AGP Executive Report

Community Events: Alcester-Hudson’s Royal Ball returns Saturday with dancing, holiday guests and a toy drive for local children. Rapid City also marks Native Americans’ Day with the Black Hills Powwow and an Indigenous Peoples Day parade. Native Arts: A new Journey Museum exhibit celebrates the Dream Catchers Artists Guild, whose Lakota artists helped shape contemporary Native art. It opens Saturday with a free reception. Youth & Agriculture: Young competitors from across the region are showing livestock at Rapid City’s 89th Western Junior Livestock Show, where more than 300 awards are up for grabs. Education: South Dakota students can apply to public universities for free through Nov. 30; Rapid City schools also approved $775,000 for literacy programs this school year. Local Inspiration: Sioux Falls native Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda’s path to the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks began with early-morning workouts and a drive her high school coach still remembers. Arts & Entertainment: A free screening of Project Hail Mary is set for Oct. 19 at downtown Sioux Falls’ State Theatre; tickets must be reserved.

Native Heritage: Crazy Horse Memorial will mark Native Americans’ Day on Oct. 12 with speakers, singers, buffalo stew and Indigenous-led craft workshops, continuing a South Dakota tradition that began there in 1990. Youth & Safety: Nearly 400 Stevens High freshmen took part in Rapid City’s Freshman Impact program, which uses hands-on scenarios to teach about risky choices and connect students with help. Community Care: Rapid City’s tradition of leaving warm clothing on downtown statues is starting early as cold weather approaches, offering coats and other essentials to people in need. Families: Brookings’ annual Family Bash brought more than 330 people together for activities and connections to local support services. Support for Young Adults: Abbott House’s independent-living program helps young people leaving foster care or corrections build budgeting, job and life skills, with mentorship to help them stay connected.

Lakota Land & Culture: Fifty bison were released onto nearly 40,000 acres leased from the Oglala Sioux Tribe, part of a Lakota-led effort to restore native prairie and bring a culturally significant animal back to the land. Community Care: Registration is open for the Black Hills Toy Drive, which connects families facing financial hardship with holiday gifts for children. Rural Health: Avera Queen of Peace will host two University of South Dakota medical students for an 11-month rural medicine rotation starting in March 2027. Libraries: Brookings Public Library’s Mikaela Neubauer was named the South Dakota Library Association’s 2026 Support Staff of the Year for building welcoming community programs. Indigenous Design: The Owáŋg Waštéya Wahwáyela Mani Fashion Show brings Indigenous designers to the Black Hills Powwow runway. Local History: A free Rapid City City Hall exhibit highlights African American and Native American patriots, women and international supporters of the American Revolution through Oct. 19. Fall Outings: Families gathered at the Highway 1804 Pumpkin Patch near Pierre for a free, family-run seasonal tradition.

Elections & Civic Life: Early voting for the U.S. midterms is underway across much of the country, with South Dakota among states rolling out in the coming weeks—voters are deciding control of the House and Senate. Arts & Culture: USD’s College of Fine Arts is unveiling the De & Dave Knudson Piano & Music Technology Lab, a new named space meant to boost hands-on music training. Indigenous Culture: The Owáŋg Waštéya Wahwáyela Mani Fashion Show returns alongside the Black Hills Powwow, bringing Indigenous design to the runway. Community & Film: The Black Hills Film Festival is back in Rapid City with South Dakota filmmakers and short documentaries aimed at building community through storytelling. Health & Families: Avera Cancer Institute staff and local survivors are sharing why annual mammograms matter and how early detection changes outcomes. Agriculture & Rural Life: A Senate farm bill has advanced, offering South Dakota producers more certainty after years of extensions. Sports: SDSU women’s basketball looks ahead after key seniors depart, while South Dakota soccer’s Klarissa Vega earns Summit League Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Immigration & Courts: A 38-year-old Mexican national, Marco Jimenez-Sanchez, was sentenced in federal court in Box Elder for illegal reentry after multiple prior deportations, and will be deported to Mexico after time served. ICE & State Policy: Gov. Larry Rhoden extended South Dakota National Guard support and ICE partnerships, while immigration advocates say cases like Yankton man Nathan Samudzi still leave communities on edge. Health & Families: Sioux Falls School District says about 1,300 students are at risk of losing free and reduced meals because families haven’t finished applications; the district has a 30-day grace period and a Friday deadline. Community & Kids: Rapid City’s Journey On and police are collecting candy and costumes for children in need through Oct. 21, aiming to keep trick-or-treat safer and more inclusive. Local Government: Fort Pierre weighed waiving occupancy-tax late fees tied to staffing and mail delays, then agreed to waive through September while warning enforcement resumes in October. Power & Tech: Black Hills plans major new generation capacity tied to a proposed Google data center, with the South Dakota-based utility projecting added net income by 2030. Sports & School Spirit: Summit League hoops media days set the stage for the 2026-27 season, with South Dakota State and USD players highlighted in preseason honors.

