The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Former News Anchor Shad Olson Pleads No Contest in Domestic Assault Case
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A former television news anchor avoided trial by pleading no contest to a charge of simple assault-domestic violence late Wednesday. Shad Olson was scheduled to go to trial this week. He was charged in connection with the assault of a woman in her home in Black Hawk in February of 2024. Prosecutors say Olson grabbed the woman by her shoulders and pushed her to the ground multiple times. By pleading guilty or no contest to the assault charge, prosecutors will recommend a 180-day suspended jail sentence as well as anger management sessions for Olson. He will also be ordered to have no contact with the victim. Sentencing has been set for July 3.
Second Person Charged in Ellsworth AFB Murder Case
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Court documents indicate a second person is facing charges in connection with the death of a 21-year-old woman at Ellsworth Air Force Base last year. Drew Durand, 24, is named in the documents and was arrested in Rapid City in late April on a charge of accessory after the fact and misprision of a felony. The documents do not say how Durand may have been involved in the case against Quinterrius Chappelle. He is charged in the murder of Sahela Sangrait, whose remains were found by a hiker outside of Hill City in March. Sangrait was initially reported missing in August of 2024. Investigators believe she was murdered on or around August 11th.
South Dakota Begins Voter Roll Cleanup to Ensure Election Integrity
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota’s 66 county auditors will begin the voter list maintenance process this summer, continuing the state’s longstanding commitment to clean, accurate, and secure elections. South Dakota conducts list maintenance every odd-numbered year between January 1st and November 15th. This process ensures that voter rolls remain up to date by removing individuals who have moved, passed away, or are otherwise no longer eligible to vote.
Governor Rhoden Launches GRIT Task Force to Safeguard State Infrastructure
PIERRE, S.D. — Governor Larry Rhoden is launching the Governor’s Resilience and Infrastructure Task Force, or GRIT. He signed an executive order yesterday. The group will advise on policies, assess risks, and plan for South Dakota’s critical infrastructure. Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen will chair the task force, with Adjutant General Mark Morrell as vice chair. The team includes experts from state agencies, utilities, and cybersecurity to help the state prepare for emergencies and protect its people.
RCPD Arrest Rapid City Man Following DUI Collision Into Knollwood Dr. Building
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Around 4pm on June 4th, Rapid City Police on patrol were contacted by a bystander, who tapped on their window and informed them that a delivery vehicle had collided with the building at 120 Knollwood Dr. Responding quickly, police “observed a large delivery truck that had left the roadway and collided with the building.” Police located the driver in the following moments, who was wearing the uniform of the delivery company which he was employed with. Identifying him as 36-year-old Zachary Mauss, “Police noted Mauss’s slurred speech and the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person,” and conducted a breath test which found a blood alcohol content of 0.382%, putting Mauss nearly five times over the legal limit. Arrested for Reckless Driving and DUI, Mauss was then transported to the Pennington County Jail.
First Measles Case in South Dakota This Year Raises Alarm Over Vaccination Rates
RAPID CITY, S.D. — South Dakota confirmed its first measles case of 2025 on May 28, sparking concern among health officials, especially in counties with low vaccination rates. The case, linked to international travel and reported in Pennington County, underscores the risk of outbreaks when community immunity drops. Dr. Paula Marsland, a pediatrician at Monument Health in Spearfish, warned that measles is one of the most contagious viruses, requiring at least a 95% vaccination rate to prevent spread—yet some South Dakota counties fall well below that threshold. Nationally, measles has infected over 1,100 people this year, mostly children, with three reported deaths. Dr. Marsland emphasized the safety and effectiveness of the MMR vaccine, calling it the best defense against a disease that once killed hundreds annually in the U.S. She urged parents to ensure their children are protected, reminding the community that vaccination not only shields individuals but also those who cannot be vaccinated.
Russian missile and drone attack across Ukraine wounds at least 3 and causes damage
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Officials say a Russian ballistic missile and drone attack on several Ukrainian regions has wounded at least three people. Multiple explosions were heard in the capital, Kyiv, where falling debris sparked fires as air defense systems attempted to intercept incoming targets. At least three people were wounded, and local officials urged residents to seek shelter. Authorities reported damage in several districts, and rescue workers were responding at multiple locations. In northern Chernihiv region, a Shahed drone exploded near an apartment building, shattering windows and doors. A regional official added that explosions from ballistic missiles were recorded on the outskirts of the city.
Trump, Xi Hold “Favorable” Call to Restart U.S.-China Trade Talks
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 5, 2025, President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a 90-minute phone call aimed at easing ongoing trade tensions and preparing the groundwork for renewed negotiations. The leaders discussed key issues such as tariffs, rare earth exports, and student visa policies, with both sides recognizing the need to reduce trade barriers. President Trump described the conversation as “highly favorable” and emphasized his respect for Xi, while acknowledging the Chinese leader’s tough negotiating stance. Invitations for reciprocal visits were exchanged, and trade talks are set to resume soon, led by U.S. officials Scott Bessent, Howard Lutnick, and Jamieson Greer, signaling a potential thaw in U.S.-China economic relations.
Private lunar lander from Japan crashes into moon in failed mission
A private lunar lander from Japan has crashed into the moon. The Tokyo-based company ispace declared the mission a failure several hours after communication was lost with the lander on Friday. Flight controllers tried to gain contact, but were met with only silence. Communication ceased less than two minutes before the spacecraft’s scheduled landing on the moon with a mini rover. It was ispace’s second lunar strikeout. The encore came two years after ispace’s first lander slammed into the moon.
What to know about the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day
NEW YORK (AP) — The Nintendo Switch 2 finally hit store shelves on Thursday, eight years after the initial release of Japanese video-game maker Nintendo’s popular video-game console. Even with a hefty $450 price tag, fans around the world, from Japan to the U.S., lined up outside stores to pick-up pre-orders or have a chance to buy the device. The release ends months of anticipation that included pre-order hiccups and fears that tariffs would delay the release of the Switch 2. Nintendo said it expects to sell 15 million Switch 2 consoles for the fiscal year through March 2026.
