The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Juvenile Detained After Quick Police Response to Drive-By Incident in Rapid City
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City Police say a juvenile male was detained after allegedly firing multiple shots at a group of people in a drive-by shooting on the night of March 4. The incident happened in the parking lot of Scheels, where police were told by a group of individuals that a vehicle drove by and fired shots toward them before fleeing the scene. Police identified the suspect vehicle and linked it to an address in Box Elder, where they apprehended a juvenile. Following questioning, the juvenile was placed into the juvenile justice system.
Rapid City Man Sentenced Following Guilty Plea in Threat Case
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A Rapid City man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to felony terrorism. Lucian Celestine was sentenced to two and a half years in the state penitentiary for threatening to kill President Donald Trump when he was in Rapid City for the Mount Rushmore fireworks in 2020. The sentence comes after his original trial in August 2023 ended with a hung jury. Celestine will get credit for the 287 days he served.
Monument Health Receives $2 Million Grant for Advanced NICU Equipment
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City announced Tuesday they have received a grant for more than $2 million to purchase state-of-the-art neonatal intensive care unit equipment. The grant allows for more than 20 medical devices, including oscillatory ventilators, two transport incubators and a 24-hour EEG machine. Monument Health’s Women and Children’s Executive Director Kyle Lemley says this grant is essential to bridging the gaps rural areas have, while also allowing families to receive crucial care close to home.
How Trump justifies his tariffs — from budget balancing to protecting ‘the soul’ of America
WASHINGTON (AP) — To President Donald Trump, “tariff” is more than “the most beautiful word in the dictionary.” In Trump’s view, tariffs are a cure for many of the nation’s ills and a tool to reach new heights. As the Republican president has touched off a trade war with America’s trading partners, he’s offered an array of reasons to justify steep tariffs on goods coming from Mexico, Canada, China and beyond. Among his reasons: stopping the flow of illegal fentanyl, balancing the budget, making America rich and protecting “the soul” of America. Most economists see taxes paid on imports as capable of addressing unfair trade practices.
Democratic Divisions on Display During Trump’s Congressional Address
WASHINGTON — Democrats revealed internal party tensions during President Donald Trump’s first address to Congress of his second term, as establishment-aligned members clashed with progressives over how to respond. While grassroots activists pressured Democrats to take a more combative stance, moderate members criticized disruptions, including heckling and protest signs. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, removed for repeatedly jeering at Trump, while some Democrats, including Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, and Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., condemned the protests as ineffective. Progressives argued that leadership’s lack of strategy forced them to take action on their own. Meanwhile, a heartwarming moment unfolded when DJ Daniel, a 13-year-old cancer survivor, was sworn in as an honorary Secret Service member, receiving a standing ovation from most of the chamber.
Hamas brushes off Trump’s threat and says it will only free hostages in return for a lasting truce
CAIRO (AP) — The Hamas militant group has brushed off President Donald Trump’s latest threat and reiterated that it will only free the remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Hamas accused Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to back out of the ceasefire agreement they reached in January. The agreement calls for negotiations over a second phase in which the hostages would be released in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Negotiations on that phase were supposed to begin in early February. Only limited preparatory talks have been held so far.
Utah Becomes First State to Require Age Verification for App Downloads
UTAH — Utah made history on Wednesday by becoming the first state to pass a law requiring app stores to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent before minors can download apps. Tech giant Meta and other social media companies have backed shifting the responsibility to app stores, facing ongoing criticism for not doing enough to protect children or prevent those under 13 from accessing their platforms. However, app stores argue that developers are better suited to implement age verification and safety measures. Similar legislation has been introduced in at least eight other states as the debate over children’s online safety continues.
