish faith.
“Like so much of Judaism, Chanukah is really all about the children,” described Alperowitz. “It’s a time for families and children especially to gather, to learn the traditions, learn the sacred ideas of our heritage and our faith and to keep that going for the next generation. ”
Copyright 2024 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
South Dakota
3 takeaways from South Dakota State basketball’s revenge win over USD
BROOKINGS — The South Dakota State women’s basketball team got some payback on its in-state rival, knocking off South Dakota 82-49 in both teams’ final game of the regular season.
Here’s a few reasons the Jackrabbits got their get back.
Meyer with one final home masterpiece
The Senior Day festivities before the game clearly didn’t phase the South Dakota State seniors, especially star forward Brooklyn Meyer. She dominated from the first possession, scoring 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting in the first 10 minutes.
That start helped the Jackrabbits get out to a 27-8 lead through a quarter and basically put this thing on ice before it even got started.
Meyer was able to get post-up opportunities by flashing from the opposite block and spinning in front of the Coyote defenders, catching the ball in the mid-post and choosing to either attack with a post move or face and attack.
The senior also cut from elbow to block well, especially as she became the screener in the pick-and-roll more frequently.
Meyer added eight points in both the second and third quarters, and five in the fourth to close her career at First Bank & Trust Arena with a 33-point effort on 13-for-17 shooting.
Size proves to be an issue
This one encompasses both sides of the ball, as the Coyotes struggled mightily to handle South Dakota State’s size on either end of the floor.
Molly Joyce was the only South Dakota player to consistently find success, but that started way too late. Point guard Angelina Robles was constantly harassed and never got enough free space to work her magic, and the Coyotes eventually turned to contested jumpers as a way to get shots on the rim.
Joyce closed the game with 21 points for South Dakota, and Robles ended with 11.
It was the same defensive model North Dakota State used to great success, but the Jackrabbits kept the ‘Yotes in front for the most part and didn’t allow much deep dribble penetration.
South Dakota State’s length showed itself in a non-traditional way offensively, with the guards able to get their shots off frequently and in rhythm. The South Dakota guards tried to be active and available defensively, but the quick triggers didn’t let them be effective.
Meyer and Brooklyn Felchle also had a size advantage down low that helped a lot, and that showed itself in a more traditional sense. The duo got their shots up over smaller defenders, rebounded hard and disrupted shots in the paint.
Fox continues to ascend
Emilee Fox’s emergence for South Dakota State has come with this current seven-game winning streak. The sophomore has embraced her role as point guard, which coincidentally has increased her scoring output.
Fox ripped off four more 3-pointers, on only seven attempts, and dished out four assists, too.
Fox and Hadley Thul were tonight’s big-time contributors from deep on a night when Maddie Mathiowetz was particularly cold.
The sophomore point guard has added an element to this offense that it had needed in Summit League play, and the Jackrabbits might now be peaking at just the right time.
South Dakota
Where to watch SDSU at South Dakota men’s basketball today, time, TV
Watch the SDSU men’s basketball team at a postgame press conference
South Dakota State head coach Bryan Peterson and guard Joe Sayler talk about the Jackrabbits’ loss to South Dakota on Feb. 7, 2026.
The South Dakota State men’s basketball team has a chance to get some payback against South Dakota today in both teams’ final game before the Summit League Tournament begins.
The Jackrabbits (14-16, 7-8 Summit League) have won three of four and just beat Kansas City 73-59 on Thursday, Feb. 26. The Coyotes (15-15, 7-8) are headed in the opposite direction, having stopped a three-game skid with an 89-72 win over Omaha on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
Here’s how to watch the two rivals battle again.
South Dakota State at South Dakota men’s basketball TV, radio, stream
- Radio: Jackrabbit Sports Network, Coyote Sports Network
- Stream: Summit League Network
South Dakota State at South Dakota time today
- Location: Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion
South Dakota State at South Dakota prediction
Paul Cifonelli, Argus Leader: Like the first time these two teams met, this is a matchup between two squads headed in different directions. Somehow, they’ve managed to flip roles in just three weeks.
South Dakota looks like it is running out of steam quickly after impressing and threatening the third spot in the Summit League in early February. South Dakota State has rebounded from losing five of six nicely, giving themselves a chance at hitting .500 on the season.
I expect the Jackrabbits to continue playing inspired and hard, and for them to overwhelm a Coyote side that has shown more fight than anyone could’ve imagined.
South Dakota State 73, South Dakota 65
South Dakota
SD Lottery Mega Millions, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for Feb. 27, 2026
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Feb. 27, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Feb. 27 drawing
11-18-39-43-67, Mega Ball: 23
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from Feb. 27 drawing
03-04-13-28-42, 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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