AGP Executive Report

Cybersecurity & Water Safety: Retired Gen. Paul Nakasone says water systems’ programmable logic controllers shouldn’t be internet-connected as attacks tied to Iranian-linked actors spread to at least a dozen states, including South Dakota, forcing manual operations and boil-water notices. Immigration & Education: New federal visa rules replacing “Duration of Status” with fixed admission periods could reduce international enrollment at South Dakota public universities this fall, while employers in tourism, health care, education and agriculture brace for more uncertainty. Critical Minerals Workforce: The U.S. Department of Energy is launching a up-to-$100M PROSPECT initiative to expand mining and mineral-science training, alongside $180M+ in mining-school grants that include the South Dakota School of Mines. Local Tech in Agriculture: SDSU researchers report about a quarter of Eastern South Dakota farmers use drones, mostly for crop imagery and increasingly for precision input application. STEM & Community: Codington County 4-H wrapped Achievement Days with 1,500+ entries, and SDSU Extension staff earned national recognition for outreach. Space & Skywatching: A total solar eclipse on Aug. 12 won’t hit the U.S. path of totality, but viewers can still catch a partial eclipse with safe planning and eyewear. Health & Lifestyle: A heart-brain connection message highlights practical steps for better long-term health.

Immigration & Education: A new federal rule replacing “Duration of Status” with fixed admission periods is expected to unsettle international enrollment at South Dakota public universities, just as local employers in tourism, health care, education and agriculture depend on international workers. Critical Minerals Workforce: The U.S. Department of Energy is backing the PROSPECT initiative with up to $100 million to boost critical-minerals training, aiming to double U.S. graduates in mining and supply-chain tech within two years. Mining Education Grants (SD Mines): President Trump announced $180M+ in mining-school grants, including support for the South Dakota School of Mines to expand workforce development partnerships. Agriculture Tech: SDSU Extension research finds about a quarter of Eastern South Dakota farmers use drones, mostly for aerial crop monitoring, with input-application drones growing fast. Water Cybersecurity: Advocates say water utilities remain exposed as cyber incidents spread across multiple states, including South Dakota, pushing calls for stronger federal direction and funding. Local Infrastructure: Fort Pierre is closing a parking lot near the Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center as a sliding hillside threat is assessed and mitigation planning continues. Energy & Utilities: Vermillion Light & Power broke ground on a new facility expected to open next August. College Sports Policy: The Protect College Sports Act missed a Senate floor vote before recess and is now slated for September.

Mining & Batteries: President Trump announced more than $2B for critical-mining projects and over $180M for mining education and workforce programs, including South Dakota School of Mines funding tied to workforce consortia and a broader push for critical minerals supply chains. Cybersecurity & Water: Federal investigators are probing cyberattacks that disrupted municipal water operations across at least 12 states, with South Dakota among those reporting incidents tied to internet-exposed control systems. South Dakota Tech & Agriculture: SDSU Extension experts earned national recognition for outreach, while a new SDSU study finds about a quarter of Eastern South Dakota farmers use drones—mostly for crop imagery and increasingly for targeted input application. Local Infrastructure: Fort Pierre closed a parking lot near the Depot Museum due to a sliding hillside near the Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center, with mitigation planning underway. Health & Policy: Yankton-area nursing leader Dr. Danielle Pierotti was appointed to MedPAC, bringing South Dakota’s voice to Medicare payment advice for Congress. Elections & Utilities: Frank Kloucek won the Democratic nod for the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, setting up a November race focused on how utilities and telecom are regulated. Community STEM: Codington County 4-H wrapped Achievement Days with 1,500+ entries, including livestock, food, fashion, and youth presentations.

Local Infrastructure Safety: Fort Pierre is closing a parking lot by the Depot Museum as crews respond to a sliding hillside near the Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center, with barricades and a closure “until further notice.” Agriculture & Research: SDSU Extension horticulture specialist Robin Buterbaugh earned a national Achievement Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents for outreach work tied to local food and native plants. Workforce & Mining Education: President Trump announced $180M+ in grants to expand mining education and critical-minerals training, including funding for the South Dakota School of Mines. Cybersecurity: Federal officials say malicious cyber activity has hit water systems in multiple states, including South Dakota, raising calls for stronger protection for internet-connected control systems. STEM in the Field: A new SDSU study finds about a quarter of Eastern South Dakota farmers use drones, mostly for aerial crop monitoring rather than applying inputs. Public Tech & Privacy: Summerset plans a September public review of its Flock Safety Camera/ALPR network after questions about camera coverage. Space & Science Outreach: DUNE is using AI to improve neutrino research operations and measurements.

