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Thousands expected for Avera Race Against Cancer in South Dakota

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Thousands expected for Avera Race Against Cancer in South Dakota


Thousands of participants are expected to lace up their shoes as the 38th Annual Avera Race Against Cancer returns Saturday, May 9, with events across eastern South Dakota and southwest Minnesota.

Avera Race Against Cancer running and walking events will take place in Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, Mitchell, Pierre, Yankton and Marshall, Minnesota, with total participation projected to exceed 7,500 people. Last year’s event broke participation records with a total of 7,747 participants across all regions. 

“We never take that for granted,” said Reid Jensen, director of annual giving for the Avera Foundation. “Yet a lot of our signups each year are based on the excitement and inspiration people have experienced or heard about from past events.”

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The annual fundraiser supports patients facing all types of cancer, with proceeds benefiting a wide range of services. Among them is the Avera Cancer Institute Navigation Center, a 24/7 call center offering guidance and support to patients and families.

Funds also help cover lodging and transportation assistance for individuals and families, screenings and early detection, genetic testing, specialized equipment, wigs for cancer patients, complementary therapies, such as massage and Arts in Healing, and grief support and survivor events, according to the Avera Health press release.

Organizers emphasize that all dollars raised stay local to support patients and families in the region. As of April 30, fundraising totals had already reached more than $780,000 toward an $850,000 goal, $100k more than last year’s goal. Donations can be made online at AveraRace.org.

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For those wishing to volunteer for the event, sign up online on the Avera Race Against Cancer Sioux Falls event page at averafoundation.org. Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older. Those who sign up to volunteer will receive a 2026 Avera Race Volunteer shirt. 

There is also still time to register individually on the event website.The Avera Race is one of the few large events of its kind that offers “week of” and “same day” registrations, according to the Avera press release.

“We’ve been doing that for 37 years and will continue to do that,” said Elijah Bonde, community giving manager for the Avera Foundation.

Sioux Falls race details

In Sioux Falls, the race will start and finish at the GreatLIFE Fitness Club at Avera McKennan Fitness Center at 3400 S. Southeastern Ave. Race course maps are available for each running or walking course. Parking information can be found on the Sioux Falls event page online at averafoundation.org.

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Before the day of the event, all registered individual and team participants are required to pick up their race day packets at the GreatLIFE Fitness Club at Avera McKennan Fitness Center on the following dates and times:

Team packets:

  • Friday, May 1, 1-7 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 2, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 3, 10:30 a.m.–7 p.m.
  • Monday, May 4, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

Individual packets:

  • Thursday, May 7, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
  • Friday, May 8, 7 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

Packets will include timing chips on racing bibs for the 5K and 10K races and the first 5,000 registrants will receive an official 2026 Avera Race Against Cancer shirt. 

Whether rain or warms rays of sunshine, the race day schedule of events will be as follows:

  • 6 a.m. — Complimentary shuttle buses begin, running in 15-minute increments until 10 a.m.
  • 7 a.m. — Avera Race Expo and Survivor Pavilion opens
  • 7:15 a.m. — Survivor group photo
  • 7:40 a.m. — Song tribute to all survivors
  • 7:45 a.m. — Aerobic warm up with Jackie Haggar-Tuschen, executive director at Avera McKennan Fitness Center
  • 8 a.m. — 10K race start and breakfast buffet opens
  • 8:15 a.m. — 5K race start
  • 8:20 a.m. — 1.5 and 3-mile walk start

Both runs will be staggered and chip-timed. Race results will be posted online after the race at AveraRace.org.

‘Smiles, hugs and a few tears’

The Race offers countless moments that keep people coming back year after year. It’s a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together — united by purpose, driven by hope and committed to a cause that truly matters.

That spirit of unity is shown by not just runners and walkers, but also from local sponsors and organizations who make the event possible.

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This year, Sioux Falls Ford Lincoln serves as the title sponsor for the 2026 race, and events like the Sioux Empire Ford Club’s Mustang Cruise for Race Against Cancer, held on April 28, have helped build momentum and excitement leading up to race day.

For the participants themselves, they bring their own story, motivation and connection to the cause. 

“Many [participants] are running enthusiasts who appreciate the chip-timed 5K and 10K races, with awards to top finishers,” Bonde said. 

Others simply enjoy venturing out an a spring day for a leisurely 1.5-mile family walk or a 3-mile walk, while also supporting a good cause.

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In this instance, the race can also be a spectator sport for those who wish to cheer participants in support. 

For those who stand beside patients in their hardest moments, the Avera Race Against Cancer is a day filled with meaning, and reflects the stories they carry, the lives they’ve cared for and the courage they witness every single day. 

This is true for Jayna Boeve, mammography quality control technologist who leads a team from Avera primary care clinics in Sioux Falls, who has seen cancer tough the lives of not just patients but also co-workers, friends and family members.

“As healthcare workers, it’s especially meaningful for us to stand alongside our patients outside the clinical setting and show our support in a visible, unified way. It’s become a tradition that brings our team together for a cause that truly matters.”

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For many others, the annual event is “deeply personal.”

Avera Foundation statistics reval that 90% of participants are not cancer survivors themselves but attend in support of someone they love, according to Avera’s press release on April 28.

