AGP Executive Report

Drug Prices: South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley joined 45 states seeking approval of settlements with three generic drugmakers accused of inflating prices. Ascend and Mayne will pay a combined $1.05 million to states; consumers who bought affected drugs from 2009 to 2019 may qualify for compensation. Fuel Costs: The South Dakota Farmers Union is urging Gov. Larry Rhoden to call a special session and temporarily cut state fuel taxes to one cent per gallon, citing high prices and confusion over new dyed-diesel rules. Data Centers: Vermillion plans a public meeting on proposed data center zoning rules as communities nationwide debate how to protect ratepayers from the facilities’ power costs. Business & Energy: South Dakota-based Black Hills Corp. plans $1.8 billion in gas-fired generation for Google’s planned Wyoming data center; Google is expected to cover project costs. Election 2026: Voters will decide Amendment L, which would raise the vote threshold for future constitutional amendments. Democrat Dan Ahlers, running for governor, says his past upsets show he can win uphill races. Agriculture: Farmers across the Dakotas are harvesting after a hot, uneven season, while markets await updated USDA grain estimates.

Data Center Debate: Vermillion plans a public information meeting on six proposed data center zoning rules, while a Sioux Falls coalition is pressing for a temporary pause on permits. Across the country, states are weighing ways to keep residents from paying for the massive power upgrades data centers require. University Investment: USD has broken ground on a $40 million indoor fieldhouse, planned to open in less than two years. Northern State also won nearly $3 million in federal funding over five years for programs aimed at student retention, graduation and career readiness. Agriculture: South Dakota producers are weighing cover-crop costs against potential long-term gains in soil health and crop yields; adoption remains modest but is growing in parts of eastern South Dakota. Workforce: A new WalletHub ranking puts South Dakota first among the nation’s hardest-working states, citing the country’s highest employment rate and 6.5% of workers holding multiple jobs.

Farm Costs: South Dakota farmers and truckers say expanded use of tax-free dyed diesel will do little to ease record fuel prices; diesel averaged $6.30 a gallon nationally, more than 70% above a year ago. Energy Outlook: A think tank estimates federal policy changes could add about $9,000 to household energy costs in South Dakota through 2040. Housing: South Dakota’s average mortgage rate fell to 5.50% in the second quarter, down 1.22 percentage points from the first, even as rates rose in many states. Agriculture and Education: Sioux Falls’ CTE Academy opened a new agriculture facility with animal-science classrooms, a barn, greenhouse and equipment storage. Rural Economy: Ag United for South Dakota named farmer and agricultural business owner Kelly Brandlee as its new executive director. Financial Services: Sioux Falls-based Pathward extended its partnership with Clair, continuing to provide banking and lending support for workers seeking access to earned wages before payday.

Agriculture: Ag United for South Dakota named farmer and agricultural business owner Kelly Brandlee its new executive director, putting a familiar voice at the helm of the group representing farm and ranch families. Fuel Costs: Gov. Larry Rhoden eased enforcement of rules on tax-free dyed diesel, but farmers and truckers say President Trump’s order will bring limited relief as prices remain high and state rules differ. Research: Sanford scientist Kamesh Surendran received a $2.3 million federal grant to study kidney cell changes linked to disease. Workforce: Mitchell Technical College’s foundation won more than $945,000 to expand rural energy-trades training, including programs for electricians, utility technicians and HVAC workers. Immigration Policy: Rhoden extended the South Dakota National Guard’s ICE paperwork support through September 2027; the state says Guard members have helped process 1,013 deportations since July 2025.

Energy and Business: Cargill signed a 12.6-year deal to buy power from South Dakota’s 87-megawatt Sweetland wind project, supporting the company’s emissions-reduction goals. Data Centers: Sioux Falls residents are urging a pause on permits for hyperscale data centers, while South Dakota House candidates offered sharply different views on local control, public safeguards and subsidies. Election 2026: Early voting is underway in South Dakota. Voters will decide Amendment L, which would require future constitutional amendments to win 60% support. Workers and Farmers: Southeast Technical College says building-trades programs are full and waitlisted as more students pursue construction careers. Gov. Larry Rhoden has also eased enforcement of tax-free dyed diesel use as fuel costs squeeze farmers. Farm Policy: The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced a farm bill, a step toward updating legislation that guides crop insurance, conservation, nutrition and rural development programs.

