AGP Executive Report

College Sports Spotlight: South Dakota’s women’s soccer closed its homestand with a 2-0 Senior Day win over Drake, with goals from Klarissa Vega and freshman Brooklynn Pollmiller, while Sioux Falls topped Nebraska Kearney 1-0 behind Kate Stratman’s early-season strike and a shutout effort from Delani Daubman and Morgan Jost. Local Athletes on the Move: Crookston freshman Natalie Scharenbroch started strong at the Augustana Twilight meet, then heads to the Roy Griak Invitational; Northern State’s cross country opened in Sioux Falls after weather delays. Community & Culture: Rapid City’s Fairytale 5K returns Sept. 12 to benefit Storybook Island, with costumes, family-friendly options, and prizes. Mental Health in the Spotlight: The Out of the Darkness Community Walks are set for Aberdeen (Sept. 12) and Sioux Falls/Belle Fourche (Sept. 19), supporting suicide prevention and research. Food & Lifestyle: A roundup of cabbage recipes makes the case for the veggie beyond slaw, from fried cabbage with bacon to stuffed cabbage rolls.

Local Sports Spotlight: South Dakota State’s Hannah Klein is listed on the Jackrabbits women’s volleyball roster for the week ending Sept. 6, with home matches at First Bank & Trust Arena in Brookings and a slate that includes Nebraska, Northern Arizona, Western Illinois and Bradley. Outdoor & Community Culture: Hundreds of mountain bikers rolled into Spearfish for the Dakota Five-O, a 50-mile ride that doubles as a trail-support event and a “trail magic” reunion across the Black Hills. College Athletics (Vermillion): The South Dakota Coyotes topped Drake 2-0 on senior day, with goals in each half and a win that snapped a short skid. Education Data (Brookings): South Dakota State’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate for students of two or more races was 43.1% for the 2018 cohort, slightly below the statewide 44.6%. State Fair Politics: Gov. Larry Rhoden and challenger Dan Ahlers faced off at the South Dakota State Fair, trading barbs on agriculture, property taxes and a dispute over importing foreign beef. Arts & Heritage: The Elk River German Band returns for a second straight year at Ethnic Fest, bringing Bavarian-style music and a long festival circuit that’s included Sioux Falls.

State Fair Politics: At the South Dakota State Fair’s Freedom Stage, Gov. Larry Rhoden and challenger Dan Ahlers sparred over rural priorities, hitting property taxes and education funding, while both also slammed Trump on beef imports but diverged on other debate topics. Local Arts & Wellness: Joe Foss School’s “Vision and Voice” art therapy program gave students a public platform for poetry and paintings, including work tied to seasonal depression and the push for connection. Community Recreation: Families squeezed in one more summer splash at Sioux Falls’ Wild Water West, with staff sharing how the park’s “regulars” return year after year. South Dakota Sports: The state women’s triathlon team opened its season at the Southern Hills Collegiate Cup in Hot Springs, led by Alexa Magallon’s top finish; meanwhile, South Dakota’s cross-country teams competed at the Augustana Twilight meet in Sioux Falls. Culture Spotlight: “Wax Cathedral,” a honeybee-themed encaustic exhibit inspired by a Winner, S.D. bee farm, brought stained-glass-like color and texture to a Creston gallery.

Community & Arts: A first-person look at the South Dakota State Fair’s Friday night energy, from big-name grandstand shows to the way the fair keeps South Dakota traditions and music front and center. Sports & Local Pride: USD kicked off its season at the Augustana Twilight in Sioux Falls, winning the women’s race and finishing second in the men’s, with standout performances from Geneva Timmerman and Isaac Ochoa. Sports Roundup: The Augustana Twilight also featured top finishes from area runners in the girls’ and boys’ races at Yankton Trails Park. Education & Opportunity: Mitchell Technical College launched the MTC Cancer Fund, created by cancer survivor Emily Christensen to support students and staff facing cancer. Civic Life: Rapid City’s data center fight is heating up as EPA permit rules face backlash over transparency, local control, and the strain on water, sewer, electricity, and community impacts. Obituary: James Louverne “Jim” Sutton Jr., 91, was remembered with a visitation and funeral celebration of life set for Sept. 14 in Sully Buttes.

