South Dakota
Staunch conservatives take leadership positions in GOP-led state legislature • South Dakota Searchlight
A group of staunchly conservative Republicans claimed control of key leadership positions in the state Legislature on Friday evening.
The leadership election in Pierre marked a consolidation of power for the faction, which has pushed for a more conservative agenda, including bills to regulate minors’ access to online pornography, curtail a controversial carbon capture pipeline, and cap property taxes.
Those stances have gained traction within the party’s conservative base, especially in rural and eastern parts of the state where the carbon pipeline has been a divisive issue. The proposed project from Summit Carbon Solutions would capture carbon produced by Midwest ethanol plants and ship it to North Dakota for underground sequestration.
Pipeline opponents ousted 11 of the 14 incumbents who lost seats in the June primary. Those incumbents had voted for a bill that was dubbed the “Landowner Bill of Rights” by its supporters, but was seen as a pro-pipeline law by landowner activists. Opponents petitioned the law onto the general election ballot, and voters soundly rejected it on Election Day.
New landscape confronts South Dakota Republicans after political earthquake shakes incumbents
The 2025 House of Representatives will be led by Rep. Jon Hansen, R-Dell Rapids, who is set to become the Speaker of the House. Rep. Karla Lems, R-Canton, will serve as Speaker Pro Tempore. Rep. Scott Odenbach, R-Spearfish, will serve as Majority Leader. Hanson and Odenbach each led political action committees that worked to oust incumbents during the primary.
Rep. Marty Overweg, R-New Holland, will serve as Assistant Majority Leader in the House, and the Whip team will consist of Reps. Jess Bahmuller, Less Heinemann, Bethany Soye, Greg Jamison, and Brandei Schaefbauer.
On the Senate side, the Majority Leader position went to Sen. Jim Mehlhaff, R-Pierre,
Asst. Majority Leader went to Sen. Carl Perry, R-Aberdeen. Sen. Chris Karr, R-Sioux Falls, who will serve his first term in the Senate after leaving the House of Representatives, will serve as Senate Pro Tempore.
The Senate Whip team will consist of Sens. Sue Peterson, Kevin Jensen, Randy Deibert, and Tom Pischke.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 28, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
12-17-25-34-42, Lucky Ball: 09
Check Lucky 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.
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.
As No. 1 Arizona prepares to host South Dakota State, the Wildcats enter the matchup with formidable momentum, sitting undefeated at 12-0 and ranked atop the AP Poll, while the Jackrabbits, currently around .500, bring a balanced, competitive Summit League squad to the McKale Center. Arizona’s explosive offensive firepower and deep rotation contrast with South Dakota State’s gritty, multi-positional attack, setting up what should be a compelling clash of styles.
Arizona’s Dominant Season So Far
Arizona has lived up to expectations in the 2025-26 season, boasting one of the nation’s best records and a scoring average near 90 points per game, a robust scoring margin of +23.8, and strength in rebounding and ball movement. The Wildcats have been efficient from the field and beyond the arc, shooting well above 50% overall and maintaining a balanced attack that spreads the floor.
Brayden Burries leads Arizona’s scoring effort, averaging 14.0 points per game and serving as a go-to offensive option who can score in bunches, as seen in recent wins where he has paced the Wildcats with 20+ points. Koa Peat has been a force inside, contributing around 13.8 points per game while anchoring the front court and helping on the boards.
In addition to those two, Jaden Bradley (about 13.4 PPG) orchestrates the offense with playmaking and defensive activity, and Anthony Dell’Orso, Motiejus Krivas, Tobe Awaka, and Ivan Kharchenkov provide depth scoring that keeps Arizona’s attack potent even when starters rest. Together, these contributors have allowed Arizona to score in volume and limit opponents’ opportunities, creating a balanced scoring sheet where multiple players average near double figures.
