South Dakota
Some unsolicited advice for South Dakota’s next governor • South Dakota Searchlight
Sometime this month Gov. Kristi Noem will get her seal of approval from the U.S. Senate to become the nation’s next secretary of Homeland Security. That paves the way for Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden to be the next governor of South Dakota.
With Rhoden’s experience as a legislator and his six years as president of the Senate, he has a firm grip on how things work in the state Capitol. During her tenure, it often seemed like Noem was more concerned about where her next job was coming from than she was in learning how to do the job that she had.
All of Rhoden’s legislative and political know-how will be needed as he takes on the role of governor during a legislative session that includes an influx of lawmakers who are most kindly described as non-traditional Republicans. Given his experience, Rhoden may be the best choice to step into an ongoing legislative session and navigate what are sure to be some choppy political waters.
Anyone going into a new job, even a seasoned veteran of the Legislature like Rhoden, could use some guidance. Here’s some unsolicited advice for the man who will be South Dakota’s 34th governor.
Make peace with the state’s Indian tribes.
It’s best to let the tribes know early and often that there’s a new governor in town who doesn’t think that they’re collaborating with drug cartels and who would like to be welcome on the reservations. If you do believe they’re allied with the cartels, make sure you have some proof before you start making allegations. Even though the tribes are sovereign nations, they should be treated with the respect and courtesy due any other South Dakotans.
Don’t try to solve national problems with state dollars.
With the state budget you’ve inherited, there likely won’t be enough money for any more grand gestures. Even so, please resist the temptation to use taxpayer dollars on National Guard deployments to the Texas border. There’s plenty for you to spend those dollars on here at home.
Embrace the traditional forms of communication.
Sure, you can copy the social media apparatus created by your predecessor. But keep in mind there’s a significant portion of the population that still gets its information from legacy media. To communicate with those people, that means having regular news conferences during the legislative session. That means having a communications staff that answers media questions readily and fully. That means not wasting your time, and the media’s, by howling “fake news” when you don’t like what’s written about you and then calling regular press conferences to update the public during a disaster.
If you want to show that you’ve got a better grip than your predecessor on the importance of transparency, throw your support to Senate Bill 9. That bill calls for making public the calendars and appointment logs of statewide elected officials and department heads. Currently those documents can be, and the governor’s currently is, closed to public scrutiny. Backing SB 9 would show that you’re all for letting the public know how their elected officials are spending their time.
It’s possible to be a Republican without going full-MAGA.
You can have deep feelings about border security without investing South Dakota’s tax dollars in another state. You can hold on to your GOP bonafides without embracing popular conservative causes like Noem’s call for crippling budget cuts for public broadcasting or her plan to spend $4 million in taxpayer dollars on tuition for private school students.
Time is short, but don’t be afraid to take on a big project.
The next election for governor takes place in 2026 and while no announcements have been made, the field of candidates for the Republican primary already looks crowded. You’ll be the incumbent, likely pitted against U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, Attorney General Marty Jackley and a player to be named later from the less-than-traditional wing of the Republican Party. There’s still time to offer a big idea about how to handle property tax reform or how to get teacher pay out of the basement of national rankings. Even with two years as governor to bolster your name recognition, you’re going to need to accomplish something big that sets you apart from the crowd.
It’s probably best if you don’t follow Noem’s example.
Noem was always shooting for higher office — when she wasn’t shooting pets or farm animals. Those national ambitions have paid off for her. Now it’s time for South Dakota to have a leader intent on leading the state rather than using the time in office to buff up a resume.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
BURKE, S.D. – A Nebraska man who died in a single vehicle crash Tuesday evening, 10 miles east of Burke has been identified.
Preliminary crash information from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety indicates Roy Robert Cadwallader, 71, of Stuart, Nebraska, the driver of a 1939 Chevrolet JB Coupe, was traveling eastbound on Highway 18 when the vehicle left the roadway and entered the ditch. The vehicle struck an approach, went airborne, then rolled.
Cadwallander died at the scene.
The crash occurred at approximately 7:24 p.m. Tuesday, June 9 near mile marker 296, about 10 miles east of Burke in Gregory County. Seat belt use remains under investigation, according to the SDDPS.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. All information released so far is only preliminary. The Highway Patrol is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “Mitchell Republic.” Often, the “Mitchell Republic” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 13, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 13 drawing
03-13-44-50-53, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 4
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from June 13 drawing
06-13-31-35-48, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 05
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Dakota Cash numbers from June 13 drawing
04-10-18-28-30
Check Dakota Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 13 drawing
03-05-11-13-49, 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.