High School Sports: Sioux Falls Jefferson rolled past Rapid City Stevens 65-0 in an 11AAA game, scoring in all three phases after a delayed start tied to heat. College Sports: South Dakota State opened Sept. 4 at the Augustana Twilight meet in Sioux Falls, where the men’s race was shortened to 5K due to heat; SDSU won the team title and saw nearly everyone set personal bests. Local Music: Quazy, a Nebraska rock band with roots going back to the 1970s, is set for induction into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October. Native Arts & Activism: Leonard Peltier’s artwork will be featured Oct. 4 in a New York City exhibition at the Fifteenth Street Friends Meeting House. Community & Family: Christ Redeemer Church in Tea is hosting a free community game day Sept. 6, and a Keystone retreat for parents still has 22 spots left for Oct. 23-24. Education Access: Connect Me is expanding free one-on-one online tutoring for K-8 students, reaching families across 49 states and 12 countries.

Education & Careers: Mitchell High School seniors kick off the inaugural Avera Academy, taking college courses at Mitchell Tech and rotating through Avera Queen of Peace departments to explore 35+ health care career paths. Local Governance: Kingsley-Pierson School Board accepts Laurie Schweitzberger’s resignation as secretary/business official as she heads to a USD Foundation role. Arts & Culture: SDSU’s School of Performing Arts hosts a free Sept. 13 brass recital, featuring the world premiere of “Purpose,” plus a Sept. 8-Oct. 2 Stuart Artist-in-Residence run by fiber artist Elizabeth Morisette. Community & Youth: A letter urges South Dakota to use its Meta settlement to build real after-school and summer supports for kids—not just reduce screen time. Digital Safety: Europe moves to regulate Roblox as a Very Large Online Platform, adding stricter rules around minors and platform design. Local History: A look at The Volante’s roots, tracing the student paper’s name and early editors back to the “Old” University of Chicago. Health Care Business: Sanford’s acquisition of North Memorial Health is finalized, following a Minnesota-backed deal. Civic Debate: Clay County and Vermillion residents weigh data center concerns like light/noise, water use, power costs, and zoning changes.

Triathlon & Community Sports: Colorado Mesa University’s women’s triathlon team heads to Hot Springs for the Southern Hills Collegiate Cup on Saturday, with a 375-meter swim, 10-kilometer bike, and 1.55-mile run, plus super sprint, Olympic, age group sprint, and youth races. Mental Health Awareness: Yankton’s 10th annual Step Forward to Prevent Suicide Walk returns Sept. 12 at Riverside Park, with registration starting 8:15 a.m. and a remembrance ceremony at 9 a.m. Local College Sports: South Dakota women’s soccer fell 1-0 to Idaho Thursday, and the Coyotes host Drake Sunday for Senior Day. Politics & History: U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds and challenger Brian Bengs clash over whether Wounded Knee Medal of Honor awards “should not stand,” with Rounds urging more facts. Culture & Heritage Grants: The Deadwood Fund grant application deadline is Oct. 1 for historic preservation work starting no earlier than Jan. 1, 2027. Dark Matter Science (SURF): A new LUX-ZEPLIN analysis from the Sanford Underground Research Facility reports a hard-to-explain event that’s not yet a confirmed discovery. Severe Weather Impact: Tuesday’s storms hit southeast South Dakota hard, including major hail damage reported around Pickstown.

PUC Showdown: South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commission race is turning into a fight over hyperscale AI data centers, with Democrat Frank Kloucek pushing a one-year moratorium and Republican Don Haggar arguing new state rules already require utilities and water providers to study impacts and require reimbursement. Education & Skills: SDSU is expanding career-ready learning through its Coursera partnership, giving students access to online courses and professional certificates, including AI-focused classes tied to real-world goals. Tech in the Classroom: SDSU also announced new degrees in AI Engineering, aiming to train engineers to apply AI across precision agriculture and healthcare. Local Arts Fundraiser: Rapid City’s Dahl Arts Center is gearing up for the 7th Street Art Auction on Oct. 3, a major community event meant to keep local arts programming strong. Community Spotlight: Wagner’s 126th Labor Day Celebration returns with a packed weekend of rodeo, parade, carnival, car show, and more. Sports & School Spirit: South Dakota college sports keep rolling with SDSU hosting big matchups and local athletes landing on rosters across the region.

