AGP Executive Report

Mining & Energy Tech: South Dakota-linked PLS’ Colina lithium project in Brazil topped Mining IQ’s 2026 Project Pipeline Index, scoring 80.7/100 on economics, engineering/metallurgy, and geology—an early signal for where next-gen battery supply chains may be headed. Agriculture Leadership: South Dakota Soybean is set to get new executive director Kevin Scott as Jerry Schmitz retires in early July, continuing the group’s farm-to-research push. Workforce Training: SDSU launched a new two-year Dairy Technology degree with tracks in dairy production and dairy products, aiming to funnel more graduates into dairy plants and supervision roles faster. Health IT in Rural Care: Madison Regional Health System is using Epic to share patient data with larger systems, improving care coordination and handoffs while keeping people closer to home. Education Policy: The South Dakota Board of Education Standards approved prenatal development videos for schools under HB 1313, including “Baby Olivia” from anti-abortion group Live Action. Public Health: CDC provisional data show U.S. overdose deaths down 13.2% year-over-year, but experts warn the decline’s cause isn’t fully understood. Local Tech & Community: Sioux Falls expanded public transit coverage to 100% using Via’s data-driven on-demand model, boosting ridership and job access. Science & Space: DUNE began assembling far neutrino detectors in Sanford, South Dakota, a key step in probing why the universe has more matter than antimatter.

Education Policy: South Dakota’s Board of Education Standards approved state-required prenatal development videos for schools, including “Baby Olivia” from anti-abortion group Live Action, alongside options from the Endowment for Human Development and Encyclopedia Britannica. Public Health & Equity: A new national study finds total abortion bans are causing doctors to delay or withhold standard pregnancy care in non-elective cases, raising mortality risks and worsening disparities. Energy & Jobs: A PowerOn Midwest transmission plan anchored by a new 765-kV line is projected to support thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in payroll and economic activity during construction, with long-term tax revenue estimates for route counties. STEM & Research: South Dakota Mines’ NanoGuard technology moved closer to market after completing NSF I-Corps, using 100+ customer interviews to target real-world corrosion and biological buildup needs. Space Science: DUNE’s far neutrino detector assembly is advancing at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota, part of the effort to explain the universe’s matter-antimatter imbalance. Community & Housing: Spearfish’s Peak View II apartments will be the first in the region to tap a federal affordable housing fund, with tenants targeted for summer 2027. Food & Safety: A labeling error triggered a recall of nearly 6,000 pounds of frozen meatloaf products distributed across South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota due to an undeclared soy allergen.

Defense & Research Funding: The Senate Armed Services Committee advanced the fiscal year 2027 NDAA, including $43.7 million for South Dakota National Guard construction and authorizing B-21 Raider work tied to Ellsworth Air Force Base, plus funding for B-1B Lancers and university research. STEM Recognition: South Dakota State University mechanical engineering head Yucheng Liu is set to be inducted as a fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education. Underground Physics: Scientists will gather in Lead for the CETUP* workshop on dark matter and neutrinos at the Sanford Underground Research Facility, with public pub talks and trivia. Nanotech Commercialization: South Dakota Mines’ NanoGuard team is moving toward commercialization after completing the NSF I-Corps program. Health & Care in SD: Rapid City’s Walk to Defeat ALS drew families and supporters as local care options expand; and a local report highlights how eye rubbing can worsen keratoconus risk. Policy Watch: A House plan would cut SNAP by nearly $300 billion through 2034, with major impacts for low-income households. Local Business: Roy’zzz dispensary opened a new Watertown location as part of its I-29 expansion.

Underground Physics at SURF: About 70 physicists will meet in Lead for the CETUP* workshop (June 22–July 17) on dark matter and neutrinos, with public pub talks and trivia at Dakota Shivers Brewing. Local Innovation: South Dakota Mines’ NanoGuard team is moving toward commercialization after finishing the NSF I-Corps program, using customer interviews to target where biological buildup and corrosion hurt most. Historic Preservation: A wagon specialist assessed 10 wagons at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Baker City, helping set repair plans and fundraising needs. Health & Community: Rapid City’s Walk to Defeat ALS drew families and supporters, funding care programs and research. STEM for the Public: Dakota Wesleyan University’s portable planetarium will bring free summer-sky shows in Mitchell. Tech Policy Watch: States are pushing back on data centers over power and water demands, while South Dakota leaders argue for smart infrastructure growth. Everyday Science: A health column warns that eye rubbing can worsen keratoconus risk. Civic Tech & Energy: Paullina’s council heard updates on its aging water system and MidAmerican’s Highland Wind Farm repowering timeline.

