AGP Executive Report

State Politics: A “disturbance in the force” is shaking South Dakota’s GOP runoff race as Gov. Larry Rhoden and Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden head toward a July 28 showdown after neither won outright in the June 2 primary. Education Policy: The South Dakota Board of Education Standards approved prenatal video options for public schools, including a controversial “Baby Olivia” video backed by an anti-abortion group, with other approved choices also cleared for use. Human Trafficking Training: The Department of Education is preparing to send schools state resources for combating human trafficking, with guidance aimed at K-12 staff. Local Government Finance: Mitchell updated its tax increment financing process to add an independent fiscal feasibility review before TIF approvals, with new state rules taking effect July 1. Public Safety: Officers and civilians were honored in Mitchell for heroic actions during an April I-90 crash that saved children from a burning car. Environment & Flooding: Sioux Falls is rolling out new green infrastructure projects using native plants and engineered soil to reduce flooding and filter pollutants. Health & Food Safety: USDA ordered a recall of nearly 6,000 pounds of frozen meatloaf products in SD, ND and MN due to mislabeling and an undeclared soy allergen. Regional/Legal: A 17-state coalition led by Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers sued to block California’s plastics packaging law, with South Dakota among the states joining.

Animal Welfare & Food Policy: A new fight over California’s Prop 12 hog-confinement rules is still sparking debate, with smaller producers arguing they can’t out-scale big operations but can compete by raising pigs without gestation crates. Local Agriculture & Community: Hungry for Truth’s Farm to Fork event in Mitchell brought soybean farmers and consumers together for “honest conversations” about how food is grown and the need to reconnect most South Dakotans to farming. State Politics: U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson said he doesn’t yet know what’s next after losing the GOP governor’s race, and he won’t endorse unless asked. Defense & Infrastructure: The Senate Armed Services Committee advanced the FY 2027 defense bill, including about $43.7 million for South Dakota National Guard construction and support tied to the B-21 Raider program. Health Care Workforce Housing: Fall River Health Services in Hot Springs is funding a subdivision near the hospital to create 48 affordable units for employees, aiming to ease a long-running housing shortage. Business & Growth: Roy’zzz dispensary opened in Watertown as part of its I-29 expansion, building an in-state customer base while developing in-house brands. Tech & Housing: A South Dakota hospital in Hot Springs is also part of a broader trend of employers tackling worker housing gaps. Sports & Community: Sioux Falls Juneteenth festivities return with a Freedom Walk, vendors, entertainment, and a new car show as organizers work with tighter budgets. Education & Honors: SDSU engineering leader Yucheng Liu is set to be inducted as a fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education.

Parks Funding Push: A South Dakota viewpoint argues Congress must renew and extend the America the Beautiful parks and public lands restoration funding to tackle aging infrastructure at places like Badlands National Park. Local Government Watch: Paullina’s council heard updates on a long-running water system and the timeline for MidAmerican’s Highland Wind Farm repowering. Health & Community: Rapid City’s Walk to Defeat ALS drew families and supporters as organizers work to close a fundraising gap for free care and research support. Local Politics: A Sioux Falls mayoral runoff opinion says both candidates are solid and urges voters to keep local elections nonpartisan. Campaign Trail: A local commentator on the U.S. Senate race says a three-way contest could help the incumbent and declines to push either Democrat or independent to step aside. Sports & Youth: SDSU’s Jackrabbit football staff held a Rapid City development camp for about 100 players, and Sioux Falls Jefferson softball capped a dominant run with 33 straight wins and state titles. Weather: Forecasters warn of showers and storms moving into western South Dakota, with fog and possible isolated flooding affecting Father’s Day plans.

Local Sports Spotlight: West Central’s boys basketball team was voted Argus Leader’s 2025-26 Team of the Year after a 25-0 run and a Class A title, beating Sioux Falls Christian twice. Youth Football: SDSU’s Jackrabbit coaches held a Rapid City development camp for about 100 players in grades 7-12, with plans to grow it next year. Community & Culture: The West Boulevard Summer Festival returned to Wilson Park in Rapid City with 88 vendor stalls and family-friendly entertainment, highlighting local artists and small businesses. Public Safety & Weather: Showers and storms are moving into western South Dakota, including fog and isolated flooding concerns, with Father’s Day plans potentially affected. Statewide Service: South Dakota Highway Patrol graduated 13 new troopers, with several assigned to Rapid City and Spearfish. Agriculture & Food Security: The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation donated $292,620 to Feeding South Dakota to help buy beef as costs stay high. Education: Sleepy Eye Public Schools hired McKenzie Wagelie as elementary principal for 2026-27. Health & Mind: A mental health memo focused on why sleep matters and what too little—or too much—can do to mood and focus.

