South Dakota

SYRUPGATE: Senator banned from House after gag gift for colleague

Published

2 years ago

March 5, 2024

SYRUPGATE: Senator banned from House after gag gift for colleague

PIERRE, S.D. (South Dakota Broadcasters Association) – A South Dakota Senator is receiving disciplinary action after gifting a bottle of syrup to a fellow lawmaker.

Sen. Tom Pischke of Dell Rapids has been barred from both the chambers of the state House of Representatives and the lobby behind the chamber by Speaker Hugh Bartels for allegedly violating Legislative Code of Conduct standards Monday.

”It has come to my attention that you placed a bottle of syrup on a Representative’s desk,” Bartels wrote in a letter to Pischke, citing ethics standards outlined in the Legislature’s joint rules book. ”Therefore, I am removing your privilege of coming on the floor of the House of Representatives.”

Bartels told South Dakota Broadcasters Association that a member in the state House “did not appreciate” the gesture, which comes after Rep. Kristin Conzet blocked a legislative commemoration co-authored by Pischke and Rep. Phil Jensen for Nancy Green, a former female slave who was one of the first black models hired to promote a corporate trademark, like the Aunt Jemima breakfast brand.

The company was rebranded in 2021 amid criticisms that continued use of ”Aunt Jemima” was racially insensitive, while conservatives have decried the decision by PepsiCo. to discontinue the brand as overly politically correct.

Conzet did not immediately respond to multiple requests for comment Monday evening.

In a text message, Pischke admitted to leaving a bottle of syrup – Mrs. Butterworth’s brand – on Conzet’s desk inside of the state House, but did not anticipate the blowback. He’s since issued an apology to Conzet.

”I was expecting her (Conzet) to be filled with gratitude,” Pischke said. “I’m wondering if the Speaker is jealous that he didn’t receive a bottle too and that’s his justification for this.”

Commemorations are ceremonial measures that any lawmaker can introduce. They do not carry the weight of law, and opposition by a single member of the Legislature is enough to block a commemoration from being read on the floor of the House or Senate.

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Lucky For Life winning numbers for Jan. 8, 2026

Published

7 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

05-12-13-39-48, Lucky Ball: 13

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.

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South Dakota

Sheridan Lake rescue prompts winter ice safety warning

Published

19 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Sheridan Lake rescue prompts winter ice safety warning

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – A harrowing scene at Sheridan Lake ended without serious injury Tuesday after a man, a woman and their dog fell through thin ice near the swimming beach, authorities said.

Keep pets on a leash and never attempt a risky rescue if someone falls through the ice, officials said. Call 911 immediately.

The South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks agency advises that ice three inches or less is unsafe. Four inches is generally considered the minimum for walking, ice fishing or skating.

Lt. Casey Kenrick of the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office said the incident is a reminder to take extra precautions this winter.

“Usually at this time the ice is significantly thick on the lakes around the area, well, some aren’t even frozen all the way at this point. The temperatures have been up and down so much that the ice isn’t solid even though it may look like it is, so make sure you know the ice depth that you’re getting onto,” Kenrick said.

Kenrick said those precautions could mean the difference between a close call and a tragedy.

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South Dakota

A day in South Dakota history

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – On Jan. 7, 1995, William Janklow began his third of four terms as governor. From statehood until 1972, governors served two-year terms. Voters then approved a constitutional amendment in 1972 allowing governors to serve two consecutive four-year terms.

Janklow served from 1979 to 1987 and again from 1995 to 2003. His 16 years are the longest stint of any governor in South Dakota history

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