AGP Executive Report

College Football (USD): Charles Pierre Jr. looked like his old self again as the University of South Dakota rolled past Eastern Washington 41-23 at the DakotaDome, finishing 3-0 to start the season. Game Recap (USD vs. EWU): Pierre ran for 138 yards and two TDs, while freshman QB Austyn Modrzewski threw for 245 yards and two scores; EWU’s Bryce Smith led the defense with 13 tackles and an interception. Special Teams Notes: Eastern Washington’s onside kick and return game had bright spots, but USD’s steadier execution helped swing momentum. Local Event (Rapid City): The second annual Fairytale 5K in Rapid City drew nearly 250 runners and helped support Storybook Island, which keeps admission free and adds new attractions. South Dakota Outdoors/Travel Safety: A fatal single-vehicle crash near Alexandria on SD 42 involved a trailer loaded with lumber; investigators say seatbelts weren’t used. Gas Watch (Brookings County): Diesel prices in Brookings County averaged $5.29 per gallon for the week ending Sept. 5, with the lowest reported at $5.01. State Conservation (GFP): The South Dakota GFP Commission approved updates including golden mussels added to aquatic invasive species rules and changes to fish pathogen requirements.

Indigenous Heritage on Game Day: USD and Eastern Washington will wear helmets featuring Indigenous language decals for their matchup in Vermillion, with USD using Lakota/Sungmanitu and Eastern Washington partnering with the Kalispel Tribe. Wildlife & Wilderness Access: Vehicle access to the agate beds in Buffalo Gap National Grassland’s Red Shirt Recommended Wilderness Area is temporarily restricted after crews found illegal fires and off-road damage; visitors are reminded to follow fire restrictions and stay on designated routes. South Dakota Outdoors & Safety: The South Dakota GFP Commission approved updates including adding golden mussels to aquatic invasive species rules and adjusting fish pathogen testing requirements. Local Travel Disruption: Rapid City drivers should expect an East Omaha Street lane closure Sept. 21–28 for water line repairs near Lacrosse Street. Gas Prices: AAA reports the national regular gas average rose 13 cents to $4.27, a travel-cost reminder heading into the weekend. Sports & Community: Brandon Valley shut out Rapid City Central 54-0 and Spearfish topped Stevens 48-21 in the Rushmore Bowl.

High School Football (Sept. 11): South Dakotans got plenty of Friday action, including Madison’s 50-0 win over Belle Fourche, Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan’s 22-14 road victory over Sioux Falls Lutheran, and Gregory’s 40-6 rout of Tripp-Delmont/Armour/Andes Central/Dakota Christian. Robocall Crackdown: Iowa AG Brenna Bird joined a multistate push urging the FCC to tighten “Know Your Upstream Provider” rules to stop illegal robocalls. 9/11 Remembrance in Belle Fourche: A large crowd gathered at Herrmann Park for the Center of the Nation 9/11 Remembrance, featuring a memorial flag tribute with thousands of flags and a flag flown over the New York memorial. Travel & Road Notes (Rapid City): East Omaha Street gets a lane closure Sept. 21-28 for Rapid City Water line repairs. Outdoors Update (Buffalo Gap): Vehicle access to agate beds in the Red Shirt Recommended Wilderness Area is temporarily restricted after illegal activity and off-road damage. Gas Prices: The national average rose 13 cents to $4.27 a gallon. Health Access: South Dakota expanded free women’s breast and cervical cancer screenings under All Women Count, lowering the minimum age to 21.

Health Access: South Dakota is expanding its All Women Count program, lowering the minimum age for free breast and cervical cancer screenings from 30 to 21 to help women in rural areas avoid long trips for care. Road Safety: A 70-year-old man died after a car-pedestrian crash near Ramona when a lawnmower fell from a tailgate carrier and a truck struck him; the driver was 17 and was not injured. Traffic Enforcement: Sioux Falls’ “Golden Triangle” won’t add red light cameras because state law bans them for speeding and signal enforcement, though other surveillance cameras can still be used. Travel Disruption & Planning: Gas prices ticked up nationally (AAA reports the U.S. average rose 13 cents to $4.27), a reminder to plan ahead for Labor Day-style driving costs. Local Events: Brookings Public Library hosts “Singing Tales of Truth” on Sept. 14. Community Spotlight: Hegg Health Center upgraded its 3D mammography equipment to keep screening services reliable.