South Dakota Public Broadcasting: The SDHSAA board heard that South Dakota Public Broadcasting is still committed to covering state athletic and fine arts events, buying rights so statewide competitions get live streams, broadcasts, photos and results; last school year it reached more than 491,000 users with 2.8 million views and 818,000 hours watched. Drought response for producers: SDSU Extension is taking drought meetings on the road for lower-third South Dakota farmers and ranchers, focusing on practical ways to protect profits when pasture and crop moisture are limited and input costs stay high. Law enforcement staffing: The Highway Patrol graduated 13 new troopers in Fort Pierre, with several assigned to Rapid City and Spearfish and others going to Sioux Falls, Pierre, Brookings, Vermillion, Beresford and Kadoka. Local sports and community: The Sioux Falls Family YMCA and Sioux Falls Skyforce renewed their youth basketball partnership, with Y-Force registration open for ages 4 through high school. Rodeo update: Chadron State competitors saw their College National Finals Rodeo seasons end Friday—Hot Springs’ Bridget Romey missed the short-go by two-tenths. Health care spending snapshot: New federal Medicaid billing figures show sharp local increases in multiple South Dakota communities, including Deadwood’s medicine services and procedures up 40.4% in 2024.

Public Safety: The South Dakota Highway Patrol held its 72nd recruit academy graduation in Fort Pierre, welcoming 13 new troopers after months of training and field work. Elections & Civic Life: South Dakota Democrats named nominees for constitutional offices, including Terrence Davis for secretary of state and Frank Kloucek for public utilities commissioner. Homelessness & Community Services: St. Francis House in Sioux Falls launched a capital campaign for a “Healing Home” expansion to relieve overcrowding and speed up the path to permanent housing. Native Communities & Culture: The American Indian College Fund received a $2.4 million grant to expand Native arts programming for tribal colleges and universities. Sports: Bergen Reilly returned to Sioux Falls to sign autographs ahead of her final Nebraska volleyball season, and Special Olympics South Dakota sent a 65-person team to the USA Games in Minneapolis. Justice Update: A man whose life sentence was commuted by former Gov. Kristi Noem has been charged in the death of 14-year-old McKenna Wendel near Brookings.

Wounded Knee Medal Fight: Descendants of survivors say they’ll keep pushing to revoke Medals of Honor after the Defense Department declined to rescind them, while Sen. Mike Rounds’ Armed Services Committee report urges the Pentagon to turn over unredacted review materials. Sioux Falls Runoff Voting: Three days remain in the Sioux Falls mayoral runoff; voting runs Saturday noon, then Monday and Tuesday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with absentee options for voters who can’t make it to the polls. Federal Sentencing: A Sioux Falls man was sentenced to 1 year 11 months in federal prison for failing to register as a sex offender, and a McLaughlin man received 2 years for assault with a dangerous weapon. Service Academy Appointments: Rep. Dusty Johnson announced a Gregory student’s appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Local Sports & Community: Special Olympics South Dakota sent 65 athletes to the USA Games in Minneapolis; JE Dunn announced it plans to acquire Sioux Falls’ Henry Carlson Construction; and South Dakota communities marked America 250 with fireworks, parades, and exhibits. Public Safety & Health: FDA issued an urgent salmonella recall for alfredo sauce sold in South Dakota, and SDSU Extension’s Aging Well recordings are available online through Sept. 30.

Solid-State Battery Breakthrough: Critical Resources says it used dynamic spray deposition at South Dakota Mines to build a full cathode, solid electrolyte, and conductive network in a single dry step—aiming to cut manufacturing complexity. Public Safety: The South Dakota Highway Patrol graduated 13 new recruits in Fort Pierre, completing academy and field training. Legal Aid Under Strain: Dakota Plains Legal Services warned of a $176,000 budget deficit that’s forcing staffing and vacancy freezes. Health Access in Rural SD: A new pediatric behavioral health funding push will expand support for rural and frontier families through the SDAAP/BEAM-SD partnership. Local Government & Community: Wakonda’s development corporation is reactivating after new ventures and housing efforts; Vermillion school board approved a $300,000 capital-to-general fund transfer. Education & Sports: SDSU named 3,941 students to its spring dean’s list; Sioux Falls Lincoln won national relay titles at Nike Outdoor Nationals. Crime Update: A Sioux Falls man on parole tied to the death of 14-year-old McKenna Wendel faces federal charges. Drought Watch: Southeast South Dakota and parts of northeast Nebraska remain in moderate to extreme drought, with conditions expected to persist.

