AGP Executive Report

Elections & Civic Life: Early voting is underway for the Nov. 3 midterms, with South Dakota absentee voting opening Friday and local groups like Indivisible 605 hosting kickoff events to help voters make a plan. Weather & Climate: NOAA officials are watching a rare “super El Niño,” with expectations for warmer, drier Central Plains winters but still possible cold snaps and snow. State Government & Public Safety: Yankton County approved a 0.25% sales tax starting July 1 to fund owner-occupied property tax relief, while a Rapid City case moves toward plea deals in the Oxford Square beating death of Michael Ladeaux. Consumer Protection: South Dakota’s attorney general is part of a $694 million multistate settlement with auto lender Credit Acceptance, aimed at predatory loan practices and requiring stronger consumer protections. Arts & Education: The South Dakota Arts Council launched a Visiting Artist Program to bring performances and residencies to communities statewide, and USD’s Chiesman Center for Democracy highlights civic education and research ahead of election season. Sports (Local): SDSU and USD both face major nonconference tests this weekend, including SDSU hosting Youngstown State and USD taking on Minnesota and Washington in Sioux Falls.

Secretary of State Race: Three candidates are vying to run South Dakota’s elections and business records—Republican Heather Baxter, Democrat Terrence Davis, and Libertarian Tamara Lesnar—after Baxter’s earlier win over the incumbent. Absentee Voting: Absentee voting is expanding ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, with the share of voters using it rising over the years; Davison County voters can start casting ballots in person Friday, Sept. 18. Predatory Lending Settlement: South Dakota’s attorney general joined a multistate deal with Credit Acceptance Corporation, directing about $694 million in cash and debt relief to consumers harmed by alleged abusive subprime auto lending. Public Safety: The state is mourning DCI Special Agent Quincy Kjerstad, who died after a medical emergency while on duty, and corrections officials are preparing for the Sept. 18 release of high-risk offender Anthony Salinas to Sioux Falls. Agriculture Health: Anthrax has been confirmed in Meade County cattle, and producers are urged to monitor herds and consider vaccination. Community & Business: First Interstate Bank’s Hunger Action Month campaign is matching donations statewide, and Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. and CJ Schwan’s announced a five-year sponsorship deal through 2030.

Election Integrity Initiatives: A new wave of ballot measures is set to hit this November, with 12 states already moving to tighten election rules and 11 more voting on proof-of-citizenship and stronger voter ID requirements. Local Elections Oversight: South Dakota’s secretary of state race is drawing attention as candidates debate how to improve election security and voter confidence. POW/MIA Remembrance: North Star Honor Flight Mission 4 welcomed 88 veterans and guardians home in a ceremony timed to Sept. 16. Public Health: South Dakota’s latest youth tobacco survey finds fewer middle-schoolers have tried nicotine than two years ago, but daily use is creeping up. Agriculture Policy: The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced a farm bill along party lines after Democrats objected over nutrition benefit timing. Community & Economy: Rapid City reported “significant growth” in July sales tax collections, while Sioux Falls continues pushing local crime-fighting tech like license plate readers amid public debate. Food & Local Business: Pizza Cheeks is leaning into local produce as the season peaks, and Fareway broke ground on a new Brandon store expected to open in fall 2027. Sports: SDSU hosts Beau Brungard and Youngstown State in a top-10 showdown, and South Dakota’s No. 11 Coyotes kept rolling past Eastern Washington.

America 250: Sioux Falls is inviting residents to share local history with a cross-country mobile storytelling tour, with stops Sept. 18-19 aimed at preserving South Dakota memories at the Library of Congress. Politics & Elections: Early voting is underway in South Dakota, with mail ballots also moving in other states as Congress races toward the campaign season—leaving major items like a farm bill and defense bill uncertain. Agriculture: The South Dakota Farmers Union is in Washington, D.C. for its annual Fly-In, hearing from national leaders and pushing for progress on the farm bill, with Senators Mike Rounds and John Thune credited for support. Food Insecurity: Feeding South Dakota says food insecurity hit an all-time high, with 130,000-plus people affected and rising costs driving demand—fueling a Hunger Action Month push. Public Safety & Travel: TSA is offering military honor screening lanes at 34 airports nationwide, including guidance on what IDs service members and veterans can use. Arts & Culture: “Thread Bound,” an independent film shot in Aberdeen, premieres Sept. 17 and rolls into multiple South Dakota cities through the weekend. Local Government: Hill City will hold informational meetings Sept. 23 on a proposed 1% municipal sales tax for water or sewer infrastructure, with a Nov. 3 vote.