Native Art & Campus Culture: USD’s University Art Galleries will host the 37th Oscar Howe Memorial Lecture on Sept. 17, featuring the dedication of Oglala-Sicangu Lakota artist Colleen Cutschall’s “Victorious” sculpture in the Sculpture Garden, plus “Circle Back,” a retrospective of her work—tying Howe’s modernist legacy to a new public landmark. Black Hills Fall Getaway: Black Hills & Badlands Tourism is leaning into autumn drives, wildlife spotting, and cooler hiking on routes like Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, Custer State Park roads, Wind Cave, Badlands, and the 109-mile Mickelson Trail. Local Sports (Sioux Falls/Vermillion/Rapid City): Rocky Mountain College men’s soccer heads to Rapid City for matches against South Dakota Mines and Dakota Wesleyan, while SDSU volleyball travels to Kansas for a Sept. 11 showdown with Kansas and a Sept. 12 match vs. Tulsa. Road Safety: A 70-year-old pedestrian died in a Lake County crash near Ramona after being struck by a pickup while working on a riding lawnmower. Travel Notes: Delta is cutting eight routes from Atlanta, including 4x weekly Rapid City service ending Sept. 2026.

Local Travel & Tourism: Sioux Falls is keeping its Flock license plate camera system for now, with 34 cameras already deployed across the city—good news for visitors who want smoother, safer traffic flow, even as some residents question the surveillance. Road Trips & Getting Around: Sioux Falls roadwork hits this week with lane and sidewalk closures near 57th Street and Norton Avenue starting Thursday/Friday—plan alternate routes. Sports Tourism: The Sanford International tees off Friday at Minnehaha Country Club in Sioux Falls, with Zach Johnson among the new faces and a $2.2 million purse drawing golf fans. Game-Day Plans: South Dakota hosts Eastern Washington at the DakotaDome Saturday (1 p.m. CT) with Native American Heritage helmet decals, plus SDSU’s Beef Bowl home game Saturday night in Brookings. Family Safety on the Road: South Dakota Highway Patrol launches a School Bus Safety Outreach Week, stepping up patrols around bus stops and loading zones statewide. Outdoors & Health: Fire and heat risks persist across parts of the Dakotas and the West, while Vermont’s CWD rules remind hunters traveling out of state to follow processing and possession requirements.

Golf & Tourism: Zach Johnson headlines Sanford International in Sioux Falls, returning to the Midwest turf he knows well at Minnehaha Country Club. Public Health: The CDC says the Cyclospora outbreak has surged to 19,595 lab-confirmed cases since May 1, with thousands more still pending or unconfirmed. Indigenous Culture on the Road: Eastern Washington and South Dakota football will debut Indigenous-language helmet decals at The DakotaDome in Vermillion. City Travel Disruptions: Sioux Falls road work starts Thursday/Friday, including a 57th Street lane closure and a 23rd Street/Norton Avenue intersection shutdown with detours. Urban Nature: Sioux Falls plans about 1,600 street trees this fall to replace ash losses from emerald ash borer, continuing the city’s CommuniTree program. Family-Friendly Safety: South Dakota Highway Patrol launches a statewide School Bus Safety Outreach Week, with troopers monitoring routes and enforcing bus-stopping rules. Sports Weekend Buzz: USD volleyball heads to the UniWyo Invite in Colorado/Wyoming, while Sioux Falls Lincoln tops Watertown in a four-set match.

Wildfire & Outdoor Safety: A hay-truck fire on I-90 near Spearfish reignited and crews are still working to control hot spots around Lookout Mountain, with some voluntary evacuations reported. Black Hills Cycling: Spearfish’s Dakota Five-O wrapped up Bike Week with 800 riders taking on a 50-mile mountain bike loop, drawing cyclists from across the country. Sioux Falls Holiday Planning: The Sioux Falls Parade of Lights returns Nov. 27, 2026 (6–7:30 p.m.) along Phillips Avenue, with a free, family-friendly route from 13th to 5th. Local Travel Logistics: Sioux Falls road crews are closing lanes on Kiwanis Ave (storm drainage/concrete repairs) and South Western Ave (Xcel power pole replacement), with short-term detours likely. Emerald Ash Borer Update: Sioux Falls Forestry says it’s treating about 5,000 ash trees and has been replacing trees across the park system as EAB continues spreading. Community Events: Brookings Public Library hosts “Singing Tales of Truth” Sept. 14 at 6 p.m., featuring Curtis & Loretta. Sports Tourism Buzz: USD volleyball’s Sierra Pokharel earned Summit League Defensive Peak Performer of the Week after standout digs at the South Dakota Classic.

