The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Rapid City Council Approves $12 Million in Vision Fund Projects
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Council voted overwhelmingly this week to approve funding for 14 new projects recommended by the Vision Fund Citizen Committee. The focus is on shovel-ready projects that will make an immediate impact, according to Committee Chairman John Kaiser. Funded projects include a skate park, bocce ball court, fire station, public security cameras, and major work at Canyon Lake Park. The biggest project is a three-and-a-half-million-dollar pond wall restoration, and one-million going to improve ADA access at the park’s little league baseball facilities.
Box Elder Woman Sentenced for Domestic Shooting on Pine Ridge Reservation
RAPID CITY, S.D. —A Box Elder woman, convicted of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, was sentenced to a year and a half in federal prison June 2. According to a release from the Department of Justice, Samatha Wright, 27, shot her then-husband during a domestic dispute when they lived on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The victim was shot three times with a handgun. Wright pleaded guilty on March 21, 2025.
Man Injured in Drug-Related Shooting in Rapid City
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City Police are investigating a shooting that injured a man Monday afternoon. At approximately 2:00 p.m. on June 9, officers with the Rapid City Police Department responded to the 1800 block of Brentwood Street for a report of an adult male with a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, officers found the man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to his shoulder. Police say his injuries are serious but not life-threatening. Police believe the shooting may have taken place at a nearby apartment, and appears to be drug-related.
Meade County Deputies Train with Life Flight to Improve Emergency Response
STURGIS, S.D. — The Meade County Sheriff’s Office participated with Black Hills Life Flight Monday night for a training session. Meade County Sheriff Pat West says this vital collaboration is especially crucial in rural communities, where their expertise and swift response can mean the difference between life and death in critical situations. The focus of the training was on landing zone selection and operational management—key skills that enhance safety and efficiency.
Crews Contain Canyon Fire Near Rapid City with No Evacuations
SUMMERSET, S.D. — Local, state and federal resources quickly responded to a wildfire west of Rapid City Tuesday afternoon. The Canyon Fire was reported around 1:45 p.m. and was located near the Cedar Camp Ranch about a half mile northwest of Canyon Lake. It took crews a few hours to stop the forward progress of the fire, and by 6:00 p.m. Tuesday evening, Rapid City Fire said they were in the mop up stage. The fire was listed at 1.3 acres by Great Plains Fire Dispatch. The fire did not reportedly threaten any structures and no evacuations were issued. The fire’s cause was under investigation.
Rapid City Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Sexually Abusing Two Children
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A 77-year-old man has been sentenced to two consecutive 10-year prison terms for sexually abusing two young children. The sentence follows Wesley Barnes’ guilty plea to two counts of sexual contact with a child under the age of 16. Prosecutors say in exchange for his plea, the State agreed to dismiss charges of first-degree rape, while securing a 20-year prison sentence. Furthermore, it spares the victims the trauma of having to testify at trial.
Russia launches another large-scale drone and missile attack on Ukraine, killing 3 and wounding 13
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials say three people were killed and 13 were wounded when Russia attacked the country with waves of drones and missiles. The attack early Tuesday struck Kyiv, and the southern port of Odesa. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it one of the biggest strikes on the capital in the 3-year-old war, with explosions and the buzzing of drones heard for hours in Kyiv. Russia has been launching a record number of drones and missiles while the countries continue to swap prisoners of war, the only tangible outcome of recent direct peace talks in Istanbul. A ceasefire, long sought by Kyiv, remains elusive.
Israel deports Greta Thunberg after Gaza-bound ship she was on was seized
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel has deported activist Greta Thunberg a day after Israel’s military seized the Gaza-bound ship she was on. Thunberg spoke in Paris on Tuesday and described a “quite chaotic and uncertain” situation during the detention. She was one of 12 passengers on board the boat carrying aid destined for people in Gaza. The activists said they were protesting the war and the humanitarian crisis amid Israeli restrictions on aid. Israel says such ships violate its naval blockade of Gaza. Thunberg says they will keep trying to get aid to the territory.
DC prepares for Trump’s military parade with 18 miles of fencing and 175 magnetometers
WASHINGTON (AP) — As Washington, D.C., cleans up from the weekend’s culmination of World Pride, the capital city’s focus now shifts straight into a very different mass event — the June 14 military parade to honor the 250th birthday of the army and the 79th birthday of President Donald Trump. Army officials have estimated around 200,000 attendees for the evening military parade. More than 18 miles of security fencing will be erected and 175 magnetometers will be deployed at security checkpoints for the birthday festivities and the nearby parade route.
Emperor penguins show dramatic decline in one region of Antarctica, satellite photos show
WASHINGTON (AP) — Satellite photos show emperor penguins in one region of Antarctica declined 22% in the past 15 years. That’s significantly faster than prior estimates of their decline due to climate change. Researchers at the British Antarctic Survey analyzed satellite imagery from 2009 to 2024 to assess the loss in penguin population. The decline is likely due to diminished sea ice, which penguins need to breed and forage. More predators like leopard seals and orcas may also be able to come in closer to the colonies if sea ice breaks up earlier in the year. Results were released Tuesday.