Underground Physics & Public Outreach: Sanford Underground Research Facility is hosting the CETUP* workshop in Lead (June 22–July 17) on dark matter and neutrinos, with about 70 scientists plus community pub talks and trivia nights at Dakota Shivers Brewing. Nanotech Commercialization: South Dakota Mines’ NanoGuard team has completed the NSF I-Corps program and is moving toward commercialization of an invisible nanometer-thin shield to prevent biological buildup and corrosion. Critical Minerals R&D: DOE’s ARPA-E is awarding $72M for magnet and critical-mineral research via ROCKS and MAGNITO, including projects tied to South Dakota Mines and the University of Houston. STEM for the Public: Dakota Wesleyan University will run free portable planetarium shows in Mitchell (2, 4, and 7 p.m.) focused on the summer night sky. Local Tech & Education: Sleepy Eye Public Schools in Minnesota hired South Dakota State University alum McKenzie Wagelie as elementary principal starting July 1. Health & Safety: AAA is urging “100 Days of Safe Driving” this summer, and a mental health memo highlights why sleep matters.

Agribusiness & Markets: Bloomberg Agriculture Spot Index gains are fading as fertilizer and energy prices slide and an interim US-Iran deal helps reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but analysts warn risks are only “deferred,” not gone, after corn saw a sharp spec positioning washout. Medicaid in South Dakota: Deadwood providers billed $22,006 to Medicaid for “medicine services and procedures” in 2024—up 40.4% from 2023—highlighting how local health funding shifts year to year. STEM & Space Education: Dakota Wesleyan University’s portable planetarium returns with free summer-sky shows in Mitchell, covering constellations visible over South Dakota. AI & Energy Policy: States push back against data centers over power and utility costs, while DOE’s ARPA-E announced $72M for critical minerals and magnet R&D, including South Dakota Mines and University of Houston projects. Solid-State Batteries: Critical Resources says it hit a solid-state battery manufacturing milestone using dynamic spray deposition at South Dakota Mines, aiming to simplify scale-up. Public Health & Safety: AAA’s “100 Days of Safe Driving” campaign targets summer teen and impaired-driving crash risk, and a mental health memo spotlights how sleep affects mood and thinking. Local Tech/Community: Sioux Falls delays South Sycamore Avenue crack-sealing by a week, keeping one lane open each direction during repairs.

Applied AI in South Dakota: An international conference on Applied Artificial Intelligence (2AI-2026) wrapped up at Central University of Kashmir, with the University of South Dakota and an AI research lab among partners, highlighting new AI education and curriculum updates. Critical Minerals & Magnets: The U.S. Department of Energy’s ARPA-E announced $72M for early-stage research through ROCKS and MAGNITO programs, including awards tied to South Dakota Mines and the University of Houston to boost domestic magnet and critical mineral supply. Solid-State Batteries (Local Lab Win): Critical Resources says it hit a manufacturing milestone at South Dakota Mines using dynamic spray deposition to deposit a full cathode/solid-electrolyte/conductive network in a single dry step. Wounded Knee Medal Fight: Wounded Knee descendants vowed to keep pushing for Medal of Honor revocations; a Senate Armed Services Committee report urges the Defense Department to share unredacted review materials. Health & Safety at Home: Caregiver guidance focused on reducing injury risks for people with dementia, from organizing key documents to improving home lighting and removing hazards. Road Safety: AAA launched “100 Days of Safe Driving” for Memorial Day through Labor Day, citing high summer fatal crash rates involving teens.

Wounded Knee Medal Fight: Descendants of the 1890 Wounded Knee massacre vow to keep pushing for Medals of Honor revocations after the Defense Department declined to rescind them; a Senate Armed Services Committee push in the FY 2027 NDAA would require unredacted materials from the review, with Sen. Mike Rounds backing the request. South Dakota Education & STEM: South Dakota State University named 3,941 students to its spring 2026 dean’s list, including Oregon’s Katherine Dunn; SDSU also highlighted engineering and other college standouts. Service Academies: Rep. Dusty Johnson selected a Gregory student, Max Cook, for the U.S. Air Force Academy after engineering and leadership experiences. AI & Law: A new study claims North Dakota and South Dakota lead the nation in court filings with AI “slop,” raising questions about how AI-generated legal documents are being used. Energy Research: DOE’s ARPA-E awarded $72M for critical minerals and magnet R&D, including projects tied to South Dakota Mines. Solid-State Batteries: Critical Resources reported a solid-state battery manufacturing milestone using dynamic spray deposition at South Dakota Mines. Local Tech Policy: A Brookings report scores states’ EV policies after federal incentive pullbacks, with South Dakota scoring zero. Native Power: A White Earth, Minnesota “resilience hub” pairs solar and batteries to cut outages and energy bills for a tribal school and community center. Health at Home: Caregiver tips focus on reducing injury risks for people with dementia through home safety planning.

