AGP Executive Report

Prison System Update: South Dakota has begun moving women inmates from Pierre to the new Rapid City women’s prison; 79 women were housed there at the end of September, with the older Pierre facilities still holding 466 women in secure custody as the transition ramps up. Election Watch: The ACLU of South Dakota is recruiting election observers for Nov. 3, with training sessions set for Oct. 7 (online), Oct. 13 (Aberdeen), Oct. 18 (Sioux Falls), and Oct. 22 (Rapid City Public Library). Campaign Push: Indivisible Rapid City held a downtown rally urging early voting in Pennington County, where early voting runs through Nov. 2. Legal/Local Governance: A judge has paused Sioux Falls’ approval process for Smithfield’s planned move, sending the conditional use permit back for reconsideration after claims the city didn’t follow its own rules. Tech & Policy: U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds met with Anthropic leaders at South Dakota Mines to discuss AI’s risks and opportunities, including healthcare and national security. Federal/Regulatory: The FCC is weighing changes to speed wireless buildouts, reopening debate over radiofrequency exposure standards. Energy Costs: A new analysis warns Trump-era federal energy policy changes could raise household energy spending nationwide through 2040.

Midterm Momentum: President Trump told Ohio Republicans he expects a “big surprise” in the Nov. 3 midterms as he campaigned for Sen. Jon Husted and GOP governor nominee Vivek Ramaswamy. South Dakota Military: Lt. Col. Jeremy Schafer assumed command of the South Dakota Army National Guard Training Center at Camp Rapid. Election Access in Rapid City: Indivisible Rapid City held a downtown rally urging early voting, with early voting running through Nov. 2 in Pennington County. AI and Public Meetings: At South Dakota Mines, Sen. Mike Rounds met with Anthropic officials in a campus-only format, drawing criticism from a PUC candidate who wants public transparency. Courts and Abortion Pill Advertising: The 8th Circuit blocked South Dakota from enforcing the abortion-pill advertising ban while the lawsuit over constitutionality continues. Campaign Cash & Seniors: Trump announced nearly $90 checks for more than 20 million seniors tied to Medicare Part B premiums. Local Governance Fight: A Rhoden-appointed judge paused the City of Sioux Falls’ conditional use permit for a Smithfield move, sending it back for reconsideration. Veteran Mental Health: Hankinson hosted South Dakota’s first End Veteran Suicide Walk to push veterans in crisis toward help.

Federal Politics: Trump escalated his daylight saving fight by posting Sen. Tom Cotton’s cellphone number on Truth Social, urging supporters to pressure him as the Senate faces procedural hurdles. South Dakota Courts & Local Government: A Rhoden-appointed judge halted Sioux Falls’ approval of Smithfield’s Foundation Park move, saying the city didn’t follow its own ordinances when issuing the conditional use permit. Elections & Campaigns: South Dakota’s lone U.S. House race stayed in focus as AG Marty Jackley and Democrat Nikki Gronli sparred over Trump’s beef import approach and tariffs in a Sioux Falls debate. Statehouse & Policy: The 8th Circuit blocked South Dakota from enforcing the abortion-pill advertising ban while a constitutional challenge plays out. Energy & Agriculture: Diesel costs remain a major farm stressor, with Farm Bureau analysis pointing to supply disruptions and tight fuel markets; South Dakota farmers are also weighing how federal policy could affect rural hospitals and input costs. Tech & Public Meetings: A PUC candidate criticized a restricted AI gathering at the School of Mines, arguing public meetings should be open. Higher Ed: USD marked a $6M law school renovation and broke ground on the $40M Gassen Family Fieldhouse, signaling continued campus investment ahead of the election season.

U.S. House race: In Sioux Falls, Republican AG Marty Jackley and Democrat Nikki Gronli sparred over President Trump’s beef import plan, with Jackley warning tariffs are needed to protect South Dakota ranchers while Gronli tied affordability pressures to federal policy. Abortion pill advertising fight: The 8th Circuit denied South Dakota’s bid to overturn a ruling blocking enforcement of the state’s abortion-pill advertising ban while a constitutional challenge proceeds. Ballot-measure threshold fight: Backers of Amendment L are accusing opponents of misleading voters with ads linking the measure to “out-of-state billionaires,” as the proposal would raise the bar for future constitutional changes to 60% approval. Missouri River protections: Gov. Larry Rhoden joined other governors urging Congress to remove a Missouri River provision that would require unanimous multi-state approval for certain diversions/exports. AI transparency dispute: A PUC candidate criticized a closed-to-the-public AI event at the School of Mines featuring Sen. Mike Rounds and Anthropic officials. Local governance: A judge sent Sioux Falls’ Smithfield conditional use permit back after ruling the city’s approval was flawed. Education & campuses: USD marked a $6M law school renovation and broke ground on the $40M Gassen Family Fieldhouse; meanwhile, a Regents enrollment report shows USD down 3.5% year over year.