Water Security: Researchers say the U.S. water-utility cyberattack wave exposed not just thousands of internet-facing industrial controllers, but also a deeper “visibility failure” where some utilities didn’t even know what was exposed. Public Safety & Weather: Western South Dakota haze and wildfire smoke are worsening, with high fire danger and burn bans in place as winds shift and isolated storms threaten. STEM & Education: South Dakota Mines research is powering a national air-quality forecast tool, while USD’s physical therapy program posted a 100% first-time pass rate on the national exam. Workforce & Cyber Training: South Dakota’s Department of Labor is hosting a free cybersecurity session for employers focused on protecting employee data. Local Tech/Infrastructure: Vermillion City Council advanced water-system planning with preliminary engineering and well-field studies after major main breaks. Energy & Community: Xcel Energy Foundation marks 25 years and $160M invested across the region, including STEM-focused efforts. Health & Community: The South Dakota Parkinson Foundation is bringing its “Step Big” walk to Yankton. Science Culture: A new tranche of UFO files adds fresh claims, including a silent 500-foot triangular object over a U.S. base.

Wildfire Smoke Forecasting: South Dakota Mines researchers are helping power a national air-quality forecast tool by feeding satellite-based smoke tracking into the National Weather Service, improving hourly guidance for western South Dakota as wildfire haze rolls in. Water Cybersecurity: New scans and federal warnings show thousands of internet-exposed industrial controllers used in water and wastewater operations remain reachable online, with South Dakota among states reporting disruptions and investigators linking the broader wave to Iran-backed activity. STEM in the Classroom: South Dakota Mines’ Army Education Outreach Program is giving high schoolers hands-on research time across engineering, biomedical, and materials projects, including student work tied to NASA experience. Maternal Health Tech & Training: A supplemental grant is funding South Dakota’s Respectful Maternity Care Toolkit rollout, including a pilot bibliotherapy approach at selected facilities to support maternal mental health. Ag Tech & Community Events: Dakotafest returns in Mitchell with earlier hours and a new drone demo area showing how autonomous tech is changing agriculture, plus education sessions with South Dakota’s congressional delegation. Infrastructure & Safety: Aberdeen is using redirected funds to upgrade manholes citywide, aiming to smooth roads and reduce everyday driving bumps.

Diabetes Research: SAB Biotherapeutics says its registrational SAFEGUARD study for SAB-142 in stage 3 type 1 diabetes is on track, with 60+ clinical sites active and topline data expected in 2H 2027; it also highlighted a Breakthrough T1D grant supporting the PRISE-hATG study. Space & Policy: A daylong UAP event drew major political figures, including Sen. Mike Rounds, as speakers discussed national-security, economic, and scientific implications of unidentified aerial phenomena. Local Infrastructure: Aberdeen redirected $200,000 from a shelved Main Street project into a citywide manhole improvement program, replacing 60 covers to smooth roads. Mobility & Work: A Rapid City report from the John T. Vucurevich Foundation links transportation insecurity to employment and quality-of-life barriers. Wildlife Conservation: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will study whether the plains spotted skunk should be listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. STEM & Education: Thirty Papua New Guinean scholars are heading to the U.S. for STEM studies, including placements at South Dakota State University and South Dakota Mines. Energy & Agriculture: Crop conditions across the Midwest remain highly variable after uneven rainfall and storms, while South Dakota’s delegation pushes for year-round E15 ethanol approval via the farm bill.

Ethanol Policy: South Dakota’s congressional delegation is pushing for year-round, nationwide approval of E15 (15% ethanol), now included in the latest Senate farm bill—an effort that could reduce the need for summer-only federal waivers, while opponents warn higher blends may worsen summer smog. Health Care Quality: 24 South Dakota hospitals earned American Heart Association recognition for improving heart disease and stroke care through Get With The Guidelines quality programs. Public Safety Infrastructure: Mitchell opened bids for a new fire station, with base bids starting around $2.8 million, setting up next steps on costs and design choices. STEM & Education: South Dakota Mines received a $3.1 million federal grant tied to critical minerals research, and the state also saw more STEM-focused education activity, including programs bringing students into science and engineering opportunities. Space & Spectrum: A Silicon Valley Space Week speaker spotlighted NTIA spectrum work, including clearing key federal bands for commercial use tied to NOAA weather satellite downlinks. Local Tech/Community: Lincoln County commissioners weighed options for a busy Sioux Falls-area intersection, with a roundabout among the pricier proposals.

