South Dakota

South Dakota Senate Bill looks to conduct child care survey

Published

2 years ago

January 26, 2024

South Dakota Senate Bill looks to conduct child care survey

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) – Senate Bill 125 would require the Department of Social Services to conduct a state-wide study on childcare.

Senate Bill 125 would require the Department of Social Services to conduct a state-wide survey.(KOTA KEVN)

Representative Taylor Rayfield of District 14 stated, “Why is it (the survey) important? Well, if we don’t know the cost of childcare, we can’t really move forward and make sure that childcare is affordable for all families.”

The $250,000 would go into studying things such as the time of year when childcare is needed the most, licensing types such as private or home daycare, the age ranges of children in care, and tax reimbursements for care. Kalya Klein, the Director of Early Learning South Dakota, stated, “There are many gaps in childcare within the state and the Black Hills, especially in our smaller towns.” She added, “This bill will highlight those gaps and give the state a better starting point.” She highlighted, “For this bill, we would be looking at any child under the age of 13. So we are looking at those reimbursement rates for any child, from toddlers and preschoolers all the way into school age.”

If passed, the study will also focus on the impact of inflation, population growth, and the growth of childcare providers, as well as the cost of compensation and benefits for childcare workers and develop a cost estimation model of payment for the childcare assistance program.

Representative Rayfield stated, “Childcare is really a workforce issue, and we have an estimated $330 million that we lose every single year because we don’t address our childcare issue.”

The bill has not yet had a committee hearing; if Senate Bill 125 is passed, the report would have to be finished by October 31st, 2024.

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South Dakota

Human trafficking survivor advocate to speak at Rapid City church event

Published

2 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

14 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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