AGP Executive Report

Food Safety: A frozen berry recall tied to an E. coli outbreak has expanded again, pulling additional frozen IQF blueberries and berry blends sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s across more than two dozen states, including South Dakota; officials say the outbreak sickened 17 people in two states and warn shoppers to check lot codes and return or throw out affected bags. Public Health: PepsiCo is also recalling about 122,000 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade (Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange, Orange Zero) in 37 states because of undeclared Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6, with South Dakota included. State & Local Health/Services: South Dakota is set to receive $7.2 million to strengthen rural emergency medical services, funding 25 projects aimed at faster response, training, telemedicine, and better communications. Politics & Policy: South Dakota’s lone U.S. House seat candidates debated in Sioux Falls, clashing on tariffs, health care access, and federal support for tribal communities. Local Crime: Sioux Falls police are investigating a weekend shooting after a juvenile sought medical care with injuries; investigators say shots hit a vehicle and at least one home. Rapid City Community: The Rapid City Council will honor a South Dakota Mines student-athlete with a “Hometown Hero” award for rescuing a teen from a burning vehicle after a crash.

Defense & Security: The U.S. abruptly pulled all 12 B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford after fresh Iran-linked terror threats, with at least three reportedly landing back in South Dakota by Sunday. Local Health Care: Exceptional Community Hospital in Rapid City is set to open Oct. 12, bringing 24/7 emergency care, inpatient services, trauma support, and on-site imaging and labs. Elections & Policy: South Dakota voters head into the final stretch with four constitutional amendments on the ballot, including changes tied to Medicaid funding, voting eligibility for non-citizens, an unclaimed-property trust fund, and a higher threshold for future amendments. Sports (SDSU & USD): SDSU rolled to a 31-14 road win over Illinois State, while USD’s Dakota Days defense forced five turnovers in a 44-14 win over Indiana State. Rapid City Community: A new community hospital opens soon, downtown Fifth Street lanes will close for railroad work Oct. 10-11, and the city hosted events like Bierbörse and a Children’s Bereavement Walk. Public Safety: Fire crews contained two small grass fires on M-Hill Sunday morning, with trails staying open.

Sports Playoffs: Yankton’s girls soccer team hosts Sioux Falls Lincoln in Class AA opening-round playoffs Tuesday, while Yankton’s boys travel to top-seeded Lincoln. Local Sports: South Dakota State rolled past Illinois State 31-14 as the Jackrabbits’ defense forced turnovers and the offense cashed in early; South Dakota’s Coyotes also dominated Indiana State 44-14 in front of a record Dakota Days crowd. Key to the City: Augustana beat Sioux Falls 37-20, scoring 20 unanswered points late to keep the rivalry streak alive. Corrections Watch: South Dakota began moving women into the new Rapid City prison; 79 were housed there at the end of September, with the Pierre facility still holding hundreds. Public Health: FDA recall alerts include Gatorade Lemon Lime/Orange (undeclared Yellow No. 5/6) and frozen berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s due to possible E. coli contamination. Rural EMS Funding: South Dakota is set to receive $7.2 million to modernize rural emergency medical services, including telemedicine and training upgrades.

Dakota Days Football: South Dakota bounced back from last week’s loss with a dominant 44-14 win over Indiana State, turning five takeaways into five touchdowns and holding the Sycamores scoreless in the first half. Key to the City Rivalry: Augustana kept the trophy with a 37-20 win over Sioux Falls, shutting USF out after halftime and leaning on Gunnar Hensley’s return. SDSU Results: Josh Holst and Myles Green powered South Dakota State to a 31-14 victory over Illinois State. Rapid City Sports: Rapid City Central won the Lakota Nation Invitational volleyball tournament going 7-0, and St. Thomas More/Rapid City Christian swept Belle Fourche in boys and girls soccer. Public Safety & Community: A Sioux Falls man received a free HVAC system through Lennox “Feel the Love,” and Sioux Falls fire crews responded to a fast-moving garage fire with no injuries. Food Safety: The FDA expanded a frozen berry recall tied to possible E. coli contamination, including Great Value and Trader Joe’s products sold in South Dakota. Civic Engagement: Indivisible Rapid City rallied for early voting in Pennington County, urging residents to vote before Nov. 2.

