The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Authorities Identify Victims in Fatal Piper 22 Crash Near New Underwood
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Authorities have identified the two people on board a Piper 22 that crashed west of New Underwood on Monday, July 28. The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office says 35-year-old Martin Zorilla Nunez of Box Elder was a passenger in the plane and died on scene from injuries sustained in the crash. The pilot, 47-year-old Isaac Malson, also of Box Elder, sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Monument Health hospital in Rapid City. He remained in critical condition this week. The crash happened just after 6:00 a.m. Monday east of 229th Street near New Underwood, SD. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident on behalf of the National Transportation Safety Board.
Box Elder Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Child Sex Abuse
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Brian Johnston, 58, of Box Elder, was sentenced Monday to 20 years in the South Dakota State Penitentiary after pleading guilty to attempted first-degree rape of a child. Seventh Circuit Judge Matthew Brown rejected a plea for leniency based on Johnston’s age, calling the crime “awful and devastating.” The abuse, which occurred between the victim’s ages of 8 and 12, was disclosed in 2023. Prosecutors said Johnston groomed the child and had a disturbing online search history. The plea deal aimed to spare the victim the trauma of trial.
85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Kicks Off with Clydesdales and Grand Marshal Appearance
STURGIS, S.D. — Today marks the official start of the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, and it’s expected to be a big year. Up to half a million people are anticipated to attend this year’s event, which runs through August 10th. The opening ceremony to kick off this year’s Rally features the arrival of the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales. The opening ceremony will begin at 3:00 p.m., with remarks anticipated from Mayor Kevin Forrester, sponsor reps, and other dignitaries. This year’s Grand Marshal, centenarian Gloria Tramontin Struck, is also expected to attend.
Rapid City Offers Free Motorcycle Parking for Sturgis Rally at Downtown Locations
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The City of Rapid City is partnering with four downtown businesses to offer free motorcycle parking for the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Beginning today and lasting through August 10, a total of 13 vehicle parking spaces in four designated locations will be reserved for free motorcycle parking. Parking spaces are available at the Hotel Alex Johnson, Prairie Edge, Rapid City Visitor Center, and FourFront Design.
Rapid City Legal and Finance Committee Approves TIF for Marshall Heights Development
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Legal and Finance Committee passed two resolutions Wednesday regarding a north side development project. The Committee discussed a resolution for a Tax Increment Financing District for the Marshall Heights tract and for approval of the project plan. The TIF resolution, supported 6-3 by the Planning Commission, aims to fund a roughly $27 million project expanding Luna Avenue and redeveloping 1902 Lacrosse Street, also creating a new North Side RCPD Precinct. The project includes a Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, and a Les Schwab Tire Center. Developers also plan to address traffic concerns with a traffic signal at Luna and Eglin and expanding Luna to connect with Latrobe.
Ronald McDonald House Coming to Rapid City
RAPID CITY, S.D. – Ronald McDonald House Charities is expanding to Rapid City with plans to build a 12-bedroom facility near Monument Health. The new “House in the Hills” will provide free temporary housing for families with children receiving medical care. CEO Kevin Miles says the project began after Monument Health reached out two years ago. The home will serve families from western South Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska who live more than 20 minutes from care. Construction is set to begin in September, with $6 million raised toward the $10 million goal. A Red Gala fundraiser is planned for November.
A teacher is charged in the stabbing deaths of a Former South Dakota Couple Killed in Arkansas State Park
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A former South Dakota couple, Clinton and Cristen Brink, were fatally stabbed while hiking with two of their daughters at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas. Authorities say 28-year-old teacher Andrew James McGann confessed to the random killings and was arrested Wednesday at a barbershop in Springdale after a five-day manhunt. The Brinks had recently relocated from South Dakota to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, and were just settling into their new home. Clinton was preparing to start a new job as a milk delivery driver, and Cristen had been licensed as a nurse in both Montana and South Dakota. Their daughters, ages 7 and 9, were unharmed. Officials say McGann had no known connection to the family and had no prior criminal record. Investigators were led to him through public tips, DNA evidence, and surveillance footage. Prosecutors may seek the death penalty.
Trump Reinstates Presidential Fitness Test for Schoolchildren
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has reinstated the Presidential Fitness Test, a longtime physical assessment for American schoolchildren that was replaced in 2012 under the Obama administration. The move, announced Thursday, is part of a broader effort to “make America healthy again,” Trump said. The program will once again include timed runs, situps, pushups or pullups, and flexibility tests, and will be overseen by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. A new Presidential Fitness Award will also be created. The fitness test originally launched in 1966 under President Lyndon B. Johnson but shifted in recent years to focus more on individual health than athletic benchmarks. Trump’s revival of the program comes as the U.S. prepares to host major international sporting events, including