South Dakota
State changes child care subsidy policy to better support providers – South Dakota Searchlight
A program meant to help low-income families pay for child care changed this month to better support providers.
The change to the South Dakota Department of Social Services’ Child Care Assistance Program moved from an attendance-based policy to enrollment-based, which child care advocates say is welcome.
Department Secretary Matt Althoff said in a news release last month that the program is intended to serve “both families and providers in a way that can provide predictable payments that ease budgeting as well as the administrative burdens of program participation.”
The change took effect on Jan. 1.
The state’s child care subsidy programs have been under fire in recent years. Of the roughly 29,000 South Dakota children who qualify for subsidized child care, only 1,800 receive assistance — about 7%.
That low participation rate is compounded by the fact that child care providers often lose money when they accept state subsidies, Early Learner South Dakota Director Kayla Klein told South Dakota Searchlight last year.
“People tend to want paying parents and don’t want to deal with subsidies because there are so many flaws in the system,” Klein said at the time.
The previous assistance program policy reimbursed child care providers based on the hours a child was in child care, rather than for a full day. Many families don’t keep their children in day care for the entire time a provider is open.
If parents who are eligible for a subsidy picked up their child early, the provider wouldn’t get the full day’s amount, even though the spot was reserved for a full day.
“At the end of the day, the child spot still needs to be paid in full,” Klein said in a news release.
The switch to enrollment-based subsidies would cover the entire day, saving child care businesses money and allowing providers to better predict their bottom line, said Mike Bockorny, chair of the Economic Development Professionals Association, in a news release.
Child care advocates have cited a number of other policy and legislative changes that could boost South Dakota’s child care industry, including:
- Changing regulations that disqualify or discourage some low-income families — single parents, teen parents and homeless families — from the state subsidy program.
- Basing child care subsidy rates on true costs rather than market rates.
- Partnering with a national organization to analyze how the state is financially supporting the child care industry.
“This change is part of an ongoing effort to reduce barriers to Child Care Assistance participation,” Althoff said. “We will continue to look towards opportunities afforded through system modernization.”
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
How Fourth of July became a celebration of history and hope
From revolution to massive fireworks, July Fourth evolved into a celebration of history, heritage and America’s values.
President Donald Trump will kick off Independence Day weekend with a speech at Mount Rushmore beneath busts of four of his predecessors.
As part of a day of festivities tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary, the president will address visitors to the South Dakota landmark in a keynote address on Friday, July 3. at approximately 8:30 p.m. MT/10:30 p.m. ET according to the schedule released by the White House.
After the president’s remarks, the night will end with a massive fireworks display. It will be Mount Rushmore’s first time hosting a July 3 fireworks display since 2020, which Trump also attended during his first term in office.
Earlier in the day, there will be a slew of activities and programming on site for visitors before the evening festivities. The National Park Service and the state are coordinating the celebration, and a ticket lottery to attend has already closed.
Here’s what to know about the timing of the Mount Rushmore celebrations and how to tune in.
What will be at the Mount Rushmore July 3 event?
The event on July Fourth eve will feature myriad exhibits, reenactors and interactive experiences throughout the day, according to Freedom 250, the group working with Trump’s administration to coordinate the weekend’s events.
At night, it will transition into a tribute to the Armed Forces, including military bands, aviation flyovers and precision drill demonstrations, the group said.
After, South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum will take the stage to introduce Trump.
Following the president’s remarks, the event will conclude with the fireworks show.
What time is Trump speaking at Mount Rushmore? See schedule
Trump is expected to deliver his Mount Rushmore address at 8:30 p.m. MT (10:30 p.m. ET), according to the White House, though organizers have not yet released a detailed event schedule.
However, the day’s programming is set to run from 4-10 p.m. local time, according to the National Park Service.
The fireworks, which will close out the event, are expected to begin around 9:30 p.m. local time, according to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Where to watch Trump’s speech at Mount Rushmore
The Mount Rushmore event will be streamed live on Travel South Dakota’s website.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 2, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 2 drawing
13-21-25-37-47, Bonus: 01
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.
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – The President set to travel to Mount Rushmore to mark America’s 250th anniversary.
Friday, President Donald Trump is taking that celebration to one America’s most iconic sites, Mount Rushmore
The President is traveling to South Dakota for a celebration at Mount Rushmore that will include fireworks, military bands and flyovers – including one by the new Air Force One – which had its maiden flight on Wednesday to North Dakota. The Boeing 747 is a gift from Qatar.
While at Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills near Keystone, South Dakota, President Trump will deliver a keynote address marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The sculpture at Mount Rushmore features 60-foot-tall depictions of the heads of four U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. They were chosen to represent the nation’s foundation, expansion, development, and preservation
President Trump last visited Mount Rushmore for a Fourth of July Celebration in 2020. The event featured the first official fireworks display at the monument in over a decade.
He’s also repeatedly joked that his face should be added to the monument.
Copyright 2026 Gray DC. All rights reserved.
-
Los Angeles, Ca24 minutes agoWildfire burning on hillside near Cal State San Bernardino
-
Detroit, MI42 minutes agoPistons sign premier shot-blocker to two-way contract
-
San Francisco, CA54 minutes ago1 dead, 1 injured in Bay Point shooting; suspect sought
-
Dallas, TX57 minutes agoViral video shows Egypt coach, team director in Dallas police confrontation
-
Miami, FL57 minutes agoFourth of July celebrations planned across South Florida for America’s 250th birthday
-
Boston, MA1 hour ago‘Forever grateful for all we accomplished together’: Jayson Tatum speaks out about Jaylen Brown trade – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News
-
Denver, CO1 hour agoNations Cup in Colorado another showcase for Denver’s bid to host the 2031 Rugby World Cup
-
Seattle, WA1 hour agoUSA Coach Mauricio Pochettino To Throw Out First Pitch At Seattle Mariners Game
