AGP Executive Report

Black Hills Travel Spotlight: Custer State Park’s Buffalo Roundup is set for Sept. 25, with about 1,300 buffalo, parking opening at 6:15 a.m. MT, viewing areas holding until the herd is safely in corrals around noon, and branding/sorting running about 1–3 p.m. Road Trip Planning: Sioux Falls drivers saw gas jump overnight to as much as $4.19 a gallon, so it’s worth shopping stations before you head out. Local Events & Community: The 437 Project kicks off its 2026 437-mile relay across South Dakota to raise awareness and funds for mental health support, with runners passing through Rapid City, Pierre, Madison, and ending in Sioux Falls. Travel Convenience: TSA says military lanes are now available at more than 30 airports nationwide, offering expedited screening for eligible service members, veterans, and families. Sports Tourism: The South Dakota Lottery College Volleyball Classic lands at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls Sept. 18–19, featuring SDSU, USD, Minnesota, and Washington. Big Picture (South Dakota): A former military bunker site near Edgemont is still tied up in legal disputes as it operates as a survival community with hundreds of concrete shelters.

Survival Tourism Meets Legal Trouble: South Dakota’s Black Hills are home to Vivos xPoint, a former 1942 munitions depot turned into a “survival community” of 575 bunker units—now tangled in lease, eviction, and rules disputes after residents reportedly paid up to $55,000 for 99-year terms. Travel Perks for Service Members: TSA is expanding expedited “military lanes” and “Honor Lanes” at 30+ airports, letting eligible veterans and active-duty travelers skip ahead with proper ID. Road Trip Reality Check (Gas Prices): GasBuddy reports the lowest E85 in Yankton County at $2.73/gal, while diesel lows include Minnehaha at $4.88 and Brown at $4.99 (week ending Sept. 5). Local Flavor: Pizza Cheeks in Sioux Falls is leaning harder into peak local produce—switching menu items as ingredients hit their best moments. On the Move for Mental Health: The 437 Project relay kicks off across South Dakota with a renewed focus on mental health support. Safety Watch: A downtown Rapid City crash at 5th and Omaha sent three people to the hospital; the Jeep driver was cited.

TSA Travel Tip for Service Members: TSA is rolling out dedicated Military/Honor Lanes at 34 airports nationwide, letting current service members, veterans, and their families use faster screening with valid military or veteran ID. Fall Travel Weather Watch: South Dakotans are already eyeing the first frost, which can hit late September in parts of the state and sometimes stretch into mid-October elsewhere—so plan hikes and garden time accordingly. Black Hills Big Event: Custer State Park’s Buffalo Roundup is set for Sept. 25, with herd movement at 9:30 a.m. MT, free admission, and a Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival running Sept. 24-26. Sioux Falls Marathon Road Closures: The Sioux Falls Marathon returns Sept. 20 with major downtown street closures starting early morning—check routes before you drive in. Local Visitor Safety Note: A Rapid City intersection crash involving two vehicles was reported with no serious injuries, but a driver was cited for failure to yield. Tourism Economy Signal: Tourism leaders warn federal cuts could threaten the Black Hills visitor experience.

Road Safety: Authorities identified a 59-year-old Alexandria man killed in a single-vehicle Hanson County crash near SD 42; preliminary reports say the 31-year-old driver lost control while hauling a lumber trailer down a hill, and neither man was wearing a seat belt. Tourism Calendar: Custer State Park’s 61st annual Buffalo Roundup is set for Sept. 25, with about 1,300 bison and a free arts festival running Sept. 24-26. Big Weekend Visitor Push: Thousands are expected for the 61st annual Buffalo Roundup at Custer State Park, a major Black Hills draw. Community Giving: SDSU’s One Day For STATE (ODFS) marks 10 years of the 24-hour giving event, raising more than $3.4 million for Jackrabbit causes, with the final total due Sept. 18. International Students: New visa rules are expected to change how international students maintain status, with South Dakota universities and employers bracing for fewer arrivals amid longer processing times. Local Events & Travel Planning: Sioux Falls Marathon road closures are posted for Sunday, Sept. 20, affecting multiple downtown streets and avenues. Wildlife & Outdoors: Bear Butte Lake in the Northern Hills is nearly dry after drought, wiping out a local fishery and changing recreation and wildlife patterns. Hunting Season Info: South Dakota pheasant season dates and key rules are outlined for hunters planning trips this fall.

