The Daily Slice: Thursday, March 20, 2025
The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Jami Jo Thompson Named New Superintendent of Rapid City Schools
RAPID CITY, S.D. — It’s now official – Jami Jo Thompson is now the new Superintendent of the Rapid City Area Schools. The Board of Education on Tuesday voted 6-1 to hire Thompson. Cory Strasser has served as acting superintendent since the board voted to fire Nicole Swigart in August. Thompson will now be tasked with leading the second-largest school district in South Dakota. Thompson was currently serving as Superintendent of the Norfolk, Nebraska School system.
Growing Wildfire Risks Prompt Safety Measures in South Dakota
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Wildfire risks are growing across South Dakota, with western communities like Custer, Spearfish, and Rapid City facing the highest threats. The U.S. Forest Service says Custer’s wildfire hazard potential is higher than that of 92 percent of communities statewide due to dense forests and dry conditions. The agency says wildfire seasons are nearly a month longer nationwide than they were two decades ago due to warming temperatures and droughts. Officials urge communities near wildlands to create defensible spaces and use fire-resistant materials.
South Dakota Teens Can Win $10K in Safe Driving Campaign
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota high school students now have the opportunity to participate in the Lesson Learned teen safe driving campaign, where they can win $10,000 for themselves and another $10,000 for a school-sponsored activity or program of their choice. Now in its 9th year, the Lesson Learned campaign plays a crucial role in educating young drivers about the importance of safe driving habits, helping to prevent crashes and save lives. The campaign rewards participants while promoting safe driving skills. Eligible students, ages 14 to 19, can enter by completing a few questions about safe driving at drivesafesd-dot-com.
Trump to Sign Executive Order Aiming to Close Education Department
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Thursday directing the shutdown of the U.S. Department of Education, fulfilling a campaign promise to reduce federal involvement in education. The order instructs Secretary Linda McMahon to facilitate the department’s closure and return educational authority to the states, while ensuring the continued delivery of essential services. Although dismantling the department requires congressional action, this move aligns with longstanding conservative goals to decentralize education oversight. Critics argue that eliminating the department could negatively impact programs supporting vulnerable students, while supporters believe it will enhance state control over education policies.
Israeli Strikes Resume as Conflict in Gaza Intensifies
DEIR-AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli airstrikes killed at least 85 Palestinians overnight, according to health officials, as fighting resumed following the collapse of a ceasefire earlier this week. Hamas responded by firing three rockets at Israel, with no reported casualties. Israel has reinstated a blockade on northern Gaza and launched new ground operations near Beit Lahiya. The Trump administration, which helped broker the previous ceasefire, has reaffirmed its full support for Israel. The war, which began in October 2023, has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and widespread destruction, with no clear resolution in sight.
M23 Rebels Seize Strategic Town in Eastern Congo Amid Ceasefire Calls
GOMA, Congo — M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, entered the strategic town of Walikale in eastern Congo late Wednesday, residents and civil society leaders confirmed. The takeover cuts off a key road linking four provinces and follows failed ceasefire talks between Congo’s government and M23 leaders. Heavy artillery fire was reported before subsiding into sporadic gunfire. The escalation comes just a day after Congolese and Rwandan presidents met in Qatar, calling for an immediate ceasefire. The conflict, driven by control over mineral-rich territory, has displaced more than 7 million people and continues to fuel one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
International Peacekeeping Plans for Ukraine Take Shape Amid Ceasefire Talks
KYIV, Ukraine — Senior military officers from Europe and beyond will meet Thursday in London to outline plans for an international peacekeeping force in Ukraine as details of a partial ceasefire continue to emerge. The U.K. and France are leading the initiative, but questions remain about troop commitments and enforcement. Ukraine and Russia tentatively agreed to a limited ceasefire after President Donald Trump spoke with both leaders this week, though Russia rejected his push for a full 30-day truce. Despite ongoing negotiations, both sides launched hundreds of drone attacks overnight, causing injuries and damage in Ukraine’s Kropyvnytskyi and Russia’s Saratov region. EU leaders are also meeting to discuss Ukraine’s security, with Germany considering billions in additional military aid. Russia has warned against NATO troops in Ukraine and accused Europe of fueling militarization.
Venus to Align with Sun in Rare Event This Weekend
NEW YORK — Venus will pass between the Earth and the sun on Saturday, marking an inferior conjunction. However, the event will be difficult to see without specialized equipment due to the sun’s glare. During an inferior conjunction, Venus swings between the Earth and sun, an alignment that occurs roughly every 19 months. The conjunction will occur around 7 p.m. MST, and astronomers refer to it as a “Venus kiss” because of how close the two celestial bodies will appear. Though not a visual spectacle, the event provides an opportunity for scientists to track planetary movements. Venus will shift from the evening sky to the morning sky by Sunday, and will be visible just before sunrise. This alignment has inspired various works, including Paul McCartney’s song “The Kiss of Venus.” Two NASA missions will also focus on Venus in the coming years to learn more about the planet’s formation and its stark differences from Earth.
