The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 5 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
South Dakota Lawmakers Debate Changing Costly Drug Ingestion Law
PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota lawmakers are debating whether to change the state’s unique drug ingestion law. Senator Tamara Grove says the current felony penalty is costly for taxpayers. Grove said the state is staring down the barrel of an expensive $1 billion prison. She says the state houses 279 inmates for ingestion offenses, costing over 32 million dollars annually. South Dakota is the only state that classifies drug ingestion as a felony. The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on the reform bill next Tuesday.
Black Hills Stock Show Kicks Off with Packed Crowds and Perfect Weather
RAPID CITY, S.D. – Parking was full and the crowd jammed into the Monument Saturday as the 66th Annual Black Hills Stock Show enjoyed great weather for its first Saturday. Traditionally, one of the busiest days of the Stock Show, this year’s opening didn’t disappoint. An estimated 331,000 people from a 13-state region attend the western festival that features 120 different livestock, horse and rodeo events along with over 400 vendors to shop from. The first weekend included Xtreme Bulls and Broncs, live entertainment, the trade show and High School Rodeo on Sunday. Stock Show organizers are anticipating a busy week as the livestock show and sales begin Monday with the Angus breed.
Rapid City Man Arrested After Crashing into Police Vehicle
RAPID CITY, S.D. – A 43-year-old Rapid City man is in jail after police said he hit an officer’s patrol vehicle. Rapid City Police say it happened on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. when the officer was driving east on Fairmont Boulevard. A car pulled out from Maple Avenue and crashed into the police vehicle. The police officer and Pennington County Sheriff’s deputies made contact with the driver, identified as Cody Randall, and noticed the smell of alcohol coming from him. Authorities also found marijuana and arrested Randall. He is facing several charges.
Crews begin removing wreckage from last week’s deadly midair collision from the Potomac River
ARLINGTON, Va. — Crews have begun removing wreckage from the Potomac River from the deadly midair collision last week that killed 67 people. Col. Francis B. Pera of the Army Corps of Engineers says portions of the aircraft will be loaded onto flatbed trucks and taken to a hangar for further investigation. Crews early Monday could be seen aboard a vessel with a crane. Authorities say they have recovered the remains of 55 people killed in Wednesday’s collision. The crash between an airliner and an Army helicopter is the deadliest U.S. air disaster since 2001.
EU leaders ponder the ‘cruel paradox’ of a US ally threatening tariffs and a possible land grab
BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders are grappling with possible responses to a major ally the United States which appears determined to start a trade war or perhaps even seize part of their territory. The leaders met in Brussels on Monday for a defense summit. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says it would “be a cruel paradox” if the EU and the United States find themselves in conflict with a war also raging in Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on EU imports since taking office and refused to rule out the use of military force to take control of Greenland. Poland currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency. Tusk says Trump’s threats amount to “a serious test” of European unity.
Ukrainian troops losing ground to Russia as Trump talks of ending war
POKROVSK REGION, Ukraine — A shortage of infantry troops and supply routes under Russian drone attacks have dealt a blow to Ukrainian forces around the strategic eastern city of Pokrovsk. The crucial supply hub lies at the confluence of highways leading to key cities in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian commanders say they do not have enough reserves to sustain defense lines and new recruits are unprepared and sometimes abandon positions. Heavy fog in recent days prevented Ukrainians from effectively using surveillance drones, allowing Russian troops to control dominant heights and take more territory.
Series of Earthquakes Rattle Santorini, Prompting Safety Measures
SANTORINI, Greece — Around 200 earthquakes have shaken the iconic Greek island of Santorini in recent days, leading to temporary closures of schools and businesses. Authorities have advised residents to avoid large indoor gatherings and stay away from multiple ports, including the old port of Fira, near the island’s capital. The strongest quake registered a magnitude of 4.6, according to officials. Santorini, located on multiple fault lines, is no stranger to seismic activity. Despite the risk, the island remains a major tourist destination, drawing 3.4 million visitors annually—far exceeding its population of roughly 20,000.