Tourism Watch: Black Hills tourism leaders warn that federal cuts could stall maintenance and visitor services at Mount Rushmore and Badlands, threatening roads, facilities, and the overall visitor experience. Wildlife Safety: A mountain lion reportedly entered a Black Hills home near Cottonwood Springs Dam, prompting reminders to keep doors/windows shut, secure trash, and protect pets. Hunting Season Prep: South Dakota’s 2026 pheasant season dates and limits are set, including a youth-only window Sept. 26–Oct. 4 and a regular season Oct. 17–Jan. 31. Road Trip Planning: GasBuddy reports show E85 and diesel price snapshots across South Dakota counties, with E85 statewide averaging $2.75 and diesel averaging $5.40 for the week ending Sept. 5. Family Fun & Outdoors: Fall is here in the Black Hills and Badlands, plus salmon anglers get a heads-up on West Whitlock’s October opening dates. Local Alerts: Rapid City airport and fire crews will run an FAA-required emergency exercise Sept. 23.

Black Hills Tourism: Tourism leaders warn that federal cuts could stall maintenance and visitor services at Mount Rushmore and Badlands, with a reported $57M backlog at Rushmore and $32M at Badlands—plus a push for restored funding. Airport Safety: Rapid City Regional Airport and the fire department will run a full-scale FAA-required emergency drill Sept. 23, with increased emergency vehicle activity but no real emergency. Outdoor Season: South Dakota anglers are seeing steady September salmon action, and the West Whitlock Salmon Spawning Station is set to open in October (dates depend on migration and weather). Local Food Access: Sioux Falls Mobile Market relaunches to bring groceries to neighborhoods, accepting EBT/SNAP and partnering with community groups to fight food insecurity. Road & Travel Alerts: Beretta Road is closed due to a new Black Hills National Forest wildfire burning about 10 acres. Gas Watch: GasBuddy reports show spotty low prices across counties, including E85 deals and diesel lows—useful for road-trip planning.

Fall Getaway Ideas: A new roundup spotlights mountain towns at their best in autumn, with cozy stays and leaf-peeping as the big draw. Black Hills Fire Update: A fresh wildfire is burning in the Black Hills National Forest; Beretta Road is closed as crews respond. Local Crash Tragedy (Ramona): A 70-year-old Astoria man died Sept. 9 after being struck while working on a riding lawnmower near Ramona; the driver was not hurt. Rapid City Fire: Two mobile homes were destroyed in a Pennington County blaze near Fleetwood Drive; the Red Cross is helping families with temporary lodging. Black Hills History & Trails: Lead and Deadwood marked 150 years together with “Two Communities, One Path,” including a Homestake Trail Volksmarch and other recreation-focused events. Sioux Falls Marathon: The 14th annual Sioux Falls Marathon returns Sunday, Sept. 20, with 5K, half, and full races. Dog Lovers Event: South Dakota teams competed in the Worldwide K9 Frisbee Championship regional event in Thornton. Gas Watch: Midgrade and diesel prices vary across the state, with some of the lowest reported deals showing up in Minnehaha and Jerauld counties. Thanksgiving Travel Weather: A holiday forecast flags possible snowfall in parts of the Midwest and Northeast that could slow travel plans.

Black Hills History & Trails: Lead and Deadwood marked 150 years together with “Two Communities, One Path,” including a Homestake Trail Volksmarch walk, local craft beer, and handmade goods—plus a scenic route that repurposes an old railroad grade. Museum Spotlight: Rapid City’s Journey Museum is hosting “Monumental Memories,” with talks on Black Hills pioneer towns and why some survived the 1876 gold rush by reinventing their economies. Dog-Friendly Fun: Thornton hosted 63 regional teams for the Worldwide K9 Frisbee Championship—an any-dog-can-play event where scoring is based on how far pups fetch the Frisbee. Veterans on the Road: The Nation of Patriots’ Patriot Tour rolled through Mitchell with a single American flag traveling all 50 states to raise support for disabled veterans. Safety & Travel Heads-Up: Lake County reported a fatal vehicle-vs.-pedestrian crash near Ramona; the Highway Patrol is investigating. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy data shows midgrade gas hit a low of $3.99 in Minnehaha County and regular gas as low as $3.89 in Jerauld County during the week ending Sept. 5.