Ballot-Question Fight in Court: South Dakota Attorney General Jackley says the 8th Circuit will hear oral arguments in January 2027 on the state’s appeal of a ruling blocking a law that moved the election-year filing deadline for ballot-question petitions from May to February. Public Safety & Courts: A Sioux Falls jury convicted Samir Albaidhani of attempted murder of law enforcement and other charges tied to a police shooting and stolen-car flight; sentencing could reach 112 years. Criminal Justice Updates: Spearfish attorney Dylan Wilde surrendered his South Dakota law license; and in separate cases, a Mountain Lake man faces mail theft and meth possession charges, while a West Point man received 90 days for negligent child abuse after a no-contest plea. Election 2026 Watch: A Sioux Falls debate highlighted U.S. House candidates clashing over Trump’s beef import approach and tariffs. Energy Costs for Rural South Dakota: Farmers and other states are pushing diesel relief; Minnesota Gov. Walz signed an order easing weight limits for ag and forest-product haulers, and South Dakota is among states taking similar steps. Healthcare & Federal Policy: Trump administration started mailing $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1 million enrollees; a separate think-tank analysis says federal energy policy changes could raise costs for households in South Dakota through 2040. Local Governance: Lennox-area governments are nearing a rural ambulance funding agreement as a Jan. 1, 2027 cutoff looms.

Noem Divorce: Former DHS chief Kristi Noem filed for divorce from husband Bryon Noem in Hamlin County, setting up a South Dakota court fight over fault grounds and property/support issues. Sobriety Enforcement: The Highway Patrol announced October sobriety checkpoints in 20 counties statewide, including Pennington, Minnehaha, and Sioux Falls-area counties. Ballot Access Court Fight: A federal appeals court vacated an earlier ruling in a case over petitioning deadlines for South Dakota ballot questions and scheduled a new hearing for January. Supreme Court in Vermillion: The South Dakota Supreme Court will hold public traveling sessions Oct. 7-8 at USD’s Knudson School of Law, with arguments open to the public. Local Budget Pressure: Clay County commissioners approved last-minute 2027 budget cuts, slashing funding for multiple nonprofits and programs ahead of the state deadline. Energy Costs Watch: A think tank says federal policy changes could raise energy costs for households nationwide through 2040, with South Dakota among the states facing bigger increases. Transit Planning: Rapid City Transit is hosting public workshops on a micro-transit feasibility study, with an online survey open through Oct. 19.

Rural Health: Sen. John Thune praised South Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program for letting communities shape tech, cybersecurity, and behavioral health investments. Courts & Public Records: AG Marty Jackley hailed a South Dakota Supreme Court ruling keeping certain law enforcement investigative records confidential, rejecting a request tied to the death of Ryan Pyle. Energy & Industry: Antora Energy announced a 5.8 gigawatt-hour thermal battery project at Pratt Energy in Kansas, building on Antora’s Big Stone City system. Drug Pricing: Jackley joined a coalition seeking court approval of a $400 million settlement with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing and reduced competition. Public Safety: Sioux Falls prosecutors upgraded charges after a fatal Sept. 15 motorcycle crash; a separate early-morning parking-lot pedestrian death is under investigation. Elections & Politics: Democrats Nikki Gronli and Dan Ahlers pushed affordability and healthcare themes at a joint press conference as absentee voting opens; SDPB hosts a U.S. House debate between Gronli and Marty Jackley. Federal Policy: Trump’s administration advanced a federal school choice scholarship tax credit framework and began mailing $500 ACA refund checks in multiple states. Judiciary Report: The Unified Judicial System released its FY 2026 annual report.

Statehouse & Courts: The South Dakota Supreme Court will hold its October 2026 traveling session Oct. 7-8 at USD in Vermillion, with arguments scheduled for seven cases and the public invited to watch. Health & Research: Avera Research Institute, SDSU and USD Sanford Medicine won an NIH award of $11.09 million over five years to launch the statewide SD-ACT clinical research partnership. Local Government: Clay County commissioners approved last-minute cuts to the 2027 budget, trimming funding for multiple nonprofits and programs as they sought property tax relief. Public Safety & Accountability: Vermillion settled a lawsuit with a former police officer for $175,000 over alleged workplace sexual harassment. Agriculture & Transportation: Gov. Larry Rhoden’s executive order to ease harvest diesel-price pressure expands temporary weight-limit flexibility for hauling farm goods. Elections & Voting Access: A Sioux Falls-area grassroots group is organizing free rideshares for early in-person voting in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties. National Politics (with SD ties): Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem filed for divorce from her husband Bryon Noem, citing “irreconcilable differences.”