Feds & Native Families: A federal audit says the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Missing and Murdered Unit is hamstrung by staffing gaps and a backlog, leaving families waiting—an issue tied to a Fond Du Lac reservation case that’s stalled since 2025. Local Courts & Politics: A Minnehaha County judge set a December trial for state Sen. Tom Pischke on election-related felony charges over allegedly forged nominating petitions. Rapid City Accountability: City leaders plan to pursue Tzadik Management in court over more than $530,000 in unpaid utility bills tied to the Star Village property. Public Safety: Sioux Falls police report DUI arrests are up sharply in the first half of 2026, even as overall crime trends down, and they credit automated license plate readers. Food & Health: South Dakota launched its first statewide Food Landscape Assessment and will host “The Future of Food” gatherings; Avera also landed on Forbes’ Best-In-State Employers list. Infrastructure: The Transportation Commission approved about $3.5M for 40 local bridge projects. Sports (SDSU): Boise State visits South Dakota this week as SDSU prepares for a conference opener against Youngstown State.

Housing & Homeownership: GROW SD is getting a $100,000 grant from the South Dakota Community Foundation to expand its Down Payment Assistance program, offering 20 zero-interest, deferred $5,000 loans to income-qualified buyers. Community Giving: Rapid City Public Library and the Rapid City Police Department are teaming up for the Month of Caring, collecting new or gently used items for local youth and families through a donation bin in the library lobby. Local Business & Faith: Celebrate Church has taken over Sioux Falls’ B&G Milkyway, keeping the same staff and treats while directing proceeds back into community projects. Public Safety: Rapid City Fire Department is urging drivers to avoid active emergency scenes after reports of vehicles entering response areas, including one that drove over a fire hose. Education: Chesterton Academy of Blessed Alcuin of York opened in Rapid City with its first class of six students; an open house is set for Sept. 18. Sports: South Dakota Prep Media’s Sept. 14 polls put Harrisburg and Sioux Falls Christian atop their volleyball classes, while Pierre leads the football Class 11AA rankings. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports the lowest Lake County regular price at $3.68/gal for the week ending Sept. 5.

Local Government & Budgets: Yankton City Commission approved a $62M 2027 budget unanimously, while tabling two alcohol license requests tied to building/fire-code concerns. Courts & Public Safety: A Watertown man convicted in the Dec. 2024 YHS parking lot shooting of two Yankton officers has appealed to the South Dakota Supreme Court. Rapid City Watch: Rapid City is seeking applicants for two Historic Sign Review Committee seats, and Mayor Jason Salamun says he won’t seek re-election in 2027. Policing & Privacy: Madison leaders are debating the city’s use of Flock license plate readers amid growing privacy concerns. Health & Community Aid: Feeding South Dakota is marking Hunger Action Month as food insecurity rises, and Hy-Vee is partnering with the American Heart Association for in-store donations. Sports (SD focus): South Dakota NFL Week 1 standouts include Dallas Goedert’s big Eagles game; locally, Vermillion’s boys golf team placed 10th at the Heartland Preview and the state volleyball media polls put Harrisburg and Sioux Falls Christian atop their classes. Agriculture & Disease: H5N1 avian flu detections continue in commercial poultry across the Dakotas, including multiple South Dakota sites.

Local Government: Rapid City is asking residents to step up for city boards, committees, and commissions, with more than 30 citizen groups advising on issues from parks and air quality to disability and sustainability. Community Events: Rapid City’s free Pumpkin Plunge returns Oct. 17 at the Roosevelt Swim Center, with registration open and limited spots for kids ages 2–13. Elections & Voting Rights: A federal judge is set to rule next week on a challenge to South Dakota’s “federal-only” voter registration notices, with plaintiffs saying the letters can mislead voters and create confusion. Public Safety & Health: Monument Health Rapid City earned U.S. News “high-performing” recognition in five care areas, including heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. Housing: St. Francis House says its $10 million Healing Home Campus affordable housing project is moving toward a spring groundbreaking after raising $1 million. Politics/Leadership: Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun announced he won’t seek re-election in 2027. Weather & Environment: New research tracks how wind and solar siting rules are changing across Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Crash: A 70-year-old Astoria man died after being struck by a pickup while working on a riding lawnmower near Ramona.

