The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Denver Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Meth Trafficking in Western South Dakota
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A Denver woman has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for her role in a drug trafficking network distributing meth in western South Dakota. Shelina Martinez, 34, will also face five years of supervised release after completing her prison term. Federal prosecutors say Martinez was involved in a conspiracy from 2022 to 2024 to distribute meth in areas including Rapid City and the Pine Ridge Reservation, occasionally assisting with transporting the drugs from Denver into South Dakota.
South Dakota Attorney General Joins Effort to Protect Local Ranchers Against Mislabeling of Foreign Beef
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced he is leading a bipartisan coalition of 11 Attorneys General in filing an amicus brief supporting cattle ranchers in a legal dispute over “Product of USA” labeling on foreign-sourced beef. Ranchers filed suit in South Dakota Federal District Court after the U.S. Department of Agriculture allowed the labeling on foreign products. The District Court ruled in favor of the ranchers, and the case is now on appeal to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Rapid City Hospital Maintains High Ratings for Patient Care and Safety
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Monument Health reports continued improvements to its CMS Hospital Quality Star Rating, reaffirming its commitment to quality health care. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services elevated Rapid City Hospital’s rating to four stars. Combined with a recent Leapfrog A-safety grade, hospital officials say the ratings reflect measurable upgrades in patient care quality and safety.
Meade County Considers Permits for Overweight and Oversize Vehicles on County Roads
STURGIS, S.D. — The Meade County Commission began discussions on a proposed ordinance regulating overweight and over-width vehicles on county roads. The draft ordinance would require single-trip permits, potentially costing $25, for vehicles exceeding 80,000 pounds gross or width limits under South Dakota law. Agriculture industries would be exempt. The commission plans to revisit the proposal at its October meeting.
Pregnant Lead Woman Recovering After Severe Propane Explosion Burns
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Ruth (Bryan) Baus, 24, of Lead, is recovering at Regions Hospital in Saint Paul, Minnesota, after suffering burns to nearly half her body in an August 1 propane explosion. Baus, who is 17 weeks pregnant, was preparing a rental cabin when a spark from a microwave ignited a leak, triggering a blast that damaged the building. Nearby campers rushed to help before she was airlifted to one of the nation’s top burn units. According to a family GoFundMe, Baus has undergone multiple surgeries, including a recell procedure on her legs and skin graft preparations on her arms and hands. Doctors expect her to remain hospitalized for about three months. The baby is reported to be doing well, and donations are being accepted to help ease the family’s financial burden during her recovery.
Public Safety Day in Summerset Set for Aug. 16
SUMMERSET, S.D. — The Summerset Police Department will host a free Public Safety Day on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering families a chance to meet local first responders, explore emergency vehicles, and enjoy hands-on activities. The event, emceed by radio personality Amy Rose, will feature agencies including the Summerset Police Department, Meade County, South Dakota Highway Patrol, local volunteer fire departments, and LifeFlight. Monument Health will provide interactive health demonstrations, and kids can try the dunk tank with the school resource officer. Guests can enjoy free burgers, hot dogs, and ice cream, take part in raffles for prizes like bike helmets and T-shirts, and participate in safety games. More details are available on the Summerset Police Department’s Facebook page or at summerset.us.
Trump warns of ‘severe consequences’ if Putin does not agree to stop war after summit
BERLIN (AP) — President Donald Trump says there will be “very severe consequences” if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree to stop the war against Ukraine after the two leaders meet for a summit later this week in Alaska. Trump made the comment Wednesday in response to a question from a reporter after announcing this year’s Kennedy Center Honors recipients in Washington. He did not say what the consequences might be. The remark came soon after Trump consulted with European leaders, who said the president assured them he would make a priority of trying to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine when he speaks with Putin on Friday in Anchorage.
Israeli gunfire kills at least 25 in Gaza as Netanyahu says he will allow Palestinians to leave
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Health officials and witnesses say Israeli gunfire killed at least 25 people while seeking aid. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will “allow” Palestinians to leave during an upcoming military offensive in some of the territory’s most populated areas. Netanyahu wants to realize U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision of relocating much of Gaza’s population of over 2 million people through what he refers to as “voluntary migration” — and what critics have warned could be ethnic cleansing. Efforts to revive ceasefire talks have resumed after apparently breaking down last month. Hamas and Egyptian officials met Wednesday in Cairo.
Federal agents will be out 24/7 on patrol in Washington, the White House says
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says the number of National Guard troops in Washington will ramp up and federal officers will be on the streets of the nation’s capital around the clock. The changes starting Wednesday night come days after President Donald Trump made the unprecedented announcement that his administration would take over the police department for at least a month. Now he’s suggesting he could seek a longer period of control. The city’s Democratic mayor is walking a political tightrope. Muriel Bowser has referred to the takeover as an “authoritarian push” but also framed the infusion of officers as boost to public safety.
Venus Williams gets a US Open wild card at age 45 and will be the oldest in singles since 1981
NEW YORK (AP) — Venus Williams will make her return to Grand Slam tennis at the U.S. Open in singles at age 45 after a two-year absence. Williams received a wild-card invitation on Wednesday to compete in singles at Flushing Meadows. The American will be the oldest singles entrant in the tournament since Renee Richards was 47 in 1981. Williams already had been given a wild-card entry by the U.S. Tennis Association for the mixed doubles competition in New York next week. Her seven major singles championships include titles at the U.S. Open in 2000 and 2001. Singles matches begin in New York on Aug. 24.