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 TIF for Proposed Libertyland Theme Park
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Council voted Monday night to approve a tax increment financing district that will help fund a proposed theme park on the north side of town. Pete Lien and Sons own the property where Libertyland is being proposed. They plan to team up with designers to create the attraction. Libertyland, slated to be built near the intersection of Mall Drive and Lacrosse Street, includes a themed RV Resort, amusement park, indoor water park, and more. The council Monday night voted 8-2 to approve the TIF. Councilors Rod Pettigrew and Stephen Tamang were the two opposing votes.
Algae Bloom Causes Mass Fish Kill at Memorial Park Pond in Rapid City
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Officials are confirming an algae bloom caused the recent mass fish kill at Memorial Park Pond in Rapid City. While initial tests showed no contaminants, low oxygen levels linked to the bloom led to about a quarter of the fish dying. City officials say this is a rare event and the pond is now safe for fishing. They’re also considering installing a new fountain to improve oxygen levels and prevent future problems.
Rapid City Partners with Downtown Businesses for Free Motorcycle Parking During Sturgis Rally
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The City of Rapid City is partnering with four downtown businesses to offer free motorcycle parking for the upcoming 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. A total of 13 vehicle parking spaces in four designated locations will be reserved for free motorcycle parking for the period August 1-10. The spaces will be located at the Hotel Alex Johnson, Prairie Edge, Rapid Visitor Center, and FourFront Design. City officials remind the public to drive with caution with a higher-than-expected volume of motorcycle traffic for the 85th annual Sturgis Rally event.
Sturgis City Council Rejects $500,600 Bill from American Flat Trackers
STURGIS, S.D. — The city of Sturgis approved a resolution written by its city attorney Monday that directs the council not to approve paying a $500,600 bill from American Flat Trackers. AFT says the city owes the money according to the contract it signed last year to hold the Sturgis TT race downtown. That race lost half a million dollars in its inaugural year. Sturgis decided to cancel this year’s race due to uncertainty with AFT and last year’s race debt. City Attorney Eric Davis says he disagrees with the claim the city owes AFT money and the matter could end up in litigation.
Rapid City Council Sets Special Sessions for 2026 Budget Discussions
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Council has set up four upcoming special sessions for City department presentations and discussions regarding the proposed 2026 City budget. Mayor Jason Salamun will present the proposed budget to the City Council in a special session next Monday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers of City Hall. The Council has set aside August 5-8 for budget reviews and discussions with directors of City departments. A quorum of the City Council may be present at these sessions, but no votes are scheduled. The sessions are open to the public.
John T. Vucurevich Foundation Awards Over $1 Million in Grants to Rapid City Nonprofits
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The John T. Vucurevich Foundation has awarded more than a million dollars in grant funds to four nonprofits in Rapid City. Those nonprofits include West River Mental Health, the YMCA of Rapid City, Fork Real Community Café, and Friends of the Children He Sapa. West River Mental Health will receive $600,000 to support their New Start rental assistance voucher program. The YMCA will receive $765,000 to support them in operating their Jump Start childcare program for parents and teen parents looking for economic stability.
Heavy Metal Legend Ozzy Osbourne Dies at 76; Remembered for Iconic Sturgis and Rapid City Performances
RAPID CITY, S.D. – Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary “Prince of Darkness” and founding voice of Black Sabbath, has died at the age of 76. His family confirmed he passed peacefully on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Known for a career that shaped the sound of heavy metal for more than 50 years, Osbourne was a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and a platinum-selling solo artist. South Dakota fans fondly remember his unforgettable performances at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip in 2010 and 2017, as well as his November 2007 show at Rapid City’s Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Despite battles with Parkinson’s disease and other health issues, Osbourne continued performing into 2025, including a farewell show with Black Sabbath earlier this summer. His bold presence, genre-defining music, and show-stopping energy left an indelible mark on music history and generations of fans around the world.
US Olympic Committee Aligns With Trump Order, Bans Transgender Women from Women’s Sports
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has implemented a new policy barring transgender women from competing in women’s sports, citing compliance with President Donald Trump’s February executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” The change, quietly posted on the USOPC website and confirmed in a letter to national sports federations, directs all governing bodies to update their rules accordingly. The policy shift mirrors moves by the NCAA and follows global trends in swimming, cycling, and track and field. Critics, including the National Women’s Law Center, condemned the decision as discriminatory, while USOPC leaders called it necessary to “ensure fair and safe competition environments for women.” The ruling affects approximately 50 national sports organizations and may require changes from grassroots to elite levels. As the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles approach, the issue of gender eligibility in women’s sports remains a global flashpoint.
Trump Envoy Heads to Middle East in Renewed Push for Israel-Hamas Ceasefire
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is preparing for a diplomatic push in the Middle East aimed at securing a long-elusive ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, according to the State Department. Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Witkoff will travel with “strong hope” of brokering a 60-day truce and opening a new humanitarian corridor for Gaza, where recent violence has left dozens dead. While exact travel details remain undisclosed, Bruce described the situation as “constantly changing,” and hinted at potential good news. The ceasefire proposal includes phased hostage and prisoner exchanges and a major humanitarian aid effort, but talks remain stalled over the redeployment of Israeli forces and assurances that fighting will not resume.
Zelenskyy renews offer to meet with Putin as officials say Russian attacks kill a child in Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed his offer to meet Russia’s Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war. However, hopes for progress remain low as delegations prepare for talks in Istanbul. On Tuesday, Kremlin officials dismissed chances of a high-level meeting, citing significant unresolved issues. Previous talks in Istanbul led to prisoner exchanges but no major agreements. Meanwhile, Russian forces launched nighttime attacks on four Ukrainian cities, killing a child and wounding dozens. Strikes hit regions like Sumy and Kramatorsk, damaging homes and infrastructure. Ukraine plans to push for more prisoner releases and the return of abducted children.
Coca-Cola Confirms Cane Sugar Version of Classic Soda Coming to U.S. This Fall
ATLANTA — The Coca-Cola Co. announced Tuesday it will release a cane sugar-sweetened version of its iconic soda in the U.S. this fall, confirming a move President Donald Trump teased last week. While Coke has long used high fructose corn syrup in U.S. production, shifting consumer demand for simpler ingredients has spurred the company to follow rivals like Pepsi and Dr Pepper, who have offered cane sugar options since 2009. Though “Mexican Coke” has been available in glass bottles in the U.S. for years, this new version is expected to be more widely distributed.