Courts & Local Economy: A Rhoden-appointed judge halted Sioux Falls’ Smithfield Foods conditional use permit, ruling the city rushed the approval and sending the matter back for reconsideration—an immediate setback for the $12 million deal tied to the meatpacker’s planned move. Food Safety: A Chilean supplier expanded its recall of frozen organic berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s after an E. coli outbreak sickened 17 people; additional lots were added, including products distributed across South Dakota and many other states. Public Health & Health Care Workforce: A CNN look at a tiny West River hospital highlights how immigrant workers are filling critical roles, showing how rural staffing needs are reshaping small-town life. Agriculture & Costs: Farm groups warn diesel prices are squeezing harvest budgets, while South Dakota’s PUC urged grain players to review storage and purchase rules. Environment & Land Stewardship: Thunder Valley Community Development plans to release 50 bison into a nearly 40,000-acre Badlands range unit on Oct. 6, aiming to restore native prairie ecosystems. Community & Civic Life: Douglas School District is taking applications through Oct. 25 for a Hall of Fame steering committee to shape a new annual tradition. Politics & Elections: South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson’s endorsement of a Democrat to replace her is drawing sharp scrutiny as voters head toward the Nov. 3 election.

Airport & Infrastructure: The South Dakota Aeronautics Commission approved updated funding rules to boost state support for airport terminal development, including a new tiered formula and raising the state match for most public airport grants from 5% to 7% (with Rapid City and Sioux Falls staying at 5%). Cost of Living: AAA says new-vehicle ownership now averages $12,863 a year, up from $11,577 in 2025, driven by higher fuel, depreciation, and finance charges. Food Access: SDSU Extension is partnering with Buche Foods to stretch SNAP dollars through Double Up Food Bucks, matching eligible fruit and vegetable purchases up to $10 per transaction. State Government & Culture: Gov. Larry Rhoden proclaimed October Archives Month, highlighting “Documenting American Democracy,” and October is also National “Farm to School” Month. Courts & Health Policy: The 8th Circuit blocked South Dakota’s bid to enforce its abortion-pill advertising ban while the lawsuit over constitutionality continues. Economy & Education: USD cut the ribbon on a new Sales Center at the Beacom School of Business, and the university broke ground on the $40M Gassen Family Fieldhouse for track and field. Sports: Pierre beat Huron 45-14 for coach Steve Steele’s 100th career win; Sioux Falls Jefferson rolled 62-25 over Omaha Westview.

Elections & Courts: South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says the U.S. Eighth Circuit will hear arguments in January 2027 on the state’s appeal of a ruling blocking a law that moved the election-year ballot-question petition deadline from May to February. Public Safety & Local Government: Meade County commissioners voted not to back a proposal to reclassify 911 dispatchers as emergency responders for retirement benefits, citing budget concerns and whether dispatching carries the same risks as front-line roles. Law Enforcement: A Sioux Falls jury convicted Samir Albaidhani of multiple felonies, including attempted murder of law enforcement, after he shot an officer and fled in a stolen car; sentencing could reach 112 years. Community & Health Services: Lennox-area officials are inching toward a rural ambulance funding agreement as a Jan. 1, 2027 cutoff looms for service outside city limits. Fatal Crash: Authorities identified Nikki Thin Elk, 23, of Rapid City, who died after a vehicle-pedestrian crash on U.S. 83 in White River. Justice System Data: Jackley released South Dakota’s 2026 Police Management Study, surveying 43 of 66 departments on staffing, spending, and policies.

Sports (High School): Yankton’s Bucks won the Class A boys cross country title at the Marsha Koebernick Invitational in South Sioux City, with Luke Feimer taking the 5,000-meter race; Yankton also placed third in the girls race. Sports (Volleyball/Soccer): Sioux Falls Christian swept Yankton in volleyball; USD picked up its first Summit League win by sweeping St. Thomas; Yankton’s Gazelles closed the girls soccer regular season with a 5-2 win over Sioux Falls Washington. Sports (College): South Dakota is looking to rebound after a 47-28 loss at Youngstown State as it hosts Indiana State for Dakota Days in the DakotaDome. Public Safety: The Highway Patrol announced October sobriety checkpoints across 20 counties. Civic/Politics: Vermillion hosts a District 17 candidate forum Oct. 13, and the South Dakota Supreme Court will hold a public traveling session at USD Oct. 7-8. Local Development: Sioux Falls is moving ahead with quarry revitalization after receiving a $15 million grant tied to the Bezos Earth Fund initiative. Courts: The South Dakota Supreme Court ruled a father doesn’t have a right to police investigation records about his son’s death.

