Energy & Land Use: A new Center for Rural Affairs fact sheet maps how Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota counties are tightening rules for utility-scale wind and solar siting, noting big year-over-year growth in published solar and wind ordinances from 2025 to 2026. Agriculture & Animal Health: USDA data show seven new H5N1 detections since Sept. 1, concentrated in commercial turkey operations across the Dakotas and nearby states, with federal culling rules driving bird counts. Food & Local Business: Rosebud Building Products on the Rosebud Reservation earned South Dakota’s 2026 Hardware All Star honor from HBSDealer, highlighting growth plus community investment. Water & Drainage Research: The 25th Annual Tri-State Drainage Research Forum returns with a field tour and full-day conference focused on modern drainage and water management for producers and contractors. Public Works & Transportation: SDDOT is seeking public input on an I-29 Exit 15 interchange reconstruction in Elk Point, with an open house set for Sept. 30. Entrepreneurship: South Dakota entrepreneurs and students can apply for the 2027 Governor’s Giant Vision Competition, offering mentorship and cash prizes. Higher Ed & Workforce: SDSU reports strong fall enrollment with the highest in-state student count in 11 years, supporting the state’s talent pipeline. Housing & Community Development: Watertown’s Benedictine Sisters plan to transform their monastery land into The Village at Harmony Hill, a multi-generational housing and services project. Energy Infrastructure (Defense): The Air Force activated a B-21 Integration Detachment at Ellsworth AFB to coordinate the bomber’s arrival and integration work. Local Governance Watch: South Dakota AG Jackley says DCI reviewed Edmunds County Commissioner-elect Julie Burgod’s petition discrepancies and owner-occupied tax status, sending findings to the Department of Revenue.