Health & Research: Avera Research Institute’s mobile unit returned to Aberdeen, highlighting programs including ECHO, Healthy Start, and a new sleep apnea initiative. Cancer Care: Avera Cancer Institute is expanding breast cancer support with early-detection messaging and newer radiation options like deep inspiration breath hold now available in Yankton. Education & Food Security: Sioux Falls School District families face an Oct. 9 deadline to keep free and reduced meals; about 970 families (around 1,300 students) still need to apply, with Hungry Hearts offering a $100,000 match. Higher Ed & Arts: USD’s College of Fine Arts will unveil the De & Dave Knudson Piano & Music Technology Lab on Oct. 9. Agriculture Policy: The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced a farm bill that could bring more certainty for South Dakota producers, though it still must clear the full Senate. Business & Energy: Black Hills Corp. signed agreements to serve Google’s planned Cheyenne data center, with service starting late 2027. Public Safety & Local Crime: A Rapid City man was arrested after police say he threw a rock through a business window. Politics: New polls show a tight U.S. Senate race involving Mike Rounds and Brian Bengs, with results varying by survey.

PUC Race: Two candidates are squaring off for South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commission seat, with Don Haggar pitching less government overreach and a finance/insurance/ag real estate background, while the commission’s role in utility regulation and permitting remains central. Energy & Power: Xcel Energy says it will sell its Michigan natural gas operations to SEMCO and electric operations to UPPCO, pending regulators, with customers expected to see no immediate billing changes. Local Growth: Brookings Solar Project is now operating, a $15.1 million, 5-megawatt site meant to power about 1,100 homes within Missouri River Energy Service’s footprint. Campaign Cash: Senate Majority Leader John Thune is pressing Trump for more money for GOP candidates as midterm pressure mounts. Diesel Politics: Trump signed an order easing limits on tax-free red-dyed diesel during a Nebraska stop, arguing it will cut costs for farmers and businesses. Workforce & Housing: In Brookings’ District 7 House forum, candidates debated workforce development, with affordable daycare and housing regulations taking center stage. Small Business Support: SCORE chapters in the region are combining into “SCORE Dakotas” to mentor more entrepreneurs across the Dakotas. Health & Care: Stride Autism Centers says it is now the first and only ACQ-accredited ABA provider in South Dakota.

Midterms & Fuel Costs: President Trump signed an order easing limits on tax-free red-dyed diesel during a Nebraska stop, arguing it will cut costs for farmers and help lower prices as Nov. 3 elections near. Local Governance & Data Centers: Sioux Falls groups including Let Sioux Falls Vote and Dakota Rural Action are asking for a temporary moratorium on permits for new hyperscale data centers, warning rules may come too late for a proposed Gemini project. Immigration Enforcement: Gov. Larry Rhoden says the South Dakota National Guard has helped process 1,013 deportations for ICE since July 2025, and he’s extending the Guard’s cooperation through September 2027; the Highway Patrol also gets $480,000 more under an ICE 287(g) agreement. Health Care Politics: Trump administration payments are sending nearly 1 million Americans $500 ACA refund checks, with recipients receiving a letter tying the move to Trump’s healthcare record. Rural Health Funding: South Dakota is set to receive $7.2 million for ambulance telemedicine and EMS upgrades in far-from-hospital areas. Community & Local Business: A new Yankton diaper bank, Delivering Hope of Yankton, begins monthly distributions; and Sioux Falls’ Shipley’s Garment Spa is closing after more than 124 years. Agriculture & Energy: A new thermal battery project is planned at Pratt Energy’s ethanol biorefinery in Kansas, and grain markets bounced as traders weighed harvest pressure and demand.

