South Dakota

Gov. Rhoden vetoes bill expanding state child care assistance threshold

Published

10 months ago

March 12, 2025

Gov. Rhoden vetoes bill expanding state child care assistance threshold

PIERRE — South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden shot down a bill which would have expanded the state’s child care assistance program for certain child care employees.

Rhoden vetoed an amended House Bill 1132, a proposed child care law that would have raised the federal poverty line for child care eligibility from 209% to 300% explicitly for people who work at least 30 hours per week at a licensed school daycare program, center or family home providing child care.

The South Dakota governor wrote in a Wednesday statement provided by his office that his reasoning for torpedoing the legislation was because it would “shift South Dakota’s child care assistance program away from its core mission.”

“Currently, the program is designed as a safety net to help low-income families cover child care costs while they work toward self-sufficiency,” Rhoden stated. “This bill would give child care workers preferential treatment, by allowing them to receive this aid at a higher income level.”

This is the first bill Rhoden has vetoed as governor of South Dakota.

In a letter to Speaker Jon Hansen and House members, Rhoden critiqued the bill further, saying it would “transform” the state’s child care program into a “long-term workforce subsidy.” He also explained he killed the bill over its fiscal aspects, since it lacked an appropriation to cover the cost of the program’s expansion.

“If just 5% of South Dakota’s current child care workforce applies, the program will require an additional $3.8 million in state general funds. If half of the current workforce applies, the program grows by $38 million,” Rhoden wrote. “The lack of new funding creates a zero-sum game, and this expansion would force reductions in benefits or waiting lists for the low-income families the program was originally designed to support.”

Others who voiced their opposition during this year’s legislative session included Rep. John Hughes, R-Sioux Falls, who stated during last month’s House hearing that HB 1132B would “create winners and losers” by giving special treatment to child care workers and not other areas such as health care, education and service industries, all of which are also experiencing workforce shortages.

The South Dakota Department of Social Services also opposed the bill, with Deputy Secretary and Chief of Operations Brenda Tidball-Zeltinger stating that the current 209% South Dakota federal poverty level for child care assistance equals about $67,000 per year for a family of four and $44,000 for a family of two. If the federal poverty line is raised to 300%, a family of four can earn up to $93,000 per year and $61,000 per year for a family of two.

The South Dakota Legislature funds the state’s child care assistance program each year through DSS, Tidball-Zeltinger relayed. Part of the funding comes from a federal block grant, but that grant is capped. To receive federal funds, the state must also contribute matching funds from its own budget.

One of the bill’s prime sponsors, Democrat Rep. Erin Healy of Sioux Falls, criticized the governor’s decision in an interview with the Argus Leader Wednesday.

Healy, House Minority Leader, called Rhoden’s argument that the state would have to increase its budget “premature,” as the state does not have a waiting list for child care assistance.

“This veto sends a clear message … that we are willing to allow families to struggle, and that is unacceptable,” Healy said in a phone call. “It’s disappointing that these people who are taking care of children can’t afford child care themselves. That’s the true problem there.”

Healy has previously pointed to Kentucky, which passed a similar bill offering child care assistance to child care workers. This ultimately cost less than expected, she said, as many child care workers were already eligible but unaware of the assistance available.

Rhoden also lauded the state Department of Social Services’ ongoing work to address the child care shortage in the state by pointing to “industry standard” weekly payments for child care assistance, raised reimbursement rates for providers and the state’s ChildCare605 Campaign, among other things.

Healy contends the state hasn’t done enough to address the child care shortage.

“I’m looking at the solutions that they’ve addressed, and it’s great that they’re working on that, but it’s not enough to address the child care shortage in South Dakota, specifically that child care is not accessible and … businesses can not afford to keep their facilities open.”

Both Healy and Republican Sen. Tim Reed of Brookings are members of the South Dakota Child Care Task Force, which formed in 2023. A report was released in January, stating that South Dakota’s child care model is unsustainable, with providers closing due to financial strain. HB 1132 was just one of many moving parts in addressing child care in the state, by allowing “the workers behind the workers” or those who are employed at early child care centers to be eligible for child care assistance.

Child care costs range from $7,000 to $14,000 per year, making it unattainable for low-income families. Additionally, child care workers earn an average of $12.67 per hour — far below the $19.58 living wage. This shortage further limits available child care spots, exacerbating the crisis.

“So how is somebody who is making that wage supposed to afford child care? These people are taking care of our children, but they can’t even afford to have their children taken care of,” Healy said during the House session last month.

When that happens, Healy said, child care workers leave the industry.

The legislation will now require a two-thirds majority in both the state’s House and the Senate chambers to be overturned. HB 1132 was one of the first bills expanding the state’s child care assistance program to pass the House and Senate in a decade. But the bill received less than two-thirds of votes from members of both chambers, which means it is unlikely the legislature will vote to overturn the governor’s veto.

