The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at hThe Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Pennington County Jury Convicts David Poor Bear on Multiple Charges Including Rape and Kidnapping
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A Pennington County jury has found 33-year-old David Poor Bear guilty on eight charges, including second-degree rape, kidnapping, child abuse, and other serious offenses stemming from a violent incident in Box Elder. After a four-day trial and more than six hours of deliberation, the jury returned guilty verdicts late Friday. Evidence presented revealed that Poor Bear held a woman and her daughter captive for over a day and a half, during which he zip-tied, assaulted, and threatened them. The adult victim was beaten with a sock filled with nails and a chain, while the child, who also testified, was threatened and exposed to the violence. Prosecutors supported the victims’ testimony with physical evidence, photographs, jail calls, and testimony from two additional women. Senior Deputy State’s Attorney Rachel Lindsay praised the victims’ bravery and the jury’s diligence. Sentencing will follow.
GF&P Seeks Public Input on Proposed Fees for $20 Million Shooting Complex
STURGIS, S.D. —Free public use of a more than 400-acre sports shooting complex north of Rapid City was among the original perks promoted by the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department (GF&P), which is nearing completion of the $20 million facility. Initially budgeted at $9.9 million in 2021, the cost has grown significantly, with $13.5 million coming from the Future Fund and $6.5 million in donations. The GF&P Commission is now taking public comment on proposed access fees and will hold a public hearing at 2 p.m. on July 10 during its regular meeting in Yankton, where a final decision on fees is expected.
Public Invited to Share Input on Rapid City Parks and Recreation Master Plan
PIERRE, S.D. — The City of Rapid City’s Parks and Recreation Department is seeking public input to help shape a city-wide Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Two open houses are scheduled for Tuesday to allow residents to ask questions and share ideas. The first open house will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Main Street Square in downtown Rapid City, and the second during Family Food Truck Night at Canyon Lake Park from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The feedback gathered will help guide future improvements to parks, trails, recreational programs, and facilities across the city. Residents can also complete an online survey to share their input if they are unable to attend in person.
Historic Real Estate Workshop in Rapid City to Educate Property Owners
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Historic Preservation Commission is hosting the Historic Real Estate Workshop Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Dahl Arts Center, located at 713 Seventh Street. The free, public workshop aims to educate homeowners and real estate agents on the responsibilities and benefits of owning historic property. Topics include available incentives and grants, with sessions led by Kevin Kuchenbecker, Planning, Zoning, and Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Deadwood. The workshop is approved for continuing education credit hours by the South Dakota Real Estate Commission, allowing agents to earn credits while learning. Attendees can expect in-depth sessions covering historic property classifications, the project review process, and alternative funding sources such as Certified Local Government grant programs
Joyce University Expands Nursing Programs to South Dakota, Offering RN Pathways in 20 Months
SALT LAKE CITY (BUSINESS WIRE) — Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences announced it is expanding its hybrid pre- and post-licensure nursing programs into South Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas, giving students in these states the opportunity to prepare for RN licensure in as few as 20 months. The expansion brings Joyce University’s programs to 16 states nationwide, including options such as the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), traditional and accelerated BSN programs, and post-licensure RN to BSN and MSN in Leadership. South Dakota students will complete online coursework and receive in-person training through local clinical placements. Enrollment is now open for the next cohort starting September 2, 2025.
Minnesota Lawmakers Unite in Grief, Call for Civility After Deadly Shooting
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Leaders across the political spectrum are expressing grief and unity after a tragic shooting that claimed the lives of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, and left state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife critically injured. The suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, was taken into custody late Sunday. Lawmakers, including Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, emphasized the human toll of political violence and the importance of lowering tensions, while Republicans and Democrats alike released a joint statement condemning the attack. U.S. Capitol Police have increased security for Minnesota’s federal delegation. Officials say the tragedy is a sobering reminder of the need for civil discourse and support for public servants who work to strengthen democracy in every community.
Israel Strikes Iranian State TV Station Amid Escalating Conflict; Trump Urges Evacuation of Tehran
TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel struck Iran’s state-run television station Monday during a live broadcast, prompting an on-air evacuation after an explosion rocked the facility. The strike followed a wave of Iranian missile attacks that killed at least eight people in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the Israeli campaign had significantly set back Iran’s nuclear program, saying he was not seeking regime change but would “not be surprised” if it occurred. Israel said the targeted TV station was used to conceal military activity and issued prior evacuation warnings. U.S. President Donald Trump, attending the G7 summit in Canada, reiterated that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons and urged immediate evacuation of Tehran. The White House confirmed Trump’s early return to Washington due to the escalating conflict.
Doctor to Plead Guilty in Connection to Matthew Perry’s Ketamine Death
LOS ANGELES — Dr. Salvador Plasencia has agreed to plead guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine, including to actor Matthew Perry in the month leading up to his fatal overdose, according to a plea agreement filed Monday in federal court. In exchange, prosecutors will drop additional charges, including falsifying records. Perry, 54, was found dead in October 2023, with ketamine listed as the primary cause. Plasencia admitted to supplying Perry with multiple ketamine vials and teaching his assistant how to administer the drug. The plea, which carries a possible sentence of up to 40 years, follows guilty pleas from three other defendants involved in the case. One remaining defendant, alleged drug dealer Jasveen Sangha, has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
European Satellites Create Artificial Solar Eclipses in Space with Millimeter Precision
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Two European Space Agency satellites have successfully created the first artificial solar eclipses in orbit, offering scientists unprecedented, hours-long views of the sun’s corona. Flying just 492 feet apart with millimeter-level precision, the Proba-3 satellites simulate solar eclipses by blocking sunlight with one satellite while the other captures images of the sun’s outer atmosphere. The $210 million mission has already produced 10 eclipses since March, with some lasting up to five hours. Scientists hope to begin full observations in July, targeting 200 eclipses and over 1,000 hours of totality during the two-year mission — far exceeding the few minutes of natural totality typically seen on Earth.
