South Dakota
Gov. Rhoden announces South Dakota Defense Institute
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – South Dakota is putting new money behind an effort Governor Larry Rhoden says will make national security the state’s “next big industry.”
Speaking at The Box during the Black Hills Military Coalition’s Defense & Industry Symposium, Rhoden announced the creation of the South Dakota Defense Institute (SDDI) — a new hub intended to connect business, education, and government and help South Dakota companies compete for federal defense contracts.
“We announced the creation of the South Dakota Defense Institute,” Rhoden said. “And this is a big step in hanging meat on the bones of the commitment I made in the State address… That national defense would be South Dakota’s next big industry.”
Rhoden said the state will invest $5 million from the Future Fund to establish and operate the institute for an initial five-year period.
According to the governor’s office, the institute is expected to serve as a central coordinating point for partners across the defense ecosystem and, once operational, engage directly with federal defense agencies and other related stakeholders to support businesses pursuing defense contracting opportunities.
Rhoden also announced an additional $1 million from the Future Fund to Elevate Rapid City to help purchase a building in Rapid City’s “Innovation District.” The facility will serve as the institute’s headquarters and is also expected to function as a collaboration space to bring together students, researchers, and defense companies to support innovation, workforce development, and industry growth.
South Dakota’s Commissioner to the Governor’s Office on Economic Development, Bill Even, gave us more info on the actual physical construction of the space. “The School of Mines and Western Dakota Tech have been pretty integral in figuring out how we really jump start the innovation district in downtown Rapid City with the natural focus on national defense,” He said. “And so we’ve identified some properties and we’ll be working closely with Elevate to secure those as well.”
The governor’s office said the South Dakota Defense Institute will be organized adjacent to the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and staffed by experienced leaders with military and defense industry backgrounds.
The institute will partner with private businesses and local economic development organizations, along with state agencies including the South Dakota National Guard, the Department of Labor and Regulation, the Board of Regents, and the Board of Technical Education.
State officials said additional details on staffing, timelines and programming will be released as the institute’s launch progresses.
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Copyright 2026 KOTA. All rights reserved.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 28, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 28 drawing
14-36-41-47-66, Mega Ball: 15
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 28 drawing
11-21-34-39-45, Bonus: 05
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.
South Dakota
South Dakota man loses appeal after being convicted of terroristic threats against President Trump
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has announced the South Dakota Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction and sentence of a South Dakota man after an attempted threat of felony terrorism.
“Threats against the President of the United States and public officials are taken seriously,” said Attorney General Jackley. “We will continue to prosecute individuals who seek to harm or intimidate public officials and their families.”
According to court docs, Lucian Celestine first contacted the FBI in September 2019, claiming he was hearing voices instructing him to kill President Trump.
In June 2020, Celestine attempted to purchase a sniper-style rifle through an online marketplace and requested a scope capable of shooting up to 600 yards.
The rifle’s seller was a Brookings Police Officer acting as a private citizen and became concerned about Celestine’s behavior. The officer reported the interaction to the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.
Police later contacted Celestine as President Trump was due to visit Mount Rushmore for the 2020 Independence Day fireworks celebration. During the encounter, Celestine said he had contacted the FBI and admitted he had recently obtained a rifle.
Officers located a rifle, ammunition, and targets in the truck of his vehicle.
After being taken into custody in Rapid City, Celestine told investigators that the voices in his head instructed him to kill the President. He told police of a plan to go to Mount Rushmore and position himself above the monument.
He was then arrested and indicted for threat of felony terrorism.
Celestine entered a guilty plea in November 2024 for Attempted Threat of Felony Terrorism. In March 2024, the Pennington County Circuit Court sentenced him to two and a half years in the South Dakota Penitentiary with credit for time served.
Celestine later appealed his conviction and sentence, but the South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed the circuit court’s sentence.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
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