South Dakota

South Dakota tourism looking for more spending in 2024

Published

2 years 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

Washington vs. South Dakota State – First round NCAA tournament extended highlights

Published

2 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Press Room

Washington vs. South Dakota State – First round NCAA tournament extended highlights

Women’s Basketball

March 20, 2026

Washington vs. South Dakota State – First round NCAA tournament extended highlights

March 20, 2026

Watch the highlights from No. 6 Washington and No.11 South Dakota State’s matchup in the first round of the 2026 women’s NCAA tournament.

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South Dakota

Washington beats South Dakota State 72-54 for 1st women’s NCAA Tournament win since 2017

Published

14 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

Washington beats South Dakota State 72-54 for 1st women’s NCAA Tournament win since 2017

FORT WORTH, Texas — Avery Howell had 30 points and nine rebounds to lead Washington to its first women’s NCAA Tournament victory since 2017, beating South Dakota State 72-54 on Friday.

South Dakota State jumped out to a 13-3 lead in the first five minutes, but the game was tied at 15 when Howell made a 3-pointer with 50 seconds left in the first quarter. Howell made another 3 only 55 seconds into the second quarter to break that tie and put Washington (22-10) ahead to stay.

Howell, the transfer from Southern Cal who as a freshman last season was part of the Trojans’ run to the Elite Eight, finished with seven 3s.

“That allowed me to have some experience and just feel really comfortable in these type of high-pressure situations,” Howell said, referring to her previous NCAA tourney. “That just allows me to hopefully be a calming presence on the court and just be there for my teammates and for my coaches in any way that I can.”

Brooklyn Meyer had 29 points and seven rebounds for South Dakota State (27-7), which had its 10-game winning streak snapped. Emilee Fox had 14 points.

Brynn McGaughy added 14 points in 18 minutes for the sixth-seeded Huskies, whose last NCAA tourney win came on their way to the Sweet 16 nine years ago. They lost a First Four game to Columbia last season in what had been their only other appearance since then.

“Just really exciting because this is a program that has a lot of great history, a lot of great alumni, so many people that have poured into this university and this women’s basketball program,” coach Tina Langley said. “These young women, they’ve come in here and they’ve done something really hard and I think it says a lot about who they are.”

Washington guard Avery Howell (2) celebrates after sinking a basket as South Dakota State’s Hadley Thul (11) follows behind in the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. Credit: AP/Tony Gutierrez

Quick start for Jackrabbits

Meyer had seven points as the Jackrabbits got out to that early 10-point advantage.

“Felt like we were just rebounding well and taking good looks on offense and just being aggressive on both sides,” Meyer said.

“Couldn’t have asked for a better way to get the game going. So you start having a sense that, OK, there’s some things that are working for us,” South Dakota State coach Aaron Johnston said. “You know, we just gave up offensive rebounds, way too many offensive rebounds that were not contested ones. … I think that got them going and then we just started turning it over too much.”

Washington finished with a 40-25 rebounding margin, including 14 offensive boards that led to 14 second-chance points.

Washington head coach Tina Langley reacts to play in the... — Washington head coach Tina Langley reacts to play in the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against South Dakota State, Friday, March 20, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. Credit: AP/Tony Gutierrez

Ending another 20-win season

The Jackrabbits ended their 15th consecutive 20-win season, matching schools like No. 1 overall seed UConn, Baylor, Louisville and South Carolina with that kind of active streak.

The 11th-seeded Jackrabbits from the Summit League have twice won as a double-digit seed, including over seventh-seeded Oklahoma State last March.

Up next

The Huskies on Sunday play host and third-seeded TCU (30-5), an Elite Eight team last season that has won 43 consecutive home games since February 2023. The Horned Frogs beat UC San Diego 86-40 in their first-round game earlier Friday.

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Millionaire for Life winning numbers for March 19, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

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

Here’s a look at March 19, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 19 drawing

07-35-55-56-57, 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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