AGP Executive Report

AI in South Dakota: Sen. Mike Rounds met with Anthropic leaders at South Dakota Mines to discuss AI’s upsides and risks for health care, education, the workforce and national security, while local critics questioned whether the public was shut out of the campus-only event. Native prairie restoration: Thunder Valley Community Development Corp. plans to release 50 bison into nearly 40,000 acres in Badlands National Park on Oct. 6, after years of baseline soil and biodiversity work and new fencing to support Lakota-led stewardship. Health care costs on the move: A new analysis of ACA marketplace changes finds enrollment down 4.9% and premiums up 19.7% for 2026, as more shoppers gravitate to cheaper coverage tiers. Cancer research hardware: South Dakota Mines’ assistant professor Tuğba Özdemir won “Coolest Thing Made in the Black Hills” for a filtration device that separates hyaluronic acid from blood to support less invasive cancer research. STEM outreach: SDSU Day brought engineering students and Sioux Falls middle schoolers together at Washington Pavilion, plus a public talk on lunar engineering. Rural workforce reality: A CNN look at a tiny North Dakota town highlights how immigrant workers are filling critical hospital roles. Energy affordability watch: A study projects federal energy-policy changes could raise household energy costs through 2040, with South Dakota among the states facing larger increases.

Native Prairie Restoration: Thunder Valley Community Development Corp. plans to release 50 bison into nearly 40,000 acres in Badlands National Park on Oct. 6, using soil and biodiversity baseline research to guide the return of a keystone species and restore native plants. AI Governance: A Public Utilities Commission candidate criticized a School of Mines AI event with Senator Mike Rounds and Anthropic for being limited to campus, arguing public meetings should be transparent. STEM Outreach: SDSU brought engineering students and Sioux Falls middle schoolers to the Washington Pavilion for hands-on project demos, plus a lunar engineering talk open to the public. Cancer Tech Spotlight: South Dakota Mines’ Tuğba Özdemir won “Coolest Thing Made in the Black Hills” for a filtration device that separates hyaluronic acid from blood to support less invasive cancer research. Campus Construction: USD broke ground on the $40M Gassen Family Fieldhouse, while its law school marked a $6M renovation with a ribbon-cutting. Energy Costs Watch: A new analysis projects South Dakota households could pay about $9,000 more in energy costs through 2040 under recent federal policy changes. Driving Costs: AAA reports average annual new-vehicle ownership costs rose to $12,863, driven by fuel, depreciation, and finance charges. Wildlife Safety: South Dakota urges drivers to watch for deer during peak migration and mating season as collisions remain a major risk.

Healthcare Refunds: The Treasury has started sending one-time $500 Affordable Care Act refund checks to 950,000+ enrollees in 30 states, tied to federal HealthCare.gov “user fees” that the Trump administration says were overcharged. Energy Costs: A nonpartisan analysis projects U.S. households will pay about $6,500 more for energy through 2040, with South Dakota among the states hit hardest as clean-energy and vehicle-efficiency policies are rolled back. Early Learning Policy: The Trump administration proposed major Head Start rule changes that could cut staffing, family engagement, and other protections—sparking warnings that child support could vary widely by state. Local Public Transit: Rapid City is holding workshops and an online survey on a micro-transit feasibility plan that would enable smaller, demand-based rides with curb-to-curb pickup. AI Crime in Rapid City: A Rapid City man was sentenced to five years in federal prison for using AI to create sexually explicit images of minors. Water Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers upgraded Oahe Dam’s risk classification to “very high risk” and launched a multi-year dam safety modification study, with no current emergency. South Dakota Health Tech: South Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program is now a year in, funding rural provider technology and cybersecurity plus behavioral and mental health care.

Energy Costs: A nonpartisan think tank says federal policy shifts tied to the Trump administration could raise U.S. household energy bills by about $6,500 on average through 2040, with South Dakota among the states hit hardest. AI & Security: A technology law brief highlights how AI agents can move between systems in ways that expose new security risks, pushing calls for stronger safeguards. Rural Health Tech: Sen. John Thune says South Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program is now funding rural provider technology and cybersecurity, plus behavioral and mental health. Public Transit Planning: Rapid City is holding workshops and an online survey on a micro-transit feasibility study aimed at demand-based, curb-to-curb rides. Dam Safety: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers upgraded Lake Oahe’s status to “very high risk,” while stressing it’s not an emergency and detailing upgrades and monitoring. Community STEM & Learning: A Freeman teen’s research work helps bring a prehistoric mosasaur display to life, and Western Dakota Tech’s career expo connects students with skilled-trades and healthcare pathways. Libraries & Tech Standards: South Dakota recognized 10 libraries and 35 librarians for accreditation and certification, including categories like technology and public service.

