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
VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) — Cameron Fens scored 23 points as South Dakota beat Denver 82-72 on Saturday.
Fens also contributed 12 rebounds and four blocks for the Coyotes (9-9, 1-2 Summit League). Isaac Bruns scored 20 points while going 8 of 12 and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line and added six rebounds. Jordan Crawford went 5 of 11 from the field (3 for 7 from 3-point range) to finish with 13 points.
Gabe Oldham led the Pioneers (8-11, 1-3) in scoring, finishing with 24 points, 13 rebounds and two steals. Denver also got 19 points from Zane Nelson. Carson Johnson also put up 11 points and six assists.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota Highway Patrol is continuing to look for the suspect in a deadly hit-and-run near Humboldt, SD.
In a Facebook post, the SD Highway Patrol has released new details regarding the semi suspected of committing the hit and run.
According to police, the semi is a red Freightliner Cascadia semi, missing its passenger-side headlight.
The semi was traveling eastbound from the Humboldt area on I-90 in the early morning hours of Jan. 3, 2026.
Police are seeking information, video, or pictures from 2:13 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. along I-90 and I-29 from the public.
If you have any tips or footage, contact the South Dakota Highway Patrol District 2 Office at (605) 367-5700.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
South Dakota
Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources announces $48 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.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
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