Sanford International: Zach Johnson closed with a 4-under 66 to win the Sanford International in Sioux Falls, birdieing the final two holes to edge Ben Crane by one stroke and claim his fifth PGA Tour Champions victory of the season. Local Government: Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun announced he will not seek re-election in 2027, saying he wants to leave the city with “momentum” after a decade in office. Wildfire Update: Fire crews stopped the forward spread of the Beretta Fire south of Rapid City; no evacuations were ordered and no structures were reported damaged. Public Safety: Sioux Falls Fire Rescue responded to a structure fire on West 39th Street; one person was evaluated for smoke inhalation and a cat was removed. Community & Health: Hundreds are expected at the Walk to Defeat ALS on Sept. 19 at Sertoma Park in Sioux Falls, with funds staying in the Sioux Empire. Business Spotlight: Rosebud Building Products on the Rosebud Reservation earned national recognition as South Dakota’s 2026 Hardware All Star. Sports: Augustana beat MSU Moorhead 2-1, while the Huskies topped Washington State 3-1 in the Apple Cup.

SDSU Football: South Dakota State turned a slow start into a blowout, scoring 47 points in a 16-minute stretch to beat New Haven 57-14 in the Beef Bowl at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, improving to 2-1. USD Football: South Dakota opened 3-0 with a 41-23 win over Eastern Washington, led by Charles Pierre Jr.’s 2,000-yard milestone and Austyn Modrzewski’s three-touchdown passing. Wildlife & Fishing: South Dakota wildlife officials faced pushback over a proposal that would have let anglers keep large muskies; the plan to change the current catch-and-release rules was rejected. Local Sports (High School): Harrisburg edged O’Gorman 21-20 in the Dakota Bowl, while Brookings was shut out by Huron 20-0. Community & Education: A Simmons Middle School student won a statewide essay contest about her great-grandmother, and an elementary school project is collecting postcards from all 50 states for America’s 250th. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports the lowest E85 in Codington County at $3.39 (week ending Sept. 5), alongside diesel pricing updates including $5.26 in Miner County. Rapid City Events: The 21st annual Chile Pepper Festival runs this weekend in Rapid City, with food, music, and local vendors.

Elections & Courts: A federal judge will decide next week whether South Dakota’s secretary of state is violating the U.S. Constitution with “federal-only” voter notification letters and how the state is implementing proof-of-citizenship rules. College Football (SDSU): South Dakota State rolled past New Haven 57-14, with Chase Mason throwing for 255 yards and three TDs as the Jackrabbits broke it open after a slow start. College Football (USD): Charles Pierre Jr. returned from injury form with 138 yards and two TDs as No. 11 South Dakota beat Eastern Washington 41-23 to stay unbeaten. College Football (USF): University of Sioux Falls survived a late comeback and won 29-28 in overtime over MSU Moorhead. Local Sports (Presidents Bowl): Roosevelt dominated Washington 27-7 in the Presidents Bowl opener at Howard Wood Field. Proximity Sports (Rapid City): Colorado Mesa edged South Dakota Mines 30-24 in overtime in Rapid City. Community & Culture: Sioux Falls’ Sidewalk Arts Festival returned for its 63rd year, and the city also kicked off a new girls flag football era with help from the Minnesota Vikings.

Courthouse sentencing: Brandon Lyle High Pipe, accused in a mid-December rampage at the Lyon County Courthouse, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to criminal mischief and burglary charges. State education snapshot: South Dakota’s average student loan debt fell nearly 4% over the past year to about $4,820 per borrower, ranking among the lower states nationally. Voting rules in focus: A federal judge is set to rule next week in a Sioux Falls case over 2026 Senate Bill 175, with early voting starting Sept. 18 and plaintiffs arguing the state’s documentation rules confuse voters. Public health alert: The FDA expanded a Walmart berries recall, adding more states and territories, including South Dakota, tied to possible E. coli contamination. Wildfire pressure: A record wildfire season has burned over 8.5 million acres nationwide, with tens of thousands of fires straining firefighting resources. Sports, local angle: South Dakota football hosts Eastern Washington today at the DakotaDome for Family Weekend and Native American Heritage Day.

