Flu season prep: Sioux Falls health officials say it’s a great time to get a flu shot now, noting vaccines take about 10 days to two weeks to kick in and can reduce severity. Local care access: SDSU’s new Metro Center in Sioux Falls opened this week, bringing nursing, pharmacy, respiratory care, lab science, and public health under one roof to train more healthcare workers. Cybersecurity for clinics: Dakota State University won a $1M grant for CyberRx SD, aiming to help rural and underserved providers strengthen cybersecurity and modernize tech. Big research boost: NIH awarded more than $11M over five years to create a statewide clinical research partnership (SD-ACT) led by Avera, SDSU, and USD Sanford. Suicide prevention through art: 183 Ink in Winner partnered with the 437 Project to design custom running shoes for a 437-mile relay benefiting South Dakota’s Helpline Center. Rural health workforce: A report highlights a growing veterinary shortage in rural areas, leaving longer waits and fewer services. Health in the community: A student-run Coyote Clinic flu shot drive offered free adult vaccines in Sioux Falls. Animal health & herd management: Custer State Park staff say the Buffalo Roundup is about herd health—vaccinating, branding, and checking animals before auctioning some off. Health costs & drugs: South Dakota AGs urged consumers to file claims tied to generic drug price-fixing settlements, with deadlines set for 2027. EMS planning: A legislative task force discussed regionalizing ambulance services to protect rural coverage, but said it would take years and likely require state support.