Central South Dakota News

Senator Mike Rounds shared updates on July 28, 2025, regarding meetings with leaders from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, representatives of a steel fabrication company in Sioux Falls, and the CEO of an artificial intelligence firm.

In his first post, Senator Rounds stated: "Great to meet with leaders from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. We discussed issues pertaining to education and healthcare." (July 28, 2025).

Later that day, he posted about meeting Brian Cooper of Maguire in Sioux Falls: "Met with Brian Cooper of Maguire in Sioux Falls, a member of the Steel Tank Institute (STI) and the Steel Plate Fabricators Association (SPFA). McGuire is one of the few companies in the nation that manufacture critically needed water towers and is proudly pro-American, using" (July 28, 2025).

In a subsequent update, Senator Rounds wrote: "Met with Jason Droege, the new CEO of Scale AI. Artificial intelligence is enhancing Department of Defense capabilities and keeping America at the forefront of defense innovation." (July 28, 2025).

Senator Mike Rounds represents South Dakota in the U.S. Senate. His engagement with tribal leaders highlights ongoing discussions between federal officials and Native American communities regarding access to essential services such as education and healthcare. The mention of Maguire's manufacturing activities reflects broader efforts to support domestic industry and infrastructure development. Additionally, Scale AI’s involvement with defense technology illustrates continued investment in artificial intelligence for national security purposes.