South Dakota
Deepfakes bill clears state Senate, loses impact on 2024 primary – South Dakota Searchlight
A bill to bar the dissemination of unlabeled “deepfakes” within 90 days of an election cleared the state Senate on Tuesday, but not before lawmakers stripped it of an emergency clause that would have changed the law in time for the 2024 primary.
Deepfakes is the blanket term attached to photos, audio and video manipulated digitally to resemble or sound like a real person, and they’ve already been used to target voters in the U.S. presidential election. In last month’s primary election in New Hampshire, voters heard robocalls from a voice purporting to be President Joe Biden that urged them to “save their vote” for the general election.
Sen. Liz Larson, D-Sioux Falls, is the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 96, which she calls a “light touch” regulation. Twenty-seven states have or are trying to enact outright bans or create regulations around deepfakes, but Larson said South Dakota should take a careful approach that creates accountability without overreaching.
There may be a need for more serious regulation as the technology evolves, she said, but deepfakes are already convincing enough to be used against any candidate.
“There are currently no laws on our books to prevent anyone from doing this,” Larson said.
Larson played a phony audio clip made to sound like former President Donald Trump during the bill’s committee hearing last week.
SB 96 would make it a class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail, to create and release a video, photo or audio manipulated by digital means to resemble a real person “with the intent to injure a candidate or influence the result of an election” unless it is labeled as fake.
It would also empower the attorney general or targeted candidate to “seek injunctive or other equitable relief prohibiting the dissemination of the deepfake,” and allow the state Board of Elections to issue fines for breaking the law.
Those caught creating and releasing election-related deepfakes not labeled as such more than once in five years could be fined up to $10,000 by the board, and those who do so with the intent to cause violence could be fined up to $5,000. In all other cases, the board could issue a $1,000 fine.
As debate on the bill commenced, Larson asked for and received support from her fellow senators to amend the bill with exemptions for media organizations that unknowingly publish or broadcast deepfakes in electoral ads. There are also exemptions for satire or parody.
Those clauses were an issue for Sen. David Wheeler, R-Huron. Satire is subjective, he said, and he also didn’t like the idea that he could “pay a buddy $5” to post a deepfake to a blog and avoid punishment.
“As long as you pay someone to publish it, it’s OK,” Wheeler said of the amendment.
Sen. John Wiik, R-Big Stone City, argued that it’s too soon to regulate such a new technology.
“This is a new thing. And when we’re entering into new territory, our gut instinct is ‘we need a law,’” Wiik said.
He also objected to handing the Board of Elections the power to fine people – something it’s never had, Wiik said.
The majority of senators disagreed with Wheeler and Wiik, though. They voted to back the bill 21-11, not enough to get the two-thirds majority required to make the bill law immediately with the governor’s signature. It was enough, however, for Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden to invoke Joint Rule 513, which allows a bill that misses the two-thirds mark but gets majority support to be immediately reconsidered without an emergency clause.
After an amendment removing the clause was moved and seconded, SB 96 passed on a 22-10 vote. Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller, R-Rapid City, switched her vote after the amendment.
Larson’s bill now moves to a House of Representatives committee. If it passes that chamber and is signed by the governor, it will take effect July 1, after the June primary election and before the November general election.
Another bill on deepfakes, SB 107, has yet to see a committee hearing. That bill, from Rapid City Republican Sen. David Johnson, is a companion bill to SB 96. It would go beyond elections to punish those who create deepfakes of any person “with the intent to defame, exploit, harass, intimidate, or sabotage the person.”
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 20, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 20 drawing
16-20-44-48-50, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from June 20 drawing
08-14-31-41-52, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 03
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Dakota Cash numbers from June 20 drawing
02-09-15-27-34
Check Dakota Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 20 drawing
01-10-16-30-31, Bonus: 04
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.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — You can celebrate Juneteenth in central Sioux Falls Saturday. The festivities start at 10 a.m. in Fawick Park with a Freedom Walk. Activities also include a Spoken Word, Car show demonstration, community games, a fashion, art and beauty expo, a talent show and a DJ battle.
