Construction & Workforce: Black Hills Home Builders Association ran its annual Kids Construction Camp in the Rapid City-area, giving kids hands-on exposure to trades as local builders point to ongoing skilled-labor shortages. Energy Reliability: A 49-page report on the Nov. 13 Rapid City power outage traces the failure to transmission switching issues after a 500-kilovolt line de-energized in Wyoming, triggering safeguards and impacting about 250,000 customers across SD, WY and MT. Water Quality: South Dakota’s riparian buffer program is expanding after an $8 million legislative boost, now totaling 130 buffer projects covering 379 miles and nearly 4,000 acres, with more landowners waiting to enroll. Housing & Risk: The South Dakota Supreme Court ruled the state isn’t liable in the Hideaway Hills sinkhole dispute, leaving homeowners without compensation from the state. Manufacturing & Training: Caterpillar opened a new Rapid City facility and expanded virtual reality training used globally to help workers learn safely and collaborate on product design. Agriculture & Education: SDSU Extension added a sheep and goat specialist, while SDSU’s Dairy Quiz Bowl team won first place at the American Dairy Science Association conference. Food & Labels: USDA says 10 more meat and poultry companies adopted the “Product of USA” label, including a South Dakota firm, as the federal push grows. Retail & Tourism: Experts told Mitchell retailers that storefront aesthetics and a coordinated downtown feel can help attract and retain residents and visitors. Weather Watch: Meteorologists warn a major heat dome will bring “significant and dangerous” heat across much of the U.S., with hotter nights raising health and wildfire risks.