Jakob Kjerstad.

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City Regional Airport will receive $20 million in federal funding for a major terminal expansion as part of a $145.7 million Congressionally Directed Spending package secured by U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds. The funding, included in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies appropriations bill, also allocates $30 million […]

By: Kory LanphearPhotos: Bailey Sadowsky In high school, Danielle Muellenberg wanted to be a court reporter. But after she didsome schooling for it, she didn’t think it was her calling.She found a job at Black Hills Works as manager of Unique Auto Grooming and hasspent the last 14 years supporting her employees’ independence, confidence, andquality […]

By: Wade Ellett Photos: Bailey Sadowsky As a 20-year veteran of the Marine Corps, Gene Coughlin understands the value of good leadership. He started his military career as an enlisted Marine, then became an officer and completed several tours in the Middle East. Throughout his career, he’s experienced firsthand the positive effects a good leader […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Bish’s RV announced plans to open a new dealership in the Rapid City area this spring, bringing new jobs and expanded RV sales and service options to western South Dakota. The dealership will be located in Piedmont at the former Jack’s Campers site and is expected to open in March. The […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Elevate Rapid City announced Monday the appointment of Todd Kenner as interim chief executive officer and Darren Haar as interim chief operating officer as the organization prepares for a national leadership search. Kenner and Haar bring decades of business and civic experience in Rapid City and the Black Hills, according to […]

SPEARFISH, S.D. (Jan. 21, 2026) — Monument Health Foundation has purchased a new ultrasound machine and three wireless fetal monitors for Spearfish Hospital, strengthening OB/GYN services as the Northern Black Hills community continues to grow. Funding from the “fund-a-mission” portion of the Northern Hills Hospice Fundraiser, A Night at the Derby, supported the purchase of […]

By: Kory Lanphear Photos: Bailey Sadowsky Be honest: when was the last time you thought about rocks? Most likely, the answer is “never.” Luckily, there is Chelsea Pederson, Ph.D., Assistant Geology Professor at South Dakota Mines. She thinks about the importance of rocks on a daily basis.  “We have to know what came before us […]

By: Jerry Steinley Photos: Bailey Sadowsky It was his dream job—a place where discipline, teamwork, and service came together. When Travis Hedrick enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1995, he believed he had found his purpose. Working on A-10 aircrafts in electronic warfare was more than a technical role; it gave him a sense […]

By: Kate Meadows Photos: Bailey Sadowsky When Madison Koczersut packed her car last June and pointed it toward South Dakota, she wasn’t entirely sure what she was getting into. Growing up in Bradenton, Florida, a coastal town south of Tampa, the Black Hills felt like a place from storybooks. While in college near Nashville, Tennessee, […]

Story and Photos by: Brent Kastner Dr. Lycia Thornburg, a respected dermatologist, author, and dynamic community leader, has been named the recipient of the prestigious Wolfenson Ratner Community Service Award, an honor recognizing the profound impact she has made in her profession and throughout the Rapid City tennis community. In the field of dermatology, Dr. […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City Regional Airport donated $2,000 to Cornerstone Rescue Mission through its ongoing “Empty Pockets = Full Plates” program, continuing a local partnership aimed at addressing food insecurity in Rapid City and the Black Hills. The program encourages passengers to donate spare change as they pass through the Transportation Security Administration […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — The YMCA of Rapid City will officially change its name to the YMCA of the Black Hills on Jan. 1, 2026, a move leaders say better reflects the organization’s regional footprint across western South Dakota. The name change is intended to align the YMCA’s identity with the communities it serves through […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — The YMCA of Rapid City will officially change its name to the YMCA of the Black Hills on Jan. 1, 2026, a move leaders say better reflects the organization’s regional footprint across western South Dakota. The name change is intended to align the YMCA’s identity with the communities it serves through […]

By: Michelle Pawelski Photos: Bailey Sadowsky In his early twenties, Nate Starkey’s life took a dramatic turn. While applying to be a medic in the military, he discovered he was color blind – a condition he had been unaware of until that moment.  “I didn’t have the money to pay for medical school, so I […]

By: Michelle Pawelski Photos: Bailey Sadowsky In his early twenties, Nate Starkey’s life took a dramatic turn. While applying to be a medic in the military, he discovered he was color blind – a condition he had been unaware of until that moment.  “I didn’t have the money to pay for medical school, so I […]

