The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Governor Rhoden Launches Reelection Campaign in Rapid City
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Governor Larry Rhoden officially launched his reelection campaign to a cheering crowd. The announcement took place in the lobby of the Hotel Alex Johnson in Rapid City. “I am running for a full term as Governor of South Dakota!” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “I’ve remained focused on keeping our state strong, safe, and free. And I’m going to keep doing the people’s work. Because when I’m working, South Dakota’s winning.” He’ll run against fellow Republicans Dusty Johnson, Toby Doeden and Jon Hansen in the June primary. Robert Arnold is running on the Democratic side, along with independents Allison Renville and Terry Gleason. The primary election is June 2, 2026.
Citizens’ Committee Opposes Libertyland TIF Proposal
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A committee who calls themselves the ‘No Free Rides Committee’ is calling on voters to reject the proposed Libertyland Tax Increment Financing district. The vote on January 20 applies only to the TIF financing, not the Libertyland development itself. The developer could still proceed without tax-increment subsidies. The committee argues the plan represents an unprecedented use of taxpayer dollars for private development. The Libertyland TIF, approved by the Rapid City Council in September, would total $125 million, making it the largest in South Dakota history and the first ever referred to a public vote.
Rapid City Library Faces Major Funding Cuts from County
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City Public Library Director Terri Davis expressed concern to the Rapid City Council this week about significant 2026 funding cuts from Pennington County. Per Davis, funding from the county will drop from $475,000 to $81,000 in 2026. Because of this, the library may need to begin charging customers. Davis added budget cuts could force the library to lay off three employees, close on Sundays, and cut programs for kids. Davis told councilors despite lending to nearly 93 percent of Pennington County’s registered borrowers, the Rapid City Public Library will only receive 56 percent of county appropriations.
Pennington County Reports Decline in Most Crime Categories
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office says third quarter statistics for 2025, besides motor vehicle thefts, show other crime categories are down from the same time in 2024. There was a small increase in reported overdoses in the third quarter of 2025, but a decline in fatal overdoses. “Drug use is still an issue in Pennington County,” explains Captain of Investigations Taylor Sperle. “We continue to work tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle the drug trafficking organizations bringing illegal drugs into our community.” Statistics at the Care Campus continue to reflect the Sheriff’s strategy of decreasing Safe Beds, by increasing Detoxification services for the homeless and addicted.
Congress acts swiftly to force release of Epstein files, and Trump agrees to sign bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — Both the House and Senate have acted decisively to pass a bill to force the Justice Department to publicly release its files on the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It’s a remarkable display of approval for an effort that had struggled for months to overcome opposition from President Donald Trump and Republican leadership. Trump now says he will sign the bill. Just hours after the House passed the bill, the Senate approved a motion to pass the bill with unanimous consent once it is sent to the Senate. For survivors of Epstein’s abuse, passage of the bill was a watershed moment in a years-long quest for accountability.
Trump administration takes major step toward dismantling the Education Department
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Education Department is handing off some of its biggest grant programs to other federal agencies as the Trump administration accelerates its plan to shut down the department. It represents a major step forward for the administration’s dismantling of the department, which has mainly involved cutting jobs since President Donald Trump called for its elimination with an executive action in March. Six planned agreements to be signed by the Education Department will effectively move billions of dollars in grant programs to other agencies. Most notable is one that would put the Department of Labor over some of the largest federal funding streams for K-12 schools.
Trump says Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria. The reality is more complicated
LIGARI, Nigeria (AP) — Much of northern Nigeria has been battered by conflict in a longstanding security crisis, and U.S. President Donald Trump has singled the country out for what he calls “the killing of Christians” by “radical Islamists.” Victims and church leaders echo Trump’s claims that Christians are persecuted. They say they’ve long been attacked, kidnapped or killed over their faith. Nigerian conflict researcher Bulama Bukarti says of the multidimensional crisis: “In essence, it is a war against Nigeria.”