“There’s a lot of fun as teams show their spirit. But there’s also inspiration as we recognize survivors and remember those who are no longer with us,” Jensen said. “We see a lot of smiles and hugs but also a few tears.”

Vanessa Carlson Bender is the Development and Public Health Reporter at the Sioux Falls Argus Leader. Reach her at vbender@gannett.com.



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South Dakota

Nebraska man identified in fatal crash near Burke

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Nebraska man identified in fatal crash near Burke


BURKE, S.D. – A Nebraska man who died in a single vehicle crash Tuesday evening, 10 miles east of Burke has been identified.

Preliminary crash information from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety indicates Roy Robert Cadwallader, 71, of Stuart, Nebraska, the driver of a 1939 Chevrolet JB Coupe, was traveling eastbound on Highway 18 when the vehicle left the roadway and entered the ditch. The vehicle struck an approach, went airborne, then rolled.

Cadwallander died at the scene.

The crash occurred at approximately 7:24 p.m. Tuesday, June 9 near mile marker 296, about 10 miles east of Burke in Gregory County. Seat belt use remains under investigation, according to the SDDPS.

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The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. All information released so far is only preliminary. The Highway Patrol is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.

Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “Mitchell Republic.” Often, the “Mitchell Republic” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.





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SD Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for June 13, 2026

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

Here’s a look at June 13, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from June 13 drawing

03-13-44-50-53, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Lotto America numbers from June 13 drawing

06-13-31-35-48, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 05

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Dakota Cash numbers from June 13 drawing

04-10-18-28-30

Check Dakota Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 13 drawing

03-05-11-13-49, Bonus: 01

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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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Opinion: South Dakota’s tech future depends on powering next wave of innovation

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Opinion: South Dakota’s tech future depends on powering next wave of innovation


America is in a race, one that will define global economic leadership for the next decade. China is aggressively

positioning

itself as a center for artificial intelligence development and deployment. The winner will capture enormous competitive advantages in innovation, job creation and geopolitical influence. But there’s a detail often overlooked in this high-stakes competition. None of it happens without reliable critical infrastructure, such as power and data centers.

Winning the AI race is fundamentally about establishing the critical infrastructure that powers innovation. AI systems rely on data centers, and data centers require electricity. If the United States intends to remain competitive, we must be able to build and power that infrastructure efficiently and affordably. That requires thoughtful policy, modernized permitting and a clear commitment to growth.

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Data centers are not secondary to the tech economy. They are the foundation. The nation that builds and controls the most advanced, reliable and affordable data center infrastructure will lead in AI development and deployment.

Here in South Dakota, we have the essential components to build this critical infrastructure. Our affordable energy, vast land and strong workforce create the necessary conditions for establishing data center facilities that can compete globally. Tech employment in our state has grown

17 percent

in recent years, outpacing many parts of the country. This is a signal that South Dakota can support and sustain the specialized environment required for advanced infrastructure development.

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But having these advantages is not enough. The window of opportunity is finite, and other states are mobilizing their own competitive advantages. If we want South Dakota to be where America builds the critical infrastructure that powers the AI future, we must act decisively. Supporting and enabling this infrastructure development is not a favor to industry. It is imperative for our state and our nation.

Establishing critical data center infrastructure in South Dakota delivers immediate and long-term benefits for our communities. Big Watt alone currently contributes roughly $900,000 a year in kilowatt-hour taxes directly to local schools and could eventually provide more than $160 million annually as future phases come online. Its payroll already totals several million dollars a year, with nearly all staff drawn from within the region. This kind of investment can strengthen schools, support local businesses and create lasting economic opportunity.

Additionally, construction and development of this infrastructure alone can support hundreds of electricians, contractors, engineers and skilled trades workers. These are good-paying jobs that circulate dollars through local businesses. For rural parts of our state, that kind of investment can be transformative.

At Oahe Electric Cooperative, we see how thoughtful planning and load growth can support grid upgrades while protecting affordability for the families and small businesses we serve. We also know South Dakota is already a leader in renewable energy, with 29 wind projects totaling 3,476 megawatts, along with growing solar capacity and grid storage resources. As demand for electricity grows, we are taking on new generation responsibly through an all-of-the-above energy strategy that rests on a reliable foundation of natural gas and coal, accompanied by wind and solar resources. Just as importantly, data centers should be required to pay the upfront costs associated with their onboarding so existing consumers are not left subsidizing the infrastructure needed to support large-scale new load. When planned responsibly, this approach can support grid upgrades and new generation in ways that maintain reliability and protect affordability for South Dakota’s households and small businesses.

The broader significance is strategic. By establishing critical infrastructure for the technology economy, South Dakota positions itself as essential to American competitiveness. We attract complementary investment, develop specialized workforce expertise and build advantages that strengthen our state’s position in the global economy for decades. If our policies create uncertainty or make infrastructure development

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financially unworkable

, capital will flow to other states where the path is clearer and the commitment is stronger. We must transform from a state watching the technology race to a state where the race is won.

Our state must act now to establish the critical infrastructure that will power American innovation for the next decade. This is our moment to position South Dakota as essential to winning the technology race. With practical regulations and a clear commitment to supporting data center infrastructure development, we can ensure that South Dakota is where America builds the advanced infrastructure that leads the world in artificial intelligence. The technology shaping the global economy will be powered by the infrastructure we build today. South Dakota can be that foundation.





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