Solid-State Batteries in South Dakota: Critical Resources says it hit a manufacturing milestone at South Dakota Mines, using dynamic spray deposition to build a full cathode + solid electrolyte + conductive network in a single dry step, aiming to cut out solvents, binders, and furnace/press steps. AI in Education: Two Central High School students and an Aberdeen district tech director were selected for a national AI learning fellowship focused on ethical, people-centered use of AI in K-12. Agriculture Research: SDSU’s Dakota Lakes Research Farm Field Day (June 26) will spotlight long-running oat and wheat trials, crop rotation, and irrigation work, with continuing education credits available. STEM for Teens: South Dakota Mines summer camps are putting high schoolers into hands-on aviation and other STEM tracks, including flight simulator time and airport tours. Public Health Genetics: The American Kidney Fund renewed APOL1 awareness, urging people to know their ancestry-linked kidney risk earlier. Local Education Funding: Vermillion School Board approved a $300,000 transfer from capital outlay to the general fund to ease revenue loss and rebuild reserves. Community Access: A Rapid City Girl Scout created a braille book for the visitors center, adding president-by-president and street guide sections. EV Policy Watch: A Brookings scorecard finds South Dakota among the lowest-scoring states for EV readiness after federal incentive pullbacks. Airport Science Display: Rapid City Regional Airport added a full-size Triceratops skull replica for about a year to boost local geology interest.

EV Policy Watch: A Brookings Metro scorecard finds South Dakota among the lowest performers for electric vehicle readiness after federal incentives were pulled back, with no “silver bullets” and a key lesson that charging infrastructure can make or break tax incentives. STEM Camps in the Black Hills: South Dakota Mines is running summer camps that put high schoolers in flight simulators and hands-on aerospace and computer science activities, including a Young Eagles aviation track with volunteer pilots. Agronomy Research for Producers: SDSU’s Dakota Lakes Research Farm Field Day (June 26) will share long-running oat and wheat trial updates, crop rotation and irrigation work, plus tours and continuing education for farmers. Local Education & Leadership: Northern State’s Kristi Bockorny (Dacotah Bank dean) was selected for Leadership South Dakota Class of 2027, and Pierre’s Randy Hartmann was elected chair of the SDHSAA board. Community Science & Learning: Rapid City Regional Airport added a Triceratops skull replica exhibit with the Black Hills Institute to spark interest in local paleontology. Health Tech in Action: USD students helped run hearing screenings for Special Olympics Healthy Athletes, using visual schedules to reduce anxiety during testing.

SNAP Fallout: A ProPublica review says Trump-era SNAP changes have cut access for at least 776,000 children, despite GOP promises the reforms would protect vulnerable families. Education Watch: South Dakota ranks 38th in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2026 Kids Count report, citing weak reading, math, preschool attendance, and on-time graduation. Workforce & Energy: South Dakota’s wind sector is drawing high-paying talent through technical college pipelines, with Mitchell Tech highlighted for training and employer demand. Agriculture Research: SDSU’s South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station field days run statewide June through mid-September, focusing on livestock systems, variety trials, and new management practices. Tech & Open Source: Prismatic open-sourced its connector library under Apache-2.0, aiming to help developers build and scale B2B integrations faster. Local Roads: Chip seal work on U.S. Highway 212 in western South Dakota will bring single-lane traffic and delays, with completion targeted for late June. STEM in Action: USD students helped screen athletes at the South Dakota Special Olympics Summer Games through the Healthy Athletes program.

Critical Minerals & AI: Former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined NovaRed Mining’s advisory board in B.C., backing the firm’s AI-assisted push to find and advance critical minerals. Defense & Local Impact: Sen. Mike Rounds says the Senate Armed Services Committee advanced the FY2027 NDAA, including South Dakota National Guard construction funding and full authorization for the B-21 Raider program at Ellsworth. Tribal Justice Push: Wounded Knee descendants vowed to keep pressing for Medal of Honor revocations as a Senate committee seeks more details from the Defense Department’s review. Education & Literacy: South Dakota’s Literacy Summit in Mitchell drew 1,000+ educators focused on the “science of reading,” while local schools and colleges reported spring dean’s list and president’s list honors. Food Assistance Shock: ProPublica reports more than 770,000 children lost SNAP benefits after Trump rewrote the program rules. Rural Tech & Roads: Western SD crews begin multiple chip seal projects on U.S. Highway 212, and South Dakota Mines researchers received NSF/NERC support for a deep-Earth carbon storage study.

