AGP Executive Report

Labor Day Travel Watch: AAA says gas prices are hitting record highs for the holiday, with the national average around $4.14 as crude stays pricey amid Strait of Hormuz volatility—expect higher costs at the pump for road trips. Road-Trip Safety: The South Dakota Highway Patrol is running a statewide School Bus Safety Outreach Week Sept. 8–10, with troopers observing routes and reminding drivers that stopping for school buses with red lights flashing is non-negotiable. Black Hills Outdoors: Hundreds of mountain bikers rolled into Spearfish for the Dakota Five-O, a 50-mile ride that also helps keep Black Hills National Forest trails maintained. Local Culture & Travel Inspiration: Photographer Paul Horsted is celebrating the release of “South Dakota Yesterday & Today,” featuring 350 then-and-now photo pairs across about 100 towns and landmarks. Tourism Economy: Sioux Falls is seeing fewer Canadian visitors this year, with the visitors bureau pointing to political factors behind the drop. Weather Alert: A Red Flag Warning is in effect Monday afternoon for parts of western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, with hot, dry, windy conditions raising wildfire risk for holiday travelers and outdoor plans.

Labor Day Travel Costs: AAA says gas prices are on track to hit record highs for the holiday weekend, with the national average around $4.14 as crude stays pricey. Tourism Watch: Sioux Falls is seeing fewer Canadian visitors at Falls Park, with Experience Sioux Falls reporting a drop in registrations this summer. Black Hills Outdoors: Hundreds of mountain bikers rolled into Spearfish for the Dakota Five-O, a 50-mile ride that also helps fund trail maintenance in the Black Hills National Forest. Local Travel & Food: Rapid City employees are planning camping and outdoor fun for Labor Day weekend, pointing to a busy stretch for local getaways. State Fair Fun: The South Dakota State Fair is adding new attractions like mutton busting, elephant encounters, and an ADA-accessible restroom setup, alongside returning favorites. Road Trip Planning: AAA also urges travelers to check passports early to avoid delays, as Labor Day crowds build.

Labor Day Travel Watch: AAA says the national gas average is $4.14—highest for this time of year—while diesel is also hitting record highs as Middle East fuel disruptions keep prices jumpy. Sioux Falls Tourism: Experience Sioux Falls reports fewer Canadian visitors registering at Falls Park this summer, with foreign visitor counts down across more countries—an early sign the tourism slowdown is landing locally. Black Hills Road Debate: A public letter urges South Dakota DOT to rethink Highway 85 reconstruction near Cheyenne Crossing, warning it could destabilize the area’s delicate riparian and wildlife balance. Local Travel & Food: Durango-La Plata County Airport is adding a new “air-side” coffee shop and brewery restaurant set to open this fall, aiming to give travelers more local bites before flights. State Fair Fun: The 2026 South Dakota State Fair is rolling out new attractions (including mutton busting and an ADA-accessible restroom area) alongside returning favorites. Outdoor Weekend Picks: Rapid City employees are planning camping, travel, and outdoor fun for Labor Day weekend, signaling a busy stretch for Black Hills getaways.

Tourism Watch: Sioux Falls is seeing fewer Canadian visitors this year, with Falls Park visitor-center registrations down from 119 in 2025 to 72 so far in 2026, and overall foreign-country registrations slipping from 64 to 54—an impact local tourism leaders link to politics and broader travel hesitancy. Road Trip Costs: AAA says Labor Day weekend gas prices are on track for record highs, with the national average at $4.14 and diesel hitting a new U.S. record average of $5.85, driven by ongoing war-related fuel disruptions. Outdoor & Travel Planning: A Wyoming DOT online public meeting is open now on its 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan, asking residents to share how they commute, haul, and travel for recreation and rural services. Local Events: The 2026 South Dakota State Fair is rolling out fresh attractions like mutton busting, elephant encounters, and an ADA-accessible restroom setup, plus new entertainment stages and familiar fair food. Sports & Community: Rapid City Christian rolled past Mobridge-Pollock 35-6 in a homecoming/home opener matchup.