AI Safety Debate: A new wave of warnings says AI systems can act independently and even hack other sites, while the White House argues fears are overblown and wants major AI firms to self-police. Local AI Governance: Rapid City’s Legal and Finance Committee reviewed an AI policy for city staff, balancing efficiency with concerns that broad rules could age poorly as tools change. South Dakota Research Boost: Avera Research Institute, SDSU, and USD Sanford School of Medicine won an NIH award to create the South Dakota Center for Advancing Clinical and Translational Research, aiming to train researchers and build shared statewide resources. STEM & Workforce Pipeline: Western Dakota Tech and Western Dakota Technical College hosted career expos in Rapid City, pushing hands-on paths in trades and healthcare amid ongoing workforce shortages. Energy Storage in the Region: Antora Energy signed a deal for a 5.8 GWh thermal battery project in Kansas, building on its South Dakota-made thermal battery rollout. Public Health & Consumer Claims: South Dakota-related coverage highlights generic drug settlement claim efforts and new federal ACA $500 refund checks for eligible enrollees.

NIH Research Partnership: Avera Research Institute, SDSU and USD Sanford School of Medicine won an $11.09M, five-year NIH award to launch the South Dakota Center for Advancing Clinical and Translational Research (SD-ACT), aiming to train researchers and build statewide clinical research resources. Missile Defense Costs: The Pentagon says its “Golden Dome” missile shield would protect the entire homeland for $185B, while the Congressional Budget Office estimates a far higher $1.2T over 20 years—highlighting a major gap in how the program’s price is understood. AI in City Hall: Rapid City’s Legal and Finance Committee reviewed a new AI policy for city staff, weighing whether it should be a formal resolution as technology changes fast. Cybersecurity & Resilience: South Dakota marked October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month, while Pennington County continued updates after a July ransomware incident. Rural Health Tech: One year into the Rural Health Transformation Program, South Dakota is expanding tech and cybersecurity for rural providers and investing in behavioral and mental health care. STEM & Workforce Pipeline: Western Dakota Tech hosted a career expo in Rapid City to show high schoolers paths beyond four-year degrees, including hands-on trades and health careers. Renewable Fuels: POET supplied plant-based ethanol for the first U.S. 100% ethanol bunkering trial with Maersk, a marine fuel milestone for American bioethanol. Local Public Safety: UNET reported arrests in Rapid City tied to fentanyl and cocaine trafficking.

Behavioral Health Funding: South Dakota is awarding more than $13 million in grants to expand rural mental health care, including 12 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic modernization awards under the Rural Health Transformation program, aimed at boosting capacity, crisis response, technology, and the workforce. AI in Local Government: Rapid City’s Legal and Finance Committee will review a nearly $2.5 million FEMA grant to modernize city operations and permitting, plus an AI policy proposal and a final report tied to the Railyard relocation study. Renewable Fuels for Shipping: POET supplied plant-based ethanol for the first 100% ethanol bunkering trial in the U.S., partnering with Maersk and others to test low-carbon marine fuel options. AI Policy in Education/Workforce: South Dakota Mines will host a public discussion on AI’s future with Sen. Mike Rounds and Anthropic representatives, focusing on education, engineering, research, and jobs. Public Health Research: University of Iowa researchers say 76% of Iowa’s excess cases for major cancers can be explained by modifiable risk factors like tobacco, alcohol, UV exposure, and radon levels. Cybersecurity Update: Pennington County says systems are back online after a July ransomware attack, though some services remain limited while security investments continue. STEM/Research Training: The Council on Undergraduate Research selected 48 teams and 193 participants for its 2026-27 Scholars Transforming Through Research program to help students communicate research impact beyond campus. Lottery Spending: A PlayCasino.com analysis finds South Dakotans spent about $78 per person on traditional lottery games in FY2025, ranking sixth-lowest, while noting it excludes the state’s video lottery revenue.

AI Policy in the Spotlight: South Dakota Mines is hosting “The Future of Artificial Intelligence” with Sen. Mike Rounds and Anthropic leaders, focusing on AI’s impact on education, engineering, research, workforce skills, and public policy. Rural Mental Health Funding: South Dakota awarded more than $13M in behavioral health grants to expand rural access, including upgrades for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. Cybersecurity Update: Pennington County provided details after a July ransomware attack, saying systems are back online but some services remain limited while security investments continue. Biofuels at Sea: Maersk completed the first U.S. ship-to-ship bunkering using 100% bioethanol, with fuel supplied by Sioux Falls-based POET. Local Research for Bioenergy: New work on switchgrass genes could help breeders tailor flowering to local temperatures, boosting biomass for biofuels. STEM & Workforce Pipeline: Yankton’s Manufacturing Week 2026 will connect students with local manufacturers through school lunch tables, facility tours, and public events. Education & Enrollment: Dakota Wesleyan University reported a 3% enrollment gain for 2026-27 and highlighted a new Computer Information Systems program plus campus access to an AI learning platform. Housing Snapshot: Day County’s typical home value rose 5.5% to $271,080 in August 2026, per Zillow.

