AGP Executive Report

State Sports: O’Gorman won the Class AA boys tennis title, edging Harrisburg 484-482, with Will Koziara taking Flight 1 singles for a second straight year. Class A Baseball: Watertown upset top-seeded Harrisburg 4-3 to reach the semis, while Yankton’s Samuel Gokie walked off Rapid City Stevens 2-1 in the opening round. Memorial Day Prep: The South Dakota Highway Patrol is stepping up enforcement for the busy holiday travel period, focusing on speeding, impaired driving, seatbelts, and distracted driving. Local Business: The Card Farmers is reopening in a bigger downtown Marshall location, expanding beyond trading cards into board games and more. Infrastructure: Gov. Larry Rhoden signed new funding to help counties repair and replace deficient culverts and small bridges through the Rural Access Infrastructure Fund. Federal Update: A new CDC rule expands the government’s ability to temporarily limit entry during certain dangerous disease outbreaks, tied to the Ebola response.

DOJ “Anti-Weaponization” Fight: Senate Republicans left Washington fuming after a tense meeting with Acting AG Todd Blanche over Trump’s nearly $1.8 billion Justice Department fund, with GOP leaders saying they want the money “fenced in” and effectively punting a major immigration enforcement funding vote until early June. Public Safety: South Dakota Highway Patrol is stepping up enforcement for Memorial Day—speeding, DUIs, seatbelts, and distracted driving—while officials remind drivers to plan ahead and use sd511.org. Health & Local Services: Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is rebranding to Sanford Health Watertown starting next month, with phased signage and facility updates. Wildlife Warning: A 70-year-old hiker died after being struck by a bison on the Grace Coolidge Trail at Custer State Park. State Government & Money: EPA announced $27.5 million for South Dakota to reduce lead exposure in drinking water by helping identify and replace lead service lines. Campaign Trail: Attorney General candidate Austin Hoffman picked up endorsements from former AGs Mark Vargo and Roger Tellinghuisen.

Federal Politics: GOP senators grilled Acting AG Todd Blanche in a tense meeting over the Justice Department’s $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization fund,” with critics saying the administration hasn’t explained how the payouts work or who qualifies. Public Safety: Pennington County and Rapid City police are joining the Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” push, promising strict seat-belt enforcement through May 31. State Government: The Board of Regents laid out systemwide AI goals for South Dakota’s public universities and approved a 2.4% tuition increase for 2026-27 (with some steeper hikes at specific schools). Local Sports: Watertown’s Ellie Hirsch—recovering from a near-drowning and autoimmune encephalitis—threw the ceremonial first pitch at Thursday’s game. High School Spotlight: O’Gorman jumped out to the lead on day one of the Class AA boys tennis tournament in Rapid City. Lottery: South Dakota Lottery’s Millionaire for Life numbers for May 21 were 03-15-16-24-28 (Bonus 04).

DOJ/Immigration Standoff: Senate Republicans abruptly punted a major immigration enforcement funding bill after a tense closed-door meeting with Acting AG Todd Blanche over Trump’s $1.776B “anti-weaponization” fund, with GOP leaders saying they need the money “fenced in appropriately” and leaving town until early June. South Dakota Courts: The state Supreme Court upheld a Pierre man’s second-degree murder conviction tied to a 2023 stabbing death. Governor Race: A new KELO/Emerson poll has Toby Doeden leading in the GOP governor primary (26% to Johnson’s 23%), still within the margin of error, while Doeden also reported loaning his campaign $4M of his own money. Rural Health Funding: South Dakota named first consulting partners for its Rural Health Transformation, including a Sioux Falls firm managing digital health modernization and tech grants. Infrastructure/Local Life: SDDOT is seeking public comment on a roughly yearlong temporary closure of part of Racetrack Trail in Meade County for I-90 work, and Rapid City is laying out Memorial Day closures and adjusted schedules.

Uranium Fight in the Black Hills: A state board’s uranium drilling hearing near Craven Canyon was paused after a private legal session, just as opponents escalated—one of them, Elizabeth Lone Eagle, filed a federal lawsuit alleging due-process violations. Tuition Pressure: The South Dakota Board of Regents approved a 2.4% in-person tuition hike systemwide (with South Dakota Mines up 5%), citing staff pay and rising technology costs. Election Season Noise: In the governor’s race primary, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson’s campaign spending is outpacing past hot contests—his spending alone tops what both 2018 GOP candidates combined spent—while voting-rights fights continue nationally over proof-of-citizenship and photo ID rules. Local Life & Sports: Rapid City firefighters kicked off the Muscular Dystrophy Association “Fill the Boot” drive, and high school baseball postseason action is underway with area teams advancing to state.