Education & Kids Count: South Dakota ranks 38th nationally for education in the 2026 Kids Count report, with worse reading/math proficiency and more young children not in school than in 2019. Public Safety & Courts: Federal prosecutors in Iowa indicted Sioux Falls resident Mark Milk, the uncle of 14-year-old McKenna Wendel, charging him in her death; another man, Jon Rogness, faces related obstruction and accessory charges. Local Community: Sioux Falls’ Juneteenth Freedom Walk and festival returns Saturday, June 20, with a more low-key schedule amid tighter budgets and fewer sponsors. Legal Aid Funding: Dakota Plains Legal Services says a $176,000 deficit is forcing staffing and service cutbacks for low-income South Dakotans. Energy Policy: A Brookings scorecard finds South Dakota among the lowest states for EV readiness after federal incentives were rolled back. Arts & Culture: Eidem Studio’s “Portals” show highlights local visual art and creative “leaps” into new ideas. Health & Aging: A free concert in Mitchell Thursday at Edgewood Assisted Living is paired with tours and information about growing memory-care needs.

SNAP Fallout: A ProPublica analysis says Trump’s SNAP changes have cut off at least 776,000 children from benefits, with 46% of those dropped in states that track age. Sioux Falls Politics: Negative outside advertising is stirring the mayoral runoff between Christine Erickson and Jamie Smith, with Erickson calling a data-center attack ad “blatantly false.” Federal Crime Backlog: The FBI, ATF and federal prosecutors are testing hundreds of firearms seized on the Pine Ridge Reservation and feeding results into a national ballistic database to help solve long-stalled cases. Tribal Safety & Justice: The ballistics push follows earlier steps to clear the Pine Ridge firearms backlog, aiming to bring closure for families. Local Community: Abbott House is opening two new intensive therapeutic foster homes in Rapid City to meet statewide demand for youth specialized care. Education Watch: A new Kids Count report ranks South Dakota 38th for education, citing declines in reading, math, and preschool attendance. Agriculture: SDSU Extension reports South Dakota non-irrigated cropland values rose about 1.3% in 2026.

Homeland Security & Immigration: Former Gov. Kristi Noem says China is running a “travel agency”-style operation to move Chinese nationals across U.S. borders, with coordinated documents and transit to northern and southern border areas. State & National Politics: Sen. John Thune acknowledged that some Senate Republicans won’t back the SAVE America Act no matter what, as the bill’s push faces more internal GOP resistance. Local Youth Care: Abbott House opened two new intensive therapeutic foster homes in Rapid City, bringing its total to six; the agency says more than 500 South Dakota children need foster placements but only about 100–120 beds are available. Rural Health & Housing: Fall River Health Services in Hot Springs is funding an affordable housing subdivision for employees, aiming to ease a local worker shortage driven by lack of housing. Public Safety: Wind Cave National Park reported three rabid bats found since early May, urging anyone with possible bat contact to seek medical guidance. Community & Culture: Métis families gathered at Montana’s Métis Heritage Festival to celebrate language, crafts, food and music, with many attendees also calling out ties to North and South Dakota.

Food Assistance: Prairie Farms Dairy in Sioux Falls donated 4,050 half-gallon units of milk to Feeding South Dakota for dairy month and will match donations throughout June to help fight food insecurity. Public Health: South Dakota health officials confirmed the first West Nile virus mosquito pools of the season in Brown County, urging residents to use repellent, limit dusk-to-midnight outdoor time, and remove standing water. Local Government: Yankton County commissioners debated a temporary data center moratorium, with residents split over zoning readiness, economic growth, and how quickly rules can be updated. Energy & Environment: The federal Bureau of Land Management approved Dewey-Burdock uranium project infrastructure work on part of the site near the Black Hills, though mining still needs further permits. Elections & Politics: Gov. Larry Rhoden is endorsing Christine Erickson’s Sioux Falls mayoral bid, adding to a growing list of supporters ahead of the runoff. Agriculture & Livestock: SDSU Extension is encouraging producers to test forage nitrate levels, warning high nitrate can harm livestock, especially pregnant animals. Sports & Community: Spearfish High School SkillsUSA members attended the national leadership conference after strong state results.

