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RAPID CITY, S.D. – Two major projects were up for a vote at Tuesday’s Rapid City Council meeting.
The Rapid City Sports Complex and proposed Liberty Land Amusement Park were reconsidered after a publishing error nullified an earlier vote.
Community members spent more than 90 minutes weighing in on the projects and the proposed Tax Increment Financing districts to help fund them.
In the end, the Liberty Land TIF passed on a 7–2 vote, while the sports complex cleared the council 8–1.
STURGIS, S.D. – The Meade County Commission reviewed a proposed $28 million budget for 2026 at its meeting Tuesday.
Highways, roads and bridges make up the largest portion of spending, with the public works budget—covering roads and snow removal—set at just over $11 million, up from nearly $7 million in 2025.
Total expenditures for 2026 are projected at $28,096,221, while revenue is estimated at just over $25 million. Property taxes are expected to account for $13.4 million.
RAPID CITY, S.D. – Sanford Health has finalized its merger with Creekside Medical Clinic in Rapid City.
The closing was completed Aug. 29, bringing Creekside’s four family medicine physicians and two advanced practice providers into Sanford Health, along with all clinic staff.
Creekside has provided primary care to the Black Hills region for more than 25 years. The clinic becomes the latest independent physician group in western South Dakota to join Sanford.
RAPID CITY, S.D. – The federal government is finalizing an $18 million settlement for 12 victims of former Indian Health Service pediatrician Stanley Patrick Weber.
Weber, who worked at the IHS facility in Pine Ridge from 1995 to 2016, was convicted of sexually abusing children in both Montana and South Dakota and is serving multiple life sentences.
The settlement brings total recoveries for Weber’s victims to more than $32 million across 20 cases.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida could become the first state to eliminate school vaccine mandates.
State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo calls vaccine requirements an “immoral intrusion” on parental rights and says health decisions should be left to families.
Public health experts warn the move could endanger children and staff. Dr. Rana Alissa of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics said removing vaccines raises risks of outbreaks in schools.
CHICAGO – Chicago leaders are preparing for a possible influx of immigration agents and National Guard patrols.
President Donald Trump has said both a crackdown on immigration and a deployment of troops are planned.
Community leaders, schools and churches in immigrant and minority neighborhoods are advising residents of their rights and preparing for protests.
NEW ORLEANS – President Donald Trump says New Orleans could be the next city to see National Guard troops.
Trump argues the city has a crime problem, though local leaders note crime rates have dropped this year.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican, welcomed federal assistance, but New Orleans city officials voiced opposition. Trump has already announced Guard deployments to Chicago and Baltimore and previously sent troops to Washington, D.C.
LISBON, Portugal – A Lisbon streetcar popular with tourists derailed Wednesday, killing 15 people and injuring 18 others.
Emergency officials said five of the injured were in serious condition, including a child, and some of the victims were foreigners.
Authorities called it the worst accident in recent city history. The yellow-and-white car overturned on a steep hill in Lisbon’s downtown district.