Energy Costs: A nonpartisan think tank says federal policy changes could push U.S. household energy bills up about $6,500 on average through 2040, with South Dakota among the states facing roughly $9,000 more. Gas Prices Politics: Sen. Rounds is urging a federal gas tax holiday, arguing shortages and conflicts are driving costs—while critics call it a short-term fix with long-term downsides. Local Transportation Funding: The South Dakota Transportation Commission awarded about $2.36 million in economic development grants for rural infrastructure tied to schools, hospitals, grain elevators, and business corridors. Food & Consumer Watch: PepsiCo recalled about 122,000 cases of Gatorade in 37 states due to undeclared yellow dyes. Agriculture & Input Costs: Diesel prices are rising as harvest begins, squeezing producer margins. State Economy Snapshot: A GDP growth map ranks South Dakota at 2.7% real GDP growth in 2026’s second quarter. Community Business: Watertown Chamber promoted Mackenzie Ries to president. Sports & Odds: Novig and Kalshi promotions continue for South Dakota bettors, including NFL and Monday Night Football bonuses.

South Dakota Elections: With early voting already underway, voters are also facing four proposed constitutional amendments—Medicaid funding triggers, non-citizen voting rules, an unclaimed-property trust fund, and a higher supermajority threshold for future amendments—while West River lawmakers weigh in ahead of the general election. State Courts & Local Growth: A Rhoden-appointed judge sent Sioux Falls’ Smithfield conditional use permit back for reconsideration, pausing the planned move tied to a $12 million state-backed deal. AI in the Black Hills: U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds met with Anthropic leaders at South Dakota Mines to discuss AI’s risks and benefits for health care, education, the workforce, and national security. Energy Costs: A new think-tank model says federal energy policy changes could push household energy spending higher in every contiguous state by 2040, with South Dakota among the hardest-hit. Medicare & Health Costs: The Trump administration says it will send $90 Medicare Part B premium rebate payments to more than 20 million seniors in October. Business & Immigration: South Dakota employers in Finance and Insurance filed 571 H-1B petitions in 2025, with a 99.5% approval rate. Environment & Conservation: Thunder Valley plans to release 50 bison into Badlands National Park’s Oonak̄ijiŋ range unit next week as part of native prairie restoration.

H-1B Watch: South Dakota employers in the Finance and Insurance industry filed 571 H-1B petitions in 2025, with 568 approved and 3 denied, and the sector’s filings jumped 33.1% from 2024. Food Safety: PepsiCo is recalling 122,021 cases of Gatorade Lemon Lime and Orange varieties across 37 states after FDA flagged undeclared Yellow No. 5/6. Local Health & Courts: A Rhoden-appointed judge ruled Sioux Falls improperly rushed Smithfield’s conditional use permit, sending the decision back for reconsideration. AI in the Black Hills: Sen. Mike Rounds met with Anthropic leaders at South Dakota Mines to discuss AI’s risks and benefits for health care, education, work, and national security. Bison & the Badlands: Thunder Valley plans to release 50 bison into a 40,000-acre Badlands range unit Oct. 6 as part of native prairie restoration. State Policy: The South Dakota Aeronautics Commission updated airport terminal funding rules, including raising the state match to 7% for most public airport grants. Sports: NDSU shut out Wyoming 28–0 in the “Battle of the Basins.”

AI Policy & Jobs: Sen. Mike Rounds met with Anthropic leaders at South Dakota Mines to discuss AI’s risks and benefits, including healthcare, education, workforce impacts, and national security. Local Government & Courts: A Rhoden-appointed judge sent Sioux Falls’ Smithfield conditional use permit back for reconsideration, saying the city didn’t follow its own rules when approving the move. Agriculture & Environment: Custer State Park says drought has pushed up bison auction numbers, with an estimated 612 animals up for sale this year. Native Land Restoration: Thunder Valley Community Development plans to release 50 bison into Badlands National Park’s Oonak̄ijiŋ range unit on Oct. 6 after fencing and baseline research. Healthcare Costs: ACA marketplace plan selections fell 4.9% nationally as premiums rose 19.7%, signaling a tougher shopping year for South Dakotans and others. State Infrastructure: The South Dakota Aeronautics Commission updated airport terminal funding rules and raised the state match to 7% for most public airport grants. Community & Food Access: SDSU Extension’s Double Up Food Bucks will match SNAP spending on fruits and vegetables at participating Buche Foods locations and farmers markets. Business & Education: USD broke ground on the Gassen Family Fieldhouse for track and field, a $40M indoor facility aimed at boosting training and recruiting.

