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South Dakota rancher named to National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trailblazers Cohort

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South Dakota rancher named to National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trailblazers Cohort


MITCHELL, S.D. — For Calli Williams, being named to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trailblazers program is the culmination of years of hard work, advocacy and building a ranch from the ground up with her husband, Tate, and their two sons.

“We are first-generation ranchers located near Mitchell, South Dakota,” Williams said. “In the 10 years Tate and I have been together, we’ve doubled our cow size. We’re at a point where we’ve kind of maxed out the property that we own, so we’re always looking to continue to grow.”

Williams, who co-manages their annual online bull sale and direct-to-consumer retail beef business, has long had a passion for promoting the beef industry. That passion started early, when she was named the South Dakota Beef Ambassador in 2009. But it wasn’t until recently that she decided to take the next big step and apply for National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Trailblazers, a program that trains beef advocates across the country to effectively communicate and represent the industry.

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Calli Williams ranches near Mitchell, South Dakota, with her husband, Tate, and their two sons.

Courtesy / Clay Guardipee

“I had seen a couple of girls on the team last year and the year prior, women that I absolutely admire,” Williams said. “And I thought, that is a heck of an honor to be on a team like that. I thought, you know what, now or never.”

The application process included short essays, a video submission, and certifications in Beef Quality Assurance and Masters of Beef Advocacy.

“And then we had to submit a five- to six-minute video of why we thought we should be a member,” she said.

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Her first in-person orientation with the Trailblazers team is set for the end of June at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association headquarters in Denver.

“It’s only a two-day orientation, but it is going to be packed full,” she said, highlighting mock interviews, panel sessions, keynote deliveries, a culinary challenge, and a visit to a feedlot.

Balancing the ranch, her children, and a leadership role on the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association board, Williams acknowledges the challenge of taking on more, but also the necessity.

“It felt like it’s time that I step back on that platform of promoting and advocacy outside of just social media,” she said. “As hard as it is to leave the ranch, I think it’s important that we make those connections.”

Williams currently serves as the vice president of membership for the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, where she’s focused on member engagement and partnership development.

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“I set a personal goal of where I’d like to see our membership when my position is up,” she said. “We’re in that brainstorming process, what brands or businesses can we partner with, how do we get additional cattlemen involved?”

Her selection to the Trailblazers program is celebrated by industry leaders back home.

CalliWilliams

Calli Williams ranches near Mitchell, South Dakota, and was recently selected to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trailblazers program.

Courtesy / Clay Guardipee

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“The beef industry needs strong, effective advocates — and Calli is exactly that,” said Warren Symens, president of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association. “Her passion, dedication, and understanding of the industry make her an ideal representative for South Dakota. We’re excited to see the difference she’ll make on a national level.”

Williams also wants to be a voice of encouragement for those just getting their start.

“I think about Tate — he grew up on Lake Mitchell, zero ag background. He started buying cows in high school because of a friend’s operation,” she said. “There are families out there who would love a kid to come show something of theirs. It’s about making those relationships, letting people know you’re interested.”

Williams sees this opportunity as more than just personal growth for herself, she hopes to build community, raise awareness of the beef industry, and help shape the future of agriculture.

“There’s a lot to learn,” she said, “but we’re here, and we’re doing it.”

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Kennedy is a reporter for Sioux Falls Live based out of Brookings with a focus on the people and issues in Northeast South Dakota. She grew up on an organic crop farm where her family also raises cattle near Estelline and also contributes to AgWeek. She graduated from South Dakota State University in 2023 with a major in agricultural communication and minor in agricultural business.





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South Dakota

SD Lottery Mega Millions, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for March 10, 2026

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

Here’s a look at March 10, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 10 drawing

16-21-30-35-65, Mega Ball: 07

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 10 drawing

03-27-43-45-49, Bonus: 04

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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Trading property tax for sales tax: Legislature moves forward with parts of homeowner relief package

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Trading property tax for sales tax: Legislature moves forward with parts of homeowner relief package


PIERRE — Two pieces of a property tax reduction package prepared by South Dakota’s legislative leadership and the executive branch are moving forward, but one bill failed during votes on Monday as lawmakers began the final week of the annual legislative session.

The House of Representatives voted

42-27

in support of

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Senate Bill 245

, which would pull future revenue from a scheduled sales tax increase from 4.2% to 4.5% next year into a relief fund for homeowner property taxes, and use nearly $56 million in one-time money to seed the fund before the sales tax increase.

