AGP Executive Report

Politics in Washington: U.S. Senate Republicans left a Trump lunch still split, with senators pointing to unresolved fights over voter ID and Iran war questions. Housing & voting rights: Trump abruptly canceled a planned signing of a bipartisan affordable housing bill, while also pushing a national voter ID package that’s straining GOP unity. Rural South Dakota mail: Rural residents and businesses report worsening USPS delays and unreliable service, with local shippers increasingly turning to private carriers. America 250 at Mount Rushmore: Trump is set to speak July 3 at Mount Rushmore as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations, with fireworks and military tributes. Public safety & courts: South Dakota Senate Majority Whip Tom Pischke faces felony forgery charges tied to election documents. Community & health: LifeServe is urging blood donations this July as summer demand rises. Sports: Sioux Falls mayoral runoff results are headed to a June 26 canvass after an ultra-tight two-vote margin.

Sioux Falls Mayoral Recount Watch: The city’s mayoral race is headed for a recount after a razor-thin margin, with the Minnehaha County auditor saying a handful of provisional ballots could still matter. Utilities Merger: South Dakota regulators unanimously approved the Black Hills Energy–NorthWestern Energy merger, creating Bright Horizon Energy and adding customer-protection and labor-related settlement terms. Local Infrastructure & Crowds: Rapid City is starting lane closures on Fifth and Omaha streets to install Memorial Park barricades ahead of America 250 events, including a new downtown parade on July 2. Public Safety & Courts: A Custer County sheriff appointment was made official with Derrick Reifenrath sworn in, while state Sen. Tom Pischke faces felony charges tied to alleged falsified GOP precinct forms. Health & Policy: South Dakota’s cell-cultured protein moratorium begins July 1, and the state’s nursing homes continue grappling with staffing and survey backlogs. Weather: The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado near Wright, Wyoming, with EF-2 damage reported to a home. Sports: Mitchell’s Asher Dannenbring won the SDGA Junior golf crown in a playoff; Tripp County’s Oren Sargent qualified for national trap finals.

Sioux Falls Mayoral Recount: Christine Erickson and Jamie Smith are tied after the runoff, separated by just two votes (18,279 to 18,277), with five provisional ballots still to be counted—so a recount is now the next step. Local Elections: Sioux Falls City Council races also moved forward: Zak Okuwe won the Central District seat in the runoff, while James Oppenheimer and Sara Pankonin captured At-Large and the Southeast District seat, respectively. School Policy: South Dakota’s Board of Education approved state-required prenatal development videos starting July 1, including “Baby Olivia” from anti-abortion group Live Action. Public Media: South Dakota Public Broadcasting says it will keep covering SDHSAA state athletic and fine arts events despite national funding pressure. Sports & Community: SDSU scheduled a July 28 groundbreaking for a new women’s soccer facility; Rapid City’s Midland Scientific Open starts Friday; and a Sioux Falls-area blood drive push continues as summer shortages loom. Food Safety: Power Plate Meals recalled frozen meatloaf due to an undeclared soy allergen.

Housing & Cost of Living: Congress passed a bipartisan “21st Century Road to Housing Act” aimed at boosting supply as Americans struggle with unaffordable home prices. War Powers: The U.S. Senate joined the House in voting to halt U.S. military action against Iran, a symbolic rebuke of President Trump. Education Policy: The South Dakota Board of Education Standards approved prenatal development videos for schools, including limits on abortion-related content. Local Public Safety & Health: Rapid City’s long-running “Guns N’ Hoses” blood drive is back as “Red, Blue, and You,” with Vitalant seeking steady summer donations. Mail Service Watch: Sen. Mike Rounds urged South Dakotans with USPS delivery problems to submit complaints to a federal inspector general investigation. Elections & Rights: Supreme Court action leaving in place limits on private enforcement of Voting Rights Act protections drew fresh criticism. Crime Update (Rapid City): Police arrested a man on solicitation-of-a-minor charges after a search warrant. Affordable Housing (Spearfish): A proposed $9.3 million, 32-unit complex would be the first in the region to tap new federal affordable housing funds. Ag & Tech: SDSU and Iowa State beef extension partners are set to showcase new livestock production tools near Sanborn.

