Transportation & Costs: AAA says the average annual cost to own and operate a new vehicle hit $12,863 in its latest Your Driving Costs study, up from $11,577 last year, with fuel, depreciation and finance charges driving the increase. Ag Schools & Workforce: South Dakota producers and schools are gearing up for Farm to School Month in October, aiming to connect local growers with healthier meals and a steadier institutional market. Ag Education: The SD FFA Foundation is accepting nominations for the Golden Owl Ag Educator of the Year award, while 418 FFA jackets are being awarded statewide to new members. Manufacturing & Local Jobs: Yankton Manufacturing Week (Oct. 4-10) spotlights the county’s manufacturing base—about 2,400 jobs and roughly $380M in GDP output (2024). Higher Ed & Training: USD has launched a new Sales Center at the Beacom School of Business, and construction has begun on the $40M Gassen Family Fieldhouse for USD track and field. Public Health & Antitrust: South Dakota joined a coalition seeking preliminary federal approval for a $400M generic drug settlement involving Sandoz and Fougera, with eligible purchases from 2009-2019 potentially compensating South Dakota consumers. Regional Infrastructure: Sioux Falls is asking residents to “dream big” for The Quarry at The Falls, a Bezos Earth Fund cleanup and park conversion project. Energy & Policy: Gov. Rhoden and other governors urged Congress to protect Missouri River resource management by removing a proposed restriction in the 2026 Water Resources Development Act.