The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Box Elder and Rapid City Women Sentenced on Federal Drug Charges
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A District Circuit Court Judge has sentenced a Box Elder woman and a Rapid City woman after being convicted of drug charges. Veronica Ortega, 48, and 53-year-old Paige Sierra were recently convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Ortega was given 24 years and four months in federal prison while Sierra received 11 years and 9 months in federal prison. The pair were indicted in February of 2024 by a federal grand jury. They pled guilty in April of this year. Prosecutors say the two women were part of a conspiracy with several others to distribute methamphetamine in the Rapid City and Pine Ridge area.
Cement Beam Blocks Rapid City Intersection
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A Rapid City intersection was blocked for several hours Tuesday after a large cement beam came unsecured from a semi-truck. Police say the large cement beam was blocking all lanes of traffic across Campbell Street at E. Minnesota Street. Traffic had to be diverted around the incident for several hours as crews worked to move the load. There were no injuries reported.
Juvenile Motorcyclist Arrested After Sturgis Chase
STURGIS, S.D. — The Meade County Sheriff’s Office arrested a juvenile motorcyclist Tuesday following a chase. Authorities say a Meade County Sheriff’s Deputy clocked the motorcyclist at 117 mph on I-90 in the Summerset area. The juvenile was reported to be heading westbound and weaving in and out of traffic. Officials say the motorcyclist exited the Interstate at Exit 46 and led authorities on a chase down Elk Creek Road and into the Sun Valley Estates. The juvenile then ducked into and behind a neighbor’s house before being apprehended and charged with several offenses.
Pennington County Administration Building Approves Five-Day Work Week
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Pennington County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday voted in favor of transitioning the County Administration Building to a five-day work week. While the move to a Monday through Friday schedule has been approved, the specific hours of operation will be determined following a final review of the data gathered by the Hours of Operation Study Team. The recommendation on daily operating hours will be presented to the Board in August, following the comprehensive analysis of employee and public feedback. The transition to a five-day schedule will not take effect until the Administration Building relocates to its new facility at 900 Concourse Drive.
Pierre Man Sentenced to Life for Teen’s Murder
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced that a Pierre man has been sentenced to life in prison without the opportunity for parole after earlier being found guilty of Second Degree Murder in the November 2023 stabbing death of 17-year-old Evie Maxey of Rapid City. David Shangreaux, Jr., 25, was sentenced Tuesday in Hughes County Circuit Court. He had been found guilty in April by a Hughes County Jury. The victim was stabbed multiple times in the bathroom of an apartment in Pierre on Nov. 30, 2023.
Rapid City to Host Open House on Proposed Vacation Home Rental Regulations
PIERRE, S.D. — The Rapid City Community Development Department will be hosting an open house on proposed vacation home rental regulations. The session will be held Thursday, July 24 from 2-4 p.m. in the Circle of Friends Community Room at City Hall, 300 Sixth Street. The purpose of the open house is to share information and gather feedback from the community on the draft ordinance regulating vacation homes in the city limits of Rapid City.
Senate Advances Bill to Trim Spending, Protecting Key Health Program
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans on Tuesday moved forward with President Donald Trump’s request to cancel approximately $9 billion in previously approved spending, following a 50-50 tie vote broken by Vice President JD Vance. A final Senate vote could occur as early as Wednesday before the bill returns to the House for another vote. Republicans had narrowed the president’s initial request by removing a proposed $400 million cut to PEPFAR, a popular program credited with saving millions of lives in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., emphasized the need to control spending, citing the national debt.
Pentagon Pulls Half of National Guard from Los Angeles, Citing Reduced Unrest
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Pentagon announced Tuesday it is ending the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles, nearly half of the soldiers sent to the city to address protests. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that “the lawlessness in Los Angeles is subsiding,” indicating the decision reflects improved conditions. Roughly 4,000 National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines had been in the city since early June. The move comes as California Governor Gavin Newsom had previously requested troops be returned for wildfire duty. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass applauded the departure, stating, “This happened because the people of Los Angeles stood united and stood strong,” and expressed hope for the full withdrawal of troops, emphasizing the success of peaceful protests and legal challenges.
Most US stocks slump, but Nvidia nudges Nasdaq to another record
NEW YORK (AP) — Most U.S. stocks fell after an update on inflation hurt Wall Street’s hopes for lower interest rates. The S&P 500 fell 0.4% Tuesday, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1%. Stocks felt pressure from a report showing inflation in the United States accelerated to 2.7% last month from 2.4% in May. That could help keep the Federal Reserve from cutting interest rates. Tech stocks were more resilient, thanks to a strong gain for Nvidia. It and other tech stocks helped drive the Nasdaq composite 0.2% higher to another record. Treasury yields rose in the bond market.