Sioux Falls Mayoral Runoff: Voters head to the polls today to choose the next mayor in the runoff between Christine Erickson (37% in the June 2 primary) and Jamie Smith (28%), with term-limited Paul TenHaken stepping aside. State Politics & Education: South Dakota schools will start showing state-approved prenatal development videos on July 1, with the South Dakota Board of Education Standards approving three options, including “Baby Olivia” from an anti-abortion group. Agriculture Leadership: South Dakota Soybean names Kevin Scott as its next executive director as Jerry Schmitz retires in early July. Rural Economy & Jobs: SDSU is launching a new two-year Dairy Technology degree with tracks for dairy production and dairy products, aiming to feed more workers into the growing dairy industry. Black Hills Mining: Coeur Mining’s Wharf Mine brought in much higher revenue in 2025 despite slightly lower gold output, with the mine also employing 266 people and paying millions in severance taxes. Public Health & Safety: Pennington County’s non-emergency phone lines are disrupted; officials say to use 911 if you can’t reach ESCC. Food Recall: Power Plate Meals, LLC recalled frozen meatloaf products shipped to South Dakota due to an undeclared soy allergen. Environment & Law: Seventeen states, including South Dakota, are suing California to block its single-use plastics packaging law.

Politics & Elections: South Dakota’s Republican governor runoff is set for July 28 between Toby Doeden and Gov. Larry Rhoden, after neither hit 35% in the June 2 primary—while Sioux Falls voters head to a mayoral runoff June 23. Education: The state Board of Education Standards approved prenatal human growth video options for public schools, including the anti-abortion group-backed “Baby Olivia,” plus two other approved videos. Local Planning & Safety: Rapid City released a public traffic count map showing the busiest roads and where growth has been heading; Pennington County also reminded residents about fireworks rules and penalties during the July 5 curfew period. Public Health & Community: South Dakota schools will soon receive guidance on state resources for combatting human trafficking. Sports & Community Life: Rapid City’s traffic map and Pennington fireworks rules weren’t the only local updates—Dahl Arts Center summer art camps are underway, and area rodeo athletes wrapped up the 77th High School State Rodeo at Fort Pierre.

Foster Care Crisis in Rapid City: Abbott House opened two new foster homes after leaders said the city has a 5-to-1 shortage of placements for youth. Ag & Food Transparency: Hungry for Truth’s Farm to Fork event near Mitchell brought lawmakers and soybean farmers together for “honest conversation” about how food is grown. Prop 12 Debate: A renewed fight over hog confinement keeps heating up, with supporters pointing to animal-welfare rules and opponents warning about enforcement and market impacts. Governor Race Aftermath: U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson said he doesn’t yet know what’s next after losing the GOP bid for governor, citing hostility to Washington insiders. Military Funding: The Senate Armed Services Committee advanced the FY 2027 defense bill, including about $43.7 million for South Dakota National Guard construction and support for B-21 work. Local Housing for Health Workers: A Hot Springs hospital is investing in a subdivision to create 48 affordable units for employees, aiming to ease a staffing shortage driven by lack of housing. Watertown Cannabis Expansion: Roy’zzz opened a new Watertown dispensary as part of its I-29 growth plan. Independence Day Picks: Fourth of July events across the region highlight the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening and other big celebrations. Sports & Community: Rapid City’s Cardboard Boat Races returned at the Roosevelt Swim Center, and Sioux Falls’ Juneteenth Freedom Walk is back with a more low-key format.

Local Sports: Sioux Falls-area youth sports kept rolling over the weekend, with the Vermillion Flamez winning the Denny Redmond Memorial 14-under softball title in Sioux Falls and Yankton teams advancing in the Scheels Slam baseball tournament. High School Activities: Pierre School Board member Randy Hartmann was elected chair of the South Dakota High School Activities Association, and the board approved three constitutional amendments tightening eligibility rules. Public Lands & Parks: A viewpoint argues Congress should renew and expand the America the Beautiful Act to protect national parks’ infrastructure—an issue tied to South Dakota’s tourism economy. Community Calendar: Rapid City kicked off summer with a Black Hills Farmers Market opening and a Pollinator Week booth at the farmers market, while Walk to Defeat ALS drew local support and raised awareness. America 250: Rapid City businesses are being invited to decorate storefronts in red, white and blue for the Real America 250 Birthday Bash contest ahead of July festivities. Crime Update: Federal prosecutors say a man freed on parole after Kristi Noem commuted his life sentence is now charged in the death of his 14-year-old niece, McKenna Wendel.