By: Kory Lanphear Photos: Bailey Sadowsky Reading is usually a solitary activity, but it doesn’t have to be. Book lovers Caitlin and Andrew Nissen invite you to drop by Monarch Books and Boutique, make some friends and maybe pick up a new book or two.  Andy is a welder by trade and Caitlin runs her […]

By: Downtown Rapid CityPhotos: Kyler Hagen, Downtown Rapid City A new year always brings the same familiar pull. People want to try something different, learn a new skill, meet new people, or restart a part of themselves that has been on pause. In Rapid City, one of the newest places helping people do exactly that […]

By: Kory Lanphear Photos: Bailey Sadowsky There’s getting in shape and then there’s staying in shape. But let’s face it, nobody makes a New Year’s resolution to stay in shape. However, at Modern Fitness, owners Danielle and Cory Shafer want to help you meet both of those goals — to get in shape and stay […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Bluepeak is expanding its investment in South Dakota broadband infrastructure, announcing plans for an additional $150 million multi-year expansion to deliver fiber-to-the-home internet to more communities across the state. The company said Tuesday it has already invested more than $95 million in South Dakota to build 100% fiber-to-the-home broadband serving about […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Dec. 8, 2025 — First Interstate Bank has hired Bailey Konst as a Commercial Relationship Manager, strengthening its business banking team in the Rapid City region. Konst will focus on developing new commercial relationships while supporting existing clients across western South Dakota. Her role includes helping local businesses access financial tools […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Ketel Thorstenson, LLP, the largest accounting firm in the Black Hills, will merge with Casper-based Grooms & Harkins, P.C., in a strategic partnership set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026. The move expands KT’s service reach across South Dakota and Wyoming while strengthening both firms’ longstanding presence in the region. KT […]

DEADWOOD, S.D. — The Deadwood Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau has selected Amanda Kille as its next executive director, the organization announced this week. Kille has served as the chamber’s marketing and sponsorship director since 2014, leading branding efforts, managing media and marketing budgets, and tripling sponsorship revenue through strategic partnerships and new programming. […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Dec. 1, 2025 — Monument Health and Dialysis Clinic, Inc. are marking one year of a partnership aimed at strengthening access to dialysis care for patients across Rapid City, the Black Hills and western South Dakota. The collaboration, launched in November 2024, supports dialysis operations at Monument Health’s East North Street […]

By: Kory Lanphear Photos: Bailey Sadowsky Issue: November 2025 In 1981, Doug Mastel founded Mastel Surgical with the goal of making the best diamond surgical instruments possible.  “Diamond blades are reusable, and they’re the highest quality instrument you can use,” says Logan Jundt, Business Development Specialist at Mastel Surgical. “A blade is 100 microns thick […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Monument Health Rapid City Hospital has again received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, making it the only hospital in South Dakota to earn the top mark in the latest national ratings released Nov. 24. The grade places Rapid City Hospital among the roughly 30 percent of hospitals […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — The YMCA of Rapid City has appointed two new Executive Board Members, adding local leadership experience as the organization continues expanding its community impact across the Black Hills. The Y announced this week that Mike Kirkeby and Jess Gromer have joined the board, bringing decades of professional expertise and a strong […]

By: Michelle Pawelski Photos: Bailey Sadowsky Issue: November 2025 Last September, after a decade of honing his skills with manufacturers across the Black Hills, Brock Smith took a leap of faith. The South Dakota Mines graduate and Wyoming native launched his own venture, Divergent Designs, giving himself one year to see if his dream of […]

By: Michelle Pawelski Photos by: Bailey Sadowsky Issue: November 2025 The moment Leah Theunissen opens the garage door, Copper, the family’s spirited cocker spaniel, bolts into the yard, tail wagging and playing, living his best life. It is a much different Copper, now eight, than several years earlier.  When he was just three, he was […]