Cybersecurity & Water Systems: Federal investigators say hackers hit municipal water and wastewater systems in multiple states, including Rapid City, with operators switching to manual controls while officials stress drinking water safety. SNAP Oversight: USDA data show many states, including those above a 6% benchmark, had high SNAP payment error rates in 2025, raising the risk of new federal cost-sharing bills that could force cuts to other services. Defense Tech (South Dakota): The Air Force says the B-21 Raider and F-47 are ahead of schedule, with the first B-21 operational delivery expected in 2027 at Ellsworth AFB. Local Economy & Industry: Gov. Larry Rhoden announced $1 million from the Future Fund for Elevate Rapid City to buy land and install public infrastructure for a new business and industrial park. Agriculture & Food Processing: South Dakota-area dairy businesses can apply for up to $100,000 (plus equipment support) through $1.7M Dairy Business Innovation Alliance grants. STEM & Education: South Dakota Mines and SDSU are among regional partners in NIH-funded research networks and STEM opportunities bringing students into lab work. Health & Pricing: Michigan AG Dana Nessel announced a $400M settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic-drug price inflation and reduced competition.

Defense & Aerospace: The Air Force says the B-21 Raider stealth bomber and the F-47 sixth-generation fighter are both ahead of schedule, with the first B-21 delivery targeted for Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota in 2027. Cybersecurity & Water: Federal investigators say cyberattacks have hit at least a dozen states’ water and wastewater systems, including Rapid City, with utilities forced to switch to manual operations while officials stress drinking water safety. South Dakota Economic Development: Gov. Larry Rhoden announced $1 million from the Future Fund for Elevate Rapid City to buy land and install public infrastructure for a new business and industrial park. Transit & Local Tech: Sioux Area Metro and Via launched the “Better Bus” initiative in Sioux Falls, adding digital bus interiors and community artwork wraps. Agriculture & Grants: Crop conditions across the Midwest are highly variable after uneven rainfall and storms, and dairy businesses in South Dakota can apply for up to $100,000 (plus equipment support) through $1.7M Dairy Business Innovation Alliance grants. Public Safety Tech Debate: Rapid City-area police and cities are expanding automatic license plate readers, sparking questions about surveillance and privacy even as supporters cite crime-fighting benefits.

Cybersecurity for water systems: Michigan says cyberattacks hit nine municipal water systems, following Minnesota’s earlier wave affecting 30+ systems; officials stress operations stayed safe and no public health impacts were reported, while the FBI investigates possible tampering of control equipment. Rural healthcare pressure: A rural hospital in Sturgis, Michigan, closed after using the federal Rural Emergency Hospital model, raising fresh alarms that new funding may not offset staffing and reimbursement realities. South Dakota tech & privacy: Rapid City is rolling out license plate readers, reigniting debate over public safety benefits versus surveillance and data concerns. Energy storage investment: Antora Energy closed a $550M Series C to scale thermal battery storage for industrial heat and data centers, including a South Dakota deployment at POET’s Big Stone City site. Public health nutrition: CDC NHANES data show most Americans have low omega-3 levels, with new nationally representative Omega-3 Index measurements. Policy & oversight: A Senate stopgap funding bill advanced to avoid a shutdown, while states continue major antitrust settlements, including a $400M-in-principle deal with Sandoz.

Public Safety Tech Debate: Rapid City-area police and businesses are rolling out automatic license plate readers, with Sioux Falls and Summerset using Flock Safety cameras for stolen-vehicle and suspect tracking—while residents push back over privacy and “surveillance dragnet” concerns. Cybersecurity for Utilities: Federal agencies say Iran-linked hackers have targeted water and wastewater systems in at least seven states; Michigan reports a small number of community incidents with no public health impact, and Rapid City also described a wastewater lift-station incident. Energy Storage Boom: Antora Energy closed a $550M Series C to scale solid-carbon thermal batteries, including a South Dakota project that deployed 200+ units at POET’s Big Stone City site. Health & Data: CDC NHANES results show most Americans have low omega-3 levels, with Sioux Falls-based OmegaQuant co-inventor Bill Harris calling it a key biomarker baseline. Drug Pricing Antitrust: South Dakota AG Hilgers joined a 43-state coalition seeking a $400M settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-inflation conspiracies. Federal Policy Watch: Senate leaders advanced a stopgap funding deal to avert a shutdown and also moved to block a rule that would expand political appointee control over science grants.