America is in a race, one that will define global economic leadership for the next decade. China is aggressively
positioning
itself as a center for artificial intelligence development and deployment. The winner will capture enormous competitive advantages in innovation, job creation and geopolitical influence. But there’s a detail often overlooked in this high-stakes competition. None of it happens without reliable critical infrastructure, such as power and data centers.
Winning the AI race is fundamentally about establishing the critical infrastructure that powers innovation. AI systems rely on data centers, and data centers require electricity. If the United States intends to remain competitive, we must be able to build and power that infrastructure efficiently and affordably. That requires thoughtful policy, modernized permitting and a clear commitment to growth.
Data centers are not secondary to the tech economy. They are the foundation. The nation that builds and controls the most advanced, reliable and affordable data center infrastructure will lead in AI development and deployment.
Here in South Dakota, we have the essential components to build this critical infrastructure. Our affordable energy, vast land and strong workforce create the necessary conditions for establishing data center facilities that can compete globally. Tech employment in our state has grown
17 percent
in recent years, outpacing many parts of the country. This is a signal that South Dakota can support and sustain the specialized environment required for advanced infrastructure development.
But having these advantages is not enough. The window of opportunity is finite, and other states are mobilizing their own competitive advantages. If we want South Dakota to be where America builds the critical infrastructure that powers the AI future, we must act decisively. Supporting and enabling this infrastructure development is not a favor to industry. It is imperative for our state and our nation.
Establishing critical data center infrastructure in South Dakota delivers immediate and long-term benefits for our communities. Big Watt alone currently contributes roughly $900,000 a year in kilowatt-hour taxes directly to local schools and could eventually provide more than $160 million annually as future phases come online. Its payroll already totals several million dollars a year, with nearly all staff drawn from within the region. This kind of investment can strengthen schools, support local businesses and create lasting economic opportunity.
Additionally, construction and development of this infrastructure alone can support hundreds of electricians, contractors, engineers and skilled trades workers. These are good-paying jobs that circulate dollars through local businesses. For rural parts of our state, that kind of investment can be transformative.
At Oahe Electric Cooperative, we see how thoughtful planning and load growth can support grid upgrades while protecting affordability for the families and small businesses we serve. We also know South Dakota is already a leader in renewable energy, with 29 wind projects totaling 3,476 megawatts, along with growing solar capacity and grid storage resources. As demand for electricity grows, we are taking on new generation responsibly through an all-of-the-above energy strategy that rests on a reliable foundation of natural gas and coal, accompanied by wind and solar resources. Just as importantly, data centers should be required to pay the upfront costs associated with their onboarding so existing consumers are not left subsidizing the infrastructure needed to support large-scale new load. When planned responsibly, this approach can support grid upgrades and new generation in ways that maintain reliability and protect affordability for South Dakota’s households and small businesses.
The broader significance is strategic. By establishing critical infrastructure for the technology economy, South Dakota positions itself as essential to American competitiveness. We attract complementary investment, develop specialized workforce expertise and build advantages that strengthen our state’s position in the global economy for decades. If our policies create uncertainty or make infrastructure development
financially unworkable
, capital will flow to other states where the path is clearer and the commitment is stronger. We must transform from a state watching the technology race to a state where the race is won.
Our state must act now to establish the critical infrastructure that will power American innovation for the next decade. This is our moment to position South Dakota as essential to winning the technology race. With practical regulations and a clear commitment to supporting data center infrastructure development, we can ensure that South Dakota is where America builds the advanced infrastructure that leads the world in artificial intelligence. The technology shaping the global economy will be powered by the infrastructure we build today. South Dakota can be that foundation.
-
Los Angeles, Ca21 minutes agoPasadena man run over by catalytic converter thieves faces long recovery
-
Detroit, MI39 minutes agoVernors fans tickled to celebrate 160 years of iconic pop at Detroit event
-
San Francisco, CA51 minutes agoChicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants preview, Sunday 6/14, 2:10 CT
-
Dallas, TX54 minutes agoDallas Stadium Live: Traffic, weather & match updates — Japan vs Netherlands
-
Miami, FL59 minutes agoSpirit Airlines acquisition bid submitted by Mooney International, company says
-
Boston, MA1 hour agoBoston Police Blotter: Boat fire in Dorchester near Rainbow Swash mural
-
Denver, CO1 hour agoKalshi World Cup Promo Code DENVER: Trade $10, Get $10 Bonus for Sunday Night Matches – Denver Stiffs
-
Seattle, WA1 hour agoWEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Heat Advisory update; cooling center at The Y
