AGP Executive Report

Senior Care: Prairie Winds Care Center is planned to reopen in Corsica in mid-2027, restoring local nursing-home access after the former facility closed. Douglas County Memorial Hospital expects to staff it with about 40 employees. Cancer Screening: Monument Health’s annual March for Mammos urged women to schedule mammograms, which doctors recommend yearly starting at 40; financial help may be available for those facing cost barriers. Emergency Care: Rapid City’s new Exceptional Community Hospital is set to begin accepting patients, with round-the-clock emergency and inpatient services, imaging, a lab and pharmacy. Substance Use Treatment: A nearly $1 million NIH grant will help the USD Sanford School of Medicine expand training and referrals to treatment and recovery services, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Drug Costs: South Dakota joined settlements with three generic drug makers over alleged price fixing. People who bought generic prescriptions from May 2009 through December 2019 may qualify for compensation at AGGenericDrugs.com. Community Health: Indigenous Peoples’ Day parade organizers also shared COVID-19 prevention information and highlighted the need for vaccinations ahead of colder weather.

Heart Health: South Dakota Mines coach Sarah Tucker and doctoral student Chandler Brooks shared their recoveries from serious cardiac emergencies. Tucker now prioritizes heart-healthy food, exercise and stress management. Hospital Access: Exceptional Community Hospital in Rapid City is set to open Monday, offering 24/7 emergency and inpatient care. It will accept major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Substance Use Care: USD’s Sanford School of Medicine received a nearly $1 million NIH grant to help healthcare and court professionals identify substance use disorders and connect people with treatment, especially in rural and underserved communities. Prescription Costs: South Dakota joined a multistate effort seeking approval of settlements with three generic drugmakers accused of price-fixing. People who bought generic prescriptions from May 2009 through December 2019 may qualify for compensation at AGGenericDrugs.com or by calling 1-866-290-0182.

Substance Use Care: USD’s Sanford School of Medicine received a four-year, $993,600 NIH grant to help South Dakota health and court professionals connect people with substance use disorders to treatment and recovery services. Prescription Costs: South Dakota joined 45 states and territories in settlements over alleged generic-drug price fixing. Residents who bought generic prescriptions from May 2009 through December 2019 may qualify for compensation. Cancer Research: SDSU researchers received a $2 million NIH grant to study how cells absorb nutrients and other material, with potential applications in cancer treatment and immune health. Rural Health: A state committee will hear an update on rural health transformation funding at its Oct. 13 meeting. Community Health: Sioux Falls is seeking residents’ input on the health issues that matter most to the city.

Breast Cancer Awareness: Rapid City’s free March for Mammos is scheduled for Saturday morning at Monument Health’s Cancer Center, with survivors, care teams and community members invited to take part. Flu Vaccines: Mitchell will host a free clinic Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. for people ages 6 months to 64; high-dose shots for adults 65 and older won’t be available. Prescription Costs: South Dakota joined a multistate settlement over alleged generic-drug price fixing. Residents who bought generic prescriptions from May 2009 through December 2019 may qualify for compensation at AGGenericDrugs.com or by calling 1-866-290-0182. Measles: The CDC reports 4,080 U.S. cases this year, including cases in South Dakota; 95% of cases had no vaccination status or were in unvaccinated people. Rural Care: South Dakota is receiving $7.2 million in federal funding to upgrade rural emergency medical services, including telemedicine support for communities far from hospitals.

Prescription Drug Costs: South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley joined a multistate effort seeking approval of settlements with three generic drugmakers accused of price fixing. Consumers who bought covered generics may qualify for compensation; check the claim process and eligibility details. Sex Education: A national review found 54% of sex-education bills introduced in the first half of 2026 were restrictive. South Dakota was among four states that enacted anti-abortion curriculum laws during that period. Research Access: Avera’s mobile research unit will visit Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake on Oct. 13 to share information about its studies and meet participants. Rural Emergency Care: South Dakota received $7.2 million in federal funding to modernize rural emergency medical services, including care in areas far from hospitals. Kidney Health: A Sanford Health researcher received a $2.3 million federal grant for a kidney disease study.