Tourism & Travel Demand: Sioux Falls is seeing fewer Canadian visitors this summer, with Experience Sioux Falls reporting 72 Canadian registrations at Falls Park so far this year versus 119 in 2025, and a broader dip in visitors from 64 countries last year to 54 this year. Roads & Nature: A public comment push is underway against South Dakota’s planned Highway 85 reconstruction from Cheyenne Crossing to the Wyoming line, with opponents warning it could disrupt the Black Hills’ delicate riparian and forest balance. Gas Prices for Holiday Trips: AAA says Labor Day weekend fuel costs are on track for record highs, citing volatility tied to the Strait of Hormuz; diesel is also hitting record levels nationally. Local Fair Fun: The 2026 South Dakota State Fair is rolling out new attractions like mutton busting, elephant encounters, and an ADA-accessible restroom facility, plus familiar favorites and expanded entertainment. Outdoor Weekend Ideas (Mitchell): Mitchell is pitching 10 easy ways to enjoy the last days of summer, from Lake Mitchell and local parks to the Corn Palace. Family Travel Safety: AAA also urges travelers to check passports now to avoid last-minute delays.

Labor Day Travel Watch: AAA says gas prices are on pace to hit record highs this Labor Day weekend, with the national average around $4.14 as drivers keep rolling despite higher costs. Road-Trip Planning: AAA South Dakota expects busy highways and suggests travelers look for ways to save while they go. Local Outdoor Ideas: Mitchell is leaning into late-summer fun with a roundup of easy plans—Lake Mitchell time, city parks, downtown strolls, and a Corn Palace stop. Black Hills Summer-to-Fall Moves: Rapid City employees are planning camping, sightseeing, and outdoor events for the long weekend, with some even volunteering or stargazing. Travel Tech & Safety: Wyoming launched an online public meeting for its 2050 transportation plan, asking residents about commuting, hauling, and rural access needs. Privacy vs. Tourism Tech: Summerset residents are pushing back on Flock Safety ALPR surveillance cameras, raising concerns about data collection and public safety tradeoffs. Weather Note: South Dakota’s world-record hail legacy remains in the spotlight after Illinois certified a new state record hailstone.

Labor Day Road-Trip Watch: AAA says Labor Day weekend is shaping up for record-high gas prices, with the national average around $4.14 a gallon as crude stays volatile. Passport Reminder: AAA South Dakota urges travelers to check passport expiration dates and entry rules now to avoid last-minute delays. Black Hills Weekend Planning: Rapid City employees are leaning into camping, outdoor time, fishing, and sightseeing for the holiday. Local Travel Ideas: Mitchell is pitching “last days of summer” plans—Lake Mitchell, city parks, downtown strolls, and a Corn Palace visit—perfect for a quick getaway. Outdoors Safety: Wyoming fire officials warn wildfire danger remains high due to drought, dry vegetation, and wind, urging motorists to secure trailer chains and avoid spark-causing activities. Privacy vs. Public Safety: Summerset residents are pushing back on Flock Safety ALPR surveillance cameras, questioning data collection and storage as the debate heats up. South Dakota Calendar: NRCS is holding a public State Technical Committee meeting Sept. 9 in Pierre.

Labor Day Travel Tips: AAA South Dakota is urging travelers to check passports early and plan for a busy, shorter holiday travel window, with flights, hotels, and tours costing more than last year. Road Safety in the Black Hills: Local agencies are stepping up patrols across Pennington County for the final summer holiday weekend, targeting speeding, seatbelts, and impaired driving. Weather Watch: Forecasts call for hot conditions in Mitchell with storm chances building later in the weekend, plus fog and scattered showers possible for parts of the Dakotas and nearby routes. Local Events for Visitors: Vermillion’s Ribs, Rods and Rock & Roll returns Sept. 11-12 with a DJ aimed at boosting college turnout, and Wagner’s 126th Labor Day Celebration runs Friday through Monday with a packed lineup. Community & Tourism Infrastructure: Lincoln County is setting aside funds as talks continue on a Lennox-area ambulance district, while Brookings updates ash tree removal rules year-round due to emerald ash borer. Travel Disruption Reminder: Sioux Area Metro’s paratransit grievance highlights concerns about on-demand rides and service reliability for riders.

