College Sports Policy: The bipartisan Protect College Sports Act missed a Senate floor vote before August recess, pushing a possible cloture vote to Sept. 15–23 and extending uncertainty for NIL, scholarships, and coaching-change rules. Agriculture & Farm Bill: The Senate Agriculture Committee failed to advance Farm Bill 2.0 over SNAP cost-share timing, with Democrats pressing for a two-year delay while Republicans offered a one-year extension. Energy & Biofuels: South Dakota’s delegation is pushing for year-round, nationwide E15 approval, citing its inclusion in the Senate farm bill version. Mining & Workforce: President Trump announced more than $180M for mining schools and workforce programs, including funding for the South Dakota School of Mines. Local Power Infrastructure: Vermillion Light & Power broke ground on a new $4.6M facility, targeting an August 2027 opening. Agritech in the Field: SDSU research finds about a quarter of Eastern South Dakota farmers have adopted drones, mainly for crop monitoring and increasingly for precision input application. Public Safety: New federal hospital quality ratings show mixed results for West River medical centers, including a 5-star Sturgis VA and a drop for Monument Health’s Rapid City flagship. Food Supply Watch: Walmart’s Bettergoods pistachio nut butter recall expanded to 19 states after salmonella was found in a Florida test, including South Dakota. Health & Community Leadership: The South Dakota Pork Producers Council hired Ava Saxe as Director of Membership, Outreach and Engagement, and Avera St. Mary’s announced board appointments for its new fiscal year. Transportation & Safety: Fatal motorcycle crashes were reported across Black Hills counties as Sturgis Rally began, with speed and alcohol cited as likely factors.