Medicare Payments: Nearly 21 million seniors are receiving a one-time $90 payment intended to offset October Medicare premiums. Research Access: Avera Research Institute’s mobile unit will visit Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake on Oct. 13 to share information about its studies and meet participants. Rural Emergency Care: South Dakota received $7.2 million in federal funding to upgrade rural EMS, including telemedicine services for communities far from hospitals. Kidney Research: A Sanford Health researcher won a $2.3 million federal grant for a kidney disease study. Community Wellness: A new survey found 67% of South Dakota men regularly experience loneliness; Sioux Falls residents can also weigh in on the city’s health priorities through a community assessment survey open until Nov. 30.

Mental Health: Sioux Falls’ Creative Living Center is marking 45 years of counseling and support. A new survey also finds 67% of South Dakota men regularly experience loneliness, with truck drivers and farmers reporting especially high levels. Rural Care: South Dakota received $7.2 million for EMS upgrades, including ambulance telemedicine, staff training and stronger communications. Avera Queen of Peace will host two medical students for rural-medicine training starting in 2027. Research: Sanford scientist Kamesh Surendran received a $2.3 million federal grant to study kidney-cell changes linked to disease and the body’s ability to balance water. Community Health: Sioux Falls residents can complete an online survey through Nov. 30 to help set local health priorities for the next three years. Nutrition: SDSU Extension and Buche Foods are working to make fresh produce more affordable, while Feeding South Dakota has launched a free-produce program.

Sioux Falls Health Priorities: Residents can shape the city’s next three-year Community Health Assessment by completing an online survey through Nov. 30. The effort will examine issues including access to care, food and transportation. Kidney Research: Sanford Research scientist Kamesh Surendran received a $2.3 million federal grant for a five-year study of kidney cells and a condition that disrupts the body’s water balance. Healthy Food Access: SDSU Extension and Buche Foods are matching SNAP spending on eligible fruits and vegetables, while Feeding South Dakota’s new program will supply free produce to more than 230 partner agencies statewide. Rural Care: South Dakota received $7.2 million to upgrade rural emergency services, including ambulance telemedicine. Avera Queen of Peace will also train two USD medical students in rural medicine starting in 2027. Rapid City Emergency Care: Exceptional Community Hospital is set to open Oct. 12, adding emergency services in the city.

Food Safety: The FDA recalled 122,021 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade bottles, including products sold in South Dakota, because four flavors contain undeclared yellow dyes. Check lemon-lime and orange varieties, including Zero, against the recall notice. Nutrition Access: SDSU Extension and Buche Foods are matching SNAP spending on eligible fruits and vegetables. Sioux Falls families also have until Friday to renew free or reduced-price school meals; about 1,300 students risk losing access, while Hungry Hearts offers a $100,000 community match. Cancer Care: Avera experts urge women to discuss annual mammograms and promptly report breast changes. In Yankton, a new breath-hold radiation technique helps keep treatment away from the heart. Local Care: A new Rapid City hospital is scheduled to open Oct. 12 with emergency and inpatient services. South Dakota also received $7.2 million for rural EMS upgrades, and a separate $13 million federal investment will expand behavioral health care and mobile crisis response. Health Policy: A federal appeals court has kept South Dakota’s abortion-pill advertising law on hold.