Weather Watch: Showers and storms are moving into KOTA Territory, with fog possible early and isolated flooding concerns; Father’s Day plans could be hit, especially afternoon/evening. Science in the Hills: Sanford Underground Research Facility is hosting a CETUP workshop in Lead (June 22–July 17), with public pub talks and trivia at Dakota Shivers Brewing. Local Sports: SDSU’s Jackrabbit Football Development Camp drew about 100 players in Rapid City, and the West Central boys basketball team was voted Argus Leader Team of the Year after a 25-0 run and Class A title. Community & Culture: Rapid City’s West Boulevard Summer Festival returns with dozens of artists and 88 vendor stalls, and the 173rd Airborne Brigade holds its Sky Soldiers reunion with a wacipi at the Central States Fairgrounds. Food & Health: The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation donated $292,620 to Feeding South Dakota to help cover rising beef costs; Power Plate Meals recalled frozen meatloaf in SD, ND, and MN due to misbranding/undeclared allergens. Sports Betting/Numbers: SD Lottery Powerball and Lotto America winning numbers for June 20 were published.

High School Sports Coverage: South Dakota Public Broadcasting says it’s staying committed to SDHSAA state events even as national groups push to defund public TV, reporting coverage across athletics and fine arts plus hundreds of thousands of viewers. Law Enforcement Staffing: The South Dakota Highway Patrol graduated 13 new troopers, with several assigned to Rapid City and Spearfish. Homelessness in Summer: Rapid City advocates warn homelessness doesn’t slow down in warm weather and urge people to reach out early for shelter and support. Public Safety on the Water: Pennington County deputies begin summer boat patrols on Black Hills lakes, focusing on safety checks and education. Agriculture Under Drought: SDSU Extension is taking drought meetings on the road for lower-third producers, pushing practical “will it pay off?” decisions on inputs and livestock responses. Food Recall: Power Plate Meals recalled frozen meatloaf due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, shipped to Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Medicaid Spending Snapshots: New data shows big local swings in Medicaid billing categories across South Dakota communities, including sharp increases in services like surgery, dental, vision, and medicine-related care. Housing Policy: Congress is poised to send a bipartisan housing bill to Trump aimed at boosting supply and lowering homeownership costs.

McKenna Wendel Case: A South Dakota man who had his life sentence commuted by Gov. Kristi Noem has now been charged in the death of 14-year-old McKenna Wendel, found dead near Brookings in March—federal charges allege he transported a minor for criminal sexual activity and that cocaine he possessed led to her death. Public Safety: The South Dakota Highway Patrol graduated 13 recruits in Fort Pierre, completing academy training and field work to join the state troopers. State Politics: South Dakota Democrats announced nominees for constitutional offices, including Terrence Davis for Secretary of State and Frank Kloucek for Public Utilities Commissioner. Community & Culture: Rapid City marked Juneteenth outside City Hall, while the American Indian College Fund received a $2.4 million grant to expand Native arts programming. Local Sports: Lincoln’s 4x200 relay won at Nike Outdoor Nationals; Rapid City’s Eric Mass took the IMCA Modified Special feature at Black Hills Speedway. Road Safety: AAA kicked off “100 Days of Safe Driving,” urging safer summer habits as teen-driving crashes spike.

Wounded Knee Medal Fight: Descendants of the 1890 Wounded Knee massacre say they’ll keep pressing for Medal of Honor revocations after the Defense Department declined to rescind the awards; a Senate Armed Services Committee report urges the Pentagon to provide a full explanation and unredacted materials. Sioux Falls Runoff Voting: Three days remain in the Sioux Falls runoff election, with expanded voting hours and absentee options as voters sort through overlapping local and state races. Rapid City Community & Sports: The 49th Annual West Boulevard Summer Festival returns this weekend in Wilson Park, and local sports headlines include a Worthington-area baseball result and a Sioux Falls send-off for Special Olympics South Dakota athletes heading to the USA Games. Housing & Construction: Congress is nearing final action on the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, while JE Dunn plans to acquire Sioux Falls-based Henry Carlson Construction. Public Safety & Courts: A Sioux Falls man was sentenced again in federal court for failing to register as a sex offender, and other federal sentences were handed down in McLaughlin-area assault cases. State Government: The Legislative Research Council named Jeff Mehlhaff interim director. Energy & Minerals: DOE announced $72 million for critical minerals and magnet R&D, including awards tied to South Dakota Mines and the University of Houston.