Plains Farm Strain: Drought plus a spike in diesel and fertilizer costs tied to the Iran war is pushing producers in Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Nebraska toward smaller harvests—or skipping inputs altogether. Weather Aftermath: Northwest Iowa storm surveys confirmed straight-line wind damage and reported 10 EFU tornadoes, mostly in rural areas. Summit League Baseball: South Dakota State pulled a 7-3 upset over top-seeded Oral Roberts in the tournament opener, setting up the next matchup. Voting Update: Advance voting for South Dakota’s June 2 primary is picking up after a delayed start, with county auditors saying turnout is roughly on pace with 2024. Local Politics: Mitchell school board candidates Deb Everson and Vanessa Klock traded views at a forum on how to market new district programs and explain funding. Rapid City Watch: Mary Hall Park restrooms reopened after vandalism repairs. Campaign Finance: A federal Super PAC backed by South Dakota business donors funneled money into state races, including anti-Rhoden ads. Tuition: The Board of Regents approved a 2.4% in-person tuition hike systemwide, with South Dakota Mines up 5%.

Sports Shock & Coaching Change: USD softball is searching for a new head coach after Robert Wagner stepped away Tuesday, ending a 10-year run that included the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance and win. Tennis Dominance: Sioux Falls Christian capped a historic sweep at the Class A boys tennis tournament in Rapid City, winning all six singles flights and all three doubles flights for a third straight team title. Track Tune-Ups: The West River Last Chance Track Meet wrapped up in Rapid City as athletes used it as a final test ahead of the state meet starting May 28 in Sioux Falls. Local Politics: Mitchell voters will weigh a proposed term-limits ordinance that would cap mayor and City Council service to three consecutive terms. Black Hills Watch: A uranium drilling permit hearing in Hot Springs continues to draw sharp opposition, with tensions over how interpretive services are handled. Wildfire Prep: South Dakota Wildland Fire briefed lawmakers and firefighters on new facilities, gear, and $5 million in protective equipment grants for volunteer departments statewide.

Uranium showdown in the Black Hills: A new public hearing in Hot Springs kept the fight over proposed uranium mining in Fall River County front and center, with opponents arguing the latest push echoes past exploitation and supporters pressing that earlier voter action doesn’t legally block exploration. ICE expansion at the state level: Gov. Larry Rhoden says South Dakota is ramping up its ICE partnership—training more Highway Patrol troopers under 287(g) and reporting 150 arrests over the past year—while also citing federal reimbursement. Energy boost for Big Stone City: POET and Antora Energy launched a massive thermal energy storage system next to POET’s ethanol plant, aiming to capture excess wind power and improve reliability. Roads and safety: I-90 near Wasta is closed after a fiery crash, with detours in place, and Sioux Falls-area drivers face multiple construction lane restrictions this week. Politics and money: Attack-ad spending in the GOP governor’s race is drawing scrutiny as new finance reports reveal who’s funding the barrage.

Severe Weather Watch: A “moderate” tornado and hail risk is on the radar for May 18 across parts of central/northeast Kansas, with forecasters citing a 15% chance of a tornado and a 45% chance of very large hail near places like Topeka and Lawrence—drawing storm chaser Reed Timmer to Topeka for live coverage. Local Sports: Rain forced day one of the Class A boys tennis tournament indoors in Rapid City, where Sioux Falls Christian grabbed the early lead and West River players remain in title contention. Summit League Baseball: South Dakota State opens its Summit League tournament against Oral Roberts, with ORU entering as the heavy favorite after a dominant conference run. Public Safety: A Rapid City man, Kyle Beck, was convicted in federal court on attempted sexual exploitation of a minor charges, with sentencing still pending. Permits & Growth: Mitchell City Council tabled a decision on an oversized digital billboard permit, kicking the debate to the next round.

Early Clemency Fallout: Former Gov. Kristi Noem’s early release of 19 inmates without the usual state board review is back in the spotlight, with 12 later charged with new crimes—most tied to drug offenses—raising fresh questions about how the commutations were handled. Democrats in the Spotlight: President Joe Biden is set to keynote the South Dakota Democratic Party’s McGovern Day Dinner in Sioux Falls on June 5, with VIP meet-and-greet details and other statewide candidates on the bill. Ag Policy Watch: Former U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson says year-round E15 faces Senate hurdles and infrastructure limits, meaning demand may not grow as expected. Public Safety & Crime: Sioux Falls police say a long-running online scam cost a woman nearly $400,000, while Rapid City investigators are probing a rental-property shooting and a separate vehicle burglary where a loaded firearm was stolen. Weather: The Plains brace for another round of severe storms Monday into Tuesday, with tornado and hail threats after Sunday’s damage. Local Roads: Rapid City and the Black Hills get multiple construction closures and detours this week, including work tied to Lindbergh Avenue and Arrowhead Parkway.

Severe Weather Alert: A dangerous storm system is sweeping the central U.S., with forecasters warning of tornadoes, giant hail, and damaging winds through Monday night—cities including Sioux Falls are on high alert. Sports—Local Spotlight: Sioux Falls Stampede is now one win from the Clark Cup after taking a 2-0 series lead at home, while South Dakota softball made program history with its first NCAA Tournament win before falling to Grand Canyon. Education & Community: Jewel Cave National Monument is expanding hours and restarting seasonal tours for summer travelers. Policy & Privacy: A South Dakota fact brief looks at automatic license plate reader cameras—what’s in use, what’s not covered by state law, and how local agencies describe their data practices. Health & Business: Sanford Health is partnering with North Memorial Health to merge into a single nonprofit system, with major investment planned for Twin Cities hospitals.