School Meals Deadline: Sioux Falls School District says free and reduced-price meal applications are due Friday, Oct. 9; about 970 families (around 1,300 students) still need to apply to avoid losing benefits next week, with help from Hungry Hearts’ earlier $100,000 match. New Rapid City Hospital: Exceptional Community Hospital off East Mall Drive and Dyess Avenue plans a public opening Monday, Oct. 12, with ER, inpatient rooms, imaging, trauma care, and a pharmacy. Food for People Facing Hunger: Feeding South Dakota launched a fresh-produce program to supply no-cost fruits and vegetables through local pantries, meal sites, clinics, and outreach partners. Health Research Grant: Sanford Research received a $2.3M NIH grant to study kidney cell remodeling and how mature kidney cells may switch roles—potentially tied to water-balance disorders. Diabetes Prediction Tech: OmegaQuant won additional NIH funding to test a blood fatty-acid algorithm as an earlier, easier predictor of insulin resistance. Public Health Alert (Recall): FDA-linked recall covers about 122,000 cases of specific 28-oz Gatorade bottles sold in 37 states, due to undeclared Yellow No. 5/6 dyes. Care Access in Aberdeen: Avera Research Institute Mobile Unit returned to Aberdeen this week, focusing on ECHO, Healthy Start, and a new sleep apnea-related program. Community Wellness & Safety: Johnson Siding firefighters shared “trust the cat” advice after a cat got stuck in a tree, warning against forcing pets out.

Rural Health & EMS Funding: South Dakota is set to receive $7.2 million in federal Rural Health Transformation Program money to expand ambulance telemedicine and upgrade emergency services—aimed at connecting patients with emergency clinicians while crews are still en route. Behavioral Health Quality: Stride Autism Centers says it’s now the first and only ACQ-accredited ABA therapy provider in South Dakota, highlighting standards for clinical quality, safety, and family involvement. Food Safety Alert: PepsiCo recalled about 122,000 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade in 37 states, including South Dakota, because some bottles may contain undeclared Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6 dyes. Public Health & Prevention: Rapid City is hosting Freshman Impact: Caught in the Moment, a prevention program for nearly 1,000 freshmen using impaired-driving demos, mock crash and sentencing scenarios, and substance-use and teen suicide awareness. Maternal & Reproductive Rights in Court: A federal appeals court kept South Dakota’s abortion pill advertising restrictions on hold as legal challenges continue. Community Support: A new Yankton nonprofit, Delivering Hope of Yankton, launched a diaper bank and plans monthly distributions of diapers, wipes, formula, and feminine hygiene products.

Rural EMS Funding: South Dakota is set to receive $7.2 million in federal Rural Health Transformation money to expand ambulance telemedicine and upgrade emergency medical services, aiming to connect patients with emergency clinicians while crews are still on the road—especially critical in long-distance “ambulance desert” areas. Food Safety Alert: PepsiCo is recalling more than 122,000 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade (Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange, Orange Zero) sold in 37 states, including South Dakota, because some bottles may contain undeclared Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6. Public Health: Rapid City-area schools are hosting “Freshman Impact: Caught in the Moment” prevention days for nearly 1,000 freshmen, using impaired-driving demos, mock crash response, and substance-use and suicide awareness stations. Indigenous Health: Leaders behind the proposed Indigenous School of Medicine say the Rapid City campus plan would blend medical training with Indigenous knowledge and culture, with the first class of 40 targeted for fall 2031. AI & Health Workforce: At South Dakota Mines, Sen. Mike Rounds and Anthropic leaders discussed how AI could reshape research, education, healthcare, and safety—while stressing privacy, accountability, and human oversight. Court Watch (Health Policy): An appeals court kept South Dakota’s abortion pill advertising restrictions on hold while legal challenges continue.

Ballot Access Fight: A federal appeals court granted South Dakota’s request for a full-court rehearing of the lawsuit over the state’s ballot petition deadline, with a new hearing set for January in St. Louis—an outcome that could shape future citizen-led health and policy initiatives. New Hospital Opening: Exceptional Community Hospital-Rapid City will open Oct. 12 with 24/7 emergency and inpatient care, trauma services, private rooms, imaging, lab work, an on-site pharmacy, and specialty consults. Rural EMS Funding: South Dakota is set to receive $7.2 million to modernize rural emergency medical services, including faster response, telemedicine, training, and better communications. Food Safety Recall: PepsiCo recalled about 122,000 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade in 37 states because yellow food dyes weren’t properly listed; people with known dye sensitivities should check labels and avoid affected bottles. Public Health Alert: An alfalfa sprout outbreak tied to a seed lot has grown to 76 illnesses across 16 states, with more recalls reaching home kitchens. Caregiving & Loss Support: Rapid City held its second annual Children’s Bereavement Walk for families affected by miscarriage, stillbirth, and child loss. Community Health Access: A second annual Survival and Prepper Show in Rapid City highlighted first-aid training and emergency preparedness skills.

