Healthcare Consolidation: HealthPartners and Essentia Health cleared the way for a merger, aiming to form a larger nonprofit system under the HealthPartners name across Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. Local Food & Retail: Dakota Rural Action released its 2026-2027 Local Foods Directory, spotlighting South Dakota producers selling direct-to-consumer. Diesel Relief for Farmers: Gov. Larry Rhoden signed an executive order to ease harvest hauling costs by expanding overweight allowances and suspending a $25 overweight permit fee, though some ag leaders say it won’t offset high diesel prices. Workforce & Training: AGC of South Dakota launched its Construction Camp for high school students, while Western Dakota Tech hosted a regional Career Expo connecting students with employers. AI in Education: SDSU received a three-year, $750,000 U.S. Department of Education grant to expand AI literacy and competency campuswide. Infrastructure & Logistics: Rapid City approved a study to relocate the downtown rail yard to reduce persistent traffic delays. Water & Utilities: Rapid City’s drinking water earned top statewide honors again and will advance to a national competition. Biofuels & Shipping: POET supplied plant-based ethanol for the first U.S. 100% ethanol marine bunkering trial with Maersk. Agriculture Health Watch: Avian influenza continues to return, with South Dakota reporting commercial flock impacts alongside broader regional spread.