The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Sturgis Council Tables Motorcycle-Only Parking Plan, Approves $50K Settlement
STURGIS, S.D. —The Sturgis City Council voted 4-3 Monday night to hold off on proposed changes to motorcycle-only parking on Main Street during the week leading up to the annual Rally. The idea, brought forward by Mark Bruch of the Downtown Sturgis Foundation, included various options for dedicating sections of Main Street to motorcycles ahead of the event, but was ultimately tabled until at least next year. Councilors Chaplin, Dargatz, Jensen, and Thompson voted against implementing the plan this year, while Jones, Usera, and Kopp were in favor. Separately, the council approved a $50,000 settlement with the Bohn family and Brenda Vasknetz, following a South Dakota Supreme Court ruling that the city had a legal obligation to hold a special election on its form of government. Voters later chose to eliminate the city manager model. Some related claims are still pending in court.
Final I-190 Closure Scheduled for June 21–22 in Rapid City
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Interstate 190 and exit 57 in Rapid City will temporarily close starting at 5 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2025, with reopening planned for 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 22. The closure allows for removal of the temporary pedestrian crossing and falsework beneath the Anamosa Street Bridge. A signed detour will route drivers via exit 55 (Deadwood Avenue), exit 61 (U.S. Highway 16B), and S.D. Highway 44 (Omaha Street). Once reopened, two-way traffic will shift to the northbound lanes as part of the ongoing bridge replacement project.
Trump Pauses Immigration Raids, Easing Labor Pressure on South Dakota Industries
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota’s tourism, agriculture, and food industries are getting relief from labor shortages after President Trump directed immigration officials to pause raids on hotels, farms, restaurants, and meatpacking plants. The change was reported by Reuters and confirmed by Trump via Truth Social, citing concerns over the impact of immigration enforcement on key economic sectors. As a result, undocumented workers in these industries will not be targeted for deportation during the pause.
Man who says he can move TikTok to South Dakota is a bust in Wyoming politics
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Wyoming financial adviser Reid Rasner, who lost his U.S. Senate bid by 43 points, has positioned himself as the leading bidder in a proposed $47.45 billion effort to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations, pledging to base the company in South Dakota. Despite endorsements from Gov. Larry Rhoden, the state Chamber of Commerce, and Dakota State University, Rasner’s lack of documented billionaire status, his Senate filings show modest income, some real estate holdings, and over $1 million in personal debt, has led critics in Wyoming and anonymous analysts to dismiss his bid as a publicity stunt.
Prairie Dog Hunting Legal in South Dakota Under State Regulations
In South Dakota, prairie dog hunting is legal and regulated by the state’s Department of Game, Fish, and Parks (GFP), which oversees wildlife management and outdoor recreation, including setting seasons and issuing licenses for various game species. While prairie dogs are often labeled as pests by landowners due to burrowing and vegetation impacts, they are not federally protected in South Dakota, and licensed hunting is permitted within designated seasons and zones . GFP issues permits, enforces rules, and educates the public on safe practices ensuring that hunting aligns with conservation goals and legal standards.
Pierre Teen Robert Arnold Enters South Dakota Governor’s Race
PIERRE, S.D. — Nineteen-year-old Robert Arnold, an Oglala Lakota and Dakota State University student from Pierre, has launched a historic campaign for South Dakota governor as a Democrat, filing his candidacy on Saturday at the State Capitol. If Arnold gathers the required 1,231 signatures to qualify for the 2026 ballot, he would become the youngest candidate in U.S. history and the first Native American governor in the state. With experiences as a legislative page and intern, Arnold says his campaign prioritizes affordable housing, tribal and community safety, and education funding. Junior in college, he plans to juggle full-time studies alongside the campaign, acknowledging the long odds but emphasizing a grassroots, “commonsense, pro-community” platform .
Trump Calls for Iran’s ‘Unconditional Surrender’ as Israel Targets Top General in Escalating Conflict
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Tensions between Israel and Iran escalated dramatically Tuesday as Israeli forces killed a top Iranian general in Tehran and launched new strikes on suspected missile sites, while U.S. President Donald Trump called for the “unconditional surrender” of Iran and warned civilians to evacuate the capital. Trump left the G7 summit in Canada early, saying he wanted “a real end” to the conflict, not a ceasefire. Israel’s air campaign, now in its fifth day, has killed over 220 in Iran, according to officials, and has damaged key nuclear facilities including Natanz. Iran has retaliated with hundreds of drones and missiles, killing 24 in Israel. The violence has prompted evacuations in Tehran, shuttered businesses, and led to widespread internet restrictions. Iran’s military vowed further retaliation, while Trump floated the possibility of diplomatic talks even as he signaled growing impatience with Tehran’s leadership.
G6 Leaders Discuss Ukraine, Global Issues After Trump Departs G7 Early
KANANASKIS, Alberta (AP) — Leaders from six Group of Seven nations concluded summit talks on Tuesday, focusing on Russia’s war in Ukraine and international cooperation on trade, minerals, and artificial intelligence. U.S. President Donald Trump departed the summit early to return to Washington amid escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte joined the discussions. Zelenskyy reported over 15 deaths and 150 injuries from recent Russian attacks and called for an unconditional ceasefire. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced new sanctions on Russia and plans for a future meeting of a “coalition of the willing.” The G6 did not issue a joint statement on Ukraine. Trump’s trade team remained in Canada for continued talks. All G7 members signed a brief joint statement affirming that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon and calling for de-escalation in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza.
Iran asks its people to delete WhatsApp from their devices
Iranian state television on Tuesday afternoon urged the country’s public to remove the messaging app WhatsApp from their smart phones, alleging without offering any evidence the app gathered user information to send to Israel. WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted, which means a service provider in the middle can’t read messages. WhatsApp says it does not track users’ precise location and does not track personal messages. Iran had banned WhatsApp in 2022 following mass protests. It lifted the ban late last year.
