AGP Executive Report

Water Security Warning: Cyberattacks on U.S. water systems are spreading across at least 12 states, and experts warn a serious breach could disrupt treatment and leave communities with unsafe water, boil-water notices, or outages. South Dakota Politics: Gov. Larry Rhoden appointed six new members to the South Dakota Defense Institute board, aiming to connect business, government, and schools to grow the state’s defense role. Public Safety & Courts: Court filings in the McKenna Wendel case say a Sioux Falls man sold “Milk cocaine” before her overdose death, adding detail to drug-dealing allegations. Agriculture Economy: U.S. farmland keeps climbing—cropland now averages $6,020 per acre nationwide—boosting land values but raising costs for farmers trying to buy in. Local Business: Britton couple Brody and Shayla Carlson bought Your BEST Choice, a Generac dealership, continuing a local transition plan. Sports/Academics: South Dakota student-athletes earned 128 spots on the Summit League Commissioner’s List of Academic Excellence. Outdoor Policy: The Great American Outdoors Act marks six years since becoming law, with supporters urging Congress to reauthorize it.

Sturgis Rally Economy: As the 86th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally officially kicks off Friday, early crowds are already clogging roads and boosting Main Street businesses in Rapid City and Meade County, with vendors expecting big waves of visitors through the event. Local Safety & Infrastructure: Fort Pierre officials are weighing next steps after a July landslide near the Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center, with a Friday city council meeting set to discuss possible parking-lot closures and mitigation as the hillside has shifted about 7.5 feet. Agriculture Policy: The USDA is holding listening sessions on data modernization, payment flexibility, and crop insurance changes, including a stop at Dakotafest in Mitchell Aug. 18-20. State Business & Power Planning: South Dakota utility filings point to more than $1 billion in generation and transmission projects, as data center demand and industrial growth push the state toward major grid expansion. Health & Community Programs: Yankton’s Head Start is set to resume early-childhood services, and the South Dakota Parkinson Foundation will hold its first “Step Big” walk in Yankton. Public Safety/Crime: A coalition of attorneys general, including South Dakota AG Marty Jackley, is urging Congress to pass the Safe Access to Cash Act to strengthen federal penalties for ATM robberies.

South Dakota Senate Shake-Up: Democratic nominee Julian Beaudion quit the race, citing a house fire, financial hardship, and “intimidating threats,” clearing the path for independent Brian Bengs to face GOP Sen. Mike Rounds; the SD Democratic Party says it won’t replace Beaudion and won’t endorse Bengs. Farm Bill Push: U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune promoted a new five-year farm bill for South Dakota producers, including crop insurance, farm loans, livestock help, grazing on CRP land, rural infrastructure, and a bid to make year-round E15 permanent. Cybersecurity Watch: ABC News reports hackers targeted water and wastewater utilities in at least a dozen states, with South Dakota listed among those affected; officials say systems kept operating safely. Housing & Local Growth: Spearfish broke ground on Stone Ridge Commons, adding 94 affordable townhome-style units; Watertown received a major building donation for Codington Connects, and Aberdeen redirected shelved funds into citywide manhole upgrades. Sturgis Cleanup Plan: Rapid City is preparing for the rally’s waste surge, adding extra trash totes and shifting to a third-party hauler during a multi-year transition. Native Enrollment Gains: Native American enrollment at South Dakota public universities has returned to pre-pandemic levels, with Black Hills State reporting a sharp jump.

U.S. Senate Shake-Up: South Dakota Democrat Julian Beaudion ended his campaign Tuesday, citing a house fire, financial hardship, and “intimidating threats,” leaving Republican Sen. Mike Rounds facing independent Brian Bengs; the state Democratic Party says it won’t name a replacement or endorse Bengs. Affordable Housing: Spearfish broke ground on Stone Ridge Commons, a 94-unit affordable complex with rents capped for households up to 80% of area median income, aimed at the “missing middle,” with an estimated 18-month buildout. Energy & Business: Black Hills Corp. reported Q2 earnings of $38.2 million and reaffirmed 2026 guidance of $4.25 to $4.45 per share; in Rapid City, the Future Fund is backing the Northline Business Park with $1 million toward a roughly $19 million development. Health & Safety: Monument Health is expanding access ahead of Sturgis with new emergency and clinic sites; 24 South Dakota hospitals earned American Heart Association recognition for heart and stroke care improvements. Public Health/Regulation: FDA inspections in South Dakota found no action indicated for a Brown County-area 3M facility and a Davison County LifeServe Blood Center.

