South Dakota
SD Abortion Rights: Fight over Amendment G continues
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The battle between Life Defense Fund and Dakotans for health continues to play out in the South Dakota court system. Life defense fund alleged that state laws were violated as petition circulators collected signatures for Amendment G
Now, another group of lawyers is entering the conversation.
Lawyers for Freedom Amendment G is a new group being chaired by Renae Christensen and Stephanie Pochop, hoping to advocate for abortion rights in their communities.
“It’s a freedom amendment. Make no mistake about it. This is a slippery slope. If the government is intending on legislating what we can do with our own personal bodies, that is going to give them access to our personal lives in an unbelieve way,” Renee Christensen said, with Christensen Law Office.
“I hope that lawyers still carry enough water and trust among members of the public that we can go and say this is what Amendment G does. Amendment G restores the Roe V. Wade rights that have existed for the last 50 years. It’s not new. It’s not extreme. It’s not wild,” Pochop said, an attorney with Johnson Pochop & Bartling.
Caroline Woods, a spokesperson for the Life Defense Fund, says the case against Dakotans for Health and Amendment G, points to bait and switch tactics, a lack of circulator handouts for those signing the petition, and people signing the same petition multiple times.
The added that they have evidence to back these claims.
“We believe this amendment should not be on the ballot because they cheated their way and they lied their way to get there. The public has no business voting on something like that when they had no business lying and cheating to get there in the first place,” Woods said.
“South Dakota Voters have had this particular issue on the ballot and have expressed a pretty strong opinion about wanting to make sure that women and girls can exercise the right to abortion. I feel like a lot of times our legislators just don’t want to listen to what our voters have to say,” Pochop said.
If the court’s decision isn’t made by November 5 and the measure is voted on and passed, the Life Defense Fund believes Amendment G can still be prevented.
“If we don’t get a decision until after that time the Secretary of State can actually instruct auditors to disregard the votes altogether and not include it in the South Dakota constitution,” Woods said.
“The suggestion that a legal relief would be for the secretary of state to issue a proclamation that votes don’t count is novel at best. I don’t think you’ll find any place in the law where that’s justified,” Nancy Turbak said, the chair of the Freedom Coalition.
All ballot questions must be certified by the Secretary of State by August 15, making it likely that Amendment G will appear on the November Ballot, but its overall future remains unknown.
You can read the Amendment in its entirety HERE.
Copyright 2024 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – A Moody County Sheriff was recently sworn in as President of the National Sheriffs’ Association for the 2026-2027 term.
Sheriff Troy Wellman will become the leader of the U.S.’s largest organization that represents sheriffs and sheriff’s offices from across the country.
“Coming from a small rural county, you learn quickly that relationships matter,” said Wellman. “Sheriffs across this country face many of the same challenges regardless of agency size, and I want to ensure every sheriff’s office has a seat at the table and a voice in the future of our profession.”
Wellman previously served on the NSA Executive Committee and served as President of the South Dakota Sheriffs’ Association.
As President, Wellman will spend the next year working alongside sheriffs and public safety leaders from across the country.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 16, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 16 drawing
12-20-53-67-70, Mega Ball: 12
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 16 drawing
01-13-21-40-57, Bonus: 01
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.
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) – A man now faces a charge of third-degree sexual abuse in Northwest Iowa.
On June 6, at about 5 p.m., authorities say 24-year-old John Chambers, a transient from Brandon, SD, received the charge after he was taken into custody by law enforcement.
Court documents state Chambers was arrested for an incident that took place at a home in Sioux City.
Court documents point out that Chambers came to Sioux City to meet with a 15-year-old girl after they met on social media. Law enforcement says Chambers and the teenager were speaking via social media for about three weeks before deciding to meet up.
Authorities say Chambers traveled to the teen’s home, where he met the 15-year-old’s family.
Chambers was arrested several days later on Monday, June 15, and booked into the Woodbury County Jail on a $20,000 bond. After being arrested, authorities say Chambers admitted to having sexual relations with the teen.
A judge has scheduled a preliminary hearing for Chambers on Friday, June 26, at 9 a.m. at the Law Enforcement Center.
Want to get the latest news and weather from Siouxland’s News Source? Follow these links to download our KTIV News app and our First Alert Weather app.
Copyright 2026 KTIV. All rights reserved.
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