Medicare Relief for Seniors: Trump says the federal government will send one-time $90 premium rebate payments to 20+ million Medicare Part B enrollees in October, with eligibility tied to how premiums are paid (Medicaid-covered seniors and some income-adjusted enrollees won’t qualify). Rural EMS Boost: South Dakota is set to receive $7.2M in federal funding to modernize rural emergency medical services, including faster response, ambulance telemedicine, training, and upgraded communications. Food Safety Alert: A multistate alfalfa sprout outbreak linked to one seed lot has grown to 76 illnesses in 16 states, with E. coli and Salmonella reported; recalls are widening as more kitchens are affected. Prescription Settlement Watch: South Dakotans who bought certain generic drugs between 2009-2019 may qualify for compensation under a proposed $400M Sandoz/Fougera settlement, pending final court approval. Health Care Access & Costs: New modeling warns federal energy policy changes could raise household energy costs nationwide by 2040, with South Dakota among the states facing roughly $9,000 more. Community Care: Rapid City held its second annual Children’s Bereavement Walk at Rapid City Hospital, offering remembrance and support for families affected by miscarriage, stillbirth, and child loss.

Rural EMS Funding: South Dakota is set to receive $7.2M in federal support to modernize rural emergency medical services, including faster response, ambulance-based telemedicine, EMS training, and improved communications and patient data-sharing. Healthcare Access & Tech: The Rural Health Transformation Program is also expected to bring South Dakota more than $189M over five years, aiming to strengthen rural workforce and partnerships. Food Safety Alert: Walmart and Trader Joe’s frozen organic berries are facing an expanded recall tied to an E. coli outbreak that sickened 17 people and hospitalized six, with additional lots now included. Caregiver & Nutrition Support: SDSU Extension is partnering with local stores and farmers markets to stretch SNAP dollars through Double Up Food Bucks, matching EBT purchases of eligible fruits and vegetables up to $10. Generic Drug Accountability: South Dakota joined a coalition seeking preliminary federal approval for a $400M settlement with Sandoz and Fougera over alleged generic drug price manipulation, with eligible purchases from 2009–2019 potentially compensable. AI in Healthcare: Sen. Mike Rounds met with Anthropic leaders at South Dakota Mines to discuss AI’s risks and opportunities, including impacts on health care. Energy Costs & Health: New modeling warns federal energy policy changes could raise household energy spending nationwide and increase healthcare costs—an issue that hits rural families hardest.

Medicare Costs & Cash Checks: President Trump says he’ll send nearly $90 checks to more than 20 million seniors for Medicare Part B premiums, separate from ACA refund checks. AI & Health Care: Sen. Mike Rounds met with Anthropic leaders at South Dakota Mines to discuss AI’s future impacts on health care, education, the workforce, and national security. Food Safety: Walmart and Trader Joe’s frozen berry recall expanded after an E. coli outbreak sickened 17 people and hospitalized six; South Dakota shoppers are urged to check affected freezer items. Generic Drug Pricing: South Dakota joined a 42-state push seeking preliminary federal approval for a $400 million settlement tied to alleged generic drug price manipulation by Sandoz and Fougera. Rural Health Workforce: A CNN look at West River Hospital in Hettinger highlights how immigrant workers are filling critical hospital roles in small-town South Dakota and Montana. Nutrition Access in SD: SDSU Extension’s Double Up Food Bucks South Dakota will match SNAP dollars for fruits and vegetables at Buche Foods and Buche Gus Stop locations, supporting healthier eating and local economies. Conservation & Health of Land: Thunder Valley plans to return 50 bison to Badlands National Park acreage to restore native prairie ecosystems.