Rural Health & Behavioral Care: Sen. John Thune praised South Dakota’s one-year progress on the Rural Health Transformation Program, highlighting state plans built from local input—boosting rural provider tech and cybersecurity and expanding mental and behavioral health. Courts & Public Records: Attorney General Marty Jackley applauded a South Dakota Supreme Court ruling keeping certain law-enforcement investigative records confidential, after a request tied to the disappearance and death of Ryan Pyle. Generic Drug Settlement: Jackley says South Dakota is seeking preliminary federal approval for a $400 million Sandoz/Fougera settlement; eligible buyers of certain generics from 2009-2019 could receive a share, with South Dakota’s portion headed to Medicaid. Public Safety: Sioux Falls police report a 54-year-old pedestrian died after being struck in a parking lot; in a separate case, charges were upgraded in a fatal Sioux Falls motorcycle crash. Energy & Jobs: Antora Energy announced a 5.8 GWh thermal battery project in Kansas, noting a prior similar system in Big Stone City, South Dakota. Community & Workforce: Western Dakota Technical College hosted a career expo for about 400 students, pushing hands-on training in healthcare and skilled trades. Sports: SDSU swept South Dakota in volleyball conference play, and the Jackrabbits host Illinois State this weekend.

South Dakota Politics & Courts: Gov. Larry Rhoden issued an executive order to ease harvest hauling limits during high diesel prices, but a Farm Bureau leader said it helps while a Farmers Union president called it a step in the right direction. State Government & Services: The Clay County Commission approved last-minute 2027 budget cuts, cutting funding for multiple programs and nonprofits as it sought property tax relief. Tribal Affairs: President Trump is set to hold a campaign rally at the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, a rare in-office presidential visit to a tribal nation. Health Care: The Trump administration began sending $500 Affordable Care Act refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including South Dakota. Public Safety & Accountability: Vermillion settled a lawsuit with a former police officer for $175,000 over alleged workplace sexual harassment. Research & Medicine: Avera, SDSU, and USD Sanford received an $11.09M NIH award to build a statewide clinical and translational research center. Sports: SDSU hosts Illinois State in a key matchup; USF and Augustana also face off Saturday in the Key to the City rivalry. Community & Culture: Rapid City’s Black Hills Film Festival returns Oct. 2-4 with 20 films from South Dakota and beyond.

Healthcare & Regional Economy: HealthPartners and Essentia Health have approved a plan to merge, aiming to create a major nonprofit system under the HealthPartners name. South Dakota Politics & Personal News: Former DHS secretary Kristi Noem filed for divorce from her husband Bryon Noem, citing “irreconcilable differences.” Agriculture & Cost Pressures: Gov. Larry Rhoden issued an executive order to help farmers haul during harvest by raising weight limits and temporarily waiving an overweight permit fee, but the Farmers Union says it doesn’t offset $6-a-gallon diesel. Public Safety & Justice: A Glendale, Arizona man was sentenced to 30 years for trafficking fentanyl and more than 150 pounds of meth into the Sioux Falls area. Local Government & Infrastructure: Rapid City’s council approved a study to relocate the downtown rail yard to reduce persistent traffic delays, and a committee will review a nearly $2.5 million FEMA grant. Community & Daily Life: A new DMV Now kiosk opened near Three Forks; the Bureau of Reclamation cut Pactola Reservoir releases in half amid drought concerns; and the Crazy Horse Volksmarch food drive collected 16 bins supporting Rapid City families for months.

State Politics: Former Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem filed in South Dakota to end her 34-year marriage to Bryon Noem, citing “irreconcilable differences” and leaving open the possibility of spousal support. Election & Federal Spending: Democrats and Republicans are clashing over reports that DHS used $20 million in taxpayer funds for TV ads featuring President Trump ahead of midterms. Agriculture & Cost Relief: Gov. Larry Rhoden signed an executive order giving farmers more hauling flexibility during harvest by expanding the 10% overweight allowance and suspending a $25 overweight trip permit, though a Farmers Union leader says it may not go far enough. Behavioral Health: South Dakota awarded more than $13 million in behavioral health grants to expand rural mental health services, including upgrades under the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic model. Local Sports: Watertown beat Yankton in Eastern South Dakota Conference volleyball; Brandon Valley rallied past No. 2 Sioux Falls Lincoln in Class AA girls’ volleyball; and USD’s Isaac Ochoa earned Summit League Peak Performer honors after a school-record 8k at Gans Creek. Education & Community: USD named Yankton and Vermillion students to its Dakota Days Royalty Top 14, and Yankton is set to celebrate Manufacturing Week with school lunches, tours, and career-focused events.

