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South Dakota

South Dakota football coach Bob Nielson steps down, announces Travis Johansen as new head coach

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12 months ago

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South Dakota football coach Bob Nielson steps down, announces Travis Johansen as new head coach


The University of South Dakota football program announced that head coach Bob Nielson is stepping down with plans to retire after coaching 32 seasons, including the last nine at USD. The school also that defensive coordinator Travis Johansen will take over as head coach.

Last season was the program’s most successful in the Division I FCS era.

“Coaching football is all I have known for the past 42 years and while coaching has been a true blessing it has also been all-encompassing,” Nielson said in a press release. “This decision will allow me to focus on other priorities in my life and while I will deeply miss walking that sideline in the Dome, I look forward to the opportunities ahead.”  

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The 2024 season will go down in history as one of the best Coyote teams ever. Nielson led USD to its first-ever MVFC title after a 7-1 campaign and a win over then-No. 1-ranked North Dakota State to conclude the regular season. He also led the program to the FCS semifinals with an 11-3 overall record, tying the program’s most wins in a single season.

“I want to thank Coach Nielson for his incredible nine years of leadership of our Coyote Football program. Bob has built USD into a championship program that is positioned for success and able to withstand the ongoing challenges in the ever-changing landscape of Division I athletics,” South Dakota athletics director Jon Schemmel said in a press release. “While the thought of Coyote football without Bob and his shirt and tie on the sideline is hard to imagine, I respect his decision to retire at this time and his legacy is cemented at USD. I am so excited for Bob to be able to spend more time with Terri, their children, and grandchildren!”

Nielson posted a 53-48 record as South Dakota’s head coach, which ranks fourth all-time in program history. He led the Coyotes to all four of their FCS Playoff appearances, holding a 4-4 record in playoff games.

“I want to thank Coyote Nation for all the support they have shown Terri and I over the past decade and for the relationships and friendships that we have made and will forever cherish,” Nielson said.

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Johansen has been named the 31st head coach of the South Dakota football program, following six seasons as the program’s defensive coordinator.

Johansen, a native of Blaine, Minnesota, joined the USD football program in February 2019. He coached a pair of Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) Defensive Players of the Year in back-to-back seasons (Brock Mogensen, 2023; Mi’Quise Grace, 2024) and a pair of Buck Buchannan Award Finalists (Mogensen, 2023; Grace, 2024).

“Being the next head football coach at The University of South Dakota is an honor. Thank you to President Gestring, Jon Schemmel, and all our administration for entrusting me to continue the success we’ve built,” Johansen said in the release. “Their leadership and vision is uncommon. When I arrived in 2019 aspirations were high. Over the past six seasons this program has turned those aspirations into expectations.”

The 2024 season saw Johansen lead a unit that ranked in the top 10 in scoring defense and top 20 in rushing defense.

“Although our 2024 season was one to remember, everyone would agree, Coyote Football has our sights set on more,” Johansen said. “We will work tirelessly to bring a National Championship to Vermillion and call on all of Coyote Nation’s support to accomplish that goal. Get your season tickets now, we’ll be back in the dome before we know it. Fight South Dakota!”

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South Dakota

As South Dakota’s student population shrinks, more choose homeschools

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2 hours ago

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January 7, 2026

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As South Dakota’s student population shrinks, more choose homeschools


South Dakota’s K-12 population dropped slightly this year, along with public and private school enrollment, but enrollment in alternative instruction grew once again.

That’s according to headcount numbers taken Sept. 26, 2025, and released by the South Dakota Department of Education by Dec. 31.

All totaled, there are 163,053 K-12 students across the state, with 83% of those students attending public schools, 9% enrolled in nonpublic schools and 8% in alternative instruction.

There are 934 fewer K-12 students across the state than last year’s count of 163,987, a 0.5% decrease.

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Public school enrollment decreased by 1,736 students statewide. Across 147 public school districts, there were 135,577 K-12 students this fall, down from 137,313 in last year’s fall count, a decrease of slightly more than 1%.

2024 fall count: South Dakota’s public school enrollment shrank by more than 400 students, DOE reports

Private school enrollment decreased by 142 students statewide, totaling 15,043 students in nonpublic schools accredited by the SDDOE across the state, down from last year’s count of 15,185, a decrease of 1%.

Nonpublic school enrollment includes 9,462 students in private schools, 5,072 in tribal/BIE schools, 268 in special population schools, 175 in coop/multi-districts, 26 in community-based service providers, 21 in the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and 19 in alternative schools.

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Alternative instruction enrollment increased by 944 students statewide, totaling 12,433 students in alternative instruction or homeschooling this fall, up from 11,489 in last year’s count, an increase of 8%.

In the Sioux Falls metro area, there are 52,325 K-12 students, with 85% attending public schools, 9% enrolled in nonpublic schools and 6% in alternative instruction.

Sioux Falls area public schools

The state’s largest public school district, the Sioux Falls School District, shrunk by 171 students this fall, down from last year’s count of 24,221 K-12 students to this year’s count of 24,050.

