Critical Minerals & Mining Education: President Trump announced $180M for mining schools and workforce programs, including $100M from the Department of Energy and just over $80M from the Department of Defense—South Dakota Mines is named among the major recipients. Workforce & Training: The same push includes a $25M South Dakota Mines plan to build the Critical Minerals Merit Scholars Consortium, aiming to expand the pipeline of geologists, metallurgists, and mining engineers. Swine Industry Investment: The South Dakota State Fair Foundation launched “Hog Wild for a Better Barn,” targeting $240,000 to buy 450 new hog pens for the Swine Barn, with matching support from the South Dakota Pork Producers. Cyber & Infrastructure Resilience: Gov. Larry Rhoden awarded $500,000 to support the Governor’s Resilience and Infrastructure Task Force, funded through the Future Fund. Affordable Housing: Habitat for Humanity broke ground on Cliffview Heights in Sioux Falls, an eight-twin-home development with infrastructure work starting this month and construction beginning in 2027. Agriculture Impacts: South Dakota cattle producers are still dealing with “gut-wrenching” losses tied to last month’s extreme heat wave and heat stress. Energy & Permitting Watch: The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission approved a schedule to consider a battery-storage permit for Crowned Ridge Energy Storage, with a decision expected next spring. Local Roads: Sioux Falls announced lane and sidewalk closures tied to ADA ramp repairs and street work, with impacts expected through late October.