Volleyball Spotlight: SDSU drew a sellout crowd and set a South Dakota volleyball attendance record, hosting No. 1 Nebraska in Brookings—SDSU fought hard but fell 3-0. Women’s Sports Roundup: USD women and men both landed fourth in the Summit League preseason cross country poll, with key runners to watch for the Coyotes. Local Health Care: Yankton’s ZoeCare Pregnancy Center earned AAAHC accreditation, highlighting updated safety training and quality improvements. Youth & Community: Kinship care in South Dakota is getting attention for keeping kids connected to culture and familiar people, while Sioux Falls also mapped a timeline for a possible Renberg Elementary closure. Public Safety Tech: License-plate readers helped recover a 15-year-old abducted from Wyoming after a rapid stop near Plankinton. Outdoor Healing: Wings of Valor continues pairing disabled veterans with pheasant hunts and community support for PTSD recovery. Education & Youth Livestock: Gettysburg-area 4-H and FFA programs are letting non-farm youth raise pigs through school partnerships. Missing & Murdered Indigenous People: Crow Creek tribal member Marlys Big Eagle was named South Dakota’s next MMI​P liaison, bringing decades of victim-support experience.

Local History Mystery: A missing chalice tied to All Saints Parish in Eagle Butte was rediscovered after a Rapid City parish found it while cleaning a closet, reconnecting families to a long-lost piece of church heritage. Public Safety Tech & Privacy: South Dakota law enforcement is pulling back on Flock cameras (ALPR), while AG Marty Jackley drafts limits that would be among the first of their kind in the state. Education & Workforce: Gov. Larry Rhoden announced 618 students are receiving Build Dakota Scholarships for 2026-27, continuing the program’s push to keep graduates working in South Dakota. Community Support: Feeding South Dakota says more than 130,000 people face food insecurity, and it’s gearing up for Hunger Action Month with a statewide volunteer-a-thon. STEM & Culture: SDSU opened a Center for AI Innovation and Emergent Technologies to help students learn how to use AI responsibly across majors. Arts & Heritage: The Oahe Chapel Pie Social returns with music and local history programming at the historic Oahe Chapel.

Women’s Health & Golf: Clark native Kim Kaufman is back on tour after beating breast cancer, using her comeback to push women to prioritize screenings. Local Sports Spotlight: Sioux Falls City FC is pausing operations after the sudden death of co-owner Eric Thomas, with the club’s mission continuing through its foundation. Community Activism: Clay County residents are collecting signatures to refer a new sales tax ordinance to a public vote, after a 3-2 commission decision. Volleyball Culture: South Dakota State will host No. 1 Nebraska in Brookings, with student tickets selling out fast and the program’s Division I journey in the spotlight. Agriculture Leadership: Jerry Schmitz of Vermillion is honored as a 2026 Eminent Leader in agriculture, family, and community. Women’s Recognition: Spirit of Dakota’s 40th anniversary banquet in Huron names 13 nominees celebrating local leadership. Faith & Family Events: River City Assembly’s Family Fest returns Sept. 6 with games, baptisms, and Christian singer Rhett Walker. Public Safety: Rapid City schools and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office urge backpack checks after an airsoft gun incident at East Middle School. Reentry & Jobs: Pennington County’s IGNITE program is helping low-level offenders build job skills through community work at the Central States Fairgrounds. State Government Move: Labor and Regulation Secretary Marcia Hultman is set to become a senior advisor in Gov. Larry Rhoden’s administration. Crime Prevention Tech: AG Marty Jackley credits license-plate reader technology for helping locate and arrest a suspect in a youth abduction case, with the victim recovered safely.

Women’s Aviation & Community: The Ninety-Nines’ 2026 Northwest Section fall meeting brought women aviators, scholarship recipients, and pilots from across the region to Teton Valley, celebrating flight, mentorship, and the group’s nearly century-old legacy. Public Health & Local Support: Feeding South Dakota says 130,340 South Dakotans are food insecure (including one in five children), and it’s kicking off Hunger Action Month with matched donations and a first volunteer-a-thon in Pierre, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls. Education & Safety: Rapid City Area Schools warned families after a student brought an airsoft gun to campus, stressing that even look-alikes are prohibited and urging kids to report concerning items. Arts & Culture: Short Grass Arts Council’s “One for Fun” community concert turned two backyards into a grassroots showcase for South Dakota musicians of all ages, raising money for local arts. Health Care (Regional Impact): Sanford Health and North Memorial Health say their merger is complete, aiming to preserve Robbinsdale Hospital services while building a more connected care network. Fitness & Lifestyle: SDSU Extension launched its free Fall into Fitness virtual challenge for October, counting any kind of movement from gardening to strength training.

