AGP Executive Report

B-21 Buildout in the Black Hills: The Air Force activated the first detachment of the Eighth Air Force in Rapid City, a symbolic step tied to the fast-approaching B-21 mission coming to South Dakota. Election Law Fight: South Dakota’s Secretary of State Monae Johnson joined a multi-state brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to block President Trump’s mail-ballot order, arguing the operational changes can’t be responsibly implemented before November 2026. State Politics & Voting Integrity: A new analysis of secretary of state races flags how election-denialism could hurt GOP chances in competitive contests. Rural Healthcare Pressure: South Dakota town halls organized by a nonprofit advocacy group are spotlighting fears over rural healthcare cuts, including Medicaid work requirements and changes to Medicare Part D subsidies. Tribal/Legal News: Attorney General Alan Wilson joined a Supreme Court brief defending the right to pray in your own home. Local Government & Tech: Sioux Falls is keeping its Flock license-plate cameras for now, despite privacy concerns. Education Update: The Board of Regents reported steady fall enrollment and rising first-time freshman numbers. Economic Development: The Board of Economic Development approved four projects, including SD Works loans for Sturgis and Yankton businesses. Crime & Courts: A Rapid City man was sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison for meth trafficking tied to the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Midterm Politics in the Spotlight: President Trump headlined the GOP midterm convention in Dallas, promising a “Trump dividend” of $5,000 to every adult if Republicans keep both chambers—while also defending South Dakota Sen. John Thune after boos erupted when Thune’s name was mentioned. Election Administration Clash: In Sioux Falls, Democratic candidate Nikki Gronli accused AG Marty Jackley of adding chaos to mail-in voting by backing the Trump administration’s court fight to stall USPS changes. Local Government Watch: Sioux Falls City Council adopted a nearly $800 million 2027 budget, including funding for a new Great Plains Zoo aquarium and turf at Sioux Falls Stadium, while keeping $120,000 for Flock safety cameras despite privacy concerns. Public Safety & Services: Rapid City volunteers launched a push for 20,000 diapers and 10,000 wipes for Mommy’s Closet. State Policy & Accountability: South Dakota’s habitat license plate program is under scrutiny after the state sold far more plates than habitat decals, leaving an estimated $415,000 in potential habitat funding uncollected. Economic Development: The SD Board of Economic Development approved $1.4 million in loans and grants for projects in Sturgis, Yankton, the Sioux Falls area and Clear Lake. Federal/Legal: A Nebraska man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for a 2025 Sioux Falls stabbing death.

Robocall Crackdown: South Dakota AG Marty Jackley joined 48 other attorneys general urging the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Upstream Provider” rules to stop illegal robocalls, pushing for baseline vetting categories, more verified upstream data, and tougher monitoring triggers. Medicaid Watch: A new Heartland Institute 50-state Medicaid report card ranks Kansas highest and California last, arguing non-expansion states outperform expansion states on governance, integrity, and fiscal sustainability. Election Countdown: A roundup of South Dakota’s statewide races ahead of November highlights the U.S. House seat and U.S. Senate contest, plus ballot measures on voting rights and Medicaid. State Oversight: The GOAC heard the AG’s report on 2025 state employee fraud and abuse complaints, with most complaints deemed unfounded or sent for internal handling rather than criminal investigation. Local Courts: In the Jason Horned Eagle death case, two co-defendants made first appearances in Pennington County; the family is also seeking changes to South Dakota’s unauthorized dissection penalties. Public Safety & Justice: A Madison man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor online, and a separate report details South Dakota’s debt-collection strategy that can include hundreds of driver’s license suspensions monthly. Community & Policy: The South Dakota Farmers Union plans a Washington, D.C. fly-in Sept. 14-16 focused on farm bill action, safety nets, tariffs, E15 year-round sales, and MCOOL.

Municipal Elections: AFSCME Local 3968 is hosting a free Yankton City BBQ and candidate forum Sept. 18 ahead of the Nov. 3 City Commission vote, with four candidates vying for three seats. Senate & Farm Policy: Sen. Mike Rounds told the Yankton Rotary that the Senate is still working farm bill and defense authorization priorities, and he’s withholding votes on USPS nominations until rural mail service is fixed. State Debt Collection: A legislative panel heard South Dakota’s obligation recovery effort averages about 249 driver’s license suspensions per month, tied to a private contractor’s debt-collection process. Mental Health & Suicide Prevention: “988 Day” coverage highlights local crisis response and school-based counseling, while Rapid City’s Youth City Council plans a “Chalk the Walk” event outside City Hall. Public Safety & Courts: A Madison man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor online, including efforts to travel to South Dakota. Local Governance: Mitchell City Council approved a first reading of runoff election rules when three or more candidates split the vote. Workforce & Education: Gov. Larry Rhoden announced 618 students received Build Dakota Scholarships for 2026-27. Health Care Contracting: Avera says it won’t bid to run Sioux Falls’ The Link after its contract ends, but will stay if no other operator steps in.