Food Safety: A frozen berry recall has been expanded again for select Great Value berry blends and blueberries sold at Walmart, plus one Trader Joe’s organic mixed berry blend lot, due to potential E. coli contamination—check UPCs and “best if used by” dates and return or discard for a full refund. Education & Community: Dakota Wesleyan University crowned its 2026 homecoming royalty, with Lizzie Tyler (Mitchell) and Joseph Valler (Kent, England) leading the honors. Faith & Leadership: A Q&A with LCWR Sr. Betsy Pawlicki looks at navigating change through Catholic life and ministry. Local Culture & Arts: The National Music Museum at USD in Vermillion hosts Música Ficta for “NMM Live” on Friday, Oct. 9, bringing Latin American and Spanish baroque early music to campus. Civic Life: Sioux Falls groups are pushing for a temporary moratorium on new data center permits, calling for clearer local rules. Public Safety & Health: South Dakota National Guard says it has helped process 1,013 deportations since July 2025, as Gov. Rhoden extends the ICE paperwork support through Sept. 2027. Schools & Belonging: Douglas Middle School in Rapid City is responding to increased racial slurs and hate symbols, asking families to reinforce respectful behavior. Indigenous Health: Organizers shared progress on an Indigenous School of Medicine planned for Rapid City, targeting a first class of 40 students in fall 2031. New Nonprofit: Yankton’s new Delivering Hope diaper bank is distributing diapers, wipes, formula, and feminine hygiene products across southeast South Dakota and northeast Nebraska.

Rural EMS Boost: South Dakota is set to receive $7.2 million to modernize emergency medical services, including ambulance-based telemedicine and upgrades meant to speed care in remote areas. Corrections Update: Rapid City’s new women’s prison has started housing inmates, with 79 women moved in as the state works to ease overcrowding in Pierre. ICE Deployment Extended: Gov. Larry Rhoden extended the South Dakota National Guard’s ICE support through Sept. 30, 2027, citing 1,013 deportations since last fall and adding federal funding for Highway Patrol troopers. Youth Safety in Rapid City: Nearly 1,000 freshmen will take part in “Freshman Impact: Caught in the Moment,” a full-day prevention program using mock crashes, first responders, and a sentencing simulation. Accessibility in Rapid City: A White Cane Awareness Day downtown walk is planned for Oct. 15, with mobility demos and a community lunch. Local Culture & Community: Watertown’s chamber promoted Mackenzie Ries to president, and the South Dakota Survival and Prepper Show returned to Rapid City with hands-on preparedness classes. Politics & Health Care: In a Sioux Falls U.S. House debate, candidates clashed on tariffs, rural health funding, Medicaid access, and federal priorities for tribal communities.

Community Reading: Downtown Sioux Falls hosted the 2026 Festival of Books, with authors across fiction, nonfiction, and poetry meeting readers at multiple venues and a keynote from historian Jeffrey Rosen. Family & Grief Support: Rapid City’s second annual Children’s Bereavement Walk brought families to the Healing Gardens for memorial activities and support around miscarriage, stillbirth, and child loss. Accessibility & Inclusion: Rapid Area Vision Education (RAVE) will mark White Cane Awareness Day with a downtown walk Oct. 15, featuring mobility demos and a city proclamation expected from Mayor Jason Salamun. Sports & Local Pride: Sioux Falls Flyers goalie Riley Vander Esch died after more than a year battling brain cancer; the team is encouraging “Sticks out for Riley” tributes and donations to youth hockey and community programs. Music Scene: The South Dakota Rock & Rollers Hall of Fame induction ceremony and concert is set for Oct. 24 in Sioux Falls, with performers including Judd Hoos and Randy McAllister, and proceeds supporting school music grants. Public Health & Safety: South Dakota will receive $7.2 million in federal funding to modernize rural emergency medical services, including telemedicine, training, and communications upgrades.