Sioux Falls’ neighboring public K-12 school districts saw the following enrollment changes this year:

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  • Harrisburg, the state’s third-largest district, grew by 173 students, from 6,182 last year to 6,355 this year.
  • Brandon Valley, the state’s fourth-largest district, grew by 82 students, from 5,073 last year to 5,155 this year.
  • Tea Area grew by five students, from 2,509 last year to 2,514 this year.
  • West Central shrunk by 32 students, from 1,418 last year to 1,386 this year.
  • Lennox grew by 14 students, from 1,119 last year to 1,133 this year.
  • Tri-Valley grew by 41 students, from 952 last year to 993 this year.
  • Dell Rapids shrunk by 32 students, from 965 last year to 933 this year.
  • Canton shrunk by 23 students, from 888 last year to 865 this year.
  • Baltic grew by three students, from 539 last year to 542 this year.
  • Garretson shrunk by 10 students, from 468 last year to 458 this year.

All totaled, there are 44,384 K-12 students in Sioux Falls area public schools, a growth of 50 students or 0.1% from last fall’s count of 44,334.

Sioux Falls area private schools

Sioux Falls’ three largest private K-12 school systems saw the following enrollment changes this year:

  • Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools, the largest private school system in the state, shrunk by two students, from 2,224 last year to 2,222 this year.
  • Sioux Falls Christian School shrunk by nine students, from 1,447 last year to 1,438 this year.
  • Sioux Falls Lutheran School grew by 41 students, from 336 last year to 377 this year.

Other local nonpublic K-12 school enrollments include:

  • 221 students at St. Mary’s School in Dell Rapids;
  • 130 students at Children’s Home Society of South Dakota;
  • 125 at East Dakota Educational Cooperative;
  • 119 at LifeScape;
  • 49 at McCrossan Boys Ranch;
  • 45 at Good Shepherd Lutheran School,
  • 43 at Westside Christian School,
  • 23 at Bethel Lutheran School;
  • Four at Southeastern;
  • Three at Baan Dek Montessori;
  • One at 605 Prep;
  • One at DakotAbilities.

All totaled, there are 4,801 K-12 students in Sioux Falls area nonpublic schools, a growth of 24 students or 0.5% from last fall’s count of 4,777.

Sioux Falls area alternative instruction

Though it’s the second-largest public school district in the state, Rapid City Area Schools saw the largest number of students opt out of public school and into alternative instruction and homeschooling once again this year, with 1,839 students, followed by the largest district, Sioux Falls, with 1,793 students.

More: Alternative education on the rise as South Dakota Legislature eyes school choice bill

Sioux Falls-area schools had the following alternative instruction enrollment shifts this year:

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  • 1,793 in Sioux Falls, an increase of 131 from last year’s count of 1,662;
  • 379 in Harrisburg, an increase of 78 from last year’s count of 301;
  • 350 in Brandon Valley, an increase of 67 from last year’s count of 283;
  • 111 in Tea, a decrease of four from last year’s count of 115;
  • 105 in Lennox, an increase of two from last year’s count of 103;
  • 97 in West Central, an increase of six from last year’s count of 91; 
  • 87 in Dell Rapids, an increase of 11 from last year’s count of 76;
  • 79 in Canton, a decrease of two from last year’s count of 81;
  • 73 in Tri-Valley, an increase of seven from last year’s count of 66;
  • 42 in Garretson, an increase of 10 from last year’s count of 32;
  • 24 in Baltic, a decrease of one from last year’s count of 25.

All totaled, there are 3,140 students in alternative instruction in the Sioux Falls metro area, an increase of 305 students or 10.7% from last year’s count of 2,835.



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South Dakota

SD Lottery Mega Millions, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Jan. 6, 2026

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14 hours ago

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January 7, 2026

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The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 6, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

09-39-47-58-68, Mega Ball: 24

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

10-13-24-27-31, Lucky Ball: 08

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Check Lucky 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.

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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South Dakota

As South Dakota legislative session nears, dozens of bills already filed

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1 day ago

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January 6, 2026

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As South Dakota legislative session nears, dozens of bills already filed


The 2026 South Dakota legislative session is still a week away but we’re already seeing dozens of bills being introduced.

The Legislative Research Council’s website shows more than 60 bills already on tap as of Tuesday.

But many more are on the way. In recent years, the Legislature has seen on average around 500 bills per session. Generally, a little under half end up being signed into law.

Some of the early bills include an act allowing for the removal of a county commissioner and another creating a tax exemption for data centers.

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Attorney General Marty Jackley is also introducing a host of bills including one allowing law enforcement to seize cryptocurrency that’s part of a criminal investigation.

“Cryptocurrency has become a haven for scammers, drug traffickers, and human traffickers, costing South Dakotans millions in losses and fueling online crime,” said Jackley. “This legislation adds ‘digital currency’ to South Dakota’s seizure laws, giving law enforcement the tools to confiscate illicit crypto assets and disrupt criminal networks hiding behind digital secrecy.”

A full list of bills and resolutions is available on the LRC’s website.

The 2026 session begins Jan. 13.

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