Gubernatorial Race: Gov. Larry Rhoden and challenger Dan Ahlers clashed at the South Dakota State Fair debate, trading barbs over Trump’s plan to import more foreign beef, plus education funding and Medicaid expansion tied to federal cost-sharing. Election Mechanics: South Dakota Democrats are urging voters who switched parties for the gubernatorial runoff to switch back before November, warning it could hurt their turnout. State Government: The South Dakota Capitol Rotunda restoration is unveiled after months of work, with officials highlighting it as a renewed centerpiece for the People’s House. Public Safety: Rapid City Fire Department moved its annual aircraft rescue and firefighting live-burn training to a new Creek Drive location amid airport construction. Health & Community: A Pierre-area paramedic survived a heart attack while responding to an incident, and the story is being shared as a reminder of first-responder readiness. Federal/Native Affairs: The FBI set a $25,000 minimum reward for unsolved Indian Country missing-person and homicide cases. Local Politics: Aberdeen’s League of Women Voters and Chamber of Commerce plan a public forum for SD House District 3 candidates on Sept. 22.

Wildfire Update: Lookout Fire near Spearfish has grown to 300 acres with no containment; crews are working overnight and residents were urged to evacuate as conditions change. Gubernatorial Debate: Gov. Larry Rhoden and challenger Dan Ahlers clashed at the South Dakota State Fair over agriculture and Medicaid expansion, with Ahlers calling the ballot condition a “cop out” and Rhoden defending the legislature’s approach. School Safety: Yankton school officials say a concerning TikTok post about Yankton Middle School was investigated and there is no active threat; classes are expected to continue. Election Politics: South Dakota Democrats are urging voters who switched parties for the gubernatorial runoff to switch back ahead of November. Public Safety Tech: License plate reader cameras helped track down an Arizona man accused of abducting and grooming a Wyoming teen; he was arrested in South Dakota and faces additional charges in Wyoming. Ethics/Influence: A report says a senior staffer for Sen. Mike Rounds has also worked as a lobbyist for major clients, raising conflict-of-interest questions. Agriculture & Water: DANR is accepting applications for Clean Water Act Section 319 nonpoint source grants, with a Oct. 1, 2026 deadline. State Revenue: Tobacco sales taxes in South Dakota rose 7.1% in 2024, reaching $55.8 million.

Gubernatorial Showdown: Gov. Larry Rhoden and challenger Dan Ahlers sparred at the South Dakota State Fair, agreeing on some Trump-era issues but clashing hard over Trump’s plan to import more foreign beef—Rhoden called it “wrongheaded,” while Ahlers said South Dakota must push back harder for farmers and ranchers. State Workforce: The Department of Labor and Regulation is hosting “Hire the Hills” in Rapid City Sept. 9 (noon–2 p.m.) to connect job seekers with employers including Monument Health, VA Black Hills, Best Buy, Safeway, and state agencies. Public Safety Appointments: South Dakota named Marlys Big Eagle as its Missing and Murdered Indigenous People specialist, filling the role vacated earlier this summer. Election Legal Fight: The Trump administration again asked the Supreme Court to pause a ruling blocking USPS mail-in ballot delivery rules, with the clock already running as ballots go out in North Carolina. Science & South Dakota: Researchers at Sanford Underground Research Facility reported an unexplained dark-matter-like interaction signal, though it’s not yet a confirmed discovery.

Gubernatorial Showdown: Gov. Larry Rhoden and challenger Dan Ahlers clashed at their first South Dakota State Fair debate, trading barbs over Trump’s foreign beef plan, rural health care, and property tax relief for ag land; Rhoden defended current valuation approaches and touted $350M for rural broadband, while Ahlers pressed for more transparency and argued leaders are undoing voters’ will. Election Administration: The Trump administration urged a federal appeals court to pause a judge’s block on new USPS mail voting rules, arguing states can comply and citing promised implementation support. Workforce & Hiring: The state’s “Hire the Hills” event returns Sept. 9 in Rapid City, pairing job seekers with employers like Monument Health, VA Black Hills, and state agencies. Science & Policy Curiosity: Researchers say they detected an unexplained particle interaction in a South Dakota mine experiment that could relate to dark matter, though it’s not confirmed. Statehouse Pay: A South Dakota pay-raise proposal tied to household income could lift legislator salaries above $16,000, depending on the income formula.

