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Judge denies injunction in South Dakota hemp ban case

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Judge denies injunction in South Dakota hemp ban case


A federal judge over the weekend denied a request to block South Dakota’s new law banning certain hemp-derived products, allowing the measure to take effect Monday.

U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte ruled Saturday that Hemp Quarters 605, a Pierre-based retailer, failed to show it would likely succeed in challenging the law’s constitutionality, the South Dakota Searchlight reported.

House Bill 1125, signed by Gov. Kristi Noem in March, amends existing definitions of hemp and industrial hemp products. It defines a “chemically derived cannabinoid” as a substance created by chemically altering compounds from the cannabis plant.

Key provisions of the law include prohibiting the chemical modification or conversion of industrial hemp into delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, delta-10 THC, or similar compounds. It also bans the sale or distribution of industrial hemp products containing chemically derived cannabinoids. Violations are classified as Class 2 misdemeanors.

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Hemp Quarters 605 has argued the law conflicts with the 2018 federal Farm Bill, which legalized hemp production. The retailer claimed it could lose up to 70% of its business under the new restrictions.

The company’s owner, Brandi Barth, also testified about investing $50,000 to renovate its rented building.

Judge Schulte still rejected key arguments from Hemp Quarters 605, finding the law doesn’t improperly interfere with interstate commerce and that South Dakota acted within its police powers to protect public health.

“This Court believes it is unlikely Plaintiff will succeed on the merits of a regulatory taking claim,” Schulte wrote in his 19-page opinion obtained by Green Market Report.

He added, “While this may seem unfair to Plaintiff, as inventory that is legal today will not be legal on July 1, 2024, ‘the (takings) inquiry remains focused on the character of the government action, not the culpability or innocence of the property holder.’”

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The judge also noted that during the hearing, counsel for the state acknowledged that the company was placed in an “extremely difficult position” given the passage of HB 1125 and the change in the law.

“Precedent makes it clear, though, that this Court’s inquiry should not be on the innocence of Plaintiff when making a determination on a regulatory taking claim,” Schulte wrote.

The Hughes County State’s Attorney has agreed not to prosecute the company while the lawsuit continues, but the state Attorney General’s office made no such commitment, court documents show.

The ruling allows South Dakota to join other states cracking down on intoxicating hemp-derived products. Some such as Florida and Massachusetts decided this year to table the question for now. Supporters argue the law is necessary to close a loophole created by the Farm Bill, while critics contend it goes beyond federal regulations and could harm South Dakota’s emerging hemp industry.

Hemp Quarters 605 is allowed to proceed with its lawsuit, but Saturday’s decision suggests an uphill battle.

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South Dakota

Nebraska volleyball to play regular-season match in South Dakota

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Nebraska volleyball to play regular-season match in South Dakota


Nebraska volleyball will play South Dakota State in a regular-season match in Brookings, S.D. The Huskers will face the Jackrabbits on September 2 at First Bank & Trust Arena.

Nebraska finished 2025 with a 33-1 overall record and was ranked No. 3 in the final AVCA poll of the season. South Dakota State was 23-5 and was the Summit League regular-season champions.

These two programs have faced each other before. They played a spring exhibition match in May 2025. The Huskers were victorious by a 4-0 sweep (25-18, 25-19, 25-17, 25-19).

Harper Murray led the Huskers in kills with 12, while also earning seven digs, five blocks and two aces. Andi Jackson delivered a double-double on the day, finishing with 11 kills and 10 blocks. 

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Nebraska is scheduled to play two exhibition games this spring. The Huskers will face Iowa State in Sioux Falls, S.D. on April 11 and Creighton in Omaha on April 17.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire (https://twitter.com/CornhuskersWire) on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebook (https://www.facebook.com/CornhuskersWire) to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.





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SD Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for March 2, 2026

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

Here’s a look at March 2, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 2 drawing

02-17-18-38-62, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Lotto America numbers from March 2 drawing

03-08-17-24-34, Star Ball: 06, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 2 drawing

28-41-42-50-55, Bonus: 02

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

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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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How South Dakota officials have reacted to ‘massive’ US attack on Iran

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How South Dakota officials have reacted to ‘massive’ US attack on Iran


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South Dakota’s Congressional leaders are praising President Donald Trump for his action of joining Israel for a missile-launched attack this weekend in Iran, with the intent to target and dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities and demand regime change.

“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people,” Trump said Saturday, Feb. 28, calling the strikes, “a massive and ongoing operation.”

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Trump has since faced scrutiny for a lack of clarity about the timeline and overall goals of the war, and acting without the direct approval of Congress, which has the power to officially declare war for the U.S. Lawmakers are also in heated debate about whether the Trump’s decision may violate the Constitution, with Democrats calling for a war powers resolution vote to stop the effort, according to multiple military outlets.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, was directly targeted, a Middle Eastern official told USA TODAY. Khamenei was killed in the attacks on Feb. 28, according to Israeli sources who told USA TODAY, CNN and Reuters. He was 86 and had led Iran since 1989.

Iran retaliated with drone and missile strikes, hitting American and Israeli targets, including a U.S. Naval base in Bahrain. Iran said its enemies would be “decisively defeated.”

At least four Americans and an estimated 200 other individuals have been killed, and an estimated 700 injured as of March 2.

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President Trump said he expects more to come.

Here’s what South Dakota Congressional leaders, along with former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who now sits at the helm of the Department of Homeland Security as secretary, have to say about what has been named by the administration as Operation Epic Fury.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune

“For years, Iran’s relentless nuclear ambitions, its expanded ballistic missile inventory and its unwavering support for terror groups in the region have posed a clear and unacceptable threat to U.S. servicemembers, citizens in the region, and many of our allies,” said Thune, a Republican, the morning of Feb. 28 in a comment from his office.

“Despite the dogged efforts of the president and his administration, the Iranian regime has refused the diplomatic off-ramps that would peacefully resolve these national security concerns. I commend President Trump for taking action to thwart these threats,” Thune said, thanking Secretary Rubio for providing updates on these issues throughout the week.

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“I look forward to administration officials briefing all senators about these military operations,” he said. “I commend the bravery of the servicemembers carrying out these operations and pray for the safety of those in harm’s way.”

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds

Rounds, a Republican, said Trump took “the right course of action” when handling the strike.

Rounds later congratulated the United States military and Trump on the death of the Iranian leader, stating the moment “offers a path for a more peaceful Middle East.”

U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson

Johnson, a Republican and the lone U.S. representative for South Dakota, stated the Iranian regime “is full of theocratic thugs and is the world’s largest state sponsor of terror.” He said Trump had given multiple opportunities to change direction.

“I’m praying for the safety of America’s servicemembers, and our allies involved in Operation Epic Fury,” Johnson stated on social media.

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DHS Secretary Kristi Noem

Noem, who left her governorship after she was appointed secretary at the beginning of Trump’s current term, took to social media as well, stating she was actively monitoring any potential threats against America.

“I am in direct coordination with our federal intelligence and law enforcement partners,” she said.



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