School Safety: The South Dakota Highway Patrol is running a three-day School Bus Safety Outreach (Sept. 8–10), with troopers watching loading zones and routes and reminding drivers to stop for buses with flashing red lights. Road Updates: Sioux Falls drivers should plan for lane closures during bridge inspections on the Tenth Street Bridge (Wed., 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) and Veterans Parkway bridge (Thu., 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.). Wildfires Near Popular Stops: Crews are battling the Lookout Fire near Spearfish (443 acres, 0% contained as of Tuesday) and the Needles Fire on the Pine Ridge Reservation (over 6,000 acres). Tourism & Community: Glacial Lakes and Prairies Tourism named Kecia Beranek its new executive director, and Sturgis’ Mustang Rally marked its 20th anniversary with record crowds. Sports Travel Buzz: USD volleyball’s Sierra Pokharel earned Summit League Defensive Peak Performer of the Week as the Coyotes head to the UniWyo Invite in Fort Collins and Wyoming.

School Bus Safety Outreach: The South Dakota Highway Patrol is running a three-day School Bus Safety Outreach Sept. 8–10, with troopers watching routes and loading zones and stepping up enforcement to remind drivers to slow down and stop for flashing red lights. Tourism Leadership: Glacial Lakes and Prairies Tourism named Kecia Beranek its new executive director, bringing 15+ years of nonprofit and tourism experience to the region. Rapid City Public Safety: Rapid City Fire Department moved its annual aircraft rescue and firefighting live-burn training to a new Creek Drive location to stay FAA-certified while construction affects the airport area. Outdoor & Nature: A prairie restoration story highlights how controlled disturbance—especially fire—helps native grasslands outcompete invasives, with lessons drawn from Leif Mountain Preserve. Local Events for Visitors: Vermillion’s Ribs, Rods and Rock & Roll returns Sept. 11–12, and organizers say a new farmers market and DJ set-up aim to pull in more college crowds. Science Tourism Buzz: Sanford Underground Research Facility researchers say they may have recorded a possible dark matter “hint,” keeping South Dakota on the science map.

School Safety: The South Dakota Highway Patrol is running a three-day School Bus Safety Outreach Sept. 8–10, with troopers watching loading zones and routes and reminding drivers to slow down and stop when red bus lights flash. Water Quality Funding: DANR is accepting applications for federal Clean Water Act Section 319 nonpoint source grants, due Oct. 1, with a 40% local match requirement for projects that cut runoff pollution. Labor Day Travel Weather: A Red Flag Warning is in effect for parts of western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming Monday afternoon, with hot, dry air and gusty winds raising wildfire risk for holiday travelers and outdoor plans. Vermillion Weekend Fun: Vermillion’s Ribs, Rods and Rock & Roll returns Sept. 11–12, running alongside a USD home football game and adding a farmers market this year. Local Fundraiser: Gifts of Hope for cancer patients holds its Sept. 15 fundraiser at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds, featuring auctions, dinner, and live music. Road Trip Inspiration: A new book, “South Dakota Yesterday & Today,” by Paul Horsted pairs historic and modern photos across the state, with a release event in Custer. Outdoor Events: Spearfish is hosting the Dakota Five-O for mountain bikers, drawing more than 800 riders.

Labor Day Travel Watch: AAA says gas prices are hitting record highs for the holiday, with the national average around $4.14 as crude stays pricey amid Strait of Hormuz volatility—expect higher costs at the pump for road trips. Road-Trip Safety: The South Dakota Highway Patrol is running a statewide School Bus Safety Outreach Week Sept. 8–10, with troopers observing routes and reminding drivers that stopping for school buses with red lights flashing is non-negotiable. Black Hills Outdoors: Hundreds of mountain bikers rolled into Spearfish for the Dakota Five-O, a 50-mile ride that also helps keep Black Hills National Forest trails maintained. Local Culture & Travel Inspiration: Photographer Paul Horsted is celebrating the release of “South Dakota Yesterday & Today,” featuring 350 then-and-now photo pairs across about 100 towns and landmarks. Tourism Economy: Sioux Falls is seeing fewer Canadian visitors this year, with the visitors bureau pointing to political factors behind the drop. Weather Alert: A Red Flag Warning is in effect Monday afternoon for parts of western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, with hot, dry, windy conditions raising wildfire risk for holiday travelers and outdoor plans.

