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Rural South Dakota youth receive college scholarships

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Rural South Dakota youth receive college scholarships


South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation recently awarded $500 scholarships to youth from five rural South Dakota communities.  

“Youth are our future. These scholarships are among the ways Farmers Union can support rural youth as they pursue the education necessary to keep South Dakota’s agriculture and rural economy strong and moving forward,” said Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director of South Dakota Farmers Union. “When I look at these youth and their future career plans, I believe the future of agriculture in South Dakota is bright.”

Youth receiving scholarships are Holden Hegg, Huron; Abby Kolousek, Wessington Springs; Garrett Kruger, De Smet; Carissa Scheel, Wessington Springs; and Hayden Schroeder, Alexandria.

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Scholarship recipients were selected through an application process.

“I am impressed by the dedication these youth apply to their schoolwork as well as extra-curricular activities in their rural communities through participation in organizations like 4-H and FFA. These students are prepared for success in college,” said Samantha Olson, Education Program Specialist for South Dakota Farmers Union. “These youth understand that in addition to farmers and ranchers, South Dakota’s agriculture industry needs professionals with degrees in engineering, business and communications as well.”

Meet the Scholarship Recipients

Holden Hegg, Huron

Education Plans: Attend South Dakota State University and major in mechanical engineering

Career aspiration: I grew up running equipment and raising cattle on my family’s farm. I have always been passionate about our operation and love working on the mechanical side of things. I plan on tying my mechanical engineering degree with my roots in farming. Mechanical engineers play a crucial role in developing and improving agricultural technology. I plan to use my degree to enhance the ag industry in rural South Dakota.

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Impact of Farmers Union: I grew up attending Farmers Union summer day camps. To this day, I remember the safety courses and videos that taught me about farm safety.

Abby Kolousek, Wessington Springs

Education Plans: Plans to pursue a degree in marketing

Career aspiration: This year I had the opportunity to organize a horse playday for all ages. In addition to signing up volunteers and asking businesses for donations, I also did the marketing for this event.

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Through this and other experiences, I understand that marketing is a skill needed in rural communities throughout South Dakota.

Impact of Farmers Union: Farmers Union has given me opportunities to travel and see different parts of the country, and the organization has also given me friendships that will last a lifetime.

Garrett Kruger, De Smet

Education Plans: Currently studying to become an HVAC/R technician at Western Dakota Technical College

Career aspiration: Rural communities are facing a shortage of HVAC/R professionals. I am eager to begin this career because I will have the opportunity to work on multiple projects and have a positive impact on those I work for.

Impact of Farmers Union: Being involved in Farmers Union has taught me the importance of teamwork and communications and improved my skills in these areas.

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Carissa Scheel, Wessington Springs

Education Plans: Pursue a degree in veterinary medicine

Career aspiration: After becoming a veterinarian, I plan to move back to Wessington Springs and work to help the local agriculture economy by helping ensure animals maintain their health and well-being.

Impact of Farmers Union: I learned about soil health and working with youth when I worked with members of our FFA chapter to host Wessington Springs Farmers Union Day. I serve as Chapter President and I and other members of our chapter put on a presentation about soil erosion.

Hayden Schroeder, Alexandria

Education Plans: Attend South Dakota State University and major in agricultural business and agronomy

Career aspiration: I have been involved in my family farm my entire life and I want to continue my passion working in the agriculture industry as an agronomist, ag banker or in ag marketing, while also farming with my dad and grandpa.

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Impact of Farmers Union: Attending Farmers Union camp increased my understanding of the agricultural industry and expanded my leadership skills.

To learn more about South Dakota Farmers Union educational programming and summer camps, visit www.sdfu.org and click on the Education link. 



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SD Lottery Mega Millions, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for March 10, 2026

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

Here’s a look at March 10, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 10 drawing

16-21-30-35-65, Mega Ball: 07

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 10 drawing

03-27-43-45-49, Bonus: 04

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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Trading property tax for sales tax: Legislature moves forward with parts of homeowner relief package

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Trading property tax for sales tax: Legislature moves forward with parts of homeowner relief package


PIERRE — Two pieces of a property tax reduction package prepared by South Dakota’s legislative leadership and the executive branch are moving forward, but one bill failed during votes on Monday as lawmakers began the final week of the annual legislative session.

The House of Representatives voted

42-27

in support of

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Senate Bill 245

, which would pull future revenue from a scheduled sales tax increase from 4.2% to 4.5% next year into a relief fund for homeowner property taxes, and use nearly $56 million in one-time money to seed the fund before the sales tax increase.

