South Dakota

Bennett County agrees to open satellite office for Native Americans after voting rights probe • South Dakota Searchlight

Published

2 years ago

August 19, 2024

Bennett County agrees to open satellite office for Native Americans after voting rights probe • South Dakota Searchlight

Bennett County in South Dakota has agreed to open a satellite office to resolve claims that it violated the voting rights of Native Americans.

The U.S. Justice Department announced the agreement Monday and said it was prompted by claims that the county failed to make its registration and early voting opportunities equally open to Native American voters.

Under the terms of the agreement, Bennett County will operate a satellite office in Allen. It will provide in-person registration and absentee voting services during regular business hours for the full state-mandated 46-day absentee voting period prior to federal, state and county elections.

Justice disparities on South Dakota reservations need attention, US attorney general says

The Justice Department said equal registration and early voting opportunities are required by the federal Voting Rights Act.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, of the department’s Civil Rights Division, commented on the agreement in a news release.

“It is time to eliminate all barriers standing between Native American voters and the ballot box across our country,” Clarke said. “An inclusive democracy must provide all of its eligible voters access to the full range of voter registration and early voting opportunities required by law.”

The U.S. attorney for the District of South Dakota, Alison Ramsdell, also commented in the news release.

“The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy, but that right is hollow without access to registration and early voting opportunities,” Ramsdell said. “We are grateful Bennett County has agreed to improve voting access for Native Americans in South Dakota by adding and staffing a satellite office in Allen.”

The Justice Department’s investigation found that Native Americans living on tribal lands in the county disproportionally lacked the ability to travel long distances to the county seat of Martin for in-person voting services. Since 2015, the state has made Help America Vote Act funds available to counties like Bennett to establish a satellite office on tribal lands.

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Learn more

More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting.

Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section.

Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931. Individuals can also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota by emailing [email protected] or calling 605-330-4400.

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South Dakota

Suspicious package prompts brief evacuation in Keystone; bomb squad clears scene

Published

6 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Press Room

Suspicious package prompts brief evacuation in Keystone; bomb squad clears scene

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – A suspicious package prompted a precautionary evacuation in Keystone Friday evening before authorities determined the scene was safe.

According to the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 7:30 p.m. July 3 to a report of a suspicious package in the parking lot of a business in Keystone.

Based on information available at the scene, deputies evacuated the immediate area as a precaution while the package was investigated.

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation Bomb Squad responded and safely evaluated the package. After technicians determined there was no threat, the area was reopened.

The sheriff’s office thanked those who were evacuated for their patience and cooperation during the incident.

Responding agencies included the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Highway Patrol, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and Pennington County Search and Rescue.

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Mega Millions, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for July 3, 2026

Published

16 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Press Room

The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at July 3, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 3 drawing

05-09-29-47-57, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 3 drawing

07-08-24-42-47, 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.

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South Dakota

Trump at Mount Rushmore: Speech time, how to watch live

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

Press Room

Trump at Mount Rushmore: Speech time, how to watch live

President Donald Trump will kick off Independence Day weekend with a speech at Mount Rushmore beneath busts of four of his predecessors.

As part of a day of festivities tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary, the president will address visitors to the South Dakota landmark in a keynote address on Friday, July 3. at approximately 8:30 p.m. MT/10:30 p.m. ET according to the schedule released by the White House.

After the president’s remarks, the night will end with a massive fireworks display. It will be Mount Rushmore’s first time hosting a July 3 fireworks display since 2020, which Trump also attended during his first term in office.

Earlier in the day, there will be a slew of activities and programming on site for visitors before the evening festivities. The National Park Service and the state are coordinating the celebration, and a ticket lottery to attend has already closed.

Here’s what to know about the timing of the Mount Rushmore celebrations and how to tune in.

What will be at the Mount Rushmore July 3 event?

The event on July Fourth eve will feature myriad exhibits, reenactors and interactive experiences throughout the day, according to Freedom 250, the group working with Trump’s administration to coordinate the weekend’s events.

At night, it will transition into a tribute to the Armed Forces, including military bands, aviation flyovers and precision drill demonstrations, the group said.

After, South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum will take the stage to introduce Trump.

Following the president’s remarks, the event will conclude with the fireworks show.

What time is Trump speaking at Mount Rushmore? See schedule

Trump is expected to deliver his Mount Rushmore address at 8:30 p.m. MT (10:30 p.m. ET), according to the White House, though organizers have not yet released a detailed event schedule.

However, the day’s programming is set to run from 4-10 p.m. local time, according to the National Park Service.

The fireworks, which will close out the event, are expected to begin around 9:30 p.m. local time, according to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, part of the USA TODAY Network.