Agritourism & Tourism Growth: Travel South Dakota launched a new Agritourism Adventures Passport with 40 statewide check-in stops, pushing visitors toward working farms, dairies, flower farms and rural attractions. Community Arts Funding: The South Dakota Arts Council awarded six $5,000 America 250 Community Arts grants to spark public programming tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary. USDA Grant Fight: A coalition of land trusts, local governments and Native organizations expanded a lawsuit challenging Trump administration cancellations of more than $127 million in USDA farmland and farmer support grants, adding South Dakota groups including Rapid City’s NDN Collective. Ag Policy & Trade: Gov. Larry Rhoden met USDA officials in Sioux Falls to discuss the state of U.S. agriculture and beef, with USDA leaders highlighting export momentum for dairy, ethanol and corn. Energy Storage Project: Codington County could see a $174 million lithium-ion battery energy storage system proposed within the Crowned Ridge wind project, with a PUC public input meeting set for July 1. Construction & Infrastructure: Sioux Falls opened a one-mile extension of the Big Sioux River Recreation Trail, while Custer State Park begins a $15.6 million U.S. Highway 16A asphalt overlay starting June 1. Rural Workforce & Training: A Boren Scholarship awarded to a Mitchell prenursing student will fund Russian language study tied to reducing communication barriers in global healthcare. Local Governance: Yankton Thrive and River City Flats leaders responded to criticism from a county commission candidate ahead of the June primary.