Anthrax Alert (Meade County): South Dakota confirmed its first anthrax case of 2026 in a cattle herd in Meade County after deaths began in Butte County; the Animal Industry Board quarantined the herd, vaccinated adult cattle, and urged ranchers to contact a veterinarian or the AIB and not move suspect carcasses. SNAP Soft-Drink Waiver (Implementation Worries): South Dakota moved forward with a SNAP waiver to exclude soft drinks, but retailers warn enforcement will be messy because “soft drink” definitions can get complicated and other states have faced legal pushback. Bangs Tag Guidance (Livestock Health): The state veterinarian clarified that USDA allows either metal or electronic Bangs vaccine tags for interstate movement, and producers may need official 840 electronic tags for sexually intact cattle 18 months or older. Family Support (Keystone Retreat): A free October parenting retreat in Keystone still has 22 spots left, with sessions on mental health support and special education, plus a Parent Café and leadership panel. Mental Health Access (Rural Crisis Texting): A national report finds people in Mountain West rural areas—including South Dakota—are more likely to mention suicide in Crisis Text Line chats, pointing to barriers like isolation and fewer local resources. Local Health Education (Avera Academy): Mitchell High seniors are starting health career exploration earlier through an Avera Academy partnership that includes college credit and department rotations. Public Health & Safety (Rabies Delay): Yosemite officials confirmed a rabies-positive bat found in May but didn’t alert the public until months later, prompting questions about when people should seek care after possible bat contact.