Defense bill has money for N.D.

The defense spending bill passed by the U.S. Senate includes $269 million for projects in North Dakota, Sens. Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad say.

Nearly $52 million would go to projects involving the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State, the Democratic senators said.

They said a provision in the bill ensures that the Air Force maintains a strong force of B-52 bombers. Some of the planes are based at Minot Air Force Base.

Another provision ensures the military puts unmanned aerial vehicles in North Dakota, the senators said. Officials have been pushing to have the UAVs operated by Grand Forks Air Force Base and the Fargo Air National Guard base.

The Senate bill still must be reconciled with the House version. Dorgan will be a member of the conference committee.

- Associated Press

Powerball ticket worth $1 million

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A Powerball ticket sold in Sioux Falls will bring a $1 million jackpot to the lucky player holding it, the South Dakota Lottery said Sunday.

The ticket matched all five white balls, but not the red Powerball. That typically brings in a prize worth $200,000, but the player spent an extra dollar on the Power Play multiplier which boosted the winnings by five times, lottery officials said.

The prize is the sixth largest jackpot won in South Dakota, said Norman Lingle, executive director of the South Dakota Lottery.

The winning numbers from Saturday were 26, 31, 35, 46 and 50. The Powerball was 28 and the Power Play multiplier was 5.

Players matching all five numbers and the Powerball would have won or shared the grand prize, which was expected to increase to an estimated $240 million for Wednesday.

Powerball, created in 1992 and launched in Colorado in 2001, is played in 27 states including North Dakota, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The winner has 180 days to claim the prize.

Evacuees asked to call help line

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - State officials want hurricane evacuees in South Dakota to call a statewide help line to make sure they are getting proper assistance.

While most evacuees in the state have already registered, they should still call the help line so case workers can make sure they are getting all available services, said South Dakota Emergency Manager Kristi Turman.

"If evacuees in South Dakota call our state's toll-free number, we can give them personalized assistance and explain the benefits that South Dakota can provide," Turman said in a release.

State agencies are working with the Red Cross to provide housing, health care, food, clothing, education and veterans benefits.

Deadwood's Hickok Days in top 100

DEADWOOD, S.D. (AP) - The annual Wild Bill Hickok Days event in Deadwood has snagged some national recognition.

It's been designated as one of the top 100 events in North America by the American Bus Association.

According to the association, Hickok Days is attractive to both tour groups and individual travelers.

This year's event featured concerts by Big & Rich and other top entertainers, Wild West re-enactors, gun spinning and the Cowboy World Fast Draw Championships.

Next summer, Wild Bill Hickok Days will be held June 15-18.