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Two Arrested in Rapid City Drug Trafficking Investigation
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Unified Narcotic Enforcement Team (UNET) announces the arrest of two individuals this week, following an ongoing investigation into illegal drug trafficking in Western South Dakota. The arrests resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Ezra Bald Eagle, 26, and Mariah Cross, 25, both of Rapid City, were taken into custody and face multiple felony and misdemeanor charges. The arrests stem from an investigation led by UNET, which determined that fentanyl and methamphetamine were being transported into Rapid City from Colorado.
Helicopter Rescue for Meade County Rancher After Horse Accident
STURGIS, SD — A life flight helicopter helped rescue a Meade County rancher Wednesday after what the sheriff’s office called a serious accident involving a horse. Witnesses saw the accident and called first responders immediately. Within minutes, a Life-Flight helicopter was dispatched, landing in a pasture to take the rancher to the hospital. Meade County Sheriff Pat West says the incident underscores the exceptional teamwork and effectiveness of Meade County’s first responders.
‘Click It or Ticket’ Campaign Launches in South Dakota
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office is reminding drivers that wearing a seatbelt can be the difference between life and death. That message is part of the annual seatbelt “Click it or Ticket” campaign which kicked off this week. The nationwide campaign, running through June 1st, aims to reduce highway fatalities. Lieutenant Casey Kenrick with the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office points out that more than half of deadly crashes in South Dakota involve unbuckled passengers, with over 60 percent of those fatalities being young drivers aged 14 to 21.
City Facilities to Close for Memorial Day in Rapid City
RAPID CITY, S.D. – City of Rapid City officials remind the public that City facilities will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day. The closure includes City offices, including City Hall, as well as many major City services and operations. Rapid Transit System’s RapidRide and Dial-A-Ride services will not be operating Monday for the holiday. The Rapid City Landfill will be closed Memorial Day with City trash collection suspended Monday. Monday’s collection is set for Tuesday with Tuesday through Friday collections operating on a normal schedule, leave out until collected. The Rapid City Public Library will be closed Monday in observance of the holiday.
Johnson, Rhoden set pace in South Dakota governor’s race
Sioux Falls, SD (South Dakota News Watch) — U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson and Gov. Larry Rhoden are early frontrunners in South Dakota’s 2026 Republican gubernatorial primary, according to a Mason-Dixon poll of 500 GOP voters conducted April 9–11. Johnson leads with 28% support, followed closely by Rhoden at 27%, while Attorney General Marty Jackley trails at 18%. The poll shows 20% remain undecided, and candidates Jon Hansen and Toby Doeden are struggling with name recognition. Johnson has not formally entered the race but holds $5.9 million in campaign funds, compared to Rhoden’s $91,000. Trump remains popular in the state, with a 68% favorability rating, and former Gov. Kristi Noem leads all figures at 61%.
Gov. Rhoden to Host TikTok Press Conference with Reid Rasner
PIERRE, S.D. (Rapid City Post) — Gov. Larry Rhoden will host a press conference Friday with Wyoming billionaire Reid Rasner to discuss South Dakota’s potential as the new home for an American-owned TikTok. The event, set for 10 a.m. CT at Dakota State University in Madison, highlights the state’s growing cybersecurity sector and its role in national digital security efforts. Rhoden praised South Dakota’s leadership in protecting Americans from foreign surveillance and said the partnership with Rasner Media could bring major opportunities. The visit will include a tour of key cybersecurity sites in the Sioux Falls region.
US Mint moves forward with plans to kill the penny
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Mint has made its final order of penny blanks and plans to stop producing the coin when those run out. That word comes from a Treasury Department official who wasn’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity to preview the news. An immediate annual savings of $56 million in reduced material costs is expected by stopping penny production, according to the official. In February, President Donald Trump announced that he had ordered his administration to cease production of the 1-cent coin. The Treasury says there are about 114 billion pennies currently in circulation in the United States — that’s $1.14 billion — but they’re greatly underutilized.
Senate votes to block California’s rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035
WASHINGTON — The Senate has voted to block California’s first-in-the nation rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. Lawmakers on Thursday have passed three resolutions to roll back the state’s vehicle emissions standards. They now head to the White House. The other measures would block rules curbing tailpipe emissions in certain vehicles and smog-forming nitrogen oxide pollution from trucks. California’s attorney general says the state plans to sue over the way that Republicans passed the measures. California has significant power to shape purchasing trends, especially because about a dozen states follow California’s lead on curbing air pollution.
Microsoft fires employee who interrupted CEO’s speech to protest AI tech for Israeli military
SEATTLE (AP) — Microsoft has fired an employee who interrupted a speech by CEO Satya Nadella to protest the company’s work supplying the Israeli military with technology used for the war in Gaza. Software engineer Joe Lopez could be heard shouting at Nadella in the opening minutes Monday of the tech giant’s annual Build developer conference in Seattle before getting escorted out of the room. Lopez’s outburst was the first of several pro-Palestinian disruptions at the event that has drawn thousands of software developers to the Seattle Convention Center this week. At least three talks by executives were disrupted.