Sioux Falls Mayoral Runoff: Christine Erickson and Jamie Smith faced off again as voters weigh plans for the Smithfield site, public safety, and how to handle data centers—Erickson favors “guardrails” while Smith says the city should slow down and listen. Legal Aid Under Strain: Dakota Plains Legal Services says a $176,000 budget deficit is forcing staffing and vacancy freezes, threatening civil legal help for low-income South Dakotans. Drought Watch: The National Weather Service says southeast South Dakota and parts of northeast Nebraska are likely to stay in moderate to extreme drought through at least September. Public Safety: The South Dakota Highway Patrol graduated 13 recruits, adding new troopers statewide. Health Access: SDAAP and USD’s BEAM-SD initiative received funding to expand pediatric behavioral health support in rural and frontier communities. Local Notes: SBA approved low-interest disaster loans for drought-hit South Dakota counties; and the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation awarded nearly $390,000 in scholarships.

McKenna Wendel case: Federal prosecutors in Iowa indicted Sioux Falls uncle Mark Milk and Jon Rogness in the March death of 14-year-old McKenna Wendel, with Milk facing multiple counts including drug distribution causing death and transporting a minor across state lines for alleged sexual activity; the charges also allege conspiracy to conceal objects tied to the case. Juneteenth in Sioux Falls: Organizers say this year’s Freedom Walk and festival will be more low-key amid tighter budgets and fewer sponsors, while still keeping the “Rooted in History” theme and adding a new car show at Fawick Park. EV policy gap: A Brookings scorecard finds South Dakota among the lowest states for electric-vehicle readiness after federal incentives were pulled, pointing to the need for a better mix of incentives and charging infrastructure. Legal aid crunch: Dakota Plains Legal Services warned of a $176,000 budget deficit that’s forcing hiring freezes and service adjustments for low-income clients. Cattle on feed: USDA reported cattle on feed up 2% year over year, while May placements fell sharply, underscoring tight supplies. Local education: A new Kids Count report ranks South Dakota 38th overall for children, with education metrics showing room to improve.

Federal politics: President Trump abruptly postponed the Senate confirmation hearing for DNI nominee Jay Clayton, saying he wants a strict voter ID law passed—setting up a new fight with Senate Republicans and further delaying national security and surveillance reauthorization efforts. Local justice: A press conference today in Sioux City will update the McKenna Wendell case, with South Dakota U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons, Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum, and DCI Agent Mike Hockett expected to address charges in the disappearance and death of the 14-year-old. Sioux Falls election: Negative outside advertising is creeping into the Sioux Falls mayoral runoff, with a PAC attacking Christine Erickson over claims tied to data centers and electric bills; Erickson calls it blatantly false and says the issue should be handled case by case. Tribal public safety: Federal agencies and the Oglala Sioux Tribe are working to clear a Pine Ridge firearms ballistics backlog by adding ammunition casing signatures from seized guns into a federal database to help solve long-running cases. Weather: Rapid City is expecting calmer conditions to end the week, but strong to severe storms are possible for Father’s Day weekend.

EV Policy Watch: A new state-by-state look at electric vehicle readiness comes as federal EV support keeps getting pulled back, leaving the market more fragmented and raising questions about cleaner-air progress. Immigration & Security: Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says China is running a coordinated “travel agency”-style operation to move Chinese nationals across U.S. borders, with documents and transit routed to both southern and northern entry points. Wounded Knee Fight: Wounded Knee descendants vow to keep pushing for Medals of Honor revocations after a Defense Department setback; a Senate Armed Services committee report urges the Pentagon to hand over unredacted materials. South Dakota Housing & Health: Abbott House is opening two new intensive therapeutic foster homes in Rapid City to address a statewide shortage of foster beds. Local Economy & Travel: AAA expects a record 72.2 million Americans to travel for the Fourth of July, with most trips by car. Community Notes: Rapid City reminds residents to secure trash and recycling containers during high winds, warning drivers won’t retrieve loose items. Agriculture: With drought-stressed forage on the table, South Dakota producers are urged to watch for nitrate risks before grazing or feeding.