Labor Day Travel Watch: AAA South Dakota expects busy roads and airports for the holiday’s “last hoorah” of summer, with flights up 2%, hotels up 9%, tours up 12%, cruises down 4%, and rental cars down 8%. Gas Prices: AAA says August was among the most expensive months on record for South Dakota, with the state average hovering near $4 a gallon. Road Safety: A 6-year-old girl was airlifted after a Brookings crash involving a pickup and her bicycle in a school-area crosswalk; police say the driver made an illegal left turn while she was in the crosswalk. Local Tourism & Meetings: Sioux Falls tourism officials renewed calls for a new convention center, pitching a 60,000–100,000 square-foot facility with more meeting space. City Forestry: Brookings updated ash tree removal rules for emerald ash borer, allowing removals year-round. Black Hills Biking: Harley-Davidson unveiled the 2026 Harley-Davidson Deadwood, debuting at Sturgis and now in dealerships. Weekend Weather: Hot Labor Day conditions are expected in Mitchell, with storm chances returning.

Volleyball Travel Buzz: No. 1 Nebraska swept South Dakota State 3-0 in Brookings, keeping its perfect start alive and sending more fans into the Sioux Empire for fall sports travel. Storm Cleanup: Communities in northeast Nebraska and southeast South Dakota are still clearing debris after Tuesday night severe thunderstorms knocked out power and damaged homes and public spaces. Veteran Outdoor Healing: Wings of Valor continues drawing disabled veterans to the Parker area for pheasant hunts focused on connection and recovery. Law & Tech Watch: Sheridan County says its traffic-monitoring device isn’t a Flock camera and doesn’t track individuals; meanwhile, Minnehaha County debates Flock Safety plate readers amid privacy concerns. Road-Trip Planning: AAA warns speeding has become “normal” and urges drivers to stick to posted limits with conditions in mind. Local Events: Downtown Sioux Falls announced September happenings including Riverfest, Oktoberfest at Remedy Brew Co., and a fall farmers market. Fuel Reality Check: GasBuddy reports diesel and midgrade prices remain volatile across South Dakota as Labor Day travel approaches.

Labor Day Travel Watch: GasBuddy projects the national average could hit about $4.03 a gallon over Labor Day weekend—87 cents higher than last year—so South Dakotans are being urged to compare prices and use fuel-tracking apps before filling up. Black Hills Tourism Pulse: The 2026 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally generated just over $1.4 million in state and local tax revenue, down 11% from 2025, with slower rally traffic and fewer vendors blamed for the drop. Rapid City Economy: Rapid City sales tax collections stayed strong in June, with general sales tax up 6.6% year over year, while tourism-related growth cooled to about 0.5%. Road & Safety Notes: The South Dakota Highway Patrol is ramping up school bus safety patrols as students head back to class, and a forecast calls for patchy morning fog, hot afternoons, and elevated fire risk with breezy winds. Local Travel Perks: Feeding South Dakota’s Mobile Food Pantry returns to Ipswich on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 10:30–11:30 a.m., near the 4-H Building. Outdoor History Spotlight: A new two-part series looks at Silver Lake’s layered past as a recreation stop and waterfowl haven outside the Black Hills.

Sturgis Rally Tax Update: South Dakota’s 2026 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally pulled in about $1.4 million in state and local tax revenue, down 11% from 2025, with officials pointing to slower rally traffic and fewer vendors. Sioux Falls Tourism Pressure: Experience Sioux Falls says fewer Canadians are coming, blaming U.S.-Canada trade tensions and tariff talk for hurting the visitor market. Rapid City Waste-to-Soil Plan: Rapid City is moving toward partnering with Dakota Biochar to turn wood waste into biochar, aiming to extend landfill life and help keep rates down. Road-Trip Safety Reminder: Custer County Search and Rescue reports a busy Labor Day weekend, with multiple emergencies in remote Black Hills areas where cell service is spotty—plus a reminder that 911 calls can help responders find people faster. Local Travel Logistics: Rapid City is also collecting street and sidewalk condition data for a pavement plan, and drivers may see a marked data-collection van around town. Budget Travel Tip: A new study lists South Dakota among the states where $500 can stretch farther for a budget-friendly getaway.

