School Construction Rules: South Dakota AG Marty Jackley issued an opinion saying public school districts must follow state competitive bidding and design-build procurement laws for construction contracts $100,000+—and can’t use cooperative purchasing to dodge those requirements. Water & Data Centers: A new look at AI data center expansion raises alarms about siting proposed facilities over or near the Ogallala Aquifer, putting water availability and agriculture at the center of local permitting debates. Healthcare Tech Upgrade: Sanford Black Hills in Rapid City added a photon-counting CT scanner, touting sharper images and lower radiation for cardiovascular, emergency, oncology, and pulmonary care. Transportation Leadership: SDDOT named two women—June Hansen and Kari Karst—for induction into the 2026 Transportation Hall of Honor. Agriculture Markets: Corn and soybeans traded slightly lower as limited rainfall forecasts and export data kept traders focused on drought risk. Utilities & Community Aid: Black Hills Energy added $10,000 to a Salvation Army “Play It Forward” energy assistance fundraiser. Public Services Funding: Rural libraries face uncertainty as federal funding freezes disrupt grant processing and services, including in South Dakota. Manufacturing/Industry Policy: Seventeen GOP attorneys general, including South Dakota’s, sued California over its plastics packaging law, arguing it unlawfully forces nationwide compliance.