Rural EMS Upgrade: South Dakota is set to receive $7.2M in federal funding to modernize rural emergency medical services, including ambulance telemedicine, EMS training, and faster communications and patient data-sharing. AI in the Classroom and Campus: Sen. Mike Rounds met with Anthropic leaders at South Dakota Mines to discuss AI’s opportunities and risks, while a separate Mines AI gathering sparked criticism over limited public access. AI Policy at City Hall: Rapid City is reviewing an AI policy for city staff, as local governments grapple with how to use new tools responsibly. Black Hills Research Spotlight: A South Dakota Mines filtration device that separates hyaluronic acid from blood samples won “Coolest Thing Made in the Black Hills,” with potential cancer research and less invasive diagnostics. Wireless Buildout Debate: The FCC is pushing to speed wireless infrastructure permitting, reigniting arguments over whether radiofrequency exposure standards need updating. Healthcare Costs Watch: New ACA marketplace data shows plan selections down 4.9% and premiums up 19.7%, signaling tougher choices for South Dakotans shopping coverage. Local STEM Outreach: SDSU brought engineering projects to Sioux Falls middle schoolers at Washington Pavilion and also hosted lunar engineering demos for younger students. Bison Restoration: A Lakota nonprofit plans to return 50 bison to nearly 40,000 acres in Badlands National Park to help restore native prairie ecosystems. Energy Affordability Pressure: New modeling warns federal energy policy changes could drive higher household energy spending nationwide through 2040.