AGP Executive Report

Power Outage Update: Power has been restored for nearly 1,700 Black Hills Electric Co-Op customers after an outage hit Rapid City Saturday afternoon, with crews dispatched shortly after reports around 2:30 p.m. Public Safety & Crime: A 21-year-old man, Christopher Tromp, made his initial court appearance on a manslaughter charge tied to a fatal Palm Drive shooting in Rapid City; bond was set at $750,000 cash-only. Road Rage, South Dakota Style: A new survey named Mount Rushmore Road in Rapid City the state’s most “passive-aggressive” road, with common complaints including last-second lane cutting and tailgating. Weather & Travel: A major heat wave is forecast to blanket much of the central U.S., including the Dakotas, with dangerous triple-digit heat index conditions. Health Alert for Ranchers: USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in Texas, prompting South Dakota officials to urge herd inspections as summer grazing and shipping ramp up. Community Calendar: Great Plains Botanic Garden in Hermosa opens for its annual open house June 12-13, with trails, native plants, and free visitor center stops.

State Politics Runoff: South Dakota’s Republican governor race is headed to a July 28 runoff between Toby Doeden and Gov. Larry Rhoden, after neither hit 35% in the June 2 primary; the Sioux Falls mayor race also goes to a runoff after overtime results. Road Safety & Construction: The future reconstruction of US Highway 85 from Spearfish Canyon to the Wyoming border—adding shoulders, regrading, and curve reroutes as early as 2030—drew mixed reactions at a DOT meeting in Deadwood. Severe Weather Watch: The AG is warning South Dakotans about storm-repair scams, urging written quotes, contractor checks, and avoiding full upfront payments. Local Tragedy: Two motorcyclists died after a crash in north Sioux Falls when their bikes collided near Russell Street and the Big Sioux River bridge. Health Care Recognition: South Dakota long-term care providers earned national Bronze “Commitment to Quality” awards from AHCA/NCAL. Sports Spotlight: Class A and B softball state tournament action continues, including Castlewood returning to the Class B championship and a Class A title rematch set after Friday’s semifinals.

Class AA Softball: Sioux Falls Jefferson rolled into the state championship with a 4-0 semifinal shutout over Sioux Falls Roosevelt, setting up Friday’s title game at 4 p.m. Local Sports Spotlight: Jefferson’s Macy Bryant was named South Dakota Gatorade softball player of the year after a standout season. Politics & Elections: Most candidates who could request South Dakota legislative recounts after Tuesday’s close races say they’ll accept the initial results. Public Safety: Rapid City identified the victim in the fatal Palm Drive shooting as Gavin Price, 22, and reported a suspect’s court appearance and bond. Community & Culture: Rapid City’s Filipino-American community is hosting the first Filipino-American Family & Friends 5K Fun Run on June 6 at Founders Park. Agriculture & Education: SDSU Extension welcomed Megan Block as a new nutrition field specialist, and it’s also inviting wheat producers to free winter wheat variety tours on June 9. Weather Watch: NOAA forecasts a chance to see the northern lights Friday night, with visibility most likely in parts of northern South Dakota.

Gubernatorial Runoff: South Dakota’s GOP governor primary is headed to a July 28 special runoff, with advanced voting starting June 12 and ballots printed by June 10; the race is between Gov. Larry Rhoden and challenger Toby Doeden, the first such party nomination runoff in state history. Election Administration: Minnehaha County’s auditor says vote counting is being pushed to finish quickly, but accuracy comes first, including pulling a tabulator after inaccurate counting and jamming test ballots. Public Health: A child in Brookings has been diagnosed with measles, the state’s eighth case this year and the first since late February, with all cases detected in eastern South Dakota. Local Government: Vermillion voters elected Kevin O’Kelley mayor in a nonpartisan race, defeating incumbent Jon Cole, while council races also reshuffled several wards. Community & Sports: Rapid City’s Black Hills Veterans Classic opened with wins for the Hardhats and Stars, and the Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon is set for this weekend. Education/Arts: The South Dakota Rock & Rollers Hall of Fame announced its 2026 inductees, with the ceremony Oct. 24 in Sioux Falls.

