South Dakota
Fact brief: Was an east-west split of Dakota Territory considered?
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Legislation was considered to split Dakota Territory east-west at the Missouri River instead of the current north-south split that was approved in 1889.
A retrospective released by the state of South Dakota on the 125th anniversary of statehood noted that the east-west proposal did have some support.
The East/West Dakota would have followed the Missouri River and aligned regions with similar geographic and cultural identities.
The north-south border decision was motivated partially by resentment between the northern and southern portions of Dakota Territory over the location of the state capital. In 1883, the territory’s capital was moved from Yankton to Bismarck.
Other reasons cited included separate railroad systems, economic ties to major eastern cities (Sioux Falls and Fargo) and the growth of separate systems of public institutions.
This fact brief responds to conversations such as this one.
Sources
State of South Dakota, 125th anniversary story
BigThink.com, East and West Dakota? Here’s What Those States Would Look Like
Medium, A Tale of Two States
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The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 6, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 6 drawing
16-32-55-59-64, Powerball: 03, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from June 6 drawing
08-22-24-37-47, Star Ball: 05, ASB: 02
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Dakota Cash numbers from June 6 drawing
05-09-13-14-23
Check Dakota Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 6 drawing
03-13-18-35-48, 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.
The 2026 SDHSAA State Softball Championships concluded Saturday from Sioux Falls and Aberdeen. Congrats to Dakota Valley (A), Castlewood (B) and Sioux Falls Jefferson (AA) on taking home state championships.
Saturday Scores
Class AA
7/8th Place
Sioux Falls Lincoln 10, Bishop O’Gorman 8
5/6th Place
Brandon Valley 4, Rapid City Stevens 2
3/4th Place
Harrisburg 10, Sioux Falls Roosevelt 4
Championship
Sioux Falls Jefferson 11, Sioux Falls Washington 0
Class A
7/8th Place
Lennox 11, Madison 7
5/6th Place
Sioux Valley 9, Beresford 5
3/4th Place
West Central 11, Tri-Valley 1
Championship
Dakota Valley 9, Elk Point-Jefferson 6
Class B
7/8th Place
Avon 13, Florence/Henry 3
5/6th Place
Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy 9, Redfield 3
3/4th Place
Gayville-Volin 7, Hanson 0
Championship
Castlewood 9, McCook Central/Montrose 2
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Sioux Falls police are investigating after two motorcycles collided on Friday night in the western part of the city, leaving both riders dead.
According to Sgt. Jason Montgomery, at around 9:20 p.m., crews responded to North Kiwanis Avenue and West Russell Street.
There, it was discovered that two motorcyclists traveling west on Russell collided with each other just before the bridge.
Both bikes struck a metal guard rail on the south side of the road, throwing both riders from their motorcycles.
One of the riders was pronounced dead on the scene, and the second rider was later declared dead at a nearby hospital.
The names of those involved have not been released. Any additional information will be shared at Monday’s police briefing.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
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