AGP Executive Report

Road & Travel Updates: Sioux Falls drivers should plan detours as West Blackhawk Street closure extends through June 15 and West Algonquin Street closes June 8–10 for utility and crane work; a separate Silver Valley Drive closure also starts June 8. Safety on the Road: Two motorcyclists died after a crash near North Kiwanis Avenue and West Russell Street in western Sioux Falls. Local Driving Culture: A national survey named Mount Rushmore Road in Rapid City South Dakota’s most “passive-aggressive” road, citing last-second lane cuts and merge-lane frustration. Weekend Weather Watch: Rapid City and much of the region face hot conditions and a severe storm threat this weekend, with strong winds and possible hail. Outdoor Getaway Ideas: Hot Springs is highlighted by Airbnb as a budget-friendly rural summer stop, while a travel guide recommends packing plenty of sunscreen for the Petrified Forest Loop in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Scam Alert: South Dakotans are warned about a fake “South Dakota history” Facebook page. Power & Infrastructure: A proposed 765 kV transmission line could run through Faribault County as regional electricity demand grows.

Road & Safety Updates: Sioux Falls drivers should expect delays starting June 8, with closures and utility work affecting West Blackhawk Street (extended to June 15), West Algonquin Street (Aug. 8-10), and Silver Valley Drive plus a recreational trail. Fatal Crash: Police are investigating a deadly two-motorcycle collision in western Sioux Falls near North Kiwanis Avenue and West Russell Street; both riders died. Tourism & Travel Ideas: Airbnb’s 2026 summer trends highlight Hot Springs as a budget-friendly rural getaway in the Black Hills. Road-Trip Culture: A new survey named Mount Rushmore Road in Rapid City South Dakota’s most “passive-aggressive” road—tourists and locals alike, take note. Outdoor Planning: A weekend severe-storm watch is in play across the region, with strong winds and possible hail—check forecasts before heading out. Community Events: Brookings is gearing up to host the Wall That Heals Vietnam memorial during America 250, with an arrival June 9 and community assembly June 10. Scam Alert: Authorities warn of a fake South Dakota history Facebook page.

US Highway 85 Upgrade: South Dakota DOT is weighing reconstruction plans for the scenic stretch from Spearfish Canyon to the Wyoming border, with possible added shoulders, new grading, and curve reroutes as soon as 2030—locals are split over safety gains versus impacts to private land, wildlife, and forest service areas. Road Safety: Two motorcyclists died after a crash in north Sioux Falls Friday night near Russell Street and Kiwanis Avenue, when the bikes became entangled and hit a guard rail. Weekend Weather Watch: Severe storms are possible across the region this weekend, with mid-90s heat Saturday, gusty winds, and a stronger Sunday threat that could bring damaging winds and large hail—especially watch I-90 travel. Local Travel & Events: Brookings is gearing up for the Wall That Heals arriving June 9, with a community escort and an assembly day June 10, while Levitt at the Falls reopens with a bigger, expanded atrium and a full slate of free concerts. Nature & Outdoors: A new “Water is Life” Dakota-themed photography and video exhibit opened June 1, and a Rapid City-area agriculture update highlights early detection steps for New World screwworm risk. Culture & Heritage: Tribal leaders in Rapid City are planning the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Little Bighorn, with younger generations a key focus.

America 250 Road-Trip Ideas: A new roundup highlights eight destinations worth adding to your summer itinerary for the U.S. semiquincentennial, with travel-and-stay inspiration built around big history and lesser-known stops. Forever 605 Day: South Dakota’s June 5 celebration is back, urging visitors to support local businesses, explore beyond the landmarks, honor culture, and preserve the outdoors—plus a Chamberlain event is expanding with 605 Day vendors and scholarships. Northern Lights Watch: NOAA is flagging a strong geomagnetic storm, with a chance the aurora could be visible as far south as parts of the Midwest, including South Dakota, though clouds could interfere. Rapid City Downtown Disruption: Black Hills Energy plans overnight powerline work next Wednesday on Fifth Street, closing one lane and asking drivers to use caution. Blood Donation Urgency: LifeServe Blood Center says supplies are dangerously low heading into summer and is calling for donors in Mitchell and across the region. Outdoor & Community Events: Levitt at the Falls reopens after its Sweetman Atrium expansion with free concerts, and Brookings hosts a June 5 wildlife talk at the Outdoor Adventure Center.