Politics & Elections: South Dakota’s GOP governor race is headed to a July 28 runoff after Toby Doeden and Gov. Larry Rhoden fell short of the 35% threshold, with Doeden criticizing slow election-night results and vowing to “fix” the system. Local Government: Sioux Falls City Council runoffs are set after no candidate cleared the 50% mark in three races, sending At Large A, Central, and Southeast to a June 23 vote. Weather & Safety: The National Weather Service confirmed five tornadoes from the May 31 supercell outbreak, and state officials are warning homeowners about storm-repair scams. Northern Lights: NOAA issued a G3 watch for Thursday night into Friday, with South Dakota among the states that could see auroras if skies cooperate. Public Health: A new report says Native Americans in South Dakota face some of the nation’s largest health disparities, with premature deaths driven by preventable causes. Sports: Class AA softball state tournament opened with quarterfinals, including Jefferson’s shutout win over Lincoln and Harrisburg advancing past O’Gorman. Community & Culture: Levitt at the Falls reopens for a new season after major expansion, and the statewide Readiatrics Book Drive wrapped up with nearly 5,000 books collected.

South Dakota Politics: South Dakota’s GOP governor primary is headed to a historic July 28 runoff after Toby Doeden and Gov. Larry Rhoden advanced, with Dusty Johnson falling short—meaning lower turnout and shifting loyalties could decide the nominee. Local Elections: Sioux Falls mayoral race is also going to a runoff, with Christine Erickson and Jamie Smith both falling short of 50% and now campaigning hard for the June 23 finish. Public Safety: Sioux Falls Fire Rescue launched a dedicated dive rescue program, placing 12 trained divers on shifts to speed response for water rescues and submerged-vehicle incidents. Sports: South Dakota State finalized a 12-game football schedule with seven home dates and a return to FBS play, including a Week 2 matchup at Northwestern. Community & Culture: Rapid City’s new iSmash entertainment venue opens downtown June 6, bringing rage rooms, splatter paint, and other interactive attractions. Weather: Another First Alert Weather Day is in play for Thursday, with severe storms possible across parts of the region.

South Dakota Politics: Toby Doeden and Gov. Larry Rhoden will face off in the state’s first-ever GOP governor runoff after Tuesday’s primary left no candidate above 35%, with U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson finishing third and out of the race; the runoff is set for July 28. Local Elections: Pennington County voters turned out at 28.28% in the primary, with county commissioner leads going to Mike Mueller (District 1) and Deb Hadcock (District 3), and Rapid City ward races showing multiple tight contests. Roads & Construction: SDDOT announced a Highway 38 closure east of Mitchell starting June 8 through November, with signed detours in place. Housing & Tribal Home Loans: USDA Rural Development says Lakota Funds is now the third home-loan lender in South Dakota under the Direct Home Loans program, investing $764,000 to support housing on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Community & Sports: Rapid City crews filled nearly 4,300 potholes in May; and the Class AA softball state tournament is set to run Thursday through Saturday in Sioux Falls with all games streaming free on SDPB’s YouTube. Arts & Culture: Zonta Fest returns June 6 at The Custer Beacon, spotlighting women in music, dance and the arts.

South Dakota Politics: Toby Doeden topped the GOP governor primary but fell short of the 35% threshold, setting up a July runoff with Gov. Larry Rhoden; U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson finished third and House Speaker Jon Hansen fourth, while state legislative races and local contests across the state were also decided with some results still pending and possible recounts. Elections Process: County auditors and poll workers across South Dakota kept tabs on absentee ballots and precinct voting as results rolled in on the Secretary of State site, with official certification set for June 9. State Health & Veterans: Gov. Rhoden proclaimed June as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month, urging South Dakotans to reduce stigma and seek help, including through 988. Rural Health: Avera St. Benedict Health Center in Parkston will host a June 9 regional meeting for rural health leaders. Ag & Conservation: USDA expanded a Farm Bill-funded program to help farmers and ranchers protect migratory big-game corridors, now covering South Dakota among 17 states. Sports: SDSU named Shannon Pivovar as USD’s next head softball coach; South Dakota high school golf crowned new champions, including Hamlin’s Aiden Abraham in Class B boys and Aberdeen Central’s Olivia Braun in Class AA girls.

