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Rapid City Police Investigate Homicide at Oxford Square Apartments
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City Police are investigating a homicide at 225 E. Watertown Street. Officers were dispatched around 9:15 p.m. Monday after an adult male was found unconscious in a hallway with severe injuries from an assault. The victim, 24-year-old Michael LeDeaux of Rapid City, was transported to a hospital where he later died. Tyler Ironboy has been located and taken into custody for Aiding and Abetting Second Degree Murder and a Parole Hold.
Police identified several individuals involved in the assault. Joshua Thunderhawk, 24, was arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder. Four others — 55-year-old John Blackbear of Allen, 34-year-old Clara Poorbear of Rapid City, 32-year-old Latonna Waters of Rapid City, and 34-year-old Dustin Yatsayte of Rapid City were also arrested in connection with the incident. The investigation continues.
Authorities note the Oxford Square Apartments have been the site of multiple recent violent crimes, including a homicide in August and a recent armed robbery. Additional police resources have been assigned to the area.
Spearfish man arrested for arson, assault after Lead house fire
LEAD, S.D. — A Spearfish man was arrested Monday after authorities say he set fire to a house and fired shots toward it in Lead. Deputies with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home south of Lead off Highway 385 after residents reported flames on the side of the house and a bullet hole in a window. Security video showed a man damaging vehicles and shooting what appeared to be a rifle at the residence before using a propane torch to ignite the exterior, officials said. Nineteen-year-old Jaxson Burleson was arrested on charges including arson, aggravated assault, stalking and intentional damage to property.
Nikki Gronli Enters South Dakota U.S. House Race; Marty Jackley Launches Gubernatorial Campaign
PIERRE, S.D. — Nikki Gronli announced she will run for South Dakota’s lone U.S. House seat. Gronli, who previously served as the state’s Rural Development Director under the Biden administration, cited concerns heard during months of town halls about healthcare, veterans’ services, and tariffs. She joins Billy Mawheney as one of two Democrats in the race.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Marty Jackley held his house seat campaign kickoff last night in his hometown of Sturgis.
Rhoden unveils $650 million prison plan ahead of Sept. 23 special session
PIERRE, S.D. — Gov. Larry Rhoden on Monday released the full plan for a new state prison to be built on Benson Road in Sioux Falls, a $650 million proposal backed unanimously by the prison task force and set for a Sept. 23 special session vote. The design reflects $175 million in cost reductions from an earlier $825 million plan, including adjustments to housing units, intake space and the central utility plant, while increasing vocational programming space by 27,000 square feet. Rhoden called the plan fiscally responsible and said it would provide South Dakota with a “100-year facility” to reform its corrections system.
Rapid City Diaper Drive Kickoff Announced
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun will join Volunteers of America and representatives from the Fire and Police Departments, the Rapid City Public Library, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Department for the city’s Diaper Drive kickoff today at 11 a.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers.
The mayor will also proclaim September 15-21 as Diaper Need Awareness Week in Rapid City. Last year, the community collected more than 20,000 diapers and related supplies, along with $3,000 in cash donations to support families in need.
Israeli strike in Qatar targets Hamas leaders as they weigh Gaza ceasefire proposal
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Israel launched a strike targeting Hamas’ leadership in Qatar as they considered a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Tuesday’s strike on the territory of a U.S. ally marked a stunning escalation and risked upending talks aimed at winding down the war and freeing hostages. Qatar, which has served as a key mediator between Israel and Hamas, condemned the “flagrant violation of all international laws and norms” as smoke rose over its capital, Doha. Hamas said in a statement that its top leaders survived the strike but that five lower-level members were killed, including the son of Hamas’ leader for Gaza. The White House described the attack as an ‘unfortunate incident’ that didn’t advance peace in the region.
After 800 years of silence, the oldest pipe organ in the Christian world sounds once more
JERUSALEM (AP) — After 800 years of silence, a pipe organ that researchers say is the oldest in the Christian world has roared back to life at a monastery in Jerusalem’s Old City. Composed of original pipes from the 11th century, the instrument emitted a full, hearty sound as musician David Catalunya played a liturgical chant called Benedicamus Domino Flos Filius. Catalunya, who led the project to restore the organ, told a news conference Monday that attendees were witnessing a grand development in the history of music. “This organ was buried with the hope that one day it would play again,” he says. “And the day has arrived, nearly eight centuries later.”
Apple has unveiled its iPhone 17 lineup, including the first iPhone Air. Here’s what’s new
NEW YORK (AP) — Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup is here. The tech giant has unveiled four new models that mark the latest editions to its marquee product. That includes the introduction of the iPhone Air, which Apple says is its thinnest smartphone yet. And, as seen in years past, its newest phones boast better cameras, longer lasting batteries and a handful of other upgrades across the board. Tuesday’s lineup marks the first phones Apple has released since the change in tariffs. But for the most part, Apple is sticking with the same price tags it’s slapped on its newest iPhones over recent years.