Rural Health Watch: A rural hospital in Michigan’s Sturgis area closed after using the federal Rural Emergency Hospital model, raising alarms that the “lifeline” may not be enough as staffing shortages and payment gaps persist. Clean Energy Storage: Antora Energy secured $550 million in Series C funding after deploying a 50 MW/5GWh thermal battery project in South Dakota, with plans to expand U.S. manufacturing to speed future deployments. Critical Minerals: South Dakota Mines won a $3.1 million DOE ARPA-E grant to use AI-enabled sensing and 3D mapping to find rare earth elements faster—aimed at strengthening the domestic supply chain. Biotech & Research Training: Dakota State University joined the NIH-funded South Dakota INBRE network, expanding paid undergraduate biomedical research opportunities across the state. Water Cybersecurity: Federal agencies warn that cyberattacks on water and wastewater systems are spreading across multiple states; Rapid City reported a wastewater lift-station incident, with officials saying water systems weren’t jeopardized. Science Funding Politics: The Senate moved to block a White House rule that would let political appointees review and reject federal science grants. Daylight Saving Time: The Senate still hasn’t passed a fix, so clocks are expected to change again Nov. 1, despite medical groups urging permanent standard time.

South Dakota State University Graduates: SDSU says more than 1,600 students finished spring 2026 degree and certificate requirements, with graduates from 32 states and 27 nations, including engineering and education majors. Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity: Federal agencies warn that malicious hackers have targeted internet-connected water and wastewater control systems in at least seven states, with attacks tied to programmable controllers that can cause pressure loss and flooding; South Dakota is named among states reporting activity. Rare Earths & AI Mapping: South Dakota Mines won a $3.1M DOE grant to speed up locating rare earth and critical minerals using advanced sensing plus AI to build 3D maps of underground deposits. Biomedical Research Access: Dakota State University joined the NIH-funded South Dakota INBRE network, expanding paid undergraduate research opportunities across participating labs. Space Tech & Defense Tech: Ukraine is pressing the U.S. to expand Starlink access for targeting inside Russia, seeking Elon Musk’s permission as Patriot interceptor supply tightens. STEM Workforce Pipeline: South Dakota Mines highlights entrepreneurial engineering teaching, while DSU and other programs expand research and hands-on STEM experiences for students.

Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity: Federal officials say malicious hackers have been tampering with internet-connected control systems at water and wastewater utilities across multiple states, with U.S. intelligence pointing to Iran as a likely actor after Minnesota disruptions; Michigan and South Dakota are among the states reporting activity consistent with the warnings. South Dakota Research & Industry: South Dakota Mines won a $3.1M DOE ARPA-E grant to speed up rare earth and critical mineral discovery using advanced sensing plus AI to build 3D underground maps. Student Research Expansion: Dakota State University joined the NIH-funded South Dakota INBRE biomedical research network, opening more paid lab opportunities for undergrads across the state. STEM Talent Pipeline: Two biotech students from India completed a six-month exchange at South Dakota Mines, working on greenhouse-gas bacteria and targeted cancer research. Local Tech & Safety: Rapid City reported a cyber incident affecting a wastewater facility, describing it as a denial-of-service type disruption and emphasizing “human firewall” habits. Agriculture: An expert warns South Dakota growers not to ignore white mold risk as wet soils and cooling conditions could trigger outbreaks.

Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity: The FBI is warning of cyberattacks targeting U.S. water systems, with Iran flagged as a chief suspect after Iranian hackers were reported exploiting internet-exposed industrial control devices used across facilities nationwide; Minnesota has been hit, and South Dakota is among other states reporting attacks, raising concerns that more locations could be vulnerable. Rare Earths & AI Mapping: South Dakota Mines won a $3.1M DOE ARPA-E grant to speed up discovery of rare earth and critical minerals using advanced sensing plus AI to build 3D maps of underground deposits—aiming to cut exploration timelines from years to faster evaluations. Biotech Exchange & Cancer Research: South Dakota Mines hosted two Indian biotechnology students through a long-running exchange partnership, with one studying methane-consuming bacteria for greenhouse mitigation and the other working on bacteria-based approaches for targeted cancer therapies. Biomedical Research Network: Dakota State University joined the NIH-funded South Dakota INBRE network, expanding paid undergraduate research opportunities and statewide lab access for students. Energy Storage Funding: Antora Energy raised $550M to scale thermal battery deployment for data centers and industry, using heat-storing solid carbon blocks to deliver power when needed. South Dakota Courts Leadership: South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen was named president of the Conference of Chief Justices and chair of the National Center for State Courts board.