YANKTON, S.D. (Nov. 3, 2025) — Longtime agricultural lender Dakota Mac has a new name and a renewed mission. First Dakota National Bank announced that the division will now operate as Landera, a rebrand meant to capture a broader service area and continued commitment to the ag community amid shifting economic conditions. The change, effective […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — New research from Northwest Registered Agent highlights South Dakota as one of the most affordable states in the country to start a business in 2025, thanks to its low taxes and minimal startup costs. The Spokane, Washington-based business formation company ranked South Dakota second overall in its Top 10 Most Affordable […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Oct. 27, 2025) – Monument Health, the largest private employer in South Dakota, will host a hiring event Monday, Nov. 3, from 3 to 6 p.m. at its Human Resources Office, located at 1400 Turbine Drive in Rapid City. The event offers onsite interviews and immediate hiring opportunities for a range of […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Oct. 16, 2025) — Monument Health has announced the addition of Jake Enos, M.D., a fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine specialist, to its Orthopedics & Sports Medicine practice in Spearfish. The move expands access to advanced orthopedic care for athletes and active residents across the northern Black Hills. Dr. Enos joins orthopedic surgeons […]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Oct. 24, 2025) — The Board of Directors of Special Olympics South Dakota (SOSD) has appointed Nick Moen as the organization’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective Oct. 27. Moen brings more than a decade of leadership experience in higher education, nonprofit athletics, and community engagement. He most recently served as […]

Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun voiced support Thursday for Gov. Larry Rhoden’s proposal to create a zero-interest loan program aimed at funding major airport expansion projects across South Dakota. The mayor’s statement, shared by State Rep. Mike Derby during the governor’s announcement event, emphasized the economic importance of strong air infrastructure to the state’s continued […]

By: Kory Lanphear The famous Greek myth of Icarus and Daedalus warns of the perils of flying too near the sun. In reality, flying too close to the ground is far more dangerous. It is with this partially in mind that Managing Members Brandon Hatle and Tim Brown created AerSol, which deals in agriculture and […]

By: Kory Lanphear It has happened to all of us: maybe it was that favorite pair of pants as a kid; maybe it was an expanding family’s first home; maybe as an aging adult, it was the favorite pants again, but we have all outgrown much-loved things. For Parts One NAPA in Rapid City, it […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Oct. 21, 2025) — What began as a question about conflicting calculus textbooks three decades ago has earned South Dakota Mines Professor Emeritus Donald Teets, D.A., one of mathematics’ highest honors. Teets received the Paul R. Halmos – Lester R. Ford Award from the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) for his paper […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — October 16, 2025 — Wealth Advisors Trust Company (WATC), an independent, advisor-founded corporate trustee based in South Dakota, has appointed Jonathan Connolly as President and Chief Operating Officer. The move signals a new phase of national expansion for the firm, which currently oversees more than $4 billion in assets under administration. […]

SPEARFISH, S.D. — October 2025 — Dylan S. Clarkson, President and CEO of Pioneer Bank & Trust, has received and accepted two prestigious appointments to key state and national banking organizations, effective this month. Clarkson has been appointed by the Governor of South Dakota to serve as a member of the South Dakota Banking Commission […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Jay Murphy, Director of Campaign Development for Riverfront Broadcasting Black Hills, has been named the 2025 Broadcaster of the Year by the South Dakota Broadcasters Association (SDBA). The award was presented during the SDBA’s annual leadership conference in Sioux Falls. The honor recognizes an individual broadcaster for their significant impact on […]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Nearly $1.5 million was raised earlier this month at the 2025 Sanford Children’s Gala, pushing forward plans for South Dakota’s first and only dedicated pediatric emergency department. The funds will support construction of the David H. & Christine Billion Pediatric Emergency Department, located next to the Sanford Emergency Department on the […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Oct. 8, 2025) — Business leaders, IT professionals, and tech enthusiasts from across the Black Hills are invited to the third annual TECHLeadership Conference, set for Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Box Elder Events Center in Box Elder. The one-day event brings together experts in technology, cybersecurity, and business strategy for a […]

RAPID CITY, SD — October 7, 2025 — What began decades ago in a South Dakota garage has grown into one of the region’s premier outdoor retailers. Trav’s Outfitter, a family-owned and operated business with more than 40 years in the shoe and apparel industry, is celebrating the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of its […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Oct. 7, 2025) — A new independent medical facility is expanding access to critical heart and vascular care in western South Dakota. The Black Hills Heart and Vascular Institute has officially opened in Rapid City, becoming the first in the region to offer same-day appointments for both chest pain and vascular concerns. […]

by: Michelle Pawelski Chris King first discovered motocross at age 8, but it wasn’t until his 30s that the thrill of a dirt bike truly gripped him. One ride around a cul-de-sac on a friend’s new bike was all it took. By the next day, he owned one himself. A few weeks later, a road […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Oct. 7, 2025) – What began as a love for art and music has led South Dakota Mines senior Ryan Cantz to one of the nation’s top undergraduate honors in nuclear science. Cantz, a physics major from New Jersey, has been selected for the Conference Experience for Undergraduates (CEU) award, a competitive […]