Housing & Economy: A new Realtor.com housing affordability report ranks states on how well home prices line up with new construction, with Indiana taking the top spot and South Dakota among those facing ongoing affordability pressure. State Housing Program: The South Dakota Board approved higher prices and income limits for the Governor’s House affordable housing program, plus a new low-interest mortgage help option for manufactured home buyers. Elections & Voting Access: Republicans are pushing to replace South Dakota’s top election official, Monae Johnson, with state Rep. Heather Baxter, as the GOP nomination is set to be decided by delegates at the party convention. Public Health: South Dakota confirmed its first West Nile virus case of the season after detection in Brown County mosquito pools, urging residents to use repellents and avoid peak mosquito hours. Local Government & Policy: The head of the Legislative Research Council resigned, and an interim director was appointed while a search for a permanent leader gets underway. Sports & Youth: Aberdeen Gun Club hosted the South Dakota State High School Clay Target League tournament, with local teams and shooters placing across trap and skeet. Community & Culture: The Summit League extended its TV rights deal with CBS Sports Network and Midco Sports through 2029-30, and South Dakota’s Red Power Round Up is set for Huron June 25-27.

Sports & Local College Basketball: Myles Thompson, a JuCo national champion returning from injury, is set to finish his college career with South Dakota State, joining a program known for its “championship culture.” Public Health: South Dakota health officials confirmed the state’s first West Nile virus detection of the season, urging residents to prevent mosquito bites as mosquito season ramps up. State Government & Services: The new South Dakota EMS Funding Task Force will meet for the first time Wednesday, aiming to figure out how to fund ambulance services statewide as residents continue to face costly bills. Agriculture & Community Events: SDSU Extension is hosting free regional drought meetings and added seasonal staff to its Garden Hotline, while the Governor’s Agricultural Summit lineup and tours were announced for June 25–26 in Pierre. Local Governance: Yankton County is considering a one-year data center moratorium after a commissioner cited an alleged “end-around” effort, and Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken pushed back on data center talk during a Rotary Q&A. Education & Youth: Rep. Dusty Johnson announced nine South Dakotans selected for U.S. service academies, and Mitchell Tech students brought home multiple top-three finishes from SkillsUSA Nationals. Community & Culture: A new screening at Rapid City’s Journey Museum revisits the 1972 flood and why the Greenway remains central to the city’s identity.

Public Health: South Dakota health officials confirmed the state’s first West Nile virus detection of the season and urged residents to prevent mosquito bites with repellent, protective clothing, and by removing standing water. Agriculture: USDA crop progress shows winter wheat conditions improving for the first time in five weeks, while corn and soy ratings edged up slightly. Courts & Public Safety: The South Dakota Supreme Court upheld two self-defense cases, clarifying that immunity challenges must be raised before trial. In Rapid City, a man was sentenced to 40 years for a fatal downtown stabbing. State Politics: GOP delegates will nominate a new attorney general candidate June 27, a decision that could shape the office without a Democrat on the ballot. Environment & Wildlife: Zebra mussels were confirmed in Bitter Lake, with Game, Fish and Parks urging boaters to clean, drain, and dry gear. Local Life & Culture: A former South Dakota poet laureate, David Allan Evans, died at — and a Rapid City author, Navy veteran Rocky Dean Matson, released a new Badlands-set historical novel. Sports: Sioux Falls Lincoln’s Brady Stamp was named South Dakota Gatorade boys soccer player of the year.

Local Sports & Tourism: The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s National Walleye Tour is set to hit Bay De Noc in Gladstone June 18-19, with launches from North Shore Boat Launch around 7 a.m. and public weigh-ins at Van Cleve Park starting 3 p.m., drawing an expected 250 anglers and families. State & Community Events: Mitchell’s Community Literacy Night runs 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Corn Palace, featuring author and former NFL player Malcolm Mitchell plus a South Dakota 250 flag-raising. Agriculture & Jobs: Babybel’s only U.S. plant in Brookings is expanding with a $200 million project to double production, adding about 150 jobs and roughly $12 million in payroll. Legal Aid Push: South Dakota Attorney General Dave Sunday joined a bipartisan coalition urging Congress to keep funding the Legal Services Corporation for low-income civil legal help. High School Rodeo: The South Dakota State High School Rodeo Finals begin Tuesday in Fort Pierre after regional qualifiers wrapped over the weekend. Food Safety: The FDA classified an Alfredo sauce recall as Class I after possible Salmonella risk, affecting distribution in 41 states.