Sensory Tourism & Accessibility: Vermillion’s Southeast South Dakota Activity Center (SESDAC) unveiled a new Sensory Garden behind its Cherry Street building, designed to help reduce stress and anxiety for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities—and open to the whole community from dawn to dusk. Road-Trip Planning: The Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area in Nebraska is hosting a Saturday open house (9 a.m.-noon) on the Weigand Marina improvement project along the Missouri River, with work slated through summer 2027. Aurora Watch: NOAA upgraded northern lights odds for June 4–5, with South Dakota among states that could see the show if skies cooperate. Summer Events: Chamberlain’s 605 Day is expanding into a bigger, statewide-style celebration on June 5, with vendors, live music, and a scholarship-funded purpose. Travel Disruptions: SDDOT schedules multiple chip seal and fog seal projects in the Pierre area starting June 8, with one-lane traffic and possible 15-minute delays. Family-Friendly Fun: Rapid City’s new iSmash entertainment venue opens June 6 downtown, bringing rage rooms, splatter paint, and more indoor attractions.

Northern Lights Watch: NOAA upgraded aurora odds for Thursday night into Friday, with a Strong Geomagnetic Storm (G3) watch and a chance of brighter, farther-south displays—South Dakota included, though clouds could spoil the view. Local Arts & Music: Levitt at the Falls reopens Thursday after its Sweetman Atrium expansion, adding 7,000 square feet for more artists and free concerts all summer. Family Fun in Rapid City: iSmash opens June 6 in downtown Rapid City with rage rooms, splatter paint, axe throwing, and other indoor attractions for visitors and groups. Weather & Safety: The NWS confirmed five tornadoes from the May 31 supercell outbreak across southeastern South Dakota, including rare PDS-tagged warnings near Beresford. Road Trip Planning: Pierre-area chip seal and fog seal work starts June 8 on multiple highways, with one-lane traffic and up to 15-minute daytime delays. Outdoors & Wildlife: Brookings Wildlife Federation hosts a June 5 talk on a Custer State Park bighorn sheep hunt, plus photos from the trip.

New Downtown Fun in Rapid City: iSmash opens June 6 at 625 Main St., bringing indoor rage rooms, splatter paint, axe throwing, and more for visitors and locals. South Dakota Travel Safety & Planning: SDDOT reminds landowners about state right-of-way mowing rules—west river counties can’t mow before June 15, east of the Missouri before July 10, and permits/waivers are required. Black Hills Outdoors Management: The U.S. Forest Service and South Dakota signed a five-year forest management agreement aimed at wildfire risk reduction and active management (with projects handled through separate approvals). Aurora Watch: NOAA says a strong geomagnetic storm could make the Northern Lights visible as far south as 23 states on June 4–5. Local Events: Zonta Fest returns June 6 at The Custer Beacon (4–8:15 p.m.) with music, dance, and arts supporting women. Road Trip Reads: A roundup of summer mystery/thriller and romance picks is out for beach-and-backseat browsing.

Local Events: Zonta Fest returns to The Custer Beacon in Custer on June 6 (4–8:15 p.m.), a fundraiser supporting women in music, dance and the arts. Forest & Outdoor Travel: The U.S. Forest Service and South Dakota signed a five-year shared stewardship agreement aimed at active forest management, including wildfire risk reduction and habitat restoration. Road-Trip Planning: SDDOT reminds landowners about state right-of-way mowing rules—west river counties can’t start before June 15, east of the Missouri before July 10, and permit mowing must finish by Sept. 1. Family Fun in the Hills: Fort Sisseton Historical Festival runs June 4–7 at Fort Sisseton State Park with living history, demonstrations, and activities for all ages. Sioux Falls Updates: City roadwork begins June 3–4, including a Cliff Avenue lane reduction and a 19th Street closure, so plan alternate routes. Food Tourism: Nick’s Hamburger Shop in Brookings is getting national buzz after being named a “Most Legendary Local Restaurant.”