Statehouse & Courts: Former DHS secretary and ex–South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem filed for divorce from husband Bryon Noem in Hamlin County, citing “irreconcilable differences,” with the filing made in April but posted online this week. Election & Federal Politics: Trump’s administration began mailing $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states ahead of the midterms, while a separate controversy grows over DHS spending $20 million on TV ads featuring Trump—prompting scrutiny from lawmakers on both sides. Governor’s Agenda: Gov. Larry Rhoden issued an executive order to help farmers during harvest by allowing truck hauls up to 10% over weight limits and temporarily waiving an overweight permit fee—drawing mixed reaction from agricultural leaders. Cybersecurity & Local Government: Pennington County continued sharing updates on its July cybersecurity incident, describing ongoing investigation, recovery, and steps to strengthen defenses. Health & Public Safety: South Dakota awarded more than $13 million to expand behavioral health services, and the VA announced nearly $875,000 in grants for veteran suicide prevention in the state. Infrastructure & Voting Access: Rapid City’s South Street closure for utility work will run through Election Day, with ADA access and voting access maintained.

Statehouse & Elections: South Dakota’s governor candidates Dan Ahlers and Gov. Larry Rhoden sparred over data centers at a SDPB/SD NewsWatch debate, with Ahlers pushing for more local control and Rhoden defending state rules and warning about foreign ownership. Campaign Finance & Federal Power: Democrats are blasting a DHS plan to use $20 million in Homeland Security funds for TV ads featuring President Trump, arguing it’s illegal political propaganda; the administration says it’s tied to border-related “commemorative events.” Agriculture & Cost Relief: Rhoden signed an executive order to ease harvest hauling burdens during high diesel prices, expanding a 10% overweight allowance and suspending a $25 overweight trip permit—though a state ag leader said it doesn’t go far enough. Ballot Measure: Opponents of Amendment I say ending Medicaid expansion if federal funding drops would cut access to care and raise costs for people with private insurance. Personal Politics: Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem filed in South Dakota to end her 34-year marriage, citing “irreconcilable differences,” with the filing leaving open the possibility of spousal support. Local Government: Fort Pierre residents are invited to weigh in on tourism growth through a resident survey tied to a state destination development program.

Legislative Pay: South Dakota lawmakers are set for a pay bump next year, with salaries rising about 3% to nearly $16,500 for the 2027 session, while the state projects nearly $3 million in total legislative compensation and reimbursements. Gubernatorial Debate: In the latest SDPB/SD News Watch debate, Gov. Larry Rhoden and challenger Dan Ahlers clashed on affordability, with Rhoden pointing to property tax cuts and Ahlers arguing for more state-funded education to lower local burdens. College Sports Law: Sen. John Thune weighed in after the Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act, a major NIL and transfer overhaul now headed to the House. Defense & Aviation: Sioux Falls leaders and military backers are pushing to bring F-35s to Joe Foss Field as the Guard competes for the Lightning II program, with decisions expected in December. Agriculture Relief: Gov. Rhoden signed an executive order to help farmers cope with high diesel prices, including flexibility on hauling weight limits and a temporary pause on an overweight permit. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy data shows regular gas lows around $3.79 in Spink County and $3.99 in Yankton County for the week ending Sept. 19, with statewide averages hovering near $4.18. Personal News: Former Gov. Kristi Noem filed for divorce from Bryon Noem, citing irreconcilable differences.

Gubernatorial Race: Gov. Larry Rhoden and challenger Dan Ahlers faced off in a televised debate in Sioux Falls, trading sharp contrasts on affordability, property taxes, childcare costs, and water infrastructure. Diesel Relief for Farmers: Rhoden signed Executive Order 2026-11 to ease harvest burdens, including allowing 10% higher hauling weight, suspending a $25 overweight permit, and directing state monitoring of dyed diesel supply. Missouri River Fight: South Dakota joined a multi-state letter opposing a federal provision that would restrict Missouri River water diversions outside basin states without unanimous governor approval. National Guard & F-35 Push: The South Dakota National Guard’s top leader urged Sioux Falls business support to land the next-generation F-35 mission at Joe Foss Field, with decisions expected later this year. Election Security/Noncitizens: SDPB highlighted a dispute over claims about noncitizens on voter rolls and the broader debate over election integrity. Legal/Justice: The state AG released a model policy for constitutional disclosure duties in criminal cases, aimed at consistent handling of Brady/Giglio obligations. Public Safety: UNET announced arrests in Rapid City after a traffic stop led to fentanyl and cocaine seizures. Local Economy/Community: The Board of Economic Development approved SD Works and infrastructure funding for projects including a Sturgis espresso expansion and a Yankton dental facility buildout.

