South Dakota
South Dakota Bill That Would Have Expanded Free School Lunches Fails By 1 Vote
A South Dakota bill aimed at feeding hungry school kids was killed by the state House’s education committee by a single vote.
The bill, H.B. 1042, would have directed state funding to provide free lunches for food-insecure kids who currently only get them at a reduced price. It failed after the House Education Committee voted 8-7 on Monday against it, Dakota News Now reported.
State Rep. Kadyn Wittman (D-Sioux Falls) introduced the bill, which would have cost the state approximately $578,000 per year, and her efforts won support from numerous education and health groups, the Argus Leader reported. Several conservative lawmakers opposed the bill because of its cost.
“I can’t think of anything more core to education than children having fully developed brains and being able to focus in their schools,” Wittman said during testimony before Monday’s vote. “If we want South Dakota to pull ahead in terms of test scores, absenteeism rates and having better health outcomes for our kids, I can’t think of a better investment.”
South Dakota’s finance commissioner, Jim Terwilliger, said in his own testimony that while the bill is “well-intentioned,” there is no such thing as “free lunch.”
”If we could all vote with our hearts, I know that we would vote to support feeding our children,” Terwilliger said. “But there is a cost to these programs at the end of the day.”
Though Rep. Roger DeGroot (R-Brookings) motioned to move the bill to the House Appropriations committee, Rep. Phil Jensen (R-Rapid City) instead made a substitute motion to kill the bill entirely, which passed by a single vote.
Wittman introduced similar legislation last year that would have had South Dakota join eight other states in providing universal free meals to all public school kids, regardless of income level. That bill was defeated 14-1.
The states currently participating in universal free school meals programs are Massachusetts, California, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, Vermont and Minnesota.
Following Monday’s failed vote, Wittman defended her bill, saying the government should help meet basic needs for children like feeding them.
“It is my belief that because children are in the care of the government while attending public schools, the government should be responsible for meeting basic needs — one of which is food,” Wittman said.
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The Stakes Have Never Been Higher
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – 605 Day at the Smoking Mule in Chamberlain is coming up on June 5.
Owner Erica Sperl and General Manager Dayre Evans joined Dakota News Now with the details.
“So, the Smoking Mule is in Chamberlain, right along the banks of the Missouri River. We got this idea a couple of years ago, where we wanted to have a ‘605 Day’ and celebrate South Dakota businesses,” said Sperl.
“Because we’re right in the center of the state, we get a ton of travelers coming through. So, we kind of feel like a little mini tourist spot. We’re always telling people where to go and what to check out. And so, that’s where the idea came from. Just inviting businesses to join us for the day. Little vendors, big vendors, food, clothes, whatever it is. Just to kind of celebrate the awesomeness of South Dakota.”
“Last year, we had about ten vendors on site. This year, we’re about, just almost to thirty, there’s some more rolling in,” said Evans.
There’s everything from tattoo artists from Winner, South Dakota, on site. There are hand-wrapped floral bouquets, home decor from some local Chamberlain businesses, Coffee Cantina, a coffee shop, on-site, doing drinks all day, and a slushie truck. We have kids face painting, we have family mini sessions right by the river, there’s a cigar shop, there’s breweries on site, including Palace City out of Mitchell.”
There will also be a minno race and a performance from the Rewind Band to end the night, along with much more!
The event will be at the Smoking Mule starting at 12:00 pm on June 5, 2026.
Watch the full interview above to learn more.
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 April 26, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 26 drawing
02-03-06-17-56, 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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