Sioux Falls Road Work: Drivers should brace for multiple June closures and lane reductions, including a one-lane northbound shift on Cliff Avenue near 20th Street, an East 19th Street closure from Fifth to Sixth, and additional impacts around East 12th & Mable and West 41st Street—plan alternate routes and expect delays. Black Hills Tourism Watch: Deadwood gaming revenue climbed in April, with slots and table games leading the way as the busy summer season ramps up. Outdoor Safety: Search crews resumed for a missing 23-year-old west of Rapid City after his vehicle was found on U.S. Forest Service land; officials ask residents to avoid the area. Agritourism & Travel Treats: Clearwater Travel Plaza says regional shipping for its “world famous” fritter bread is coming, making it easier to stock up for road trips and cabins. Wildlife Conservation: USDA announced a new migratory big-game conservation framework expanding Farm Bill support across 17 states, including South Dakota, to help protect migration corridors on working lands. Community Calendar: LifeServe is running month-long Blood Donor Days in June, with donor perks and festival pass giveaways.

Local Tourism & Lodging: A feasibility study says Tea could see a new 75-room hotel by 2030, pointing to growth in the Sioux Empire and easy access to Sioux Falls. Black Hills Travel & Safety: Authorities are searching for missing 23-year-old Jonah Temple west of Rapid City after his vehicle was found on U.S. Forest Service land; crews from multiple agencies are on scene. Deadwood Summer Season: Deadwood casinos reported April gains, with overall gaming handle up 12.5%, led by stronger slots and table games as summer tourism ramps up. Road-Trip Planning (Sioux Falls): East 12th Street/Mable Avenue and West 41st Street projects will cause closures and detours this month, so drivers should plan alternate routes. Outdoors & Wildlife: USDA unveiled a new migratory big game conservation framework for elk, pronghorn and mule deer across 17 states—good news for ranchers and wildlife watchers. Ag & Travel Economy: Northern Plains farmers increased grain sales during a spring market rally, while a broader fertilizer-hauling hours-of-service waiver could affect how quickly supplies move.

NCAA Baseball: The super regionals field is set with 16 teams after regional action, including debuting squads Kansas, Cal Poly, Little Rock and Troy; Kansas hosts Oklahoma and Troy hosts Little Rock, while Georgia, Auburn, North Carolina and Texas all land in key matchups. Lodging Watch: Tea could get a new 75-room hotel by 2030, with a feasibility study pointing to strong growth near I-29/I-85 and Sioux Falls demand. Construction & Travel Delays: Rapid City crews begin utility work with Elmhurst Drive closed to through traffic starting June 1, plus short-term Creek Drive and daily Art Alley closures downtown. Wildlife: Bald eagles are being spotted right around Sioux Falls and near Humboldt, with June peak nesting season driving more visible activity. Outdoor Safety: Search efforts continue for missing Jonah Temple, 23, last seen near Peaceful Pines Road on U.S. Forest Service property. Local Life & Faith: Tyndall’s United Methodist Church holds its final service after 147 years, citing dwindling attendance and volunteers. Road Safety: A Sioux Falls man died in a Buffalo County motorcycle crash after losing control on a curve.

Black Hills Construction Updates: Rapid City crews kick off June 1 closures for Elmhurst Drive (utility work through Nov. 27), a short Creek Drive hydrant shutdown (through June 5), and daily Art Alley closures in downtown for a mural project (9 a.m.–9 p.m.). Pierre Road Work: Euclid Avenue/Highway 1889 reconstruction in Pierre stays on schedule; Wynoka and Highland may see a brief intersection closure for two days, with sidewalk detours and watch-outs for crews. Mount Rushmore Summer Program: The monument debuts a new “Voices of America” film as part of the Evening Lighting Program, running nightly in summer. Tourism & Travel Policy: South Dakota’s Forest Service and the state sign a five-year stewardship agreement to boost cross-boundary forest management and wildfire resilience. Road Safety: A Sioux Falls man died in a Buffalo County motorcycle crash after losing control on a curve. Local Travel Economy: Rapid City reports steady sales tax growth, with tourism revenue slightly ahead of projections for the quarter. Convenience Store Expansion: Kwik Trip says it’s eyeing Nebraska for future Kwik Star locations.