Local Sports Spotlight: South Dakota State rolled past New Haven 57-14 in Brookings, turning early, run-heavy drives into a second-half passing surge as the Jackrabbits improved to 2-1 and look ahead to Youngstown State. Prep Football Buzz: Harrisburg edged O’Gorman 21-20 in the Dakota Bowl, while Roosevelt beat Washington 27-7 in the first President’s Bowl game. Volleyball Results: Watertown swept Mitchell 3-0 in the Kernel Bowl, setting up a big matchup for the Kernels and a road trip for Watertown. Travel & Tourism Angle: A Missouri elementary school’s “postcards from all 50 states” project is drawing mail from across the country—including South Dakota—pairing each postcard with quick history facts for students who love to travel. Fuel Watch: Diesel prices dipped in South Dakota, with Miner County’s lowest reported diesel at $5.26/gal for the week ending Sept. 5.

College Football (USD): Charles Pierre Jr. looked like his old self again as the University of South Dakota rolled past Eastern Washington 41-23 at the DakotaDome, finishing 3-0 to start the season. Game Recap (USD vs. EWU): Pierre ran for 138 yards and two TDs, while freshman QB Austyn Modrzewski threw for 245 yards and two scores; EWU’s Bryce Smith led the defense with 13 tackles and an interception. Special Teams Notes: Eastern Washington’s onside kick and return game had bright spots, but USD’s steadier execution helped swing momentum. Local Event (Rapid City): The second annual Fairytale 5K in Rapid City drew nearly 250 runners and helped support Storybook Island, which keeps admission free and adds new attractions. South Dakota Outdoors/Travel Safety: A fatal single-vehicle crash near Alexandria on SD 42 involved a trailer loaded with lumber; investigators say seatbelts weren’t used. Gas Watch (Brookings County): Diesel prices in Brookings County averaged $5.29 per gallon for the week ending Sept. 5, with the lowest reported at $5.01. State Conservation (GFP): The South Dakota GFP Commission approved updates including golden mussels added to aquatic invasive species rules and changes to fish pathogen requirements.

Indigenous Heritage on Game Day: USD and Eastern Washington will wear helmets featuring Indigenous language decals for their matchup in Vermillion, with USD using Lakota/Sungmanitu and Eastern Washington partnering with the Kalispel Tribe. Wildlife & Wilderness Access: Vehicle access to the agate beds in Buffalo Gap National Grassland’s Red Shirt Recommended Wilderness Area is temporarily restricted after crews found illegal fires and off-road damage; visitors are reminded to follow fire restrictions and stay on designated routes. South Dakota Outdoors & Safety: The South Dakota GFP Commission approved updates including adding golden mussels to aquatic invasive species rules and adjusting fish pathogen testing requirements. Local Travel Disruption: Rapid City drivers should expect an East Omaha Street lane closure Sept. 21–28 for water line repairs near Lacrosse Street. Gas Prices: AAA reports the national regular gas average rose 13 cents to $4.27, a travel-cost reminder heading into the weekend. Sports & Community: Brandon Valley shut out Rapid City Central 54-0 and Spearfish topped Stevens 48-21 in the Rushmore Bowl.

High School Football (Sept. 11): South Dakotans got plenty of Friday action, including Madison’s 50-0 win over Belle Fourche, Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan’s 22-14 road victory over Sioux Falls Lutheran, and Gregory’s 40-6 rout of Tripp-Delmont/Armour/Andes Central/Dakota Christian. Robocall Crackdown: Iowa AG Brenna Bird joined a multistate push urging the FCC to tighten “Know Your Upstream Provider” rules to stop illegal robocalls. 9/11 Remembrance in Belle Fourche: A large crowd gathered at Herrmann Park for the Center of the Nation 9/11 Remembrance, featuring a memorial flag tribute with thousands of flags and a flag flown over the New York memorial. Travel & Road Notes (Rapid City): East Omaha Street gets a lane closure Sept. 21-28 for Rapid City Water line repairs. Outdoors Update (Buffalo Gap): Vehicle access to agate beds in the Red Shirt Recommended Wilderness Area is temporarily restricted after illegal activity and off-road damage. Gas Prices: The national average rose 13 cents to $4.27 a gallon. Health Access: South Dakota expanded free women’s breast and cervical cancer screenings under All Women Count, lowering the minimum age to 21.

Health Access: South Dakota is expanding its All Women Count program, lowering the minimum age for free breast and cervical cancer screenings from 30 to 21 to help women in rural areas avoid long trips for care. Road Safety: A 70-year-old man died after a car-pedestrian crash near Ramona when a lawnmower fell from a tailgate carrier and a truck struck him; the driver was 17 and was not injured. Traffic Enforcement: Sioux Falls’ “Golden Triangle” won’t add red light cameras because state law bans them for speeding and signal enforcement, though other surveillance cameras can still be used. Travel Disruption & Planning: Gas prices ticked up nationally (AAA reports the U.S. average rose 13 cents to $4.27), a reminder to plan ahead for Labor Day-style driving costs. Local Events: Brookings Public Library hosts “Singing Tales of Truth” on Sept. 14. Community Spotlight: Hegg Health Center upgraded its 3D mammography equipment to keep screening services reliable.

Native Art & Campus Culture: USD’s University Art Galleries will host the 37th Oscar Howe Memorial Lecture on Sept. 17, featuring the dedication of Oglala-Sicangu Lakota artist Colleen Cutschall’s “Victorious” sculpture in the Sculpture Garden, plus “Circle Back,” a retrospective of her work—tying Howe’s modernist legacy to a new public landmark. Black Hills Fall Getaway: Black Hills & Badlands Tourism is leaning into autumn drives, wildlife spotting, and cooler hiking on routes like Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, Custer State Park roads, Wind Cave, Badlands, and the 109-mile Mickelson Trail. Local Sports (Sioux Falls/Vermillion/Rapid City): Rocky Mountain College men’s soccer heads to Rapid City for matches against South Dakota Mines and Dakota Wesleyan, while SDSU volleyball travels to Kansas for a Sept. 11 showdown with Kansas and a Sept. 12 match vs. Tulsa. Road Safety: A 70-year-old pedestrian died in a Lake County crash near Ramona after being struck by a pickup while working on a riding lawnmower. Travel Notes: Delta is cutting eight routes from Atlanta, including 4x weekly Rapid City service ending Sept. 2026.

Local Travel & Tourism: Sioux Falls is keeping its Flock license plate camera system for now, with 34 cameras already deployed across the city—good news for visitors who want smoother, safer traffic flow, even as some residents question the surveillance. Road Trips & Getting Around: Sioux Falls roadwork hits this week with lane and sidewalk closures near 57th Street and Norton Avenue starting Thursday/Friday—plan alternate routes. Sports Tourism: The Sanford International tees off Friday at Minnehaha Country Club in Sioux Falls, with Zach Johnson among the new faces and a $2.2 million purse drawing golf fans. Game-Day Plans: South Dakota hosts Eastern Washington at the DakotaDome Saturday (1 p.m. CT) with Native American Heritage helmet decals, plus SDSU’s Beef Bowl home game Saturday night in Brookings. Family Safety on the Road: South Dakota Highway Patrol launches a School Bus Safety Outreach Week, stepping up patrols around bus stops and loading zones statewide. Outdoors & Health: Fire and heat risks persist across parts of the Dakotas and the West, while Vermont’s CWD rules remind hunters traveling out of state to follow processing and possession requirements.

Golf & Tourism: Zach Johnson headlines Sanford International in Sioux Falls, returning to the Midwest turf he knows well at Minnehaha Country Club. Public Health: The CDC says the Cyclospora outbreak has surged to 19,595 lab-confirmed cases since May 1, with thousands more still pending or unconfirmed. Indigenous Culture on the Road: Eastern Washington and South Dakota football will debut Indigenous-language helmet decals at The DakotaDome in Vermillion. City Travel Disruptions: Sioux Falls road work starts Thursday/Friday, including a 57th Street lane closure and a 23rd Street/Norton Avenue intersection shutdown with detours. Urban Nature: Sioux Falls plans about 1,600 street trees this fall to replace ash losses from emerald ash borer, continuing the city’s CommuniTree program. Family-Friendly Safety: South Dakota Highway Patrol launches a statewide School Bus Safety Outreach Week, with troopers monitoring routes and enforcing bus-stopping rules. Sports Weekend Buzz: USD volleyball heads to the UniWyo Invite in Colorado/Wyoming, while Sioux Falls Lincoln tops Watertown in a four-set match.