Media & Business: Lee Enterprises is expanding in South Dakota and Montana, buying the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, Aberdeen American News, Farm Forum, Watertown Public Opinion, and Great Falls Tribune—adding to its Rapid City Journal footprint. Transportation: SDDOT will close Black Hills tunnels for biannual inspections Oct. 5-7 on Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway, with detours and possible weather backup day Oct. 8. Statehouse Watch: South Dakota lawmakers are set for about a 3% pay bump for the 2027 session, with total legislative compensation and reimbursements last fiscal year near $3 million. Politics & Culture: Former Gov. Kristi Noem has filed for divorce from Bryon Noem, citing “irreconcilable differences,” months after the “bimbofication” scandal. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show diesel and regular gas prices varying by county, with some of the lowest regular diesel and regular gas deals clustered in Hutchinson and Spink counties. Local Community: Rapid City’s Community Connect returns Tuesday with free clothing, household items, showers, haircuts, and lunch. Health & Safety: A nationwide recall targets Inventia Healthcare chlorthalidone 25 mg tablets due to dissolution issues.

Economic Development: The South Dakota Board of Economic Development approved loans and support for projects statewide, including a $597,275 SD Works loan for Rev It Up Espresso to build a permanent Sturgis café and a $320,000 loan for Elwood Family Dental Care to expand in Yankton. Traffic Fatalities: A Harrold woman and her passenger died in a two-vehicle crash near Cresbard; investigators with the Highway Patrol say seat belt use is under review. Pedestrian Death: A 23-year-old woman died after being struck by a pickup on U.S. 83 near White River; the driver swerved and braked, and the investigation continues. Health & Community: SDSU Extension is launching free virtual “Better Choices, Better Health SD Discovery Sessions” to help residents manage chronic conditions. Tourism Input: Vermillion and Yankton are asking residents to weigh in on a future tourism plan for the Missouri River Water Trail. Public Safety/Defense: The South Dakota National Guard’s top leader urged Sioux Falls business leaders to push for newer Air Force fighter jets, with F-35s on the table. Sports: St. Thomas More won Region 4A boys golf for the seventh straight year, and the Yankton Bucks and Gazelles opened strong in ESD golf and tennis.

Media Deals: USA TODAY Co. and Lee Enterprises announced a major realignment—USA TODAY will take full ownership of the Arizona Daily Star, while Lee will acquire South Dakota titles including the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, Aberdeen American News (with the Farm Forum), Watertown Public Opinion and the Rapid City Journal. Public Safety & Community: Rapid City firefighters staged a playful “rescue” on a rooftop fundraiser for Special Olympics South Dakota, while the Rapid City Police Department is also collecting candy and costume donations for Halloween events through Oct. 21. Courts & Policy: South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley rolled out a recommended model policy for prosecutors to handle constitutional disclosure duties in criminal cases tied to Brady and Giglio. Health Care Costs: A RAND study says Mayo Clinic charged privately insured patients more than four times what Medicare paid for outpatient care in 2022, highlighting a wider national pricing gap. Wildfire Preparedness: The Lookout Fire near Spearfish is fully contained, but officials warn western South Dakota remains at high wildfire risk and urge residents to clear defensible space. Local Government: SDDOT says U.S. Highway 16A in Keystone will close starting Oct. 5 for a bridge replacement, with reopening targeted for April 2027.

Public Safety: Sioux Falls police are investigating after a body was found near Fawick Park along the Big Sioux River downtown; authorities say there’s no believed danger to the public. Fatal Crash: A 72-year-old man from Harrold died in a two-vehicle crash in Faulk County near Cresbard after a Ford Edge collided with a Ford F-350 at the SD 45 and 155th Street intersection; the Edge driver was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Transportation Planning: SDDOT will hold a public open house Sept. 30 on proposed I-29 interchange reconstruction at Exit 15 and Main Street in Elk Point, including structure replacement, ramp changes, grading, surfacing, and ADA upgrades. Local Government: Union County commissioners advanced work on staffing and infrastructure, including a push to reclassify 911 dispatchers under the South Dakota Retirement System. Community & Veterans: Gold Star families gathered at Veterans Park in Sioux Falls for Gold Star Family Day, including families speaking out during National Suicide Prevention Month. Sports: South Dakota State rolled past Eastern Illinois 42-7, with a big rushing surge after a close first half. Housing & Costs: Zillow reports Meade County’s typical home value rose to $398,679 in August 2026, up 3.8% year over year. Fall Events: Riverview Pumpkin Festival in Canton kicked off with new attractions like a zipline and pumpkin-launching games.