The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Human Remains Discovered Near Pennington-Custer County Line Identified as Adult
HILL CITY, S.D. — The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday confirmed that the human remains found near the Pennington-Custer County line south of Hill City on Tuesday belong to an adult. PCSO Captain Taylor Sperle said a combination of an autopsy and forensic dentistry allowed the determination. However they do not have enough information yet to know if the person was male or female. Sperle said investigators plan to work with specialist organizations to help with an identification. The remains were found by a hiker on Tuesday afternoon.
South Dakota House Approves $15 Million Interest-Free Loan for Douglas School District
PIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota House has passed a bill providing a $15 million interest-free loan from the state’s housing fund to the Douglas School District near Ellsworth Air Force Base. Senate Bill 6 passed 41-28 following a heated debate over using housing money for school construction. Representatives supporting the measure cited Ellsworth’s importance as the state’s second-largest employer and the coming expansion of the B-21 bomber program. The bill returns to the Senate for concurrence with House changes.
Airport Funding Bill Advances with Minimal Funding as Session Nears End
RAPID CITY, S.D. — With the legislative session just days away from completion, an airport funding bill is coming in just under the radar. The House appropriations Committee voted to pass the bill, but only included 100-dollars in funding-and that is just to keep the funding discussions going. Sioux Falls Airport Executive Director Dan Letellier (LET-luhr) told committee members state support is critical for needed development at his facility. Rapid City Regional airport is facing similar problems…with record traffic driving demand upward. Officials say higher ticket prices will be the result if facilities can’t be expanded to accommodate more flights.
Russia bombards Ukraine’s energy grid after Zelenskyy says his team will hold talks with the US
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Officials say Russia targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in a large-scale missile and drone bombardment during the night. The attack came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that talks with the U.S. on ending the three-year war will take place next week. Ukraine’s energy chief said Friday that the country came under a “massive” missile and drone attack. Authorities said at least 10 people were wounded. A child was among the injured. Zelenskyy said in his nightly address on Thursday that he would travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet with the country’s crown prince. Zelenskyy also said that his team would stay on to hold talks with U.S. officials.
Pope Francis hits 3-week mark of hospitalization after giving world a sign of his frailty
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has hit the three-week mark in his hospitalization for double pneumonia. The Vatican said the 88-year-old pope had a good night’s rest and woke up Friday morning just after 8 a.m. Doctors said they didn’t expect to give a new medical update until Saturday. Francis is in stable condition but offered a first public sign of just how weak he is on Thursday. He recorded an audio message that was broadcast to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square. In it, Francis thanked the people for their prayers. But his voice was barely discernible through his labored breaths.
Gov. Gavin Newsom Calls Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports “Deeply Unfair”
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom said allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports is “deeply unfair,” a rare break from most Democrats on the issue. His remarks come after former President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports, fulfilling a key campaign promise. Newsom made the comments during a podcast interview with conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Notably, the California governor is weighing a potential 2028 presidential bid, watching how Republicans have used the issue against Democrats in past elections.
WWII-Era Bomb Disrupts Eurostar Travel Near Paris
PARIS — An unexploded World War II-era bomb discovered near Paris halted Eurostar train service in London and northern France today. Workers found the bomb along railway tracks in the suburb of Saint-Denis, prompting authorities to establish a security perimeter. The disruption affected intercity and suburban lines from the Gare du Nord station. A spokesperson for France’s national railway company described the bomb as “really huge” and confirmed that a demining team is working at the site. Gare du Nord, a key European transit hub, connects international destinations, the main Paris airport, and regional commuters.
