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South Dakota State offense thrives in Danny Freund's return to Alerus

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South Dakota State offense thrives in Danny Freund's return to Alerus


GRAND FORKS — For the first time since joining South Dakota State football as a co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in January, Danny Freund was back at the Alerus Center.

He watched the Jackrabbits roll to a 38-7 win Saturday over UND from the coaches’ box, a familiar spot for Freund, who coached at UND for 13 years.

Freund isn’t calling plays for the Jacks this season, but his new head coach likes what he’s seeing from his new addition.

Jackrabbits offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Ryan Olson is in charge of playcalling, but “Danny’s done a really good job of working with Olson up top and has really spearheaded, but it’s been Ryan Olson this season,” Jackrabbits coach Jimmy Rogers said.

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Still, as the quarterbacks coach, Freund — a former UND quarterback — spends much of his time working with Mark Gronowski, the reigning Walter Payton Award winner, an honor given to the best FCS offensive player.

Gronowski went 11-for-19 passing for 193 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday’s win.

The three scores, of 25, 39 and 47 yards, were all hauled in by sophomore Griffin Wilde.

“Just the consistency,” Rogers said. “We’re getting better at passing the ball. It’s one of those things that didn’t show up in the North Dakota State game — being able to take downfield shots and Mark having his feet underneath him and delivering the ball with accuracy. He was poised when he got pressured.

“UND blitzes as much as any team that we’ll face in the country, so to be able to see the pressures, be able to work at that, and our O-linemen execute the communication that it takes to pick up some of those things, I thought that was really positive.”

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Wilde ended with five catches for 140 yards – more than UND’s receiving corps combined.

The Jackrabbits heard all about Alerus Center magic and the Hawks’ success at home, but SDSU didn’t let that impact the game.

They might be back-to-back FCS national champions, but Rogers emphasizes the same messaging to his team, no matter the opponent the Jackrabbits are facing.

“This is a completely different team and a bunch of different personnel,” he said. “We’re focused on one game at a time, maybe more than anything else.

“It’s about being present in the moment and not letting things slip on your end. You only get 12 games guaranteed, and it’s really important to try to maximize it in every way, whether that be your intensity or your focus and the preparation. That can’t change based off who you’re playing because you only get so many of them. We work year-round for – what is 60 minutes, 12 times? It goes by really quick, although it feels at times like a lifetime. Try to get the guys to cherish the moment and enjoy being around each other and developing a culture that they want to stick and compete for one another.”

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Freund brought experience to South Dakota State, but his mentality has stuck out to Rogers. It fits into what the Jackrabbits are trying to create, Rogers said.

“He’s just a great coach,” Rogers said. “Having Danny and his family in our program is maybe the biggest impact. Just who they are and what they’ve done as far as the spirit they bring, and they make everybody more positive being around them.”

Abby Sharpe has covered area preps and University of North Dakota athletics for the Herald since July 2023. She graduated from Arizona State University with a sports journalism degree. She loves ’90s sitcoms, historical fiction and Quentin Tarantino movies. Readers can reach Abby at asharpe@gfherald.com.





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South Dakota

Call for artists to create art for South Dakota State Buildings Program

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Call for artists to create art for South Dakota State Buildings Program


RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – The South Dakota Arts Council is seeking submissions for the Art for State Buildings Program. South Dakota artists have until March 1, 2026, to submit purchase proposals for consideration.

The Art for State Buildings program was created for the purpose of creating a permanent collection for the State of South Dakota and exhibiting the work of talented South Dakota artists in areas of state government buildings with public access. Work purchased will be installed in public access areas of the Capitol and other state buildings in Pierre.

Any South Dakota artists whose body of work has contributed to the state’s cultural heritage and development are encouraged to submit their work. Artists may propose one artwork for purchase.

Proposals will be reviewed by an advisory committee to the South Dakota Arts Council.

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Selection will be based on:

  • Quality of the proposed work and relevance to the artist’s career;
  • The artwork’s relevance to South Dakota’s environment, history, heritage, or culture;
  • The applicant’s professional arts experience; and
  • Physical attributes of the artwork regarding durability and safety in a public setting

Submissions must be received through the South Dakota Arts Council’s online Artwork Archive platform. The complete request for proposal and submission instructions are posted at https://artscouncil.sd.gov/directories/artstatebldgs.aspx. For assistance call 605-773-3102 or email sarah.carlson@state.sd.us.

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SD Department of Corrections announces high-risk offender release

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SD Department of Corrections announces high-risk offender release


SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota Department of Corrections is warning the public about the pending release of a prison offender.

Richie Desersa, 31, is scheduled to be released from prison to suspended sentence supervision on December 3, 2025.

SD Department of Corrections announces high-risk offender release(Dakota News Now)

He was convicted of third-degree burglary in 2017 in Minnehaha County.

“Based on the assessments we conduct during incarceration, as well as his criminal history, including prior sex offenses, Offender Desersa is considered to be high-risk for committing additional violent acts in the future,” said Lamb.

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“I am issuing this alert to let law enforcement and the public know about his release.”

Desersa will be released to Sioux Falls with GPS monitoring and must participate in treatment.

He is a Native American male, 5′11″ tall, weighing around 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

This notification is in addition to the letters currently sent to law enforcement and notices provided to the Division of Criminal Investigation each month.

Since 2011, the Department of Corrections has issued a total of 21 public notices of pending high-risk offender releases.

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SD Lottery Lucky For Life winning numbers for Nov. 30, 2025

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The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Nov. 30, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Nov. 30 drawing

03-08-13-17-18, Lucky Ball: 17

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

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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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