By Kyler Hagen What began as a teenage fascination with flower shops has grown into one of downtown Rapid City’s most beloved businesses. Over the past three decades, Victoria’s Garden has evolved from a tiny floral shop into a thriving creative hub, expanding its space, offerings, and influence throughout the community. Victoria “Vicki” Bierman, who […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Oct. 3, 2025) — Neel Kashkari, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, will visit Rapid City on Thursday, Oct. 16, to hear directly from residents and business leaders about the regional economy. Kashkari will deliver brief remarks and answer questions at a public town hall hosted by Elevate Rapid City […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Dakota broke ground this week on its newest Ronald McDonald House, the first to serve families in western South Dakota. The new facility, located at the corner of East Fairmont Boulevard and Elm Avenue in Rapid City, will feature 12 private guest suites, a fully […]

Wildfire Labs grad launches platform to wipe out medical debt By Michelle Pawelski In December 2020, Tamara Morrow opened her mailbox to find a letter that would change her life. It wasn’t another bill, but the opposite — a letter stating that her medical debt had been paid off by a local church. “There was […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Oct. 1, 2025) – A South Dakota Mines professor is receiving international recognition for her dedication to teaching and mentoring students in the Black Hills. Gokce Ustunisik, Ph.D., associate professor of geology and geological engineering and curator of minerals at South Dakota Mines, has been awarded the 2025 Graduate Women in Science […]

LEAD, S.D. (Oct. 1, 2025) — The Sanford Underground Research Facility is accepting applications for its 2026 Artist-in-Residence program, inviting one artist to create work inspired by the science conducted a mile underground in the Black Hills of South Dakota. SURF, the deepest underground laboratory in the United States, hosts experiments spanning physics, biology, geology […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — What started with a hard hat, a $2-an-hour job, and a determination to do things right has grown into one of the Black Hills’ most enduring construction companies. Scull Construction, now marking 40 years in Rapid City, credits its longevity to grit, loyal talented employees, and a simple guiding principle: do what […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Sept. 24, 2025) — South Dakota Mines will inaugurate Dr. Brian Tande as the university’s 20th president today, marking a new era of leadership at the historic engineering and science institution. Tande, who began his tenure in January, succeeds Dr. Jim Rankin, who retired in 2024 after serving six years as president. […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Black Hills Home Builders Association will host its annual Parade of Homes on Oct. 4–5, giving residents the chance to step inside some of the region’s newest and most innovative homes. The two-day event, now a fall tradition in Rapid City, will feature 40 homes constructed by 19 area builders. […]

