South Dakota

TikTok star kicks off viral dating series in South Dakota

Published

8 months ago

May 5, 2025

TikTok star kicks off viral dating series in South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Dating can be hard. Scheduling a date in every U.S. state in one summer doesn’t seem like it would make it any easier, but that’s exactly what one man with South Dakota ties is doing for the third time.

Matthew Wurnig said some have referred to him as the “TikTok Bachelor.” That’s because during the pandemic, the Montana native created a series where he virtually dated a girl from every state.

It didn’t take long for the series to catch attention online, however, and Wurnig knew he needed to take the show on the road.

“Maybe if I create this kind of fund pandemic project and put it online, it can turn people’s attention away from that negativity and to something more positive. So yeah, the intention was definitely to start online. I definitely did not know it would catch fire as much as it did right away,” said Wurnig.

The first two seasons of the “50 Dates 50 States” series would attract over 600,000 TikTok followers and millions of views as Wurnig traveled across the country, taking his dates to places such as waterparks, restaurants and professional sports games.

For the third season of the series, Wurnig is switching it up. At the end of each of his 50 dates, he’ll receive a heart from the contestant.

“And then, I have to decide if I’m going to take their heart or break it. I can only keep five hearts out of all fifty dates I go on, and those five will go to the finale at the end,” said Wurnig.

So, who is lucky contestant number one? That would be Kezley, a nursing student from Rapid City.

Wurnig traveled to South Dakota over the weekend to officially kick off season three with Kezley. The two took a trip to a local go-karting track. Updates on how their date went will be posted on the 50 Dates 50 States TikTok account soon.

Rapid City is also where Wurnig will wrap up season three of “50 Dates 50 States” with a grand finale September 11-14.

“I partnered with this management company that has this really beautiful cabin estate out in the Black Hills, and we had a really good conversation. They were like, ‘Oh, it’d be great if you came out here for the finale.’ So, it just seemed like the right spot to be. I was born in Rapid City, South Dakota, so got a little bit of those South Dakota roots,” said Wurnig.

After his South Dakota date, Wurnig will head to North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa in the next week. Learn more about the “50 Dates 50 States” series here.

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South Dakota

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

Published

12 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

1 day 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

2 days 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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