South Dakota Politics: South Dakota’s GOP governor primary could trigger a runoff if no candidate hits 35% Tuesday, with voters also choosing GOP nominees for U.S. House, U.S. Senate and dozens of legislative seats. Local Courts: A Minnehaha County judge dismissed Sioux Falls mayoral candidate David Zokaites’ civil-rights lawsuit, saying it didn’t meet federal jurisdiction requirements. Roads & Travel: The SDDOT plans a shoulder chip seal project starting June 3 on U.S. 16 and U.S. 385 in Custer and Pennington counties, with 10–15 minute delays. Agriculture: An eastern South Dakota agronomist says corn looks solid but soybeans are uneven after wet, cool conditions and recent rain. Business & Community: A Sioux Falls high school program is expanding to all four district high schools after a $1 million donation to add advisers for college and career planning. Sports: Britton-Hecla brought home three state medals from the Sioux Falls track meet.

South Dakota Primaries: Tuesday’s statewide primary is a big one, with voters choosing races across the state and watching the GOP governor contest closely—if no candidate hits 35%, a runoff is set for July 28. Local Politics: A Sioux Falls mayor endorsement piece spotlights Jamie Smith’s “servant leadership” background and ties it to his campaign pitch for City Hall. Rural Health: The Senate unanimously passed a bill to extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration for five years, aimed at helping rural hospitals test payment models under Medicare. Immigration Enforcement: DHS says it added 5,000 people to its “Worst of the Worst” database, bringing the total to more than 35,000, including an Indian national arrested in Michigan. Public Safety: A Union County jury sentenced a Sioux Falls man to 100 years for a 2025 Beresford-area attack on law enforcement. Weather & Community: Rapid City added roadway cameras to track conditions, while severe weather alerts remain in play for parts of the region. Sports: Sioux Falls Canaries fell 6-3 to Winnipeg; West Sioux advanced in boys soccer; and South Dakota high school golf and track results keep rolling into the final days of state competition.

South Dakota Politics & Elections: South Dakota voters head to the polls Tuesday, June 2, in a competitive Republican governor primary featuring Gov. Larry Rhoden, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, House Speaker Jon Hansen, and businessman Toby Doeden, with the winner set to face former state Sen. Dan Ahlers in November. Public Safety: A Sioux Falls-area parole absconder, Samir Albaidhani, was sentenced to 100 years in prison for a 2025 incident that included attempted murder of law enforcement officers. Roads & Construction: Sioux Falls commuters should expect ramp closures starting June 11 for work tied to the Western Avenue and Interstate 229 corridors, with about eight days of impacts. Local Crime: A Sioux Falls man was sentenced to 100 years after a 2025 Beresford-area shooting during a police pursuit. Sports: Rafael Jodar, who played in the MarketBeat Open in Sioux Falls, advanced to the French Open quarterfinals after a five-set run. Agriculture: USDA data shows the U.S. dairy herd is the largest since mid-1993, with April milk production up year over year.

Mount Rushmore Politics: President Donald Trump posted an AI-made image of himself carved into Mount Rushmore, placing him beside Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln—reviving his long-running “dream” to join the monument. Severe Weather: A First Alert Weather Day is out for Tuesday with a high risk of large hail and damaging winds across western South Dakota and parts of northeast Wyoming, with isolated tornado chances. Tornado Update: In Sioux Falls-area storms, a confirmed large tornado near Beresford led to a “particularly dangerous” warning that was later canceled, though severe thunderstorm warnings remained. Local Schools: Sioux Falls Memorial Middle School Principal Demi Moon died after a battle with cancer, according to district officials. NCAA Baseball: Ole Miss beat Arizona State 5-4 in 10 innings to win the Lincoln Regional and advance to the super regional. Inflation Watch: A South Dakota State University economist warns that underestimating rising inflation could push prices even higher. Lottery: South Dakota Lottery Millionaire for Life results for May 31 were released.

Uranium & Access to Government: A tense hearing over proposed uranium drilling in the southern Black Hills near Edgemont is testing South Dakota’s new language-translation law, which takes effect July 1 and would require interpreters or translators in public administrative contested cases. Local Infrastructure: Mitchell City Council will weigh an $18,000 engineering agreement tied to a FEMA grant application that could fund preliminary work for a roughly $1.5 million backup-generator project to prevent sewer backups during power outages. Elections: West River GOP candidate Justin McNeal is challenging Sen. Mike Rounds in the June 2 U.S. Senate primary, framing the race around the national debt. Abortion Pill Advertising Fight: A lawsuit challenges South Dakota’s new ban on advertising abortion pills/services, with opponents arguing it violates free speech rights ahead of the July 1 effective date. Consumer Scam Alert: The Better Business Bureau warns of a fake “Bass Farm Equipment” website in Castlewood that allegedly stole $35,000+ by impersonating a real local family business. Sports (State Track): At Howard Wood Field, Jayaunna Stroh won her fifth straight Class AA high jump title, while multiple Class B champions and relay winners capped the state meet. Pageants: Kianna Healy of Hartford was crowned Miss South Dakota 2026.