Severe Weather Watch: Central U.S. storm risk is ramping up again, with intense tornadoes, huge hail, and damaging winds possible through Monday—Sunday and Monday look worst, especially across eastern Nebraska and southeast South Dakota. Local Government & Infrastructure: Rapid City is setting summer outdoor pool hours and admission, while crews start repairing a water line leak near Stevens High School Monday. Elections & Politics: South Dakota GOP Senate primaries are seeing rematches, and campaign finance reports show one District 2 contender outraising the other. Public Safety & Rules: SDDOT is reminding drivers that political signs can’t be placed on state highway rights of way. Tech & Privacy: A fact brief asks whether South Dakota has laws on automatic license plate readers—answer: not much, even as local agencies use them. Education & Community: Homeschool South Dakota says homeschooling has now surpassed private school enrollment statewide, and Black Hills State University launched a $58M capital campaign.

Health Care Deal: Sanford Health and North Memorial Health have signed a definitive agreement to merge into a single nonprofit system, with Sanford’s CEO set to lead and a planned $600 million investment into North Memorial’s Robbinsdale and Maple Grove hospitals. Sports—Big Night for SDSU: Omaha beat South Dakota State 13-8 on senior night, using a big early burst and a late push to close out the regular season. Sports—USD Makes History: South Dakota softball earned its first NCAA Tournament win, topping Louisville 4-2, then fell to Grand Canyon in extra innings as the historic run ended. Sports—Clark Cup Finals: Sioux Falls shut out Muskegon 3-0 in Game 2, with Linards Feldbergs making 39 saves to move the Herd closer to the title. Weather Alert: Forecasters warn Sunday could be dangerous across parts of the region, with tornado risk and severe storms possible. Politics—Biden in Sioux Falls: South Dakota Democrats announced Joe Biden will keynote the McGovern Day Dinner June 5.

Health Care Deal: Sanford Health is teaming up with North Memorial Health in Minnesota, signing a definitive agreement to merge into a single nonprofit system and invest about $600 million into Robbinsdale and Maple Grove hospitals. Corrections Watch: South Dakota’s parole division is touting 2025 “wins,” but Gov. Rhoden’s office is pushing new changes after public scrutiny—following a Sioux Falls officer shooting allegedly tied to a man on parole. Fire Danger: The National Weather Service is warning millions across 11 states to avoid outdoor burning as warm, dry, windy conditions raise wildfire risk. Sports—Big Night for USD Softball: South Dakota’s NCAA run is on the line after a 4-1 loss to Nebraska; the Coyotes face Louisville today in the Lincoln Regional. Politics—Dem Fundraiser: Joe Biden is set to headline South Dakota Democrats’ McGovern Day dinner in Sioux Falls on June 5.

Health Merger Watch: Sanford Health and North Memorial Health have signed a definitive deal to merge into one nonprofit system, with a planned $600 million investment in North Memorial’s Robbinsdale and Maple Grove hospitals. Politics & Elections: Alabama GOP SOS candidate Caroleene Dobson says she’ll create an Election Integrity and Security Division to respond to reports of voter fraud ahead of the May 19 primary. Water & Weather: In Rapid City, the Bureau of Reclamation has boosted Pactola outflows multiple times this week as drought pressure grows, while forecasters warn of dry, breezy conditions and a severe storm shift that could bring hail, strong winds, and possible tornadoes. South Dakota Spotlight: The SD Junior High Rodeo State Finals are underway in Rapid City, and Wagner’s Ashlyn Koupal was named 2026 Miss Basketball. Sports: Rapid City Stevens rallied to beat Brookings 13-9 in baseball super regionals, and the Coyotes’ NCAA softball run ended with a 4-1 loss to Nebraska.

Health Merger: Sanford Health and North Memorial Health have signed a deal to merge into one nonprofit system, with Sanford’s CEO set to lead and a planned $600 million investment in North Memorial’s Robbinsdale and Maple Grove hospitals. NCAA Softball: South Dakota makes history with its first NCAA Tournament appearance, opening the Lincoln Regional Friday at 5:30 p.m. vs. top-seeded Nebraska. Roadwork: Long-term traffic impacts hit Mitchell: the I-90 eastbound on-ramp at Exit 332 closes May 19 and runs until Aug. 4 for railroad bridge repairs. Public Safety: Authorities identified the driver killed in a May 12 Highway 44 crash northwest of Freeman; the Highway Patrol says a Bridgewater woman died at the scene. Sports & Community: Rapid City hosts free historic preservation workshops at City Hall, and Elk Point’s Law Enforcement Torch Run carried the “flame of hope” for Special Olympics South Dakota. Agriculture & Weather: Cattle producers are weighing tough choices as parts of the region sit in extreme drought.