Banking Innovation: Iowa Bankers Association helped launch the BankChain Alliance, a nationwide, industry-owned blockchain network aimed at letting community banks roll out modern payment tools while keeping regulatory standards and security in place. Rural Health & Tech: Dartmouth Health says it will close Tele-ED and Tele-ICU services serving five rural Vermont hospitals, citing a $63.5M deficit and that the services are “unsustainable” without outside support. Aviation & Construction Funding: Rapid City and Sioux Falls airports are asking South Dakota for extra help as expansion costs rise—Rapid City is pursuing a five-gate terminal build and Sioux Falls a $135M terminal/runway/taxiway upgrade. Public Safety Infrastructure: Rapid City broke ground on a combined Station 9 with a fire station and police substation plus a new city park, targeting improved response times and shared hazmat capability. Statewide Energy Costs: A new look at EIA data shows Americans paying about 30% more for electricity than in 2020, with big gains in places like Washington, D.C. Ag Policy & Markets: Cattle groups urge Trump to reconsider a plan to temporarily import more beef without over-quota tariffs, warning it could undercut U.S. herd investment and competition. Climate Reporting Scrutiny: South Dakota AG Marty Jackley joined a 16-state coalition challenging Big Four accounting firms over climate-related financial reporting initiatives and potential consumer protection issues. Road & Bridge Work: SDDOT scheduled Rapid City-area bridge deck chip seal projects and selected a contractor for the $290M Platte-Winner Bridge replacement. School Food & Learning: Four South Dakota districts received Farm to School grants, including hydroponics purchases for Sioux Falls and Viborg-Hurley.