U.S. Senate Race Update: South Dakota Democratic nominee Julian Beaudion has suspended his campaign after citing a house fire, financial strain, and threats, leaving Sen. Mike Rounds and independent Brian Bengs as the only candidates for the Nov. 3 contest. Medicaid Oversight: Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond is urging Congress to pass the STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act, which would expand state Medicaid fraud units to investigate recipient fraud, not just providers. State Budget Pressure Watch: A new projection from the Urban Institute says federal work requirements and more frequent eligibility checks could cut Medicaid expansion enrollment most sharply in states like California, with major downstream costs and coverage impacts. Affordable Housing: The Black Hills Area Community Foundation broke ground on Stone Ridge Commons in Spearfish, planning 94 townhomes for households earning up to 80% of area median income. Local Tax Relief Idea: Lawrence County commissioners are weighing a sales tax option to offset owner-occupied property taxes, after neighboring counties moved ahead. Workforce Pipeline: Western Dakota Technical College launched a Catapult Stakeholders Group to align training with employer needs across healthcare, trades, manufacturing, and more. Community & Safety: Rapid City police and Cody Two Bulls are teaming up for a “Fill a Patrol Car with School Supplies” drive, while Sioux Falls extended most public pool hours by one week after pushback.

U.S. Senate Shake-Up: South Dakota Democratic nominee Julian Beaudion suspended his campaign Tuesday, citing a house fire and “extraordinary personal challenges,” clearing the way for independent Brian Bengs to face GOP Sen. Mike Rounds this fall. Public Safety & Courts: The South Dakota State Council for the Interstate Commission for Juveniles will meet virtually Aug. 10 to review performance and set its next meeting date. Local Government: Yankton County commissioners hit a snag on a proposed half-cent sales tax after state’s attorney Tyler Larsen said the board hadn’t met legal notice requirements under SB96, so they couldn’t act as planned. Economy & Jobs: Gov. Larry Rhoden announced $1 million from the Future Fund to help develop Rapid City’s Northline Business Park, aiming to create shovel-ready industrial sites. Health & Consumer Watch: South Dakota is expected to receive $996,862.80 from a multistate Sandoz generic drug price-fixing settlement, with part earmarked for Medicaid. Infrastructure: The state DOT extended public comment on a $47 million U.S. Highway 85 reconstruction in the northern Black Hills after public concern over scenic impacts.

Hemp Policy Push: South Dakota’s AG Griffin is leading a bipartisan letter urging Congress to keep the 2025 federal hemp reforms intact and block moves that could reopen loopholes for intoxicating hemp products. College Savings for Kids: In the Black Hills, Custer School District’s Trailhead Scholars program will give eligible kindergarteners a $500 529 account, funded by a major donation and designed to grow over time. Rural Health Funding Debate: Health leaders are challenging the idea that the federal Rural Health Transformation Fund is mainly about “saving rural hospitals,” arguing the real issue is low Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement and access. Water Planning in Rapid City: Officials say the Pactola/Rapid Creek watershed could supply water for nearly a century if restrictions are followed and releases are managed carefully. Workforce AI Deadline: South Dakota’s Department of Labor and Regulation says Workforce AI Adoption funding applications are due Aug. 7, offering cost-share support for AI discovery, training, and awareness. Food Safety Recall: Walmart recalled a specific lot of pistachio nut butter in 19 states, including South Dakota, after salmonella was detected. Local Business & Community: Rapid City-area coverage also includes a school bond campaign kickoff and ongoing community updates.

Workforce Funding Deadline: South Dakota’s Department of Labor and Regulation says the Workforce AI Adoption competitive funding application deadline is Friday, Aug. 7, with cost-share support for AI discovery, AI training implementation, and AI awareness for employees. Public Safety vs. Privacy: Automatic license plate readers are expanding in western South Dakota, including Rapid City-area deployments, raising questions about whether the tools are a crime-fighting aid or a surveillance dragnet as cameras spread beyond police use. Federal Health Enforcement: Attorney General Jeff Jackson backed the “STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act,” urging Congress to expand states’ ability to investigate and prosecute Medicaid beneficiary and recipient fraud. Drug Pricing Accountability: Jackson and other attorneys general reached a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing, with changes promised to comply with antitrust laws. Rural Economy Watch: A farm bill and tariff debate is heating up in South Dakota politics, with Democratic nominee Julian Beaudion warning the current farm bill doesn’t address tariff harm and citing stress on small farms. Statehouse Shutdown Avoidance: Senate leaders advanced a stopgap funding bill to avert a shutdown, extending current funding levels through Dec. 11 while negotiations continue. Local Business & Housing: North Sioux City and PBR Capital Group held a ribbon cutting for Union Crossing, a new affordable housing development aimed at easing workforce housing shortages. Food Safety Alert: Walmart shoppers in 19 states were told to check pantries after a Bettergoods pistachio nut butter recall tied to possible Salmonella contamination, including South Dakota.