Also in central Sioux Falls is the Festival of Cultures hosted by Lutheran Social Services. The American Patchwork Quartet will perform at 11 a.m. and Nepali dancers NSKK will take the stage at 12:30. It’s all happening at the Sioux Falls Coliseum. Then, the Parade of Flags will take place at 7:20 p.m. at the Levitt Lawn.
Join cancer survivor Lisa Soundy for for a Walk and Talk about cancer survivorship. Hear Lisa share her personal experience with cancer. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Prairie West Library in western Soiux Falls. It is hosted by Avera McKennan Hospital.
Fly a kite at the Brookings Kite Festival. It goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and a lighted kite show will go from 8:30 to10 in the evening on Saturday. It takes place at the Fishback Soccer Complex and will also include food trucks and kids games.
Also, enjoy the final day of Czech Days in Tabor. The festivities include a craft fair, kiddie parade, dumpling making demonstration and a lot more. The festivities start at 7 a.m. with a 5K and run through the night.
Head to Sioux Valley Cycle Club in Sioux Falls for an ATV race. Gates open at 1 p.m., practice starts at 3:45, and racing starts at 4:45. Admission is $10, but kids 6 and under are free.
Take in Teapot Days in Tea, South Dakota. Events include a parade at 10 a.m., the Mighty Thomas Carnival beginning at noon and fireworks at 10:15 in the evening in the city park.
Take a lunch break and enjoy live music in downtown Sioux Falls. Head to the Ampt! event at the Phillips Avenue Plaza from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
You can enjoy more music downtown later in the night at Levitt at the Falls. Hear folk songs from the American Patchwork Quartet and openers Alma Latina Grupo Multicultural and the Levitt Vocal Jam Camp Showcase. The music starts at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
There’s also free music to enjoy west river throughout the afternoon and evening at Wild Bill Days on Main Street in Deadwood. Other events include a downtown art festival, gold panning and blacksmithing demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
See if you can catch any fish at Family Park in western Sioux Falls. All the needed gear is provided, but you can bring your own gear if you would like. It goes from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and it is completely free.
There’s another fishing opportunity much further north. Head north to Roy Lake State Park for Cops and Bobbers and fish with local law enforcement. All the needed equipment and bait will be provided. It goes from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Roy Lake Store Docks and fishing pier. A park pass is required.
Help support Feeding South Dakota at the 13th annual Prime Time Gala & Concert. The event includes a silent auction, live auction, food and music from Dierks Bentley, Muscadine Bloodline and Elizabeth Jo. Guest Check-in is at 4 p.m. at the Denny Sanford Premier Center.
Catch a show at the Orpheum Theater. It’s the last weekend to see Legally Blonde presented by the Premiere Playhouse. The show starts at 7 p.m.
Experience a yarn adventure at Prairie Road Yarn in Sioux Falls. The Yarn Adventure Truck will be paying a visit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Falls Park Farmers market in Sioux Falls is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Brandon Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 925 N. Splitrock Boulevard. The Brookings Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon in the 300 block of 6th Avenue.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 19, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 19 drawing
13-16-21-26-50, Mega Ball: 12
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 19 drawing
02-20-28-51-54, 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.
-
Los Angeles, Ca1 hour agoKids, teens can enjoy free lunch at over 90 parks across Los Angeles
-
Detroit, MI1 hour agoMetro Detroit church hosts community event to support youth: “We’re here for you”
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours agoSan Francisco celebrates Black freedom at weekend Juneteenth parade: ‘We’re all people’
-
Dallas, TX2 hours agoRedesign debate intensifies as Dallas convention center faces costly delays
-
Miami, FL2 hours ago‘An insane memory’: New World Cup super hero plays in Miami but not with Messi
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoFAA investigates close call between two aircraft at intersecting runways at Boston Logan International Airport | CNN
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoProposed September 2026 Service Changes
-
Seattle, WA2 hours agoSeattle gets a heat wave and rain storm in the same week? – Emerald City Weather Blog
