The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Newcastle Woman Dies Following Motorcycle Crash in Sturgis
STURGIS, S.D. — Authorities have identified a Newcastle, Wyoming woman killed in a motorcycle crash last week in Sturgis. 60-year-old Heather Lynne Clifton, the driver of a 2015 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling west on Interstate 90 on the Exit 32 off-ramp near its intersection with Junction Avenue. A Ford Taurus driven by Leatrice C. Edwards was traveling north on Junction Avenue near the off-ramp. As the motorcycle entered the intersection, it collided with the Taurus, and the rider became separated from the motorcycle. Clifton was taken to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries and died Wednesday from those injuries.
Pennington County Housing Commission to Modernize Aging Properties
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Pennington County Housing and Redevelopment Commission wants to ensure their properties are kept up to date. The commission this week approved a contract for architectural and engineering services to modernize many of their buildings that are more than 50 years old. The commission currently has two contracts to replace materials used to cover and protect the exterior walls of their high-rise properties. The contract will be for the next four years.
Rescue at Hippie Hole After Hiker Suffers Heat-Related Illness
ROCKERVILLE, S.D. — The Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department and Keystone Ambulance were paged Friday to the Hippie Hole area for a rescue. The patient was experiencing heat related issues and dehydration. The rescue took just over 4 hours to complete. The patient was found to be below the falls, and first responders transitioned resources to the south end and brought the patient out to Hwy 40. A stokes basket was utilized and several scree rope setups to get the patient out of the Hole and to the Ambulance. The patient was transported to the hospital.
South Dakota Lawmakers’ Home Addresses Removed from Legislative Website
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota legislative leaders recently ordered the removal of lawmakers’ home addresses from the Legislature’s website in response to the shootings of two lawmakers and their spouses in Minnesota. The decision is about personal safety, said state Senate President Pro Tempore Chris Karr, R-Sioux Falls. Legislative staff removed addresses, cities of residence and ZIP codes from lawmakers’ profile pages and from a downloadable list of legislator information. Lawmakers’ cities of residence are still viewable on the “historical listing” section of the website, and Karr said the cities of residence could eventually be restored on the profile pages. With so many other modern methods of communication, Karr said he doesn’t see a reason why a constituent needs home addresses of legislators. He views that removal as permanent.
Domestic Violence Shelters Struggle Amid VOCA Funding Cuts
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota domestic violence shelters are under escalating pressure as federal VOCA funding drops to $4.5 million—down from $15 million in 2018—and state and federal cuts intensify. That’s according to reporting by Northern Plains News. Shelters report staff layoffs and reduced capacity, and legal aid for immigrant children has been cut. A bipartisan proposal in Congress may offer relief.
Thune Supports U.S. Airstrikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites, Cites National Security Concerns
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune voiced support Saturday for President Donald Trump’s decision to launch airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, including Fordow, Natanz, and a site near Isfahan. The strikes, part of a broader effort to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, were confirmed by the White House amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Thune stated that Iran’s rejection of diplomacy and continued nuclear pursuits left the United States with no alternative but to act. He also expressed concern for the safety of American troops deployed in the region, which number between 40,000 and 50,000 across bases in countries including Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. The Department of Defense has increased its security posture in response to the unfolding situation.
NATO Summit to Downplay Ukraine Role Amid Shift in U.S. Strategy
BRUSSELS (AP) — As NATO prepares to open its summit Tuesday in the Netherlands, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend—but this time, without a prominent seat at the table. Unlike past summits that spotlighted Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion, the agenda now reflects a shift in focus led by the United States. The upcoming summit statement is expected to briefly mention Ukraine, a stark contrast to earlier commitments that outlined long-term security aid and an expedited path to NATO membership. U.S. officials have emphasized the need to preserve diplomatic flexibility with Moscow and have cited competing security priorities, including tensions in the Indo-Pacific and along the U.S. southern border. The developments follow President Donald Trump’s recent remarks suggesting Ukraine and Russia might “fight for a while” before negotiations and his call for Russia’s return to the G7. As the war enters its fourth year, Ukraine continues to face near-daily attacks, including a major drone strike on Kyiv last week. Despite the scaled-back attention at NATO, European leaders have met individually with Zelenskyy to reaffirm their continued support.
Three Killed as Tornado and Severe Storms Sweep Across North Dakota
ENDERLIN, N.D. (AP) — Severe weather, including a tornado, swept through parts of the upper Midwest late Friday, leaving three people dead near the town of Enderlin in southeastern North Dakota. Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner confirmed that two men and a woman were killed at two separate locations. The National Weather Service reported that a tornado struck a home in the area, contributing to the fatalities. The storm system also caused extensive damage, downed power lines, and left thousands without electricity. In addition to North Dakota, strong winds, large hail, and tornadoes impacted parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Nearly 150 million Americans across the U.S. remained under heat advisories or warnings as the system pushed warmer temperatures into the weekend.
Trump Extends TikTok Deadline 90 Days to Allow More Time for U.S. Ownership Deal
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday granting TikTok another 90 days to operate in the U.S. while negotiations continue to bring the platform under American ownership. The extension, announced on Truth Social, is the third since a nationwide ban was approved and upheld by the Supreme Court. TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, thanked the administration and confirmed ongoing cooperation with Vice President JD Vance’s office. While the extension has not faced legal challenges, it comes amid ongoing national security concerns and divided public opinion, with Pew Research showing only one-third of Americans now support a ban.