Ag Debate: South Dakota gubernatorial candidates Larry Rhoden and Dan Ahlers will face mostly agriculture-focused questions at the South Dakota State Fair’s Freedom Tent on Sept. 5. Food & Health: A new South Dakota Food Landscape Assessment finds affordability and access gaps, with 30% of people most likely to face food insecurity saying they skip meals; it points to ideas like produce prescriptions. Native Culture: JJ Kent debunks Hollywood myths about Lakota spirituality and explains the sacred pipe’s real origins at Deadwood’s History on the Lawn. Community Care: Emily’s Hope held a candlelight vigil for International Overdose Awareness Day, including a memorial reading and 54 empty shoes for overdose deaths in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties since 2025. Public Safety: Rapid City narcotics officers warn of a rise in pure fentanyl powder, which can be hard to spot and is especially dangerous for first responders. Local Learning: SDSU Extension’s Specialty Crop Field Day in Brookings (Sept. 15) invites farmers and gardeners to tour research plots and learn about disease prevention, soil management, and heat reduction. Politics & Parenting: Meta’s record $52.6M settlement share for South Dakota is headed toward child-safety requirements, with lawmakers deciding how to use the money.

Local Politics & Education: Rapid City-area Rep. Nicole Uhre-Balk, an educator running for reelection in House District 32, says she’s focused on strong public schools, affordable communities, and protecting the Black Hills and water. Community & Health: A Hamlin County farming accident near Castlewood killed a man after he was trapped under a hay-bine being pulled by a tractor; the incident is under investigation. Sports & Community Pride: South Dakota State volleyball is set to host No. 1 Nebraska on Sept. 2 at First Bank & Trust Arena—sold out and expected to be the most-attended volleyball match in the state’s history. Culture & Arts: Points North Institute announced 2026 Artist Programs and its Points North Forum ahead of the Camden International Film Festival, supporting documentary teams led by filmmakers of color and women/non-binary creators. Food & Safety: A sprouts recall was expanded after salmonella/E. coli concerns, with illnesses reported including in South Dakota. Local Events: The Social Sioux Falls is planning a Dolly Parton tribute night on Sept. 16, featuring local performers and Dolly-inspired food and photos.

International Education: A new study says the U.S. could lose $3.4 billion and nearly 40,000 jobs after 111,000 fewer international students arrive this fall, with the hit compounding for years as visa cuts ripple through undergraduate and graduate programs. Local Sports & Community: Sioux Falls hosted the State Farm Women’s Volleyball Showcase, where South Dakota fans packed the Sanford Pentagon for nationally ranked teams, including Creighton’s 3-1 win over USC (and a strong showing from local commits). College Soccer: The University of Sioux Falls women’s soccer earned its first 2026 win, shutting out Dakota State 3-0 in the home opener. Relocation Culture Shock: A guide for out-of-staters moving to South Dakota highlights “South Dakota nice,” early closings, and the reality of winter driving. Family & Daily Life: September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month, with Huron Public Library pushing new cards, renewals, and a community bingo tied to local businesses. Weather: Expect hot, humid 90s early in the week, with stronger storms Tuesday through Thursday.

Childcare & Family Costs: Sioux Falls after-school coordinator says a state childcare assistance payment change left some families paying hundreds less—so much that parents are considering quitting work. Public Safety & Law: A new explainer breaks down why South Dakota seatbelt tickets depend on whether you’re an adult or a child in the car, and whether there’s another reason for the stop. Native Communities & Justice: The FBI is raising minimum rewards for dozens of unsolved Native American cases to $25,000, aiming to spur fresh leads. Education & Health Workforce: Lake Area Technical College’s new dental hygiene program received initial accreditation and welcomed its first students Aug. 24. Local Culture & Community: De Smet’s long-running effort to build a community event and wellness center is revisited through the story of how close it came to falling short. Sports (Local Spotlight): Creighton bounced back at the State Farm Women’s Volleyball Showcase with a four-set win over USC in Sioux Falls. Health Spending Watch: Medicaid billing spikes show up across multiple South Dakota towns, including big jumps in dental services, pathology/lab work, and medicine/surgery categories.