Sioux Falls Court Fight: A Rhoden-appointed judge threw out Sioux Falls’ conditional use permit for Smithfield’s planned move, saying the city didn’t follow its own rules—sending the decision back for reconsideration. Food Safety: CDC and state officials are investigating a multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak tied to frozen alfalfa sprouts, while a Chilean supplier expanded recalls of frozen organic berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s after 17 illnesses. State Policy & Money: The South Dakota Aeronautics Commission approved updated airport terminal funding rules, including a higher state match for most public airport grants. Healthcare Costs: A new study finds ACA marketplace plan selections fell 4.9% nationwide as premiums rose 19.7%, pushing more shoppers toward cheaper tiers. Ag & Fuel Pressure: Farm Bureau analysis highlights rising diesel costs hitting harvest operations, and several states are considering ways to ease the burden. Local Economy & Education: SDSU Extension is partnering with Buche Foods to stretch SNAP dollars through Double Up Food Bucks, matching EBT spending on fruits and vegetables. AI & Data Centers: Sen. Mike Rounds met with Anthropic leaders at South Dakota Mines, focusing on AI opportunities and concerns about water and power impacts from data centers.

Airport Funding: The South Dakota Aeronautics Commission approved updates to its airport terminal funding policy, including a new tiered formula for public, non-revenue terminal space and raising the state grant match to 7% for most airports (keeping Rapid City and Sioux Falls at 5%). Cost of Living: AAA says the average annual cost to own and operate a new vehicle is $12,863—up from $11,577 last year—driven by fuel, depreciation and finance charges. Food Access: SDSU Extension is partnering with Buche Foods to expand Double Up Food Bucks for SNAP shoppers, matching purchases of eligible fruits and vegetables up to $10. Civic & Culture: Gov. Larry Rhoden proclaimed October Archives Month, highlighting “Documenting American Democracy,” and also marked October as Farm to School Month. Local Economy & Education: USD broke ground on the Gassen Family Fieldhouse, and USD launched a new Sales Center program at the Beacom School of Business. Politics: In the U.S. House race debate, Marty Jackley and Nikki Gronli clashed over tariffs and opposition to Trump beef import plans. Environment & Safety: Drought is forcing Custer State Park to sell more bison at auction, and officials urge drivers to watch for deer during peak migration and mating season. Elections Watch: Backers and opponents are fighting over a proposed threshold change for South Dakota constitutional amendments, with advance voting underway and registration due Oct. 19.

Ballot Measures Watch: With Election Day looming, 39 states will have ballot questions in November, led by elections/redistricting, taxes, and transgender policy—while abortion fights are comparatively quieter this cycle. South Dakota Politics: In the race for South Dakota’s lone U.S. House seat, Republican AG Marty Jackley and Democrat Nikki Gronli sparred over tariffs and beef imports, with Jackley warning that easing tariffs would “open the flood market” for foreign beef. Energy Costs: A new think-tank model says federal policy changes could push energy bills higher through 2040, with South Dakota among the states facing roughly $9,000 more. Health Care & Money: The Treasury has started sending $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1 million people in 30 states, tied to federal marketplace “user fees.” Immigration & Work: South Dakota employers in the professional/scientific/technical sector filed 109 H-1B petitions in 2025, with 105 approved. Public Safety: West Point man Alberto Torres Tlatenchi was sentenced to 90 days in jail after pleading no contest to negligent child abuse charges.

Energy Costs: A nonpartisan think tank says federal policy changes since Trump’s return could push U.S. households to pay about $6,500 more for energy through 2040, with South Dakota among the states facing roughly $9,000 higher costs. Agriculture & Transportation: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ordered temporary weight-limit and hours-of-service relief for trucks hauling farm and timber products as diesel tops $6.50, echoing broader regional pressure on fuel prices. South Dakota Politics: In District 18, candidates traded priorities on affordability, wages, agriculture/manufacturing, and education funding in a Yankton forum. State Government: The Legislature temporarily hired Doug Decker as its LRC director. Public Records: South Dakota’s new vital records system has triggered delays and complications for some families, especially around death certificates. Economy & Daily Life: Aldi rolled back prices on about one-third of its inventory across South Dakota through at least Nov. 3. Health & Consumer Watch: Attorney General Rayfield announced a $400 million settlement with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price inflation. Tribal Affairs: FEMA opened a joint disaster assistance center for Oglala Sioux Tribe members affected by June storms.