South Dakota
Remembering Governor George S. Mickelson and the Tragic Plane Crash of April 19th, 1993
On April 19th, 1993, South Dakota was plunged into mourning as Governor George S. Mickelson and seven others met a tragic end in a devastating plane crash near Dubuque, Iowa.
Mickelson, a figure of significant prominence in South Dakota politics, had risen through the ranks, serving as a representative in the State House before being elected as the 28th Governor of South Dakota in 1986 and reelected four years later. His leadership and dedication to the state were evident throughout his tenure as governor.
The ill-fated journey began as Mickelson was returning to Pierre from Cincinnati, where he and economic development specialists from South Dakota and the City of Sioux Falls had talked with John Morrell officials about keeping the company’s Sioux Falls meatpacking plant open.
Tragedy struck around 4 p.m. when pilots reported a loss of a left engine and cabin pressure, causing the plane to drop altitude. The plane, a twin-engine Mitsubishi MU2, hit a silo and exploded. All eight men died instantly on impact. The wreckage of the plane came to rest in a field.
Also killed in the crash were Roland Dolly, commissioner of the State Office of Economic Development; Ron Reed, Director of the State Office of Energy Policy; Angus Anson, General Manager of Northern State Power, South Dakota Region; David Birkeland, President and Chief Executive of First Bank of South Dakota; Roger Hainje, President of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation; Ron Becker, state chief pilot and David Hansen, state pilot.
In the aftermath of the crash, South Dakota found itself grappling with grief and disbelief. Walter Dale Miller stepped into the role of the 29th Governor of South Dakota and was tasked with leading the state through a period of mourning and transition.
The outpouring of support and remembrance for Governor Mickelson and his fellow passengers was immense. An estimated twelve to thirteen thousand people attended a memorial a few days later. Over 1,500 watched his funeral in person or on screens in the First United Methodist Church’s basement in Pierre. Mourners lined up along a 185-mile stretch of Highway 14 from Pierre to Brookings for the procession to Greenwood Cemetery in Brookings.
Mickelson’s namesake is remembered across South Dakota on various institutions and schools that bear his name. The 108-mile Mickelson Trail in the Black Hills was named after the governor, who spearheaded the project before his death.
The Fighting Stallions Memorial sits on the grounds of the South Dakota Capitol and is a tribute to the eight men who died on that fateful day in 1993.
Other Media
Governor Mickelson’s 1988 State of the State speech
George S. Mickelson Inauguration – 1991
George S. Mickelson Trail – 1991 Dedication Event
Five Days in April: A George S. Mickelson Retrospective
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 23, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 23 drawing
15-37-38-41-64, Mega Ball: 21
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 23 drawing
02-04-12-37-42, Lucky Ball: 10
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.
(South Dakota News Watch) – Yes. South Dakota is one of almost 30 states that require front and back license plates on vehicles, though there are a couple of exceptions.
Vehicles that are used for “occasional transportation, public displays, parades and related pleasure hobby activities” can use a rear-only plate. The plates cost $25 in addition to the normal registration cost. To qualify, drivers must provide their odometer reading at the time of registration and not exceed 7,500 miles in a year.
Motorcycles are also only required to have one plate.
Why use rear-only plates? Many owners don’t like how front plates take away from the aesthetic of their vehicles. But dual plates are touted as a way to assist law enforcement with crime.
South Dakota offers more than a dozen different types of plates: construction, emblem, habitat conservation, Dignity sculpture, historical, amateur radio license, disabled person, firefighter, EMS, tribal, tribal veteran, veteran and several military plates.
Source
South Dakota Department of Revenue, Personalized and Specialty Plates
South Dakota Department of Revenue, License plate application
Lakota Times, South Dakota specialty plates available July 1
South Dakota laws, 32-5-98
Thompson Law Injury lawyers, Which states require front license plates?
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This story was produced by South Dakota News Watch, an independent, nonprofit organization. Read more stories and donate at sdnewswatch.org and sign up for an email to get stories when they’re published. Contact Michael Klinski at michael.klinski@sdnewswatch.org.
Copyright 2025 South Dakota News Watch. All rights reserved.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 22, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 22 drawing
03-18-36-41-54, Powerball: 07, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 22 drawing
09-16-23-34-46, Lucky Ball: 07
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 22 drawing
01-09-18-19-44, Star Ball: 02, ASB: 05
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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