The Senate supported

House Bill 1323

, which would reduce the number of petition signatures needed to force an election on a local government’s decision to levy property taxes beyond limits set by the state. The Senate passed the bill 19-15.

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Both bills have to return to the opposite chamber for consideration of amendments.

The Senate rejected

House Bill 1253

, which would cap annual assessment growth for owner-occupied homes and commercial properties at 5% annually and reset assessments back to market value every five years. The bill failed with a 9-24 vote.

The bills are part of a broader,

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five-bill legislative package

targeted at property tax relief.

Another bill

in the package, which would allow counties to implement a half-percent sales tax with proceeds going to homeowner property tax credits, is awaiting the governor’s signature after he proposed it and it received both chambers’ approval.

The legislative budget committee is scheduled to consider a fifth piece of legislation in the package on Tuesday.

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The bill

would reduce maximum property tax levies for school districts.

Sales tax bill overcomes concerns about future budget needs

SB 245 would capture revenue from the impending sales tax increase to deposit into a “homeowner property tax reduction fund” meant to reduce property taxes levied by school districts. The Legislature and then-Gov. Kristi Noem reduced the state sales tax rate three years ago but scheduled the reduction to sunset in 2027.

House Speaker Jon Hansen, R-Dell Rapids, told lawmakers on Monday that the bill would be an “investment in the people,” because it’ll give South Dakota homeowners more money to spend as they choose. Hansen, the bill’s sponsor and a candidate for governor, said that would lead to more spending and, therefore, more sales tax revenue. The state relies on sales taxes, while counties and schools rely on property taxes, and cities receive revenue from property taxes and sales taxes.

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Some opponents said the legislation would favor wealthier, property-owning South Dakotans rather than lower-income renters.

Rep. Mike Weisgram, R-Fort Pierre, speaks on the House floor at the Capitol in Pierre on March 9, 2026.

(Photo by Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

Rep. Mike Weisgram, R-Fort Pierre, worried that automatically diverting future state revenue to reduce homeowner property taxes would come at the cost of other priorities, such as annual funding increases for state employees, Medicaid providers and public schools — which are known as the “big three” budget priorities. Lawmakers often

aim

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to increase funding for the groups by 3% or inflation, whichever is less. An inflationary increase this legislative session would be 2.5%, according to the state Department of Education.

“We are just clawing to get 1.4% for the big three,” Weisgram said. “I don’t think any of us are proud of that.”

Hansen said the decision “is not an either-or” situation.

“We can help the property taxpayers in the state who desperately, desperately need it,” Hansen said, “and then I trust fully that this state is going to continue to grow and that we are going to be able to meet the needs of our core obligations of this state.”

The bill was introduced as an amendment to placeholder legislation last week, and it will head to the Senate for approval. The Senate narrowly rejected a

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similar proposal

earlier this legislative session.

Senate approves lower signature threshold to force election on excess taxes

The version of House Bill 1323 that passed the Senate would set the number of petition signatures needed to force an election on an excess tax levy (often called an “opt-out”) for a local government at 2,500 or 5% of registered voters within its jurisdiction, whichever is less. The current threshold to refer decisions by a local government is 5% of registered voters in the district, without a 2,500 signature cap.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Taffy Howard, R-Rapid City, said it will still be difficult to refer decisions by a local government to voters.

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“You’re talking dozens and dozens of volunteers, weeks of organized effort,” Howard said. “There’s not a lot of people that have been through that and can even organize that kind of effort. So it’s not a trivial bar.”

Because the bill was amended since it last appeared in the House, it’ll now go to the House for approval.

HB 1253 intended to provide South Dakota homeowners and commercial property owners predictable increases in their property assessments, which factor into property taxes they pay, over five year periods.

But opponents said the change would shift the property tax burden onto farmers and ranchers and surprise homeowners every five years when assessments would be re-based on market value, which could lead to double-digit increases in assessments.

This story was originally published on

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SouthDakotaSearchlight.com.

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Political Pulse: South Dakota Senate Majority Leader Jim Mehlhaff on data centers, property taxes and more

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Political Pulse: South Dakota Senate Majority Leader Jim Mehlhaff on data centers, property taxes and more


RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – State Senate Majority Leader Jim Mehlhaff joined Political Pulse over the weekend.

Mehlhaff weighed in on property tax proposals, data centers, and effort to repeal the death penalty and speculation that Kristi Noem could run for Senate.

The interviewed was taped on Saturday.

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