Gubernatorial Debate: Gov. Larry Rhoden and challenger Dan Ahlers faced off at the South Dakota State Fair, with both centering agriculture and rural issues; Rhoden defended keeping the merged agriculture/natural resources department, while Ahlers argued for splitting it, and they sparred over property tax relief for ag land and rural health. Beef Imports Clash: Rhoden criticized Trump’s plan to import more foreign beef as “wrongheaded,” while Ahlers said South Dakota must push harder through the congressional delegation. Election Process Fight: The Trump administration urged a federal appeals court to pause a judge’s block on new USPS mail voting rules, arguing states can comply and that election officials’ concerns are overstated. Independent Senate Strategy: Democrats are backing an independent Senate bid in South Dakota aimed at “deny[ing] majority to either party,” as national coverage highlights a broader push to weaken Republican dominance via independents. Jobs Outlook: The state Bureau of Labor and Regulation projects South Dakota job growth of about 7.4% by 2034—more than double the national rate—citing e-commerce, population growth, and aging-related needs. Data Center Tension: Rapid City leaders are moving to add local guardrails as EPA changes could reduce public notice for data center air permits, fueling concerns over transparency and impacts like water, sewer, and noise. State Fair Funding: Farm Credit Services of America pledged $15,000 to the “Hog Wild for a Better Barn” campaign to buy new swine pens for the State Fair.

Gubernatorial Debate: Gov. Larry Rhoden and challenger Dan Ahlers sparred at the South Dakota State Fair, with the Farmers Union hosting the first general-election matchup focused on agriculture and rural issues—Rhoden touted rural broadband spending and Ahlers attacked efforts to undo voter-approved policies. Beef Import Clash: In the same debate, both candidates slammed Trump’s foreign beef import plan, but they diverged on how to respond—Rhoden wants an advisory committee and more information, while Ahlers argues for stronger pressure through South Dakota’s delegation. Voting Fight in Court: The Trump DOJ urged an appeals court to pause a judge’s block on USPS mail voting changes, arguing states can comply and calling election officials’ concerns overstated. Data Center Politics: Rapid City leaders are moving toward local rules as the EPA considers loosening public notice for data center air permits, raising alarms about transparency and impacts on water, sewer, and utilities. Independent Senate Strategy: National Democrats are backing independent Senate candidates in states including South Dakota, aiming to weaken Republican dominance as control of the chamber could hinge on these races.

U.S. Senate power shift: Democrats are backing independent Senate challengers in deep-red states, including South Dakota’s Brian Bengs, aiming to weaken Republican dominance even as party loyalty frays. Campaign finance & AI fight: Bengs says Sen. Mike Rounds is tied to Big Tech money tied to AI data centers, while a Politico report raises ethics questions about a Rounds aide’s lobbying side work, including for Meta. Data center backlash in Rapid City: The EPA’s proposal to change how states handle minor air-permit public input is drawing pushback in western South Dakota, with Rapid City moving toward local guardrails. Local public safety: Lead-Deadwood schools add Diggs, a trained support dog, to help ease students and staff back into the routine. Voting access: A federal judge blocked key Trump mail-ballot restrictions for the 2026 midterms, warning disenfranchisement could be “practically inevitable.” Economy at the pump: AAA reports Labor Day gas prices are hitting record highs, with diesel also spiking amid the Iran conflict.

Election & Voting Access: A federal judge blocked key parts of Trump’s anti-mail voting order for the 2026 midterms, saying the Postal Service overstepped and that disenfranchisement is “practically inevitable” on the tight timeline. SNAP Policy: South Dakota moved forward with a SNAP waiver to exclude soft drinks, but retailers warn it will be hard to define “soft drink” and could create major administrative and consumer pushback. State Government & Public Safety: The South Dakota Capitol Rotunda restoration wrapped up with a ribbon cutting, and the Highway Patrol announced September sobriety checkpoints across 13 counties. Campaign Trail: Democrats held a “Souper Tuesday” event in Rapid City to meet voters and press issues like schools, clean water, and Black Hills protection ahead of the general election. Driver Licensing: South Dakota began rolling out a new driver’s license design with enhanced security features. Energy & Environment: EPA is pushing back in court against challenges to uranium mining in the Black Hills, calling the tribe’s case “flimsy.”