Health & Aging: Sioux Falls-area seniors can submit artwork for the 29th annual SDHCA Dakota MasterWorks Art Show, open to South Dakota residents 60+; entries run Oct. 5-9 at the SDHCA office, with the exhibit Nov. 5-6 at the Jerstad Center. State Government: Gov. Larry Rhoden proclaimed Sept. 13-19 as Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, citing that about 15% of South Dakota adults lack essential literacy skills. Veterans & Remembrance: South Dakota will observe POW/MIA Recognition Day on Sept. 19, honoring 349 unaccounted-for service members; the state also marked 25 years since 9/11 with ceremonies at USD in Vermillion. Public Health: Horizon Health is offering free dental care for kids ages 0-5 through its Smiles for Miles program in October, with appointments available at multiple locations statewide. Agriculture & Food Systems: South Dakota Specialty Producers Association hosts “Sow the Connection,” a free Sept. 21 event in Harrisburg connecting organic/regenerative farmers with buyers and state/federal resources. Sports: Fargo-Moorhead’s Matt Kroon hit a three-run homer in the ninth to sweep Winnipeg in the American Association playoffs; locally, Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan beat Sioux Falls Lutheran 22-14 in high school football.

Obamacare Refunds: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including South Dakota, will get $500 refunds for “user fees” that it says drove up premiums beyond what was needed to run the federal exchange. 9/11 Remembrance & Service: In Rapid City and western South Dakota, groups are organizing volunteer projects tied to the 25th anniversary, including a Helpline Center and Habitat for Humanity Day of Service. Public Safety—WRAP Restraint: Rapid City police defended use of a WRAP full-body restraint after a man died while being transported to the Pennington County Jail; the state Division of Criminal Investigation is reviewing the case. Local Government—Data Center Rules: Rapid City’s Planning Commission tabled a data center ordinance update for 60 days as the city proposes new limits on noise, water use, air pollution, vibration, and electrical capacity. Courts & Records: Gov. Larry Rhoden proclaimed Clerks and Deputy Clerks of Court Week; Pennington County also announced a brief vital records system pause and reminded residents the Oct. 31 property tax deadline is coming. Weather: Warmer, breezy conditions today with showers and storms possible tonight into Saturday. Sports & Culture: South Dakota and Eastern Washington will wear Indigenous-language helmet decals Saturday for Native American Heritage Day.

Health Care & Politics: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including South Dakota, will get $500 Obamacare refund checks starting in October, tied to alleged Biden-era “user fee” overcharges on federal exchange plans. Elections & Courts: South Dakota’s new voter registration law—requiring new voters to prove citizenship—returns to court Friday as the League of Women Voters and a voter challenge it, with the AG’s office defending the rule. Statehouse Watch: A proposal to raise South Dakota legislators’ pay is back in focus, with lawmakers’ salaries tied to the state’s median household income. Community & Public Safety: Sioux Falls’ Eat Well Mobile Market is back on the road with a new nonprofit-backed model, while Rapid City police face renewed scrutiny after a man died following use of a WRAP restraint device. Higher Ed & Local Life: USD President Sheila Gestring’s “State of the University” address is set for Thursday, and USD is also hosting the Oscar Howe Memorial Lecture and sculpture dedication Sept. 17.

Elections & Courts: South Dakota’s Secretary of State Monae Johnson joined a GOP-led Supreme Court brief asking the justices to block a Trump mail-ballot order, arguing the operational changes can’t be responsibly implemented for the November 2026 election. Wildfire Update: Crews gained ground on the Lookout Fire near Spearfish, reaching 54% containment; one I-90 lane remains closed and officials warn smoke could linger. Public Safety & Health: Sioux Falls saw another gas-price jump, with regular averaging about $4.02 a gallon and diesel hitting a record $5.54. Local Government: The South Dakota Board of Regents reported steady fall enrollment statewide, with first-time freshman numbers up. Community & Culture: America 250’s mobile storytelling tour, “Our American Story,” is coming to Sioux Falls with stops at Cracker Barrel (Sept. 18) and Falls Park Farmers Market (Sept. 19). Faith & Community: The Arlington diocese issued an edict advancing the canonization cause of Tom Vander Woude, who died after saving his son from a septic tank. Crime: A Spearfish man pleaded not guilty to prostitution-related charges in Davison County, with a jury trial set for December.