Rural EMS Upgrade: South Dakota is set to receive $7.2M in federal funding to modernize emergency medical services, backing 25 projects across ambulance services, hospitals, and training partners with better response times, telemedicine, and communications. Women’s Corrections Update: The state’s new Rapid City women’s prison is ramping up after moving inmates from Pierre; it opened with 79 women in late September and has 288 beds plus treatment and a mother-baby program. Public Health Alert: A nationwide recall linked to an alfalfa sprout seed lot has now sickened 76 people across 16 states, including cases reported in South Dakota, as E. coli and Salmonella investigations expand. Immigration & Work in Rural SD: A new look at rural hospitals highlights how immigrant workers are filling critical roles in places that are short on staff, including in the Dakotas. Community Fundraiser: Scotland’s Kickin’ For A Cause kickball tournament raised money for a local cancer patient, bringing together co-ed teams and multiple generations. Sports & Campus Life: South Dakota State kept rolling with a win over Illinois State, while South Dakota Mines continues fall competition at the Yellowjacket Fall Invite.

Food Safety: FDA says recalled frozen berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s may be contaminated with E. coli, including Great Value frozen organic blueberries and Triple Berry Blend plus Trader Joe’s frozen organic Mixed Berry Blend, with affected lots and “best if used by” dates listed. Arts & Community: Sioux Falls’ Festival of Bands brought more than two dozen high school groups to Howard Wood Field, turning a Saturday into a full-on music showcase. Youth & Workforce: Black Hills students got hands-on with heavy equipment and construction trades at the AGC of South Dakota Construction Career Exploration Camp in Rapid City. Culture & Travel: Yankton hosted the Eighth World Archery 3D Championships, drawing competitors from 27 countries and spotlighting the region’s volunteer and tourism pull. Local Leadership: CASA executive director Kehala Two Bulls is stepping down after 10 years, moving into a new regional programs role with Partnership with Native Americans. Environment & Heritage: Thunder Valley CDC plans to release 50 bison into a Badlands National Park range unit Oct. 6 as part of a native prairie restoration effort. Sports (South Dakota): Augustana’s Key to the City rivalry game featured Gunnar Hensley’s return as the Vikings outscored USF 20-0 in the second half to win 29-28.

Music & Community: Sioux Falls hosted the Festival of Bands at Howard Wood Field, with middle and high school groups from Madison, Pierre T.F. Riggs and Mitchell filling the day with marching, drumline and parade energy. Workforce & Education: Rapid City’s AGC Construction Career Exploration Camp put more than 200 students hands-on with heavy equipment, welding, carpentry and other trades—aiming to steer young people toward in-demand careers. AI & Public Life: At South Dakota Mines, Sen. Mike Rounds met with Anthropic leaders for a campus conversation on AI’s risks and opportunities, including impacts on health care, education and jobs. Native Land Restoration: Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation plans to release 50 bison into a nearly 40,000-acre Badlands range unit, part of a long-running effort to restore native prairie and Lakota stewardship. Local Food Access: SDSU Extension and Buche Foods are expanding Double Up Food Bucks in South Dakota, matching SNAP dollars for fruits and vegetables to stretch grocery budgets. School Traditions: Douglas School District is taking applications through Oct. 25 for a steering committee to launch a district Hall of Fame and annual celebration.

Midterm Mood: One month before the Nov. 3 election, new polling shows President Trump underwater in 39 states, with every major battleground state negative—setting a tense backdrop for South Dakota’s culture-and-community conversations around affordability, education, and local impacts. Food & Health Access: SDSU Extension is teaming up with Buche Foods and farmers markets for Double Up Food Bucks, matching SNAP dollars for fruits and veggies (up to $10 per purchase) to stretch grocery budgets and support healthier routines. Local History & Civic Memory: Gov. Larry Rhoden proclaimed October as South Dakota Archives Month, “Documenting American Democracy,” with public events spotlighting how state archives preserve community heritage. School Meals, Local Farms: October’s Farm to School Month highlights how schools can buy locally grown, culturally relevant food—benefiting kids, farmers, and classroom learning. Workforce & Career Pathways: Yankton is marking Manufacturing Week (Oct. 4–10) with student outreach aimed at keeping young people connected to local jobs. Ag Education Legacy: The South Dakota FFA Foundation is accepting nominations for the Golden Owl Award, honoring top agricultural educators statewide. Community Culture & Identity: Sioux Falls’ Native American Day Parade (Oct. 12) is pushing through higher city safety costs as organizers work to secure donations for the ninth year. Higher Ed Growth: USD celebrated a new Sales Center ribbon cutting and broke ground on the Gassen Family Fieldhouse for track and field—more campus momentum for students and local pride. Politics at Home: In the SDPB/South Dakota News Watch U.S. House debate, candidates sparred over tariffs and beef imports, with agriculture front and center for voters. Ballot Measure Fight: Backers and opponents of a proposed constitutional change (Amendment L) are trading accusations over ads tied to “out-of-state billionaires,” as advance voting ramps up.