Labor Day Travel Costs: AAA says gas prices are on track to hit record highs for the holiday weekend, with the national average around $4.14 as crude stays pricey. Tourism Watch: Sioux Falls is seeing fewer Canadian visitors at Falls Park, with Experience Sioux Falls reporting a drop in registrations this summer. Black Hills Outdoors: Hundreds of mountain bikers rolled into Spearfish for the Dakota Five-O, a 50-mile ride that also helps fund trail maintenance in the Black Hills National Forest. Local Travel & Food: Rapid City employees are planning camping and outdoor fun for Labor Day weekend, pointing to a busy stretch for local getaways. State Fair Fun: The South Dakota State Fair is adding new attractions like mutton busting, elephant encounters, and an ADA-accessible restroom setup, alongside returning favorites. Road Trip Planning: AAA also urges travelers to check passports early to avoid delays, as Labor Day crowds build.

Labor Day Travel Watch: AAA says the national gas average is $4.14—highest for this time of year—while diesel is also hitting record highs as Middle East fuel disruptions keep prices jumpy. Sioux Falls Tourism: Experience Sioux Falls reports fewer Canadian visitors registering at Falls Park this summer, with foreign visitor counts down across more countries—an early sign the tourism slowdown is landing locally. Black Hills Road Debate: A public letter urges South Dakota DOT to rethink Highway 85 reconstruction near Cheyenne Crossing, warning it could destabilize the area’s delicate riparian and wildlife balance. Local Travel & Food: Durango-La Plata County Airport is adding a new “air-side” coffee shop and brewery restaurant set to open this fall, aiming to give travelers more local bites before flights. State Fair Fun: The 2026 South Dakota State Fair is rolling out new attractions (including mutton busting and an ADA-accessible restroom area) alongside returning favorites. Outdoor Weekend Picks: Rapid City employees are planning camping, travel, and outdoor fun for Labor Day weekend, signaling a busy stretch for Black Hills getaways.

Tourism Watch: Sioux Falls is seeing fewer Canadian visitors this year, with Falls Park visitor-center registrations down from 119 in 2025 to 72 so far in 2026, and overall foreign-country registrations slipping from 64 to 54—an impact local tourism leaders link to politics and broader travel hesitancy. Road Trip Costs: AAA says Labor Day weekend gas prices are on track for record highs, with the national average at $4.14 and diesel hitting a new U.S. record average of $5.85, driven by ongoing war-related fuel disruptions. Outdoor & Travel Planning: A Wyoming DOT online public meeting is open now on its 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan, asking residents to share how they commute, haul, and travel for recreation and rural services. Local Events: The 2026 South Dakota State Fair is rolling out fresh attractions like mutton busting, elephant encounters, and an ADA-accessible restroom setup, plus new entertainment stages and familiar fair food. Sports & Community: Rapid City Christian rolled past Mobridge-Pollock 35-6 in a homecoming/home opener matchup.

Tourism & Travel Demand: Sioux Falls is seeing fewer Canadian visitors this summer, with Experience Sioux Falls reporting 72 Canadian registrations at Falls Park so far this year versus 119 in 2025, and a broader dip in visitors from 64 countries last year to 54 this year. Roads & Nature: A public comment push is underway against South Dakota’s planned Highway 85 reconstruction from Cheyenne Crossing to the Wyoming line, with opponents warning it could disrupt the Black Hills’ delicate riparian and forest balance. Gas Prices for Holiday Trips: AAA says Labor Day weekend fuel costs are on track for record highs, citing volatility tied to the Strait of Hormuz; diesel is also hitting record levels nationally. Local Fair Fun: The 2026 South Dakota State Fair is rolling out new attractions like mutton busting, elephant encounters, and an ADA-accessible restroom facility, plus familiar favorites and expanded entertainment. Outdoor Weekend Ideas (Mitchell): Mitchell is pitching 10 easy ways to enjoy the last days of summer, from Lake Mitchell and local parks to the Corn Palace. Family Travel Safety: AAA also urges travelers to check passports now to avoid last-minute delays.