South Dakota State’s Competitive Core
South Dakota State enters the game with a 7-7 record, leading the Summit League thanks to a team built around balance rather than one superstar. Guard Jaden Jackson paces the Jackrabbits at 12.8 PPG, also contributing across rebounds, assists, and steals, which is a sign of his all-around activity.
Center Damon Wilkinson provides interior toughness, averaging about 6.1 rebounds and over 12 points per game, and while not a gaudy stat line, his presence in the paint gives South Dakota State a physical edge.
Joe Sayler and Kalen Garry each average double figures, adding backcourt support and versatility. Sayler can score efficiently as he demonstrated with a 20-point performance in a recent matchup, while Garry’s ability to crash the boards from the perimeter and facilitate offense keeps the Jackrabbits competitive. Role players like Trey Buchanan and Matthew Mors help keep bench minutes productive and offer additional shooting or size when needed.
Preview Outlook & Matchup Dynamics
The contrast in style is stark: Arizona thrives on pace, efficiency, and depth, using its elite offense to overwhelm defenses and control game tempo, while South Dakota State relies on balance and position-to-position execution, hoping to stay close with disciplined possessions and key buckets from multiple contributors.
Arizona’s ability to defend spreads and turn defense into offense could be the deciding factor, as the Wildcats have forced turnovers and generated transition points consistently.
For the Jackrabbits, containing Arizona’s scoring depth, particularly Burries, Peat, and Bradley, will be essential, as will rebounding and limiting second-chance points. If South Dakota State can keep the pace deliberate, defend without fouling, and stay efficient from three, they could challenge Arizona longer than many expect.
But given Arizona’s undefeated run and statistical advantages across scoring, rebounding, and bench production, the Wildcats enter the game as strong favorites to continue their dominant season.
Tell us how you see the Holiday Bowl playing out for Arizona by commenting on our Facebook page. Also, be sure to follow @NateMartTSports on X for updates on all things Arizona Wildcats.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 27, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
05-20-34-39-62, Powerball: 01, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
08-12-24-26-42, Lucky Ball: 17
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
08-10-20-47-50, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 05
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Dakota Cash numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
08-14-15-20-30
Check Dakota Cash 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.
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.
Kirouac’s dunk sparks Georgia Tech to victory over Boston College
Denver Barkey scores first career goal as Flyers take down Oilers
What does the Buccaneers beating the Panthers mean for the Seahawks?
11 from Point Loma High get All-CIF sports honors
60th and Vliet crash, Milwaukee man pronounced dead at the scene
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
For those who help the poor, 2025 goes down as a year of chaos
Marjorie Taylor Greene criticizes Trump’s meetings with Zelenskyy, Netanyahu: ‘Can we just do America?’
US visa ban targets ex-Commissioner Breton over alleged censorship
‘Bomb cyclone’ forecasted to bring heavy snow, blizzard conditions and dangerous travel
The biggest losers of 2025: Who fell flat as the year closed
-
Entertainment1 week agoHow the Grinch went from a Yuletide bit player to a Christmas A-lister
-
Connecticut1 week agoSnow Accumulation Estimates Increase For CT: Here Are The County-By-County Projections
-
Entertainment1 week agoPat Finn, comedy actor known for roles in ‘The Middle’ and ‘Seinfeld,’ dies at 60
-
World6 days agoHamas builds new terror regime in Gaza, recruiting teens amid problematic election
-
Indianapolis, IN1 week agoIndianapolis Colts playoffs: Updated elimination scenario, AFC standings, playoff picture for Week 17
-
Southeast1 week agoTwo attorneys vanish during Florida fishing trip as ‘heartbroken’ wife pleads for help finding them
-
World1 week agoSnoop Dogg, Lainey Wilson, Huntr/x and Andrea Bocelli Deliver Christmas-Themed Halftime Show for Netflix’s NFL Lions-Vikings Telecast
-
World1 week agoBest of 2025: Top five defining moments in the European Parliament