Rapid City Community Care: Children’s Home Society is gearing up for a Oct. 20 grand opening of its new Rapid City campus, adding life-skills and family engagement rooms and consolidating mental health, foster care/adoption, advocacy, and education services for kids and families across the Black Hills. Local Education Updates: Rapid City Area Schools says it’s seeing gains in student achievement, with improved math/reading benchmarks and higher PreACT scores, plus big drops in discipline referrals, aggression, and suspensions. Libraries & Learning: South Dakota recognized 10 libraries and 35 librarians for accreditation and professional certification, highlighting governance, resources, staffing, and ongoing training. Family & Safety: Officials are urging parents to keep talking about online safety after an alleged predator case involving Roblox, with reminders to review privacy settings and watch for grooming tactics. Community Events: Rapid City hosts a hands-on canning and preservation class Saturday (applesauce focus), and Deadwood buried a time capsule for its 150th anniversary. Culture Calendar: Sioux Falls’ Zoo Boo returns Oct. 15–18 with trick-or-treat stations and a Sensory Sunday option. Sports (Local): South Dakota State heads to Fargo to face North Dakota State in a key Summit League women’s soccer matchup.

High School Sports: Yankton’s Bucks swept the Class A boys’ title at the Marsha Koebernick Invitational in South Sioux City, with Luke Feimer winning the 5,000 and multiple teammates finishing in the top five. College Football Preview: South Dakota is trying to turn a rough loss into momentum as it hosts Indiana State this Saturday in the DakotaDome for Dakota Days. Local Politics: District 18 candidates faced voters at a Yankton forum, with debates centered on affordability and education funding. Public Health: The FDA says more patients are now tied to an E. coli and Salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts from Everything Sprouts LLC, including cases in South Dakota. Community Care: The Salvation Army of the Black Hills kicked off Coats for Kids in Rapid City, offering free winter coats to children through Friday. Arts & Culture: The South Dakota Art Museum at SDSU opens “America in Art,” a community-informed exhibit reflecting on the nation’s 250th anniversary through South Dakota collections. Health Awareness: Sanford and Avera are marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month with events and fundraisers supporting research and early detection.

Community Care: Rapid City’s Salvation Army is running its Coats for Kids program, handing out brand-new winter coats for children up to age 18 through Friday at 405 N. Cherry Ave., with parents/guardians asked to bring photo ID and proof of age. Local Arts & Learning: The South Dakota Festival of Books returns to Sioux Falls this weekend, featuring Mount Rushmore author Matthew Davis and tying into the state’s One Book South Dakota pick. Youth & Education: Western Dakota Technical College hosted about 400 juniors and seniors at its annual Career Expo at The Monument, highlighting hands-on paths in healthcare and skilled trades. Health & Women’s Services: Sanford Black Hills added Dr. Miranda Pray-Dede to expand specialized women’s health services at the Sanford Health Haines Ave. Clinic in Rapid City. Libraries: Ten South Dakota libraries and 35 librarians earned statewide recognition through voluntary quality standards programs. Family-Friendly Events: Sioux Falls Area Humane Society’s Bark in the Park 3K/5K is set for Oct. 10 at Pasley Park, with pets welcome and contests planned. Digital Safety: Rapid City-area officials urged parents to talk about online safety after a federal case involving an alleged Roblox predator targeting an 11-year-old.

Local Arts & Education: Gov. Larry Rhoden and the South Dakota Arts Council opened the Governor’s Student Art Competition, inviting K-12 students statewide to submit work by Nov. 6 for a Capitol exhibit in 2027. Community & Youth: The SD FFA Foundation is funding local service projects with up to $500 per chapter, backing efforts like first-responder appreciation events and first-aid kit builds. Health & Research: Avera Research Institute, SDSU, and USD Sanford School of Medicine won an NIH award to launch the South Dakota Center for Advancing Clinical and Translational Research (SD-ACT), aiming to train researchers and build statewide study resources. Public Safety & Lifestyle: A South Dakota expo at Western Dakota Tech in Rapid City highlighted hands-on career paths beyond the four-year degree, with trades and healthcare partners on site. Sports (South Dakota ties): Sioux Falls’ Stampede are set for a home opener Saturday night, celebrating their Clark Cup-winning culture. Politics & Culture: Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem filed for divorce from Bryon Noem, citing “irreconcilable differences,” as he says he hopes for a private resolution. Native Nations: President Trump’s planned Choctaw Nation rally is framed as a rare presidential visit to Indian Country while the nation rents the venue but isn’t sponsoring the event.