NCAA Baseball (Lincoln Regional): Nebraska opened the Lincoln Regional with a 4-1 win over South Dakota State, with Carson Jasa limiting the Jackrabbits and Dylan Carey and Jett Buck providing key offense. NCAA Baseball (Lincoln Regional): In the other matchup, Ole Miss beat Arizona State 7-6 in 14 innings on a walk-off bases-loaded single by Brayden Randle, with relievers Walker Hooks and Hudson Calhoun doing the heavy lifting. South Dakota Lottery: The South Dakota Lottery’s Millionaire for Life drawing for May 28 produced numbers 09-15-24-30-57 (Bonus 01). Rapid City Community: Rapid City buried a 2076 time capsule at Founders Park, packed with photos, city facts, youth art, and local memorabilia. Sioux Falls Parks: McKennan Park’s new $4.4 million wading pool opened Friday with free admission, a zero-entry design, slides, and spray features. Public Safety & Events: Summer Nights returned to downtown Rapid City with enhanced safety planning, including hardened barriers and coordinated first-responder coverage. State Sports: Brandon Valley’s Ayuel Deng placed at the state track meet in his first season, earning top finishes in triple jump and long jump. Corrections Debate: A South Dakota corrections commentary argues the state needs a new direction beyond building another prison.

Elections & Voting Rights: The Trump administration is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to let states purge voter rolls for alleged noncitizens close to elections, a move critics say could disenfranchise eligible South Dakotans. Abortion Pill Fight: A new federal lawsuit challenges South Dakota’s law criminalizing abortion-pill advertising and delivery, arguing it violates free speech and seeking an injunction before the July start date. State Politics: South Dakota GOP primary coverage spotlights the U.S. House race, with AG Marty Jackley leading gun store owner James Bialota ahead of the June 2 vote. Local Government: In Lincoln County’s District 5 Republican primary, a retirement sets up a two-way race between Mike Mathis and Joni Ekstrum. Public Safety & Weather: A First Alert Weather Day remains in effect for Saturday in western South Dakota, with large hail, damaging winds, and a possible isolated tornado. Community & Culture: The South Dakota Arts Council awarded six $5,000 America 250 grants to community arts projects. Sports (SDHSAA): State track wrapped with multiple standouts, including Dakota Valley’s Claire Munch winning Class A triple jump and Yankton’s Gazelles and other teams setting up for upcoming golf and postseason play.

NCAA Baseball Spotlight: South Dakota State is in the Lincoln Regional, opening Friday at 3 p.m. CT against host Nebraska at Haymarket Park, with Carson Jasa on the mound for the Huskers; SDSU’s run to the tournament came after beating Oral Roberts and Northern Colorado in the Summit League. Local Trails & Parks: Sioux Falls finished a major expansion of the Big Sioux River Trail Corridor, adding a mile of paved trail and a boardwalk section that lifts into the forest canopy, with the project funded by $2.7 million in total spending including private donations. Road Work in Custer State Park: SDDOT will start a $15.6 million asphalt overlay on U.S. Highway 16A mainline beginning June 1, with pilot cars and flaggers, tentatively finishing July 1 before additional sealing and guardrail work. Uranium Hearing Update: A new South Dakota law requiring language translation services in some public administrative contested cases is set to take effect July 1, with its first test tied to a Black Hills uranium drilling permit hearing. Youth Baseball: Rapid City will host an MLB PLAY BALL youth event June 3 at Floyd Fitzgerald Stadium—no experience needed, but registration is required. Miss South Dakota Competition: Preliminary awards were announced Thursday at Miss South Dakota, with Kianna Healy winning the Talent Award and Jaye Olszewski taking Onstage Question and Community Service. Sports Notes: Sioux City East standout Chris Ford committed to South Dakota football, and Pipestone Area’s softball Arrows credited plate adjustments for a recent surge.