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Former lieutenant governor launches ‘Vote in Honor of a Veteran’ initiative • South Dakota Searchlight

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Former lieutenant governor launches ‘Vote in Honor of a Veteran’ initiative • South Dakota Searchlight


SIOUX FALLS — South Dakota’s voter turnout has disappointed some military veterans.

Former Lt. Gov. Matt Michels, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, has launched an initiative urging citizens to “Vote in Honor of a Veteran,” emphasizing the sacrifices made by military personnel to secure the democratic rights Americans enjoy. 

“We always think that government is ‘they,’ but it really is ‘us,’” Michels said. “We the people.” 

Michels shared the pitch Saturday to a crowd of about 100 during the annual USS South Dakota Day of Honor in Sioux Falls. He handed out sheets of stickers showcasing the slogan to fellow veterans, who were enthusiastic about the effort. 

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“It’s really about voting in honor of America,” said Douglas Starr, a World War II and Korean War veteran.

Michels said he will continue sharing the message with veteran organizations in the state.

The event, held on the second Saturday of August, commemorates the legacy of one of the most decorated ships of World War II. The ship gained fame for its actions in the European and Pacific theatres, participating in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

A model of the USS South Dakota battleship is on display in Sioux Falls on Aug. 10, 2024. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

Michels told a story from the second battle of Guadalcanal, in which the ship’s electrical system became disabled as the ship was under fire from Japanese destroyers. He said the ship received 27 hits, including a 14-inch shell that hit the rear turret. During this battle, 40 crew members were killed and 180 were wounded.

“Including 12-year-old Calvin Leon Graham, who had lied about his age to enlist,” Michels said. “He was the youngest American to fight in the war.”

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Decommissioned in 1947, the battleship remains a symbol of service. The USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial, which hosted Saturday’s event, includes a concrete outline of the ship’s main deck and the actual anchor, propeller, a 16-inch gun barrel, mast and exhibit hall. 

Proving authoritarians wrong

Michels described the heroism displayed during World War II as continuing a fight for freedom that began with the American Revolution.

“If we pause and think about how this nation was started,” Michels said. “At the time, there were no nations that were governed by regular people. The monarchs, the kings and queens, those people were controlling everything. And those people thought regular people were too dumb. That they couldn’t handle it.” 

Michels said it’s every American’s duty to prove authoritarians wrong. 

“Everyone 18 and over can honor these women and men who have protected us, served us, given their lives,” he said. “What is it we can do? We can vote.”

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Turnout across South Dakota in the June primary election was historically low at 17% — the lowest percentage since the state began combining presidential primaries with other primary races in 2000.

“It’s offensive,” Michels said. 

For those who were too busy to vote, Michels has a message: “Yeah, well, a lot of people were too busy serving you and dying so that you would have this right.” 

Michels served as lieutenant governor from 2011 to 2019 and served prior to that in the Legislature. He was born in Pierre, grew up in Vermillion, and graduated from the University of South Dakota. He worked as a nurse from 1981 to 1985 while earning a law degree at USD. He then attended Naval Justice School and became a U.S. Navy officer, serving as a lawyer. He was honorably discharged in 1989.

 

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South Dakota

WNBA holds preseason exhibition game in South Dakota

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WNBA holds preseason exhibition game in South Dakota


The WNBA came to Sioux Falls for the first time on Saturday, and it “couldn’t have been a bigger hit.” The Mercury defeated the Sky 108-104 in a preseason exhibition before a sellout crowd of 3,357 at the Sanford Pentagon. The Mercury are coached by South Dakota native Nate Tibbetts, and most of the fans in attendance were “decked out in either purple or orange.” This was “more than a basketball game.” It was a “homecoming for Tibbetts,” but also a “historic moment for women’s sports in South Dakota.” The WNBA has never been to South Dakota (SIOUX FALLS LIVE, 4/26). Lines went “out the door more than an hour before tip-off.” Basketball fans “traveled from around the region to take in the game and witness history” (DAKOTA NEWS NOW, 4/26).



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SD Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for April 25, 2026

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

Here’s a look at April 25, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from April 25 drawing

04-30-36-52-57, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Lotto America numbers from April 25 drawing

03-15-23-32-36, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 03

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Dakota Cash numbers from April 25 drawing

07-14-15-17-19

Check Dakota Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 25 drawing

03-22-26-44-47, Bonus: 02

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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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Brewing a celebration – AOL

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Brewing a celebration – AOL


GEDDES, S.D. (KELO) — The U.S. is getting ready to celebrate a big birthday.

July 4th will mark the country’s 250th anniversary.

South Dakota has been marking the milestone in different ways, including designating an official beer for the celebration.

Drive down Main Street in Geddes and you’ll come across Platte Creek Brewing Company.

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“I’m like everybody. You start with five-gallon batches in your garage and you want to keep progressing from there I guess,” Doug Dykstra said.

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Today, customers have lots of options to choose from inside the former museum.

Doug and Jo Ellen Dykstra are the owners of the small town brewery that will mark five years in business in May.

But that’s not the only reason to raise a glass.

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One of the beers brewed at this business is the official beer for South Dakota’s celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday.

While it’s a familiar recipe to Platte Creek Brewing customers, it goes by a different name: Dakota Liberty.

It’s a pilsner, or light beer, with a nod to the ag industry.

“We very much liked that the corn base was with it. It had more of a farming feel with it that way. And the best part was it’s very easy drinking,” Doug Dykstra said.

“It’s corn based, so it just screams South Dakota. The name itself, that’s a beautiful name, Dakota Liberty. It gives you a little pride in your state and we’re all talking about liberty with the nation’s 250th,” Jo Ellen Dykstra said.

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State Historian Ben Jones is the chair of South Dakota’s commission for America 250.

It was his idea to have an official beer for the celebration.

“It just seemed like a way to do a couple things. One, spread the word about 250 and the other ways is to get people, ‘Oh, we can enjoy this and this is something we can participate in,’” Jones said.

Jones reached out to brewers in the state about the idea, and Platte Creek got involved.

“We sent them some samples, and they decided to go with us,” Doug Dykstra said.

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“We talked about it and I said, ‘Just picture a person who’s enjoying their July 4th and make a beer kind of pitched to that event,’ and I think they hit a home run,” Jones said.

Dakota Liberty was unveiled at the South Dakota State Fair last year.

Since then, it’s become available in more locations.

“We gain a little more all the time. It very much has hit east river and we’re working to grab more of the west river market,” Doug Dykstra said.

Dakota Liberty may be shining a brighter light on the Geddes business.

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“We get a lot of people that come in here and they say, ‘We saw your beer in Sioux Falls,’ and they wanted to stop by,” Doug Dykstra said.

“We hope it just amps up business on the weekend, but we hope it helps business. It’s just great exposure, it’s positive exposure,” JoEllen Dystra said.

Doug says they hope to work with other communities and have Dakota Liberty on hand during their celebrations.

“It’s been fun. We’re figuring out different things all the time,” Doug Dykstra said.

Perhaps more people will have a Dakota Liberty in their hands as they says cheers to 250.

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Platte Creek is working with Ben’s Brewing in Yankton to increase distribution of Dakota Liberty.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

 For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. 



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