The Senate supported

House Bill 1323

, which would reduce the number of petition signatures needed to force an election on a local government’s decision to levy property taxes beyond limits set by the state. The Senate passed the bill 19-15.

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Both bills have to return to the opposite chamber for consideration of amendments.

The Senate rejected

House Bill 1253

, which would cap annual assessment growth for owner-occupied homes and commercial properties at 5% annually and reset assessments back to market value every five years. The bill failed with a 9-24 vote.

The bills are part of a broader,

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five-bill legislative package

targeted at property tax relief.

Another bill

in the package, which would allow counties to implement a half-percent sales tax with proceeds going to homeowner property tax credits, is awaiting the governor’s signature after he proposed it and it received both chambers’ approval.

The legislative budget committee is scheduled to consider a fifth piece of legislation in the package on Tuesday.

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The bill

would reduce maximum property tax levies for school districts.

Sales tax bill overcomes concerns about future budget needs

SB 245 would capture revenue from the impending sales tax increase to deposit into a “homeowner property tax reduction fund” meant to reduce property taxes levied by school districts. The Legislature and then-Gov. Kristi Noem reduced the state sales tax rate three years ago but scheduled the reduction to sunset in 2027.

House Speaker Jon Hansen, R-Dell Rapids, told lawmakers on Monday that the bill would be an “investment in the people,” because it’ll give South Dakota homeowners more money to spend as they choose. Hansen, the bill’s sponsor and a candidate for governor, said that would lead to more spending and, therefore, more sales tax revenue. The state relies on sales taxes, while counties and schools rely on property taxes, and cities receive revenue from property taxes and sales taxes.

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Some opponents said the legislation would favor wealthier, property-owning South Dakotans rather than lower-income renters.

Rep. Mike Weisgram, R-Fort Pierre, speaks on the House floor at the Capitol in Pierre on March 9, 2026.

(Photo by Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

Rep. Mike Weisgram, R-Fort Pierre, worried that automatically diverting future state revenue to reduce homeowner property taxes would come at the cost of other priorities, such as annual funding increases for state employees, Medicaid providers and public schools — which are known as the “big three” budget priorities. Lawmakers often

aim

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to increase funding for the groups by 3% or inflation, whichever is less. An inflationary increase this legislative session would be 2.5%, according to the state Department of Education.

“We are just clawing to get 1.4% for the big three,” Weisgram said. “I don’t think any of us are proud of that.”

Hansen said the decision “is not an either-or” situation.

“We can help the property taxpayers in the state who desperately, desperately need it,” Hansen said, “and then I trust fully that this state is going to continue to grow and that we are going to be able to meet the needs of our core obligations of this state.”

The bill was introduced as an amendment to placeholder legislation last week, and it will head to the Senate for approval. The Senate narrowly rejected a

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similar proposal

earlier this legislative session.

Senate approves lower signature threshold to force election on excess taxes

The version of House Bill 1323 that passed the Senate would set the number of petition signatures needed to force an election on an excess tax levy (often called an “opt-out”) for a local government at 2,500 or 5% of registered voters within its jurisdiction, whichever is less. The current threshold to refer decisions by a local government is 5% of registered voters in the district, without a 2,500 signature cap.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Taffy Howard, R-Rapid City, said it will still be difficult to refer decisions by a local government to voters.

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“You’re talking dozens and dozens of volunteers, weeks of organized effort,” Howard said. “There’s not a lot of people that have been through that and can even organize that kind of effort. So it’s not a trivial bar.”

Because the bill was amended since it last appeared in the House, it’ll now go to the House for approval.

HB 1253 intended to provide South Dakota homeowners and commercial property owners predictable increases in their property assessments, which factor into property taxes they pay, over five year periods.

But opponents said the change would shift the property tax burden onto farmers and ranchers and surprise homeowners every five years when assessments would be re-based on market value, which could lead to double-digit increases in assessments.

This story was originally published on

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SouthDakotaSearchlight.com.

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Political Pulse: South Dakota Senate Majority Leader Jim Mehlhaff on data centers, property taxes and more

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Political Pulse: South Dakota Senate Majority Leader Jim Mehlhaff on data centers, property taxes and more


RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – State Senate Majority Leader Jim Mehlhaff joined Political Pulse over the weekend.

Mehlhaff weighed in on property tax proposals, data centers, and effort to repeal the death penalty and speculation that Kristi Noem could run for Senate.

The interviewed was taped on Saturday.

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