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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION <BR>
Washington, D.C. 20549</FONT></H1>



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     <P ALIGN=CENTER>_________________ </P>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>FORM 8-K </FONT></H1>

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     <P ALIGN=CENTER>_________________ </P>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>CURRENT REPORT <BR>
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE<BR>
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</FONT></H1>



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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Date of Report (Date
of earliest event reported) November 4, 2005 </FONT></H1>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>BLACK HILLS CORPORATION <BR>
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</FONT></H1>



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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>South Dakota<BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) </FONT></H1>

<BR>

<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0">
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     <TH><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2"></FONT></TH></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
     <TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2"><B> 001-31303 </B>                <BR>
       <B> (Commission File Number)</B>         <BR><BR>
     <B>625 Ninth Street, PO Box 1400 </B>      <BR>
         <B>Rapid City, South Dakota </B>       <BR>
 <B>(Address of principal executive offices)</B>
</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">             <B>46-0458824</B><BR>
  <B>(IRS Employer Identification No.)</B><BR><BR>
            <B> 57709-1400</B><BR>
             <B>(Zip Code)</B><BR>

</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>

<BR>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>605.721.1700<BR>
                                 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) </FONT></H1>


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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Not Applicable<BR>
                             (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) </FONT></H1>




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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Check
the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (<I>see</I>
General Instruction A.2. below): </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications
pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </FONT></P>

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<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3><B>Item 2.02 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Results of Operations
and Financial Condition</B> </FONT></H1>



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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>On November 4, 2005, the Registrant issued a press
release announcing preliminary third quarter 2005 earnings and certain developments which affected results. </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>For the three months ended September 30, 2005, the Company
expects to report a loss from continuing operations of approximately $(23.7) million, or $(0.72) per share.
Included in the results are the following unanticipated items: </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&#149; </FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>a
$(0.99) per share non-cash charge relating to the impairment of Las Vegas I assets; </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


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<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&#149; </FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>a
$(0.18) per share expensing of certain development costs; </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


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<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&#149; </FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>a
$(0.05) per share charge for the accrual for an expected legal settlement agreement. </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>






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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>In addition, the Registrant announced an expected range of earnings
from continuing operations of approximately $0.55 to $0.60 per share for the fourth quarter of 2005.  The
Registrant also announced an expected range of earnings from continuing operations of $2.10 to $2.25 per share
for the year 2006. </FONT></P>


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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>The press release is attached as
Exhibit 99 to this Form 8-K.  This information is being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02
of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of
that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the
Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in
such filing. </FONT></P>


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<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3><B>Item 9.01 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Financial
Statements and Exhibits</B> </FONT></H1>


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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT WIDTH=3%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(c)  </FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT WIDTH=3%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=94%><P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibits</FONT></P></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>




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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT WIDTH=9%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>99</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=LEFT WIDTH=91%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Press Release dated November 4, 2005. </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>






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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>SIGNATURES</U> </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </FONT></P>


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<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=65%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
</FONT></TD>
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<BR>

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<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=65%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;By:&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;<U>/s/ Mark T. Thies</U><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Mark T. Thies<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Executive
Vice President<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>




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<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Date: November 7, 2005 </FONT></P>



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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "BLACK HILLS CORP /SD/", "cik": "0001130464", "assigned-sic": "4911", "irs-number": "460458824", "state-of-incorporation": "SD", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-31303", "film-number": "051182962"}, "business-address": {"street1": "625 9TH STREET", "street2": "PO BOX 1400", "city": "RAPID CITY", "state": "SD", "zip": "57709", "phone": "6057212343"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "625 9TH STREET", "street2": "PO BOX 1400", "city": "RAPID", "state": "SD", "zip": "57709"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "BLACK HILLS HOLDING CORP", "date-changed": "20001222"}}
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________
FORM 8-K
_________________
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date
of earliest event reported) November 4, 2005
_________________
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_________________
South Dakota
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
001-31303
(Commission File Number)
625 Ninth Street, PO Box 1400
Rapid City, South Dakota
(Address of principal executive offices)
46-0458824
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
57709-1400
(Zip Code)
605.721.1700
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
_________________
Check
the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (
see
General Instruction A.2. below):
Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications
pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
1
Item 2.02    Results of Operations
and Financial Condition
On November 4, 2005, the Registrant issued a press
release announcing preliminary third quarter 2005 earnings and certain developments which affected results.
For the three months ended September 30, 2005, the Company
expects to report a loss from continuing operations of approximately $(23.7) million, or $(0.72) per share.
Included in the results are the following unanticipated items:
•
a
$(0.99) per share non-cash charge relating to the impairment of Las Vegas I assets;
•
a
$(0.18) per share expensing of certain development costs;
•
a
$(0.05) per share charge for the accrual for an expected legal settlement agreement.
In addition, the Registrant announced an expected range of earnings
from continuing operations of approximately $0.55 to $0.60 per share for the fourth quarter of 2005.  The
Registrant also announced an expected range of earnings from continuing operations of $2.10 to $2.25 per share
for the year 2006.
The press release is attached as
Exhibit 99 to this Form 8-K.  This information is being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02
of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of
that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the
Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in
such filing.
Item 9.01    Financial
Statements and Exhibits
(c)
Exhibits
99
Press Release dated November 4, 2005.
2
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
By:
/s/ Mark T. Thies
Mark T. Thies
Executive
Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Date: November 7, 2005
3