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Jan. 5, 2026

Published

10 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 5, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 5 drawing

04-18-24-51-56, Powerball: 14, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 5 drawing

02-07-08-21-45, Lucky Ball: 15

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Jan. 5 drawing

12-19-21-30-47, Star Ball: 05, ASB: 03

Check Lotto America 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.

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

SD Lottery Lucky For Life winning numbers for Jan. 4, 2026

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 4, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 4 drawing

03-08-13-38-47, Lucky Ball: 02

Check Lucky 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.

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

UND depth shines in fending off South Dakota State in OT

Published

2 days ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

UND depth shines in fending off South Dakota State in OT

GRAND FORKS — UND senior guard Garrett Anderson had shot 1-for-7 from the field before he pulled up for a deep 3-pointer in overtime.

It was a make-or-break shot for the Fighting Hawks, who trailed South Dakota State by two points with 20 seconds remaining.

Anderson’s triple fell. On a Saturday afternoon at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center where several Hawks provided clutch shots late, it was his 3-pointer that iced the victory.

UND senior guard Garrett Anderson dribbles up the court against South Dakota State at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center on Jan. 3, 2026.

Gabe and Reed Uelmen / Grand Forks Herald

“That was a huge three by Garrett,” UND head coach Paul Sather said. “Happy for him, because you feel it with him — when that floodgate opens a little bit of confidence, and not just as a scorer but just as a player, he keeps fighting for it, keeps working for it, keeps keeping the right mindset.”

UND won 90-87, earning its third-straight win over the Jackrabbits and improving to 2-0 (8-10 overall) in Summit League play.

South Dakota State, hot off the heels of a commanding New Year’s Day win over Omaha, fell to 1-1 in conference (8-9 overall).

“These two first league games, you need to protect your home court if you want any chance to be in play at the end of this year,” Sather said. “It’s a great way to start. But you also need to go on the road and win some games. And as I tell the guys, it’s not who, when or where, it’s how you show up to play. And having that mentality, it’s not home and road, it’s ‘Are you ready to go today?’”

The Hawks needed just about everyone to stave off SDSU.

Redshirt sophomore guard Zach Kraft and freshman guard Anthony Smith III led the way with double-digit point totals in a first half that was a high-scoring, fast-paced affair.

UND redshirt sophomore Zach Kraft shoots a 3-pointer against South Dakota State at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center on Jan. 3, 2026.

UND shot 64.3%, South Dakota State 55.6%. By halftime, the Hawks had a slight 50-45 lead.

The shooting cooled down in the second half and in overtime. In those final two frames, the Hawks turned to a variety of players, from the starting lineup to the bench, to keep up with the Jackrabbits.

“It’s hard to sustain that for 40 minutes, but we were able to kind of get ourselves back,” Sather said. “Our bench was fantastic in that first half. … We sustained it, we got back in, we stayed there within distance of it, and guys made plays. We had opportunities to make plays and close the game, but we had plays that were made to get us into overtime and win in overtime.”

Redshirt freshman Greyson Uelmen finished with a team-high 17 points and nailed the final two free throws in overtime to seal the win.

UND freshman guard Anthony Smith III stands on the court while playing South Dakota State at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center on Jan. 3, 2026.

Kraft, who ended with 14 points, splashed a 3-pointer with 47 seconds left in regulation to take a 79-77 lead.

Junior forward George Natsvlishvili came off the bench and tied up the game just minutes earlier with a clutch second-chance layup. He also nabbed a key basket with 1 minute, 56 seconds left in overtime.

Before South Dakota State managed to rally back for its first lead of the second half, a free throw and a layup from Smith kept the Hawks’ offense on pace with the visitors. He finished with 16 points.

UND’s bench contributed 39 points.

UND redshirt freshman guard Greyson Uelmen drives to the rim for a layup against South Dakota State at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center on Jan. 3, 2026.

“I felt like our bench won the game today,” Kraft said. “In the first half, (Smith) came into the game, knocked down that three at the end of the half, and then Wylee (Delorme) in the second half, five rebounds, scoring off the offensive rebounds, it’s huge for us.”

Delorme put together his best game as a Hawk in the win. The sophomore guard from Devils Lake constantly attacked the offensive glass, flexing some creativity with slick drives to the rim.

He earned a season-high 12 points.

UND sophomore guard Wylee Delorme releases a shot against South Dakota State at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center on Jan. 3, 2026.

“We’ve seen him more of a shooter (in practice), I haven’t really seen the behind-the-back, step-through and float,” Anderson said. “That was kind of new, that was a tough move. But he’s gotten to it in practice for sure.”

Kraft, Uelmen, Smith, Delorme and senior guard Eli King all finished with 12 or more points.

“We just relied on our guys that make those tough shots and are built for those moments,” Delorme said. “Seventh, eighth man off the bench — like Marley (Curtis), Marley can have a double-digit day too. All of us can go for 10 points, but it’s just a matter of making the easy plays and just using each other.”

UND will face its first road test of the conference slate this Thursday, when it travels to Omaha.