Media & Local News: USA TODAY Co. and Lee Enterprises realign portfolios, with Lee acquiring South Dakota publications including the Sioux Falls Argus Leader and Rapid City Journal. Public Safety: Rapid City firefighters staged a rooftop “rescue” during a Special Olympics fundraiser after police and deputies collected donations on the roof. Criminal Justice: Attorney General Marty Jackley released a recommended model policy for prosecutors and law enforcement to meet constitutional disclosure duties in criminal cases tied to Brady/Giglio. Courts & Defense: A federal trial for Mark Milk was delayed two months at the defense’s request. Water Policy: Gov. Larry Rhoden joined a multi-state letter opposing a House provision that would restrict states’ ability to use Missouri River water without unanimous governor approval. Veterans Services: The VA held its annual Stand Down in Rapid City, connecting veterans with housing, healthcare, legal help, and VA enrollment. Indigent Defense: South Dakota’s public defender office may seek funding to begin taking some trial-level felony cases. Tech & Education: DSU brings cyber-focused hands-on learning to SiouxperCon 2026 in Sioux Falls. Business & Economy: Northrop Grumman plans a new Rapid City office with state and Ellsworth EDA support, tied to Ellsworth’s B-21 expansion.

USPS & Rural Service: Sen. John Rounds is pushing back on a Postal Service Inspector General report, saying USPS “cheated the system” by changing how delivery timeliness is measured, after the review found South Dakota isn’t getting timely service. Public Safety: Sioux Falls police recovered an adult male body from the Big Sioux River near Fawick Park downtown; officials said there’s no believed danger to the public, with more details expected. Local Government: Mitchell’s Corn Palace faces about $4.66 million in proposed improvements, including $3.46 million for HVAC, but the city council is still split on whether to fund it via a bond or reserves. Historic Preservation: Rapid City is taking applications for two seats on its Historic Sign Review Committee, including a sign-industry professional and a citizen-at-large. Civic Engagement: South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson is accepting nominations for the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award (deadline Nov. 1). Community & Veterans: Gold Star families gathered at Veterans Park in Sioux Falls, including families speaking out about suicide prevention and PTSD.

Immigration & Labor: USCIS data shows South Dakota approved 2,232 H-2B worker petitions tied to in-state worksites in fiscal 2026 through June 30, with a 99.6% approval rate. Civic Engagement: Secretary of State Monae Johnson is accepting statewide nominations for the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award for young leaders 25 and under, due Nov. 1. State Government & Elections: A report says South Dakota mail delays are ongoing, with USPS planning fixes and upgrades to improve delivery times. Public Safety & Veterans: The VA hosted its annual Stand Down in Rapid City as a one-stop hub for veterans needing help with housing, legal services, and enrollment. Local Economy: GasBuddy price reports show South Dakota regular gas averaging $4.18 for the week ending Sept. 19, with notable low points like $3.87 in Hutchinson County and $4.09 in Jackson County. Defense & Industry: Gov. Larry Rhoden announced a $1 million investment tied to Rapid City’s defense cluster and Northrop Grumman’s growing presence.

Tax Rates Map: A new Tax Foundation-based map shows South Dakota among eight states with no individual income tax, while California tops the list at 13.3% in 2026. Election Administration: South Dakota’s Secretary of State office is moving within the Capitol and redesigning its website, but a ballot-question page overhaul is drawing criticism for making voter info harder to find. Voter Integrity Debate: National attention keeps circling noncitizen voting claims, with South Dakota officials and lawmakers weighing how to protect election integrity and citizenship checks. Public Safety Tech: Brookings City Council is again debating Flock license plate cameras, as other states look to New Hampshire’s stricter approach to limit automated readers. Veterans Services: Rapid City hosted a VA Stand Down, bringing housing, legal help, and enrollment services under one roof for veterans. State Government Costs: A report finds South Dakota lawmakers’ average total payout per legislator was about $26,813 last fiscal year after reimbursements. Energy Prices: GasBuddy price reports show steady statewide averages around the mid-$4s for regular and about $6.09 for diesel in the week ending Sept. 19.