South Dakota

North Dakota train cars derailed amid tornado warning

Published

1 year ago

August 29, 2024

North Dakota train cars derailed amid tornado warning

Multiple train cars were derailed near a North Dakota town after a suspected tornado struck the area.

An estimated 60 freight rail cars were blown over on Wednesday night just east of Steele, according to Sergeant Paige Swanson, of the Kidder County Sheriff’s Department.

She said she was relieved that the storm did not cause more damage or harm to anyone.

“I am very surprised, because on the other side of the road here, there’s houses and buildings and it just missed them and it just hit the tracks,” she told KX News. “So, thankfully, that’s all that happened.”

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The National Weather Service (NWS) had a tornado warning in place for several counties, including Kidder County, where Steele is located.

Its Bismarck office posted that it was receiving “reports of a large cone tornado near Steele” and people should “take cover” at 7:55 p.m. CDT.

The rail cars are operated by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF), one of the largest freight railroad networks in North America. Between 20 and 30 of them were northbound, with the other half southbound.

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BNSF crews were reported at the scene, along with rail workers who made sure the crossing gates were still working safely.

Kidder and Stutsman counties were under a tornado warning until 9:00 p.m. CDT.

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A warning that specifically covered the towns of Steele, Dawson and Tappen until 8:30 p.m. CDT warned of a “life threatening situation” and urged folks to “seek shelter.”

The threats were listed as a damaging tornado and quarter-sized hail, impacting 1,189 people and four schools.

There are still warnings for severe thunderstorms in place for different parts of North Dakota, with a flash flood alert issued for Medina, Streeter, Cleveland and Windsor.

The NWS predicts that excessive runoff may still produce the flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

Drivers were told: “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.”

The NWS attributed the thunderstorms to a cold front extending from an area of low pressure in Canada moving eastward.

Stock image of a sign welcoming drivers into the state of North Dakota on state route 200, from Montana. Several areas in North Dakota were under tornado warnings.

AP

Forecasters said: “The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk of Severe Thunderstorms (level 2/5) for Thursday, scattered severe thunderstorms are expected to be organized and there may be embedded supercells that may contain damaging winds, large hail and a few tornadoes.”

The last few days have seen multiple incidents of extreme weather hit different parts of the U.S.—from heatwaves to snowstorms to flash floods.

While millions across the Midwest struggled with a brutal heatwave, an unusually cold storm swept in from the Gulf of Alaska and hit the West Coast.

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South Dakota

Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources announces $48 million for statewide projects

Published

6 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources announces million for statewide projects

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) has the approval of over $48 million in loans and grants for statewide projects.

Together with the Board of Water and Natural Resources, a total of $36,958,000 in state loans, including $425,000 in principal forgiveness, was authorized for drinking water and wastewater improvements.

More funding was distributed to the following programs:

BDM Rural Water:

Received an additional $233,450 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to construct a new water treatment plant, install a new water reservoir, install a pipe to expand the water system, and replace water meters

Clay Rural Water:

Received $334,250 in ARPA grant funds to construct two ground storage reservoirs near the Greenfield reservoir and the Wakonda Water Treatment plant

Mid-Dakota Rural Water System:

Received $917,357.85 in ARPA grant to update the existing water system

Mitchell:

Received $3,930,000 in Clean Water State Revolving Funds to upgrade the clay sanitary and storm sewer

Rapid City:

Received a $14,512,000 Drinking Water State Revolving loan to make improvements to an existing well and also construct two new wells

Shared Resources:

Received $1,500,000 in ARPA grant funds for a treatment plant, well field, distribution pipeline, and two storage tanks

Sioux Falls:

Received $7,648,000 to complete a third connection to the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System
Received $17,746,000 to construct a new Southeast Basin sanitary force main

South Lincoln Rural Water System:

Received $328,250 in ARPA funds to install an elevated water tank, new pump station, and new water treatment plant

South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources:

Received $1 million in ARPA funds for its statewide Riparian Buffer Initiative

Toronto:

Received $770,000 Drinking Water Revolving Loan to accommodate the Department of Transportation installing new storm sewers and highway surfacing

These programs are funded through a combination of federal appropriations, loan repayments, and bonds.

The board approved the funding during a January 8 meeting in Pierre.

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Lucky For Life winning numbers for Jan. 8, 2026

Published

18 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

05-12-13-39-48, Lucky Ball: 13

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

Sheridan Lake rescue prompts winter ice safety warning

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Sheridan Lake rescue prompts winter ice safety warning

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – A harrowing scene at Sheridan Lake ended without serious injury Tuesday after a man, a woman and their dog fell through thin ice near the swimming beach, authorities said.

Keep pets on a leash and never attempt a risky rescue if someone falls through the ice, officials said. Call 911 immediately.

The South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks agency advises that ice three inches or less is unsafe. Four inches is generally considered the minimum for walking, ice fishing or skating.

Lt. Casey Kenrick of the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office said the incident is a reminder to take extra precautions this winter.

“Usually at this time the ice is significantly thick on the lakes around the area, well, some aren’t even frozen all the way at this point. The temperatures have been up and down so much that the ice isn’t solid even though it may look like it is, so make sure you know the ice depth that you’re getting onto,” Kenrick said.

Kenrick said those precautions could mean the difference between a close call and a tragedy.

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