Customer Experience & Tech: Simplesat’s 2026 benchmark finds customer satisfaction ranges from 73.4% to 92.4% across eight industries, with technology leading and consumer products lagging. Energy & Climate: A new study says regenerative agriculture can be profitable while capturing more carbon, with soil on participating farms storing notably more than traditional systems. Mining & Permitting: “Fast-track” approvals are reshaping the gold-antimony development race as Western projects move faster amid supply concerns. Health & Costs: A RAND study reports Mayo Clinic charged privately insured patients over four times what Medicare pays for outpatient care in 2022, echoing a broader pricing gap. South Dakota Education: State standards reviews in Aberdeen update K-12 career and technical education, trimming a large draft and adding topics like firefighting and aviation maintenance. Biofuels & Shipping: Maersk completed the first U.S. 100% bioethanol ship-to-ship bunkering trial, using South Dakota-based POET fuel. Cybersecurity & Water: Reports tie major U.S. water-treatment cyberattacks to Iran-linked activity, raising alarms for critical infrastructure. Public Safety & Power Lines: Brookings residents push for larger setbacks in a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line decision, citing health and safety concerns. Local Research Access: Avera Research Institute’s mobile unit will stop in Yankton Oct. 1 to share studies and recruit participants. Defense & Aviation: South Dakota National Guard leaders urge Sioux Falls to back newer F-35 jet basing plans.

Defense & Aviation: South Dakota National Guard leaders in Sioux Falls urged business support for bringing newer Air Force F-35 jets to Joe Foss Field, saying the current F-16s are well maintained but “long overdue for investment,” with Air Force site decisions expected after an initial December shortlist and a spring final pick. STEM in the Community: SDSU will bring engineering and science to Sioux Falls’ Washington Pavilion for SDSU Day on Oct. 2, including student-built projects, a lunar engineering talk, and NASA-competition rovers. Public Safety & Health: UNET announced arrests in Pennington County tied to fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone, powdered fentanyl, and cocaine, following a traffic stop that seized drugs reportedly transported from Colorado. Biofuels & Shipping: POET, based in Sioux Falls, says it supplied plant-based bioethanol for the first U.S. 100% bioethanol marine bunkering trial with Tangier Maersk in Houston. Tech & Policy: Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson plan to meet AI executives at the White House as lawmakers push for a “right balance” between regulation and innovation. Wildlife Conservation: The plains spotted skunk is under a 12-month federal review for possible Endangered Species Act listing as sightings decline in parts of the Great Plains. Local Education: Codington County colleges conferred 832 degrees and certificates in 2023-24, with associate degrees the largest share.

Work & Economy: Indeed’s “Best Cities for Work 2026” ranks Boston #1, with Burlington #3 and San Jose #4; smaller metros including Madison, Fargo, and Sioux Falls show up as strong job-opportunity hubs. Regional History & STEM Culture: Rapid City hosts the 34th Annual West River History Conference, with talks spanning Mount Rushmore’s creation to the Battle of Little Bighorn. Health & Immigration: South Dakota employers in Health Care and Social Assistance filed 200 H-1B petitions in 2025; 195 were approved. Research & Food/Bioengineering: SDSU distinguished professor Muthukumarappan earned fellow honors from the Institute of Food Technologists and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Weather Watch: Fog and on/off showers with possible thunderstorms move through western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, with gusty winds and cooler conditions later. Local Tech/Infrastructure: Nebraska added 35 new Army Corps-funded mesonet monitoring stations, expanding automated weather data for water and snowpack planning. South Dakota Science Spotlight: University of Iowa students build parts for DUNE, with components headed to the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota. Community Safety Online: Call to Freedom partners with Avera and Homeland Security Investigations for a “Keeping Kids Safe Online” workshop in Sioux Falls. Arts & Education: SDSU’s opera workshop director presents a free “Hearts on Fire” faculty recital in Brookings.

Federal Research Funding Fight: A proposed White House NIH research veto commission is drawing backlash from lawmakers who say NIH funding is becoming a recurring political target. Local Tech & Safety: Call to Freedom is partnering with Avera and Homeland Security Investigations for a “Keeping Kids Safe Online” workshop in Sioux Falls, highlighting tools like NCMEC’s Take It Down for removing explicit images. Big Science in South Dakota: University of Iowa students are building parts for DUNE, with components headed to the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota. Energy & Homes: A Tesla Powerwall explainer warns backup batteries usually don’t cut bills the way people expect, and that net metering is the bigger money-saver. Community Tech Debate: Sioux Falls leaders are weighing surveillance concerns as Flock-style camera issues spill into local policy. Agriculture Practical Science: A cattle feeding guide says producers should remove net wrap before feeding to avoid rumen problems. STEM Education & Events: The Black Hills Model Engine Expo in Rapid City is blending hands-on engineering with machinery history for kids and hobbyists.

