The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Tony Venhuizen Confirmed as South Dakota’s Lieutenant Governor
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Legislature today unanimously confirmed Tony Venhuizen as the state’s new Lieutenant Governor. The House voted 67-to-0, and the Senate 35-to-0 to approve Governor Larry Rhoden’s pick for the position. Venhuizen, a former chief of staff to Governor Dennis Daugaard, was sworn in immediately after the votes and will now serve as President of the Senate. The position opened when former Lieutenant Governor Rhoden became Governor following Kristi Noem’s resignation.
South Dakota Students Perform at or Above National Average in Key Subjects
RAPID CITY, S.D. –A new education assessment report puts South Dakota students at or above the national average in two subjects. The study is called National Assessment of Educational Progress report — commonly known as the Nation’s Report Card. It assesses reading and math administered to 4th and 8th graders across the country every two years. The report shows South Dakota reading scores dropped in both grades, but they both remained at or above the national average. In math, compared to 2022, 8th grade scores are about the same and have improved slightly for 4th graders. Both are above the national average.
Boats return to the Potomac River for DC plane crash recovery and investigation
ARLINGTON, Va. — Police boats have returned to the Potomac River as part of the recovery and investigation after the United States’ deadliest aviation disaster in almost a quarter century. Two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that more than 40 bodies have been pulled from the river as the massive recovery effort continues Friday. Planes continue to take off and land at Reagan National, with airport operations gradually returning to normal. Investigators have already recovered recorders from the plane that collided Wednesday with an Army helicopter as it landed at Ronald Reagan National Airport next to Washington, D.C. All 67 aboard the two aircraft were killed. Federal investigators have said they would not speculate on the cause.
Middle East latest: Families welcome news of 3 more male hostages to be released
Gaza Strip — The organization representing families of hostages held in the Gaza strip is celebrating the news that three male hostages would be released Saturday as part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Israeli officials and Hamas have said that hostages Keith Siegel, Yarden Bibas and Ofer Kalderon would be released Saturday in the fourth round of exchanges in the ceasefire deal that has paused fighting in Gaza. The Hostages Families Forum said Friday it “welcomes the joyous news.” On Thursday, Hamas released eight hostages in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The chaotic sight of armed fighters escorting Israeli hostages through a crowd of thousands of onlookers caused Israeli leaders to briefly delay the release of the Palestinian prisoners.
FDA approves painkiller designed to eliminate the risk of addiction associated with opioids
WASHINGTON — U.S. officials have approved a new type of pain drug designed to eliminate the risks of addiction and overdose associated with opioids. The Food and Drug Administration approved the pill from Vertex Pharmaceuticals for acute pain that often occurs after surgery or injuries. It’s the first new pharmaceutical approach to treating pain in 20 years. But the medication’s modest effectiveness shows just how challenging it is to find new ways of managing pain. Vertex’s drug was better than a dummy pill at reducing pain after surgery, but it didn’t outperform opioid treatment. Vertex is studying the drug for a number of other conditions, including chronic nerve pain.
Massive Sinkhole Near Tokyo Traps Truck Driver, Rescue Efforts Continue
Tokyo, Japan — A massive sinkhole that suddenly opened on a road near Tokyo has drawn international attention as efforts to rescue an elderly truck driver enter their fourth day. The collapse occurred on Tuesday in Saitama Prefecture, about 18 miles north of Japan’s capital, swallowing a three-ton truck and its 74-year-old driver. Authorities suspect corroded sewer pipes led to the ground giving way, with leaking wastewater further eroding the soil and expanding the sinkhole. The chasm has now grown to over 40 meters (130 feet) wide, prompting Japanese officials to order the evacuation of hundreds of residents as rescue operations continue.
