EMS Funding: South Dakota’s new EMS Funding Task Force is set to meet in Pierre to study how to keep ambulance services running, including whether EMS should be treated as an essential service; providers say low reimbursement—especially from Medicare—has pushed some rural services to shut down. Public Health & Food Safety: The FDA upgraded an Alfredo sauce recall to its highest-risk Class I level after a dry milk powder ingredient was flagged for possible Salmonella contamination; the recall covers 913 cases distributed across 41 states, including South Dakota. Maternal Health: A U.S. shortage of the only first-line medication recommended for pregnant women with syphilis to protect babies is raising fears of worsening congenital syphilis outcomes, with states urging prioritization and patient support to access treatment. Nutrition & Supply: Protein demand is colliding with a whey shortage, driving higher prices and making it harder for food makers to meet the “more protein” trend. Rural Access: Rural South Dakota residents report growing frustration with USPS reliability and reduced rural delivery frequency, adding to the strain of already-limited services. Local Health Care Quality: Regional West earned recertification as a Primary Stroke Center, highlighting faster stroke response and treatment for patients across western South Dakota and nearby regions. Community Wellness: Rapid City’s Greenway Days wrapped with a Humane Society “Dog Parade” focused on summer adoption, pairing fun with vaccination and medical history info for prospective families.