South Dakota

SD committee votes to ‘define man and woman’ in statute

Published

3 months ago

February 20, 2026

SD committee votes to ‘define man and woman’ in statute

Ten members of the House State Affairs committee voted Friday, Feb. 20, to pass a bill “defining man and woman throughout the state,” which opponents said was discriminatory and would open the bill up to costly litigation.

The sole dissenting votes came from Democratic Reps. Erin Healy and Eric Emery, who both expressed concerns for how the bill would affect transgender and Two Spirit South Dakotans.

Healy said House Bill 1184 and similar bills that have come up in the past “attack trans individuals in South Dakota,” complicates their lives and makes it harder for them to exist.

“It feels like Groundhog’s Day,” Healy said. “We do this every year. This bill doesn’t solve a problem. I know some of you think it does. This bill is not saving lives. This bill is harming individuals.”

Emery noted that wíŋkte people, a traditional Two Spirit identity within Oceti Sakowin culture, have been held in high esteem for thousands of years as healers who brought medicine and brought people together. He said the bill is offensive to them.

“We constantly say we don’t want outside state influence, but yet it’s here,” Emery said. “I find it very humorous that we pick and choose when we want to use outside influence, when we say, ‘Stay out of our state, let us handle our own problems.’”

How did the discussion play out?

House Speaker Rep. Jon Hansen, R-Dell Rapids, who is running for governor, brought HB 1184. He said the bill is about “not institutionalizing falsehoods of a particular gender ideology” and holding to “biological reality.” He also argued the bill wouldn’t prevent anyone from living their life how they choose.

Other proponents included lobbyists with Alliance Defending Freedom, Family Voice Action and Concerned Women for America.

Proponents, and the legislators who voted in support of the bill, largely argued that it was common sense legislation, cleans up existing statute, falls in line with a federal executive order, and argued there are only two sexes or genders.

Opponents included lobbyists with South Dakota for Equity, the South Dakota Advocacy Network for Women, and the ACLU of South Dakota.

They largely argued that HB 1184 leads to constitutional impacts, unintended consequences, and broad statutory mandates; conflicts with federal civil rights law; opens the door to litigation; legislates on multiple subjects; reduces South Dakotans to their reproductive capacity and function; and, doesn’t address any clearly demonstrated statewide crisis.

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South Dakota

Human trafficking survivor advocate to speak at Rapid City church event

Published

6 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

Human trafficking survivor advocate to speak at Rapid City church event

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – A Rapid City church is hosting a free community event Thursday to raise awareness about human trafficking, with organizers saying the danger may be closer than people think.

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League at Bethlehem Lutheran Church is opening the presentation to the entire community because organizers say awareness alone can save a life.

“If we can get 20 people to understand what to look for — if we can get 20 people to understand that this organization exists — then we can start shining light into every corner, and suddenly it’ll be a better world,” said Alexandra Loverink, co-president of LWML Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Event details

The free presentation is Thursday, May 14 at 6 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Rushmore Street. The speaker is Reverend Tess Franzen, founder of Freedom’s Journey, a Rapid City-based ministry that has assisted hundreds of trafficking survivors over more than a decade.

Franzen said the problem in South Dakota is far more widespread than most people realize.

“We see mostly sex trafficking, but much of what we see is — some people might call it homegrown or familial,” Franzen said. “We see trafficking here where young people are being trafficked out, their family members are selling access to them when they’re children. And in many cases, they don’t really even realize there’s anything wrong with it.”

Organizer Cari Garwood-Beard said Franzen’s presentation changed how she sees her own neighborhood, and she wants others to have that same wake-up call.

“She told a story about her neighbor one time — just a good old guy — and found out that he was a trafficker. Her neighbor, who she thought was above boards,” Garwood-Beard said. “And it really hit home. My next-door neighbor could be.”

A freewill offering will be collected for Freedom’s Journey at Thursday’s event. Bethlehem Lutheran Church is at 1630 Rushmore Street.

Resources

If you suspect trafficking, dial 9-1-1 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

For more information about Freedom’s Journey, visit their website or call 805.380.8009.

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Mega Millions, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for May 8, 2026

Published

18 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

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

Here’s a look at May 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing

37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing

14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03

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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