The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Minor Earthquake Shakes Custer State Park
CUSTER, S.D. — A small earthquake rattled Custer State Park over the weekend. The earthquake registered 2.9 on the Richter Scale and was detected around 8:14 p.m. on Saturday just south of the park. Seismologists from the U.S. Geological Survey say that it isn’t strong enough to cause any damage to structures but is certainly strong enough to be felt. The epicenter of Saturday’s quake was about 5 km below the ground, likely along a fault.
City’s Deer Harvest Yields Over Two Tons of Meat for Feeding South Dakota
RAPID CITY, S.D. — More than two tons of meat – 4,186 pounds — have been donated to Feeding South Dakota as a result of this winter’s annual City deer harvest conducted by the City’s Parks Division. More than 58,600 pounds of meat (58,628) have been donated to Feeding South Dakota over the past 11 harvest seasons, including nearly 30,000 pounds of meat (29,845) over the past five seasons dating back to the winter of 2020-21. Based on City surveys and the recommendation of the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department, a total of 148 deer were harvested this winter as part of the City’s Deer Management Program.
South Dakota Lawmakers Reject Property Tax Relief Plan
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota lawmakers have rejected a property tax relief plan that would have eliminated homeowner property taxes while raising the state sales tax. The House voted 27-42 Monday against Senate Bill 169, far short of the two-thirds majority needed. According to supporters, raising the sales tax from 4.2 to 5 percent would have saved homeowners about $417 per $100,000 of property value. Rep. Leslie Heinemann called it “potentially the largest tax increase in South Dakota history” at $240 million. Critics worried the plan would hurt agriculture and burden low-income renters.
AG Marty Jackley Joins Effort to Curb Google’s Search Monopoly
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Attorney General Marty Jackley is joining an effort to find ways to end Google’s monopoly over internet search engines. Jackley and 37 other attorneys general and the U.S. Department of Justice are submitting a joint remedy package in federal court, according to a statement from his office. Some of the proposed remedies include a ban on all search-related payments to distribution partners, like Apple and Android. It also proposes Google divest its web browser — Chrome — and if necessary, its mobile operating system, Android. A three-week hearing on the remedies is scheduled to start April 21.
Trump Doubles Tariffs on Canadian Steel and Aluminum, Cites Economic Growth
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he is doubling tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada to 50%, citing Ontario’s recent 25% tariff on electricity exports to the U.S. The move, set to take effect Wednesday, is part of a broader trade strategy that Trump argues will boost domestic manufacturing and bring wealth back to America. While the stock market reacted with a sharp decline, the White House emphasized that major automakers like Honda, Volkswagen, and Volvo are considering new U.S. investments. Trump acknowledged a potential economic “transition” but remained optimistic, stating that his policies will ultimately strengthen the economy and create jobs.
U.S.-Ukraine Talks in Jeddah Offer Hope for Renewed Cooperation
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Senior Ukrainian officials met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jeddah on Monday, aiming to restore relations and discuss pathways to peace. The talks, attended by Saudi officials, marked the first high-level meeting since last month’s tense White House exchange between Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy. Ukraine hopes to secure the resumption of U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing, while also proposing a Black Sea ceasefire and a rare earth minerals deal sought by Washington. Meanwhile, intense drone attacks targeted Russian and Ukrainian regions overnight, highlighting the ongoing conflict. The Kremlin reiterated its conditions for peace, insisting Ukraine abandon its NATO ambitions and recognize Russian-occupied territories.
Greenland Votes as Independence Debate Heats Up Amid U.S. Interest
NUUK, Greenland — Greenlanders headed to the polls Tuesday in early parliamentary elections, with the island’s future at the center of global attention as U.S. President Donald Trump expresses interest in its strategic location and rare earth minerals. While independence from Denmark is not on the ballot, most Greenlanders favor eventual sovereignty, insisting their future must be decided by them alone. Voter turnout was high in the capital, Nuuk, where political parties engaged voters with hot drinks and traditional Greenlandic cake. Results are expected soon, but certification will take weeks due to the island’s vast and remote landscape.
NASA Delays Launch of SPHEREx and PUNCH Missions Due to Weather
VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. — NASA’s planned launch of its SPHEREx space telescope and the PUNCH mission has been delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions, the space agency announced. The two missions were set to lift off together late Monday aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. A new launch date has not been confirmed, but NASA said it hopes to reschedule before the end of April. SPHEREx, NASA’s newest space telescope, is designed to search for the building blocks of life in the Milky Way. PUNCH, meanwhile, will focus on studying the sun’s outer atmosphere. Despite their different scientific goals, launching the two missions together reduces costs while maximizing research opportunities, said Dr. Nicky Fox, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. Both missions are expected to provide groundbreaking insights into previously unexplored aspects of the galaxy and solar system.
