South Dakota

Nursing home representatives hope Trump administration halts ‘impossible’ staffing rule • South Dakota Searchlight

Published

1 year ago

November 16, 2024

Nursing home representatives hope Trump administration halts ‘impossible’ staffing rule • South Dakota Searchlight

Organizations representing South Dakota nursing homes are hopeful President-elect Donald Trump will halt a staffing rule they say could devastate their industry.

The organizations have said for over a year that a new staffing rule imposed by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid under President Joe Biden will decimate nursing homes in the state. The price tag for South Dakota nursing homes will be just under $20 million, or $205,000 per facility, they estimate.

“I think we can look forward to different outcomes with those different policymakers in place, not taking that for granted or counting on it as we continue to pursue other strategies,” said Brett Hoffman, director of public policy and communications with the South Dakota Health Care Association. He spoke to the Legislature’s budget committee Thursday in Pierre.

The rule is aimed at increasing accountability and addressing chronically understaffed nursing homes, which can lead to low quality and unsafe care, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

SD awards $2M in grants for long-term care, but facilities sought $5M more

Urban areas of the state, such as Sioux Falls and Rapid City as well as midsize cities such as Aberdeen, Spearfish and Yankton, must meet requirements by May 2026. Rural areas have until May 2027.

The most controversial rules dictate that a registered nurse be on staff at all times and that nursing homes meet a staffing standard of 3.48 hours per resident day.

It would be “impossible” to implement the requirements in South Dakota, Hoffman said. He added that up to 600 nursing home residents — 12.5% of the statewide nursing home resident population — would be at risk for displacement.

After a sharp decline during the pandemic in staffing and slow recovery since then, the rule could cost significantly more if nursing homes must contract travel nurses, said Justin Hinker, vice president of post-acute care at the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations.

About 5% of South Dakota facilities currently meet the hours per resident day requirement, Hinker added.

Two lawsuits are challenging the rule, including one involving South Dakota, and there are several federal bills that could overturn the rule, Hinker said. A potential U.S. Supreme Court decision in a separate case could impact federal agencies’ rulemaking authority.

“We’re not opposed to adequate staffing, but we’re not in favor of a one-size-fits-all,” Hinker said.

Hinker told lawmakers a withdrawal of the rule is not the only action needed to support nursing homes in the state. Lawmakers should continue to invest in the “health care continuum” for South Dakota seniors, he said, including assisted living, home health, hospice and palliative care.

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South Dakota

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

Published

11 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

23 hours 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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South Dakota

A day in South Dakota history

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – On Jan. 7, 1995, William Janklow began his third of four terms as governor. From statehood until 1972, governors served two-year terms. Voters then approved a constitutional amendment in 1972 allowing governors to serve two consecutive four-year terms.

Janklow served from 1979 to 1987 and again from 1995 to 2003. His 16 years are the longest stint of any governor in South Dakota history

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