The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Former Rapid City Bishop Among Cardinals Voting to Elect New Pope
RAPID CITY, S.D. (SD News Watch) — Cardinal Blase Cupich, a former bishop of Rapid City and current archbishop of Chicago, is among the 133 Catholic cardinals eligible to vote for the next pope following the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88. Cupich, 76, was appointed bishop of Rapid City in 1998 by Pope John Paul II and later served in Spokane before being chosen by Francis in 2014 as archbishop of Chicago—his first major U.S. appointment. Elevated to cardinal in 2016, Cupich is considered a moderate voice in the Church, known for upholding traditional teachings while also advocating for compassion toward marginalized communities. He has also been involved in addressing clergy sex abuse and pushing for reforms within the Church. The United States has ten cardinals participating in the conclave, second only to Italy’s seventeen. The cardinals will meet in the Sistine Chapel, where they will vote in secrecy until a new pope is chosen. White smoke will signal when a decision has been made.
Pennington County Approves Water System Grant
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Pennington County Commission has approved a $50,000 grant to support the Western Dakota Regional Water System. Director Kristin Conzet told the commission the time to act on creating a new water source is now, as population levels are expected to increase nearly 19-percent this decade. Commissioners expressed their support for the project, which would includes a pipeline to bring Missouri River water to western South Dakota. The grant is for the 2026 fiscal year.
Nonresidents Flock to South Dakota for Cheaper Vehicle Registration
RAPID CITY, S.D. (SD News Watch) — South Dakota’s “open registration” policy continues to attract out-of-state residents looking to save money on vehicle registration. Unlike many states, South Dakota allows nonresidents to register vehicles without a South Dakota driver’s license, provided they bring an original out-of-state title, their current driver’s license, Social Security number, and a completed registration application to a county treasurer’s office. While a new $100 fee for nonresidents took effect in July 2024, the state remains a cost-effective option for those coming from areas with higher fees. Counties like Clay and Pennington are especially popular for these registrations. According to Credit Karma, South Dakota is one of just 11 states that offer this kind of flexibility.
FEMA Grants Cut, Rapid City Misses Out
RAPID CITY, S.D. – South Dakota won’t be benefiting from some major FEMA grants after cuts made by Homeland Security Secretary Noem. The state was expecting to receive nearly ten million dollars spread among different areas through a program called Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities. But Noem cut the program last month, saying she believed it was wasteful and ineffective. According to FEMA, these grants are intended to go toward updating infrastructure and reducing the risk of future disasters. Rapid City won’t be getting one for two-point-six million. Details on any projects being impacted are no longer available on FEMA’s website.
New Inmate Tower Proposed for Pennington County Jail
RAPID CITY, S.D. —The Rapid City Council got a presentation from Sheriff Brian Mueller this week on a proposed new tower to house inmates at the Pennington County Jail. Mueller and other law enforcement leaders say the inmate population is beginning to exceed the jail’s capacity. Cost estimates for the tower range from around $95 million to $140 million. Mueller says the plan is to request $30 million over 30 years from Rapid City to fund the project. Mueller said he plans to have a formal proposal submitted this summer with the goal of beginning construction this fall.
Fatal Crash in Wall Under Investigation
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that killed one person in Wall Tuesday afternoon. Preliminary crash information indicates the 58-year-old female driver of a 1999 Toyota Camry was in a downtown Wall, SD parking lot near Main Street and 5th Avenue when the vehicle reversed into a wood fence then accelerated north over 5th Avenue and collided head-on with a light pole. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt and died from her injuries. The name of the person involved has not been released pending notification of family members.
Most airports are operating smoothly on the first day of the REAL ID requirement
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Most airports around the United States operated smoothly as new REAL ID requirements took effect because travelers without the updated document were still allowed to move through security easily. Those without the IDs were given flyers informing them that going forward they would need to present “REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification for your next flight or you may expect delays.” REAL ID requirements for those flying within the U.S. began Wednesday after more than 20 years of delays. Many airports reported security checkpoint wait times of a few minutes on their websites.
Strikes across Gaza kill at least 92 as Israel prepares to ramp up its offensive
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Officials say Israeli strikes across Gaza have killed at least 92 people, including women, children and two journalists, one the father of a newborn. Two strikes on Wednesday targeted a crowded area in central Gaza City near a busy market, while one earlier at a second school killed 16, hospital officials said. An attack Tuesday night on a school sheltering hundreds of displaced Palestinians killed 27 people. The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the strikes. This came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday there is “doubt” about the survival of three hostages previously believed alive in Gaza.
Vance says Russia was ‘asking for too much’ in its initial Ukraine peace offer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President JD Vance says Russia was “asking for too much” in its initial peace offer as the United States looks to bring about an end to the war in Ukraine. The vice president spoked Wednesday at a Washington meeting hosted by the Munich Security Conference, and didn’t elaborate on the Moscow’s terms. But Vance said he wasn’t pessimistic about the possibility of a peace deal. By contrast, President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to end the war. Vance said the U.S. would like the Russian and Ukrainian leaders to sit down directly to negotiate a long-term settlement.
Jury selection in the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sex trafficking trial expected to be completed Wednesday
NEW YORK (AP) — Jury selection in the sex trafficking trial of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is expected to wrap up on Wednesday. Lawyers agreed at the end of a second day of questioning prospective jurors on Tuesday that the jury can be picked after another day of work. Lawyers for the 55-year-old entertainer and prosecutors have worked for two days to assemble 35 individuals for a pool of 45 people from whom the jury will be picked. Combs has pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with leading a racketeering conspiracy that engaged in various crimes, including kidnapping, arson, bribery and sex trafficking.
New Story Of Homesteaded Couple Demonstrates The Grit, Faith, And Determination To Survive Amid …
CHARLESTON, S.C. (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — If you are looking for a good rea, Dakota Dawn tells the inspiring story of Alice and Hank Vedder, who relocate their family to a homestead near New Holland, South Dakota after twenty years of working on rented land. The family’s hopeful new beginning turns tragic with Hank’s untimely death, leaving Alice to care for the homestead and their four children alone. Through her acts of kindness and unwavering faith, Alice helps a Native American in dire need, sparking a lifelong friendship. The Vedders’ perseverance, bolstered by their deep family bonds and faith, serves as a testament to resilience and the unexpected kindness that can arise in difficult times. The author hopes the book will resonate with teenagers and anyone struggling with their faith, offering hope, courage, and belief in a higher power’s plan. Dakota Dawn is a must-read for those seeking inspiration in challenging times.