STEM Education & Craft: The 27th annual Black Hills Model Engine Expo in Rapid City is drawing hobby machinists and families, mixing hands-on engineering with the history of steam and gas power—plus a 3D printer showing how the craft is evolving. Public Health & Research Funding: Sioux Falls’ Walk to End Alzheimer’s drew 600+ walkers and has raised more than $295,000 so far, supporting research and care. Energy Storage & Grid Stress: A new look at the North American power grid highlights how AI-driven data center growth is forcing utilities to find dispatchable capacity, with long-duration energy storage positioned as a key option as natural gas peakers face cost and permitting hurdles. Surveillance Tech Debate: As states weigh limits on Flock-style license plate readers, New Hampshire’s decade-old restrictions are being cited as a model while South Dakota communities discuss local camera concerns. Workforce & Immigration Signals: South Dakota employers filed 2 H-1B petitions in 2025 in the Other Services (except Public Administration) category, with a 50% approval rate. Local Tech Policy: Lawmakers push a data center rate bill aimed at keeping new power costs from being passed to regular ratepayers. Safety: AAA reports child safety seat and booster use drops sharply after age 3, urging families not to rush the transition.

Indigenous Food & Community: Sioux Falls hosted a free farm-to-table “harvest meal” celebrating Dakota Fresh Food Hub ingredients and indigenous wild rice, with organizers welcoming all backgrounds. Alzheimer’s Research Fundraising: The Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Sioux Falls drew 600+ walkers and topped $295,000 raised so far, supporting care and research. Grid & Data Center Policy: A national debate over data centers’ electricity demand is landing in the region, with lawmakers pushing a Ratepayer Protection approach that would make big users cover grid upgrade costs instead of shifting bills to everyone. Energy Storage Tech: A new report argues long-duration energy storage is becoming essential as the grid faces faster-growing demand from AI and other loads. Car Seat Safety: AAA says child restraint use drops fast after age 3, with many kids transitioning to adult belts too soon—an urgent reminder during National Child Passenger Safety Week. Surveillance Cameras: Coverage highlights how states are rethinking Flock-style license plate readers, with local officials weighing public safety against privacy concerns. Mental Health Access: Chrysalis Health and Curaechoice expanded no-cost in-person and virtual mental health services, including in South Dakota. Education & Skills: Weed science contests and regional testing spotlight hands-on STEM training for students across multiple states.

Mobility With Global Reach: Hope Haven International Ministries’ Rock Valley workshop refurbishes donated wheelchairs and builds pediatric models, sending about 156,000 wheelchairs to people in 110 countries. Elections & Tech Governance: South Dakota’s Secretary of State is redesigning its website and ballot-question pages, drawing criticism that key voter guidance is harder to find. Data Centers & Power Costs: Lawmakers push a Ratepayer Protection Act to stop data centers from shifting grid-upgrade costs onto regular customers, a debate that’s also fueling broader surveillance and infrastructure concerns. Public Safety Tech: AAA reports child car-seat and booster use drops fast after age 3, and South Dakota officials discuss license plate reader camera concerns and oversight. Health Access: Chrysalis Health and Curaechoice expand no-cost mental health services for employer plans, including locations in South Dakota. STEM & Research Pipeline: Minnehaha County colleges awarded 2,285 degrees/certificates in 2023-24, while South Dakota universities and grants continue to expand research capacity.

Car Safety: AAA reports child safety seat and booster use drops fast with age—78% of 3-year-olds injured in crashes were in restraints, but by age 6 it’s under half; AAA and the National Safety Council urge families not to rush the switch to seat belts. Public Safety Tech: Yankton Police Chief Jason Foote explains local license plate reader use and how it compares to “Flock”-type systems, including cloud uploads and subscription software. Surveillance Debate: Brookings City Council hears residents’ concerns and police safeguards around Flock cameras, as states like South Dakota consider limits and New Hampshire’s stricter rules are cited as a model. Energy & Data Centers: Lawmakers push a “Ratepayer Protection Act” to stop data centers from passing grid upgrade costs to regular customers, while a separate South Dakota item flags a data-center rate bill moving through the process. Health Access: Chrysalis Health and Curaechoice expand no-cost mental health services for employer plans, including locations in South Dakota. USDA Food Safety: USDA announces up to $50M to help states build or expand meat and poultry inspection programs. Research & Education: South Dakota State University researchers explore nutrition’s role in PRRSv resilience in pig herds, and SDSU also highlights cybersecurity funding for rural hospitals.