South Dakota

South Dakota tourism looking for more spending in 2024

Published

1 year ago

September 3, 2024

South Dakota tourism looking for more spending in 2024

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – South Dakota tourism industry leaders don’t expect 2024 to set a new record for yearly visitors, but they do expect each visitor to spend more.

2023 saw about 14.7 million tourists visit South Dakota, with an estimated $7.9 billion in economic impact for the state. For the second year in a row, southeastern South Dakota saw a higher economic impact than the Black Hills and Badlands. Sioux Falls and its surrounding area saw $1.96 billion in tourism spending, while the main tourism spots West River saw $1.92 billion in spending.

Experience Sioux Falls CEO Teri Schmidt said it’s nice to come out on top once again last year, and said it’s taken years of work and advertising to catch up to the western side of the state.

“We worked long and hard to get those numbers to go up. It’s really taken everybody, from certainly not only our office, but South Dakota Tourism, all of the hotels and attractions,” Schmidt said.

For Travel South Dakota, that friendly rivalry is a good thing. It brings a boost to both sides of the state, and helps elevate other communities as well.

“We know that big attractions like Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Badlands National Park and Custer State Park are a huge hook for visitors. But what really has happened is Sioux Falls, Watertown, Brookings, Huron, Mitchell, and all of these communities along the way have continued to up their game,” Travel SD Global Media Public Relations Director Katlyn Svendsen said.

So far, 2024′s estimated numbers don’t suggest that tourist numbers will be up much if at all. Svendsen said they expect that number to remain flat. But she added that they do expect the amount of money spent by travelers to be up.

“We are looking at it potentially being a little bit flat as we round out in terms of number of visitors coming in to South Dakota. But the exciting news is that they are spending dollars in South Dakota, and that number appears to be up,” Svendsen said.

Schmidt said their next big item on the calendar is the start of pheasant season. That starts in the middle of October, and it’s expected to bring a big boost to Sioux Falls and a number of other communities where hunters go to.

“So that’s coming together. Before we know it, those airplanes are going to be coming in filled with hunters, and we’re going to be there to welcome them,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt said the time between now and hunting season won’t be quiet either, as they see a number of people coming during what they call ‘shoulder season.’ That’s when people travel specifically to avoid peak tourism times, which in turn adds a small boost for businesses and communities.

“We could still see that surge. Just because the ‘real tourism’ season is over, we have another tourism season that’s starting now called our ‘shoulder season.’ That’s when a lot of people travel, bus tour groups, families, that don’t want to travel when there’s so much activity in the state,” Schmidt said. “They like a bit of a quieter visit. So tourism season is not over. It’s going to go on through October and then we’ll fall into the fall season, and go into the holidays for shopping, and dining, and parties and all the things that keep the season going.”

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South Dakota

Where to watch SDSU at South Dakota men’s basketball today, time, TV

Published

37 minutes ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Where to watch SDSU at South Dakota men’s basketball today, time, TV

The South Dakota State men’s basketball team has a chance to get some payback against South Dakota today in both teams’ final game before the Summit League Tournament begins.

The Jackrabbits (14-16, 7-8 Summit League) have won three of four and just beat Kansas City 73-59 on Thursday, Feb. 26. The Coyotes (15-15, 7-8) are headed in the opposite direction, having stopped a three-game skid with an 89-72 win over Omaha on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Here’s how to watch the two rivals battle again.

South Dakota State at South Dakota men’s basketball TV, radio, stream

Radio: Jackrabbit Sports Network, Coyote Sports Network

Stream: Summit League Network

South Dakota State at South Dakota time today

Location: Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion

South Dakota State at South Dakota prediction

Paul Cifonelli, Argus Leader: Like the first time these two teams met, this is a matchup between two squads headed in different directions. Somehow, they’ve managed to flip roles in just three weeks.

South Dakota looks like it is running out of steam quickly after impressing and threatening the third spot in the Summit League in early February. South Dakota State has rebounded from losing five of six nicely, giving themselves a chance at hitting .500 on the season.

I expect the Jackrabbits to continue playing inspired and hard, and for them to overwhelm a Coyote side that has shown more fight than anyone could’ve imagined.

South Dakota State 73, South Dakota 65

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Mega Millions, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for Feb. 27, 2026

Published

13 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

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

Here’s a look at Feb. 27, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

11-18-39-43-67, Mega Ball: 23

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

03-04-13-28-42, Bonus: 02

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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