Sanford Health Deal: Sanford has reached an agreement to buy Minnesota’s North Memorial Health, backed by $600 million in local hospital commitments reviewed through the Minnesota AG’s merger process. State Fair Politics: Gov. Larry Rhoden and challenger Dan Ahlers will debate Saturday at the State Fair in Huron on agriculture and rural issues, with Farmers Union questions and a second debate set for Sept. 28 in Sioux Falls. U.S. Senate Race: Mike Rounds and Brian Bengs clash over whether Medals of Honor tied to the 1890 Wounded Knee massacre should be rescinded—Rounds wants more info, Bengs says they should go. Driver Licensing: South Dakota is rolling out new-look driver’s licenses and IDs with enhanced security features; current cards stay valid until expiration. Privacy vs. Policing: Summerset residents are pushing back on Flock ALPR surveillance cameras, raising concerns about data collection and constitutional rights. Cybersecurity: CISA ended six free cyber readiness assessment programs used by small water utilities and local governments, warning replacements may be unaffordable. Agriculture & Beef: Rhoden says tariff-free foreign beef imports won’t lower prices by “arbitrarily depressing the market,” as the debate over the plan heats up.

Public Safety: South Dakota Highway Patrol is planning September sobriety checkpoints across 13 counties, with enforcement funded by the Office of Highway Safety and coordinated with local agencies. Elections & Campaigns: The U.S. Senate race is sharpening around AI and data centers as independent challenger Brian Bengs attacks incumbent Mike Rounds’ fundraising, while both sides also trade blows over Wounded Knee Medal of Honor review—Rounds wants more facts; Bengs says the medals “should not stand.” State Government & Policy: South Dakota is rolling out a new driver’s license design with updated security features, and lawmakers are also weighing how to handle ballot thresholds for constitutional amendments (a fact brief notes none have cleared 60% in the past five years). Local Government: Mitchell is considering a runoff ordinance for mayoral or council races if no candidate reaches 50%. Infrastructure & Community: USD will host its 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at Patriots Plaza, and the Deadwood Fund grant application deadline is Oct. 1. Environment & Water: Western South Dakota wells are running dry amid heat and drought, with rural residents and ranchers reporting worsening water shortages.

Driver Licensing Update: South Dakota’s Driver Licensing Program is rolling out a new driver’s license and ID design this month with added security features and a refreshed layout. Public Safety Tech & Privacy: The state is considering limits on automatic license plate reader cameras (“Flock cameras”) after privacy concerns, with Attorney General Marty Jackley saying safeguards are needed before problems arise. MMIP Leadership: Jackley appointed Marlys Big Eagle as South Dakota’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons specialist, tasked with coordinating investigations and supporting families. Legislative Pay: Lawmakers endorsed budget increases for the Legislative Research Council to cover higher legislator pay and per diem. Courts & Politics: Judge Carmen Means dismissed an anti-compete lawsuit tied to Kyle Peters, a Watertown council member and Noem family son-in-law. U.S. Senate Race: Independent challenger Brian Bengs says Wounded Knee Medal of Honor awards “should not stand,” while Sen. Mike Rounds says he wants “the facts” first. Disaster Relief: South Dakota received a presidential disaster declaration for June-July storms, with federal aid covering 75% of eligible public infrastructure repairs. Local Government: Rapid City’s Dinosaur Park will light “Dino” blue for South Dakota Mines’ home opener.

Federal Storm Relief: FEMA will reimburse up to 75% of public infrastructure repair costs from late-June/early-July storms across eight South Dakota counties and two reservations, with Gov. Larry Rhoden saying Trump approved the disaster declaration; the Oglala Sioux Tribe also received about $1.7 million. Voting & Courts: South Dakota’s Amendment J would require U.S. citizenship to vote, including local elections, while the state AG backs a federal court fight over Trump’s mail-voting changes. Law Enforcement Tech: Minnehaha County commissioners debated limits on Flock automated license plate readers, as AG Marty Jackley pushes statewide standards and points to a recent case where LPR helped recover a youth abducted from Wyoming. Public Safety/Justice: Jackley appointed Marlys Big Eagle as South Dakota’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons specialist. State Politics/Policy: The Public Utilities Commission race spotlights a clash over AI and hyperscale data centers, with one candidate backing a moratorium. Education & Community: USD will host an AI symposium and a biomedical computation consortium; a Rapid City nonprofit expanded book support to four elementary schools.