NCAA Baseball in the Spotlight: The 2026 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship kicks off Friday with regional action at 16 host sites, then super regionals, and the College World Series in Omaha starting June 12—UCLA is the No. 1 overall seed. Black Hills Visitor Update: Mount Rushmore debuts a new “Voices of America” amphitheater film as part of its nightly Evening Lighting Program, adding fresh storytelling to summer visits. Rapid City Tourism & Taxes: Rapid City reports steady sales tax growth through March and the first quarter of 2026, with tourism revenue slightly ahead of projections. Sioux Falls Summer Travel Prep: Road work starts Monday, June 1, including Ellis Road daytime lane closures and a one-lane reduction on the West 12th Street bridge near Grange Avenue. Outdoor Safety on the Trails: Custer County Search and Rescue helped a hiker on the Sunday Gulch Trail; responders noted texting 9-1-1 can work when calls fail. Agritourism Passport Launch: Travel South Dakota’s new Agritourism Adventures Passport adds 40 statewide farm-and-ranch check-in stops to help visitors explore rural South Dakota. Scam Alert for Travelers: The BBB warns of a fake “Bass Farm Equipment” website impersonating a real Castlewood business, targeting buyers with $35,000+ thefts.

Travel Safety & Scams: The BBB warns of a fake “Bass Farm Equipment” site in Castlewood, impersonating a real South Dakota family business and stealing $35,000+ from buyers who wired money for nonexistent machinery. Black Hills Outdoors: Pennington County says illegal fires won’t be tolerated this summer after an unattended campfire sparked a small blaze over Memorial Day; officials urge tourists to follow campfire rules and fully extinguish fires. Tourism Spotlight: Mount Rushmore debuted a new “Voices of America” film in its nightly Evening Lighting Program, adding fresh storytelling to the summer visitor lineup. Local Travel Updates: Sioux Falls road work starts June 1, including daytime lane closures on Ellis Road and a one-lane reduction on the West 12th Street bridge near Grange Avenue. Active Travel: A one-mile extension of the Sioux Falls Recreation Trail is now open, adding a boardwalk over the Big Sioux River corridor. Forest & Grassland Resilience: The U.S. Forest Service and South Dakota signed a 5-year shared stewardship agreement to boost wildfire risk reduction and landscape management. Agritourism Passport: Travel South Dakota launched the Agritourism Adventures Passport with 40 statewide farm and rural stops for hands-on experiences.

Trail Update: Sioux Falls opened a one-mile extension of the Big Sioux River Recreation Trail, including an elevated boardwalk, connecting Lien Park to Bahnson Avenue as part of a $2.7 million corridor project. Road Work: Sioux Falls crews start June 1 with daytime lane closures on Ellis Road near 46th Street and a one-lane reduction on the West 12th Street bridge near Grange Avenue for about 2–3 weeks. Wildfire Prep: Pennington County issued a zero-tolerance warning for illegal fires in the Black Hills as drought risk stays high after an unattended campfire sparked a small blaze over Memorial Day weekend. Forest Stewardship: The U.S. Forest Service and South Dakota signed a five-year shared stewardship agreement to boost forest and grassland resilience, including wildfire-risk reduction and active management. Agritourism Passport: Travel South Dakota launched the Agritourism Adventures Passport with 40 statewide farm-and-ranch check-in stops to encourage rural visits. Tourism & Arts: Southeast South Dakota Tourism Association wrapped its 2026 Tourism Summit in Mitchell, and the South Dakota Arts Council awarded six America 250 community arts grants.

New Trail Access: A one-mile extension of the Sioux Falls Recreation Trail is now open, adding a boardwalk over the Big Sioux River and connecting Lien Park to Bahnson Avenue. Tourism & Rural Travel: Travel South Dakota launched an Agritourism Adventures Passport with 40 statewide farm-and-ranch check-in stops, plus hands-on experiences for visitors. Arts for America 250: The South Dakota Arts Council awarded six $5,000 America 250 Community Arts grants to boost public programming tied to the 2026 anniversary. Forest Management: The U.S. Forest Service signed a five-year shared stewardship agreement with South Dakota to coordinate forest projects like prescribed burning and habitat restoration. Summer Safety: Pennington County issued a zero-tolerance warning for illegal fires in the Black Hills as drought risk stays high. Road-Trip Planning: Sioux Falls drivers should expect lane reductions on the West 12th Street bridge starting June 1, with access maintained but delays possible. Family Travel Support: Feeding South Dakota says summer food needs rise as kids are out of school, with free meals and backpacks available through Sioux Falls schools.