CDL Crackdown: Ohio has started downgrading commercial driver’s licenses for about 1,200 foreign-born truck drivers after updated federal eligibility rules tightened who can hold certain non-domiciled CDLs. Local Governance: Yankton County commissioners debated a temporary data center moratorium, weighing zoning limits and review time against keeping room for new economic development. Earth Science Research: South Dakota Mines geologist Gokce Ustunisik is leading an NSF- and NERC-funded project to study how carbon moves through Earth’s mantle using ancient magma trapped in deep-crystal inclusions. AI & Work: South Dakota’s labor secretary says AI could help close workforce gaps by streamlining routine tasks, not replacing workers outright. Education & STEM: SDSU released its spring 2026 dean’s list (3,941 students). Community STEM: The South Dakota Discovery Center is rolling out summer science shows and planetarium programming. Paleontology for Visitors: A Triceratops skull replica is now on display at Rapid City Regional Airport for about a year. Health & Tech: A Rapid City-area election fight over voting tech and procedures continues as a primary challenge targets the state’s top election official. Biotech Spotlight: Sarcomatrix Therapeutics was named a Seed-Stage Finalist for BIO’s Start-Up Stadium 2026.

Solid-State Batteries: Critical Resources says it completed a solvent-free, room-temp “dry spray” step depositing cathode, solid electrolyte, and a conductive network layer in one pass—an advance aimed at simpler, cheaper solid-state lithium-ion manufacturing. Local Tech & Zoning: Yankton County is considering a one-year moratorium on certain data centers and bitcoin mining facilities after a commissioner alleged an “end-around” approach; the move is meant to give zoning rules time to catch up. AI in South Dakota Workforce: The state labor secretary says AI could be a “net gain” for South Dakota by streamlining routine tasks and helping fill worker gaps, with rapid-response support if layoffs ever occur. Education & STEM: Dakota Wesleyan partnered with AI platform BoodleBox to expand access for students and faculty; meanwhile, SDSU named Oliver Smith to its spring 2026 Dean’s List. Paleontology for Travelers: A full-scale Triceratops skull replica is now on display at Rapid City Regional Airport for about a year. Public Works: Chip seal projects are set to begin on U.S. Highway 212 in western South Dakota, with daytime lane reductions and expected completion by June 26. Health & Food Safety: FDA issued a highest-risk Alfredo sauce recall affecting South Dakota due to potential Salmonella contamination.

Solid-State Batteries: Critical Resources says it’s made a major leap in solid-state lithium-ion tech by depositing cathode, solid electrolyte, and conductive layers in one dry step at room temperature, a move it says could cut cost and complexity. Local Government & Energy Tech: Yankton County is considering a one-year moratorium on certain data centers and bitcoin mining facilities over 250 kW, citing concerns about “end-around” zoning tactics while officials update rules. Agriculture Leadership: South Dakota’s Governor’s Agricultural Summit lineup is set for June 25–26 in Pierre, with policy updates, a conservation roundtable, and recognition for 2026 Ag Ambassador Jerry Schmitz. Public Health & Food Safety: The FDA upgraded an Alfredo sauce recall affecting South Dakota to the highest-risk level after potential Salmonella contamination. STEM & Skills Training: Mitchell Tech students brought home multiple top-three finishes at SkillsUSA Nationals, underscoring South Dakota’s growing career-and-technical pipeline. Healthcare Access: An EMS funding task force is set to meet in Pierre to study making emergency medical services an essential service and tackle workforce and reimbursement gaps. Cybercrime Warning: A new commentary highlights how online scams act like a “hidden tax,” pushing extra costs onto consumers and small businesses.

Public Health & Food Safety: The FDA has upgraded an Alfredo sauce recall affecting 913 cases in 41 states, including South Dakota, to its highest-risk “Class I” level after a supplier-linked Salmonella contamination concern. Local STEM & Community Learning: Rapid City’s Journey Museum hosted a free Summer Festival with hands-on STEM activities like “scribble bots” and tangrams, plus community partner demos. Education & Workforce Pipeline: South Dakota students brought home SkillsUSA wins in marine service technology and construction trades, showing strong hands-on career training momentum. EMS Funding Watch: An EMS funding task force is set to meet in Pierre to study making emergency medical services an essential service and to address reimbursement and staffing pressures hitting rural and urban providers. Agriculture Leadership: Gov. Larry Rhoden named Jerry Schmitz of Vermillion as the 2026 Governor’s Ag Ambassador, highlighting decades of soybean industry leadership and research support. South Dakota Tech Policy Debate: A new push tied to an “anti-tech” stance is influencing the South Dakota secretary of state nomination fight. Dairy Industry Update: Babybel’s Brookings plant is expanding with a $200 million project aimed at doubling production and adding about 150 jobs.