Energy & Industry: Antora Energy just closed a $550 million Series C to speed up U.S. thermal battery storage, following its South Dakota deployment that moved from construction to delivering power in under a year. Local Schools: Rapid City Area Schools is pushing a $107 million bond for Nov. 3, with plans for HVAC, security, renovations, and a new elementary school; it needs 60% approval. Public Safety & Health: South Dakota’s EMS workforce is aging, with the state averaging an EMS provider age of 51 and multiple volunteers in their 70s and 80s. Politics: A new fight over the SAVE America Act has Trump publicly pressuring Sen. John Thune after the Senate logjam over voter ID and citizenship proof requirements. Rural Care Watch: A rural hospital closure in Michigan is being cited as a warning sign for the federal “Rural Emergency Hospital” model and what happens when funding changes hit. Crime: Federal agents arrested 14 people in a multi-state cocaine ring that included South Dakota suspects, with guns and drugs seized. Sports & Community: Sturgis pre-rally activity is ramping up at Exit 55 as vendors and riders prepare for the Aug. 7 kickoff.

Science Funding Fight: The Senate is moving to block a White House rule that would let political appointees override grant decisions, a move critics say could politicize research and hurt rural and biomedical work. Daylight Saving Time: Congress still hasn’t settled the clock issue, so most Americans will still “fall back” Nov. 1, with doctors warning the wrong fix could worsen sleep and travel planning. Public Safety—Drugs: Federal agents arrested 14 people, including 11 in South Dakota, tied to a regional cocaine ring, seizing guns and cocaine. EMS Workforce: South Dakota’s volunteer EMT ranks are aging, with the average provider age reported at 51 and some still serving in their 80s. Cybersecurity—Water Systems: Federal officials warn cyberattacks on water and wastewater controls are spreading across multiple states, including South Dakota, after incidents tied to internet-connected control devices. Local Economy—Sturgis Prep: Black Hills Harley-Davidson kicked off its Exit 55 pre-Rally rollout, drawing early riders and vendors ahead of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Education & Research: South Dakota Mines received a $3.1M federal grant for critical minerals research, and DSU joined an NIH-funded biomedical research network expanding student research opportunities.

Cybersecurity & Water Systems: Federal FBI/EPA warnings say malicious hackers have been tampering with internet-connected water and wastewater controls in at least seven states, including Minnesota, with reported pressure loss and flooding; South Dakota is among the states mentioned as seeing activity consistent with the alerts. Sioux Falls Homicide: Sioux Falls police opened a homicide probe after a woman was fatally stabbed; suspect Yien Dak was arrested in Iowa with help from Flock Safety cameras. Farm Policy & Fuel: The Senate Ag Committee’s “Farm Bill 2.0” text includes year-round E15 sales, with South Dakota lawmakers praising the move. South Dakota Research & Minerals: South Dakota Mines won a $3.1M DOE ARPA-E grant to speed rare earth mapping using sensing tech and AI. Education Research Network: Dakota State University joined the NIH-funded South Dakota INBRE network, expanding paid biomedical research opportunities for undergrads. Local Business/Community: Wyatt’s Lemonade in Piedmont opened for the season, partnering with Jersey Mike’s to raise funds for the Piedmont Fire Department, while Black Hills Harley-Davidson kicked off Sturgis pre-rally events in Rapid City.

Cybersecurity & Water Systems: The FBI is warning of cyberattacks targeting internet-connected control devices at U.S. water and wastewater facilities, with Iran flagged as a chief suspect; South Dakota is among states that have reported activity consistent with the threat, though officials say systems continue operating safely. Farm Policy & Fuel: The Senate Ag Committee’s “Farm Bill 2.0” draft includes language supporting year-round E15 sales, a move South Dakota lawmakers say would help producers and rural communities. Research & Rare Minerals: South Dakota Mines won a $3.1 million federal grant to speed up locating rare earth and critical minerals using advanced sensing and AI mapping, with field testing tied to Dakota Gold’s Richmond Hill property. Biomedical Research Access: DSU is joining the NIH-funded South Dakota INBRE network, expanding paid undergraduate research opportunities across participating labs. Local Education & Community: Sioux Falls families hit Empire Mall’s Back-to-School Bash for deals, giveaways, and school-year prep. Public Health & Safety: LifeServe is urging blood donations as summer demand dips, warning that major incidents can quickly drain hospital supplies. Business Climate: A new ranking highlights Wyoming and South Dakota among the lowest business tax-rate states, reinforcing interest in the region’s tax environment.

