South Dakota

Local authorities warn attack like in New Orleans could happen anywhere

Published

1 year ago

January 2, 2025

Local authorities warn attack like in New Orleans could happen anywhere

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Local South Dakota authorities are warning that an attack like what happened in New Orleans on New Year’s Day could happen anywhere.

For any major event in Sioux Falls, the city’s police department plays a key role in keeping people safe.

Public Information Officer Sam Clemens with the Sioux Falls Police Department said they participate in the planning of those events. A committee of different departments in the city comb over any areas of concern, and work with organizers to put on safe events.

“There’s an incredible amount of resources that goes into planning, and trying to make sure that everybody’s going to be safe,” Clemens said.

But that doesn’t mean people still shouldn’t be paying attention at all times. Nationally, Tom Mynsberge, the president of Critical Incident Management, said people need to be aware at all times of their surrondings, especially if they’re at an outdoor event.

“You can make yourself a victim by not being aware of your surroundings, what might be coming up behind you, and not being able to hear it because you had your noise-canceling earphones in, that’s what they’re for. Not really a good idea anymore in public areas when you’re out there and exposed. Give yourself a defensive posture, or at least a chance when something like this happens,” Mynsberge said.

Clemens said even though they put that much time and resources into planning for major and crowded events, he said that doesn’t mean they can stop everything from happening.

“We can do the planning on our side. We can set up barricades, we can have officers stationed at different areas. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen. We’re just trying to prevent it from happening, trying to mitigate it. But we still want people to have a plan, and have an idea of what to do in case there’s an issue,” Clemens said.

He said the one thing the public can do to keep things safe is to come up with an exit plan in case anything happens. That means identifying exits and talking to the people you’re with where to meet up.

“Just because things are going fine and you’re having fun, whatever the event may be, doesn’t mean that something bad couldn’t happen. So if people just kind of have a plan, what to do, where to go, just making sure that things are the way they seem. If they see something out of the ordinary, we want people to call police or call 911 right away,” Clemens said.

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South Dakota

Human trafficking survivor advocate to speak at Rapid City church event

Published

7 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

Human trafficking survivor advocate to speak at Rapid City church event

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – A Rapid City church is hosting a free community event Thursday to raise awareness about human trafficking, with organizers saying the danger may be closer than people think.

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League at Bethlehem Lutheran Church is opening the presentation to the entire community because organizers say awareness alone can save a life.

“If we can get 20 people to understand what to look for — if we can get 20 people to understand that this organization exists — then we can start shining light into every corner, and suddenly it’ll be a better world,” said Alexandra Loverink, co-president of LWML Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Event details

The free presentation is Thursday, May 14 at 6 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Rushmore Street. The speaker is Reverend Tess Franzen, founder of Freedom’s Journey, a Rapid City-based ministry that has assisted hundreds of trafficking survivors over more than a decade.

Franzen said the problem in South Dakota is far more widespread than most people realize.

“We see mostly sex trafficking, but much of what we see is — some people might call it homegrown or familial,” Franzen said. “We see trafficking here where young people are being trafficked out, their family members are selling access to them when they’re children. And in many cases, they don’t really even realize there’s anything wrong with it.”

Organizer Cari Garwood-Beard said Franzen’s presentation changed how she sees her own neighborhood, and she wants others to have that same wake-up call.

“She told a story about her neighbor one time — just a good old guy — and found out that he was a trafficker. Her neighbor, who she thought was above boards,” Garwood-Beard said. “And it really hit home. My next-door neighbor could be.”

A freewill offering will be collected for Freedom’s Journey at Thursday’s event. Bethlehem Lutheran Church is at 1630 Rushmore Street.

Resources

If you suspect trafficking, dial 9-1-1 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

For more information about Freedom’s Journey, visit their website or call 805.380.8009.

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Mega Millions, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for May 8, 2026

Published

19 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

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

Here’s a look at May 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing

37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing

14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03

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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