Gas Watch: Brown County’s lowest reported regular gas hit $3.68/gal (week ending Aug. 22), while the statewide regular average in South Dakota landed at $4/gal. Fuel Deals: Yankton County’s E15 bottomed out at $3.69/gal, and Kingsbury County’s regular gas dipped to $3.79/gal. Labor Day Travel: AAA warns Labor Day weekend means higher costs and heavier traffic, with Friday departures and Sunday/Monday returns likely the busiest—especially around Sioux Falls. Tourism Grant: Travel South Dakota awarded Yankton and Vermillion $15,000 to boost Missouri River “Water Trails” tourism. Outdoor Season Switch: As September arrives, kayaking is being pitched as an easier, cheaper way to get on the Missouri River before fall slows things down. Local Events (Mitchell): Labor Day weekend in Mitchell spotlights the Palace City Farmers Market, Creation Station, and Dakota Wesleyan sports. Budget Trip List: A new study says South Dakota is one of the states where $500 can stretch farther for a budget-friendly getaway.

Travel South Dakota & Outdoors: Fort Pierre was picked for Travel South Dakota’s Destination Development Program, pairing local input with expertise from George Washington University to sharpen how visitors experience the community. National Forest Fun: The U.S. Forest Service launched a digital passport via the OuterSpatial app, letting visitors earn check-in badges across national forests and grasslands (Black Hills travelers can rack them up too). Road & Bridge Updates: SDDOT is seeking public comment on a Highway 385 curve reconstruction near Strawberry Hill, and the Transportation Commission approved about $3.5 million for 40 local bridge projects statewide. Local Driving Headaches: Sioux Falls has multiple new road work projects starting this week, while Pierre’s Euclid Avenue/Highway 1889 reconstruction is progressing with lane-merge signage still being improved. Fall Adventure Timing: A kayak guide highlights easy ways to get on the Missouri River before summer fully fades. Culture & Community: Deadwood educator JJ Kent challenged Hollywood myths about Lakota spirituality and the sacred pipe at a History on the Lawn event.

Road & Bridge Updates: SDDOT is asking for public comment on a U.S. Highway 385 improvement near Strawberry Hill, including curve reconstruction and a Strawberry Hill recreation-area entrance realignment, with comments due Sept. 11. Local Funding: The Transportation Commission approved about $3.5 million for 40 South Dakota bridge projects, including design work and engineering/survey grants, with the next Bridge Improvement Grant deadline set for Jan. 2, 2027. Construction & Driving: Sioux Falls drivers should expect more lane closures and detours this week as multiple projects ramp up around town. Rapid City Area Work: Bridge deck chip-seal repairs start Monday at three Rapid City-area locations, with traffic reduced to one lane in each direction and work running through mid-October. Pierre Traffic Note: Euclid Avenue/Highway 1889 reconstruction in Pierre is seeing a southbound merge near the Catholic church, and officials say signage will be improved. Travel Safety: Fillmore County held FBI ALERRT active-shooter training at Fillmore Central High School. Food Safety: A sprouts recall was expanded after additional batches tested positive for salmonella and E. coli, with illnesses reported in South Dakota. Health & Animals: Highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed in three South Dakota commercial poultry flocks in August 2024. Gas Watch: Midgrade prices in Brookings County hit a low of $4.29/gallon in the week ending Aug. 22, while Custer County regular gas dipped to $4.19/gallon.

Travel Planning: Travel South Dakota is rolling out “Cycle the 605,” a new challenge meant to get riders exploring more of the state. Outdoor Adventures: The U.S. Forest Service launched a digital passport in the OuterSpatial app, letting visitors check in at national forests and grasslands and collect badges—great for Black Hills road trips. Roadside Tourism: A new SIXT study ranked Mitchell’s Corn Palace fifth nationally for family “playcation” stops, with Wall Drug also making the top 10. Local Infrastructure: SDDOT is asking for public input on a Highway 385 project near Strawberry Hill that would realign access to the picnic area and affect Forest Service recreation land. Safety & Travel Disruptions: Authorities released details on a fatal four-vehicle I-29 crash near Brookings, and the Highway Patrol says the investigation is ongoing. Air Travel: Sioux Falls Airport is highlighting 12 direct routes to big cities and sunshine destinations.