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Larry Rhoden has appointed Rapid City nonprofit leader Sara Hornick to the South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDH) Board of Commissioners. Hornick serves as executive director of the Rapid City Public School Foundation and brings more than a decade of community service and nonprofit leadership to the board. A graduate of […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Midwest Wellness Institute (MWI Health), a provider of mental health and addiction services in South Dakota, is expanding its reach with a new clinic in Rapid City and additional locations planned across the Midwest. The new Rapid City clinic, located at 2620 Jackson Blvd., is part of a broader expansion that […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Sept. 16, 2025) – Midwest Heart and Vascular Associates and Dr. Bhaskar Purushottam host a ribbon cutting event for their new space in Rapid City. The independent cardiovascular practice, which opened its doors in April 2025, is committed to redefining heart, vascular, and venous care in the Black Hills through compassionate, guideline-directed […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. – A Spearfish software developer is putting the Black Hills on the map for food and technology innovation with the launch of his new app, micgrw (pronounced mike-grow). Founder Timothy Ford, a South Dakota Mines graduate in computer science and applied math, is celebrating a Sept. 6 release of the iOS app, […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Simpson’s Printing is marking its 60th anniversary this year, highlighting decades of growth, community involvement and continuous investment in new technologies to meet the needs of Rapid City and the greater Black Hills region. “Over the past 60 years, we’ve witnessed significant changes in both our business and the community we […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. – The new Pete Lien & Sons Shooting Sports Complex will host its first major event later this month as Prairie Thunder, Inc. brings the 2025 CZ Area 3 USPSA Championship to Rapid City, Sept. 25-28. The championship is expected to draw about 400 competitors from 29 states and Canada, making it […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Sept. 16, 2025) – A unique “Pyramid Approach” pioneered at South Dakota Mines is proving that layered mentorship can accelerate both learning and discovery, strengthening the region’s role in biotechnology research. For more than a decade, Rajesh Sani, Ph.D., professor in the Karen M. Swindler Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Sept. 15, 2025) – South Dakota Mines researchers will soon have access to a nearly $700,000 piece of cutting-edge technology funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), aimed at accelerating discoveries in biotechnology, medicine, and clean energy. The BioLector XTM microbioreactor system, expected to be installed by the end of the semester […]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Sept. 10, 2025) — A Sioux Falls professional’s TEDx talk on parenting and esports is headed to a global stage. SDN Communications announced that Marketing Manager Hannah Boquet’s talk, “How Esports Are a Parenting Power-up,” has been selected to appear on TED.com, the flagship platform of the nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Sept. 10, 2025) — Monument Health Rapid City Hospital has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a High Performing hospital in its 2025-2026 Best Hospitals rankings. The hospital earned the distinction for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, heart attack, pacemaker implantation, pneumonia and prostate cancer surgery. “High Performing” is the […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — A new international partnership will bring 20 students from Papua New Guinea to South Dakota Mines next fall as part of an initiative to strengthen that country’s workforce in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The announcement follows a recent visit from Papua New Guinea’s Minister of Education Lucas Dawa Dekena, […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Sept. 4, 2025 — SoDak Circuit, a free, all-ages esports event backed by SDN Communications and its 17 member companies, returns for a second year on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., check-in begins at 8:30 a.m., and competition runs 9:30 a.m. to […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Sanford Health has completed its combination with Creekside Medical Clinic, a long-standing independent, physician-owned practice in Rapid City that provides primary care to the Black Hills region. The deal closed Aug. 29. Creekside Medical Clinic has served the community for more than 25 years with four family medicine physicians and two […]

Linda Rydstrom, President and CEO of Westjet Air Center in Rapid City, SD, celebrated her 50th anniversary with the company on August 19th, 2025.  Linda began her career in 1975 at Westjet Air Center (formerly Snedigar Flying Service). She started with the company as a receptionist. There, she sparked an interest in aviation and flying. She earned […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Monument Health’s pulmonary rehabilitation program has once again earned certification from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR), a recognition that underscores its commitment to patient care and outcomes. The accreditation process requires extensive documentation and peer review to ensure programs meet national standards for quality. Monument Health’s program, […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — RESPEC Company, LLC has acquired Albertson Engineering Inc. (AEI), the structural engineering firm behind some of South Dakota’s most recognizable landmarks, including the Dignity of Earth and Sky statue near Chamberlain and the Arc of Dreams in Sioux Falls. The acquisition, effective Sept. 1, brings AEI’s 20-person team into RESPEC’s 650-plus […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — The YMCA of Rapid City is kicking off the fall season with a special promotion aimed at helping families and individuals focus on health and wellness. Through Sept. 30, new members can sign up with no joining fee and receive the entire month of September free. “This is the perfect time […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — The City of Rapid City is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on its Air Quality Board. The opening is for the business representative seat, which requires the applicant to be associated with a business in the area regulated by Rapid City Municipal Code Chapter 8.34 or Pennington County Ordinance No. […]

LEAD, S.D. – At the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), some of the most critical work never makes headlines. Deep below the Black Hills, master riggers oversee the precise and high-stakes process of moving heavy equipment and scientific instruments between the surface and 4,850 feet underground. The job is known as “slinging equipment,” where anything […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Arts Council has named Travis Dewes as its new executive director, ushering in a new chapter of leadership for one of the Black Hills’ most prominent arts organizations. Dewes, a Rapid City native, most recently served as cultural programs manager at The Indian Museum of North America at […]