Blood Supply Alert: LifeServe says the national blood crisis hasn’t fully hit its South Dakota-area network yet, but summer dips and major incidents can drain hospital supplies fast—donors are urged to sign up and give. Local Government & Taxes: Petitions are circulating in Codington County to force a vote on a newly passed 0.5% county gross receipts tax, with organizers aiming to get it on the November ballot. Education & School Choice: Thirty-one states have opted into the federal Education Freedom Scholarship Program ahead of a January 2027 deadline, while others raise concerns about oversight and accountability. Economy & Inflation: A new GDP snapshot shows an anemic 1.5% annualized growth rate, keeping inflation uncertainty front and center. Energy Reliability: The DOE issued an emergency order for South Dakota and 16 other states to reduce blackout risk during extreme heat. Community & Recovery: Sioux Falls families and neighborhoods are still rebuilding after recent storms, including ongoing pool schedule updates and storm-damage recovery.

Pandemic Politics Fade in Pierre: Six COVID-era bills died in South Dakota’s 2026 legislative session, including proposals on drug liability, vaccine mandates, and pandemic powers; several key GOP backers lost primaries or aren’t running again. Public Safety & Courts: Hideaway Hills homeowners are asking the South Dakota Supreme Court to rehear a sinkhole-related ruling that blocked state liability. Mitchell Economic Development: Gov. Rhoden announced $1 million from the Future Fund to make a Mitchell industrial/business park “shovel-ready” with utilities and roads. Sioux Falls Storm Recovery: A family still can’t live in their home after a tree collapse during severe storms; help is underway via community support and a GoFundMe. Rapid City Schools Bond Q&A: Residents got their first face-to-face chance to question district leaders about a proposed $107M Rapid City Area Schools bond, with tax impact and project scope front and center. Energy Reliability: The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order covering South Dakota to reduce blackout risk during extreme heat. Agriculture Practicalities: SDSU Extension warns drought-stressed grain used as forage can carry higher nitrates, raising livestock poisoning risks. Local Life: Sioux Falls extended outdoor pool hours to Aug. 16, and Rapid City police confirmed a homicide investigation near Empire Mall.

State Rankings: South Dakota keeps climbing in national rankings, jumping six spots to No. 2 in US News’ 2026 Best States list, with top marks for natural environment (No. 2), opportunity and economy (No. 5), and infrastructure (No. 6). Medicare Costs: A warning for South Dakota seniors: Democrats say the Trump administration’s plan to end Medicare Part D premium stabilization after 2026 could mean higher drug-plan premiums starting in 2027. Local Government & Schools: Rapid City school leaders warn a new bond push could finally be “the one” after decades of failed votes, citing aging facilities and heat-related cancellations. City Budget: Sioux Falls Mayor Christine Erickson’s first budget proposal totals $794 million, prioritizing public safety and streets while planning operational cuts to offset revenue pressure. Agriculture: Extreme heat and drought have killed more than 1,000 cattle in northeast South Dakota, with ranchers pointing to shrinking water supplies. Business & Jobs: The South Dakota Board of Economic Development approved investments tied to defense manufacturing and other expansions, including an ammunition facility expansion in Clear Lake. Scams Watch: BBB Scam Tracker reports show Sioux Falls and Rapid City remain the top local hotspots for reported scams in June.

Economic Development: The South Dakota Board of Economic Development approved projects expected to drive more than $115 million in capital investment and create 74 full-time jobs, including AMTEC’s expansion tied to defense manufacturing in Clear Lake and SD Works loans for Sioux Falls’ Quality Nut & Bolt. Politics: South Dakota’s first-ever GOP gubernatorial runoff ended with Gov. Larry Rhoden crushing Toby Doeden 71%-29%, a result that reshaped the race heading into the fall. Local Government & Housing: Clay County tabled the first reading of a proposed sales tax ordinance after an omission in a public notice; in Rapid City, voters will be asked Nov. 3 to approve a $107 million school bond for HVAC, security, renovations, safety upgrades, and a new east-side elementary school. Education: Educators at USD-Sioux Falls previewed an NSF-backed science curriculum module built around chameleons, while DSU honored student-athletes for academics. Community Health & Business: Dairy Queen’s Miracle Treat Day returns across the region to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network, and Sioux Falls Mayor Christine Erickson outlined early budget plans tied to the Sanford District redevelopment. Civic Oversight: Rapid City residents raised concerns about public oversight and permitting for a proposed data center. Courts & Speech: A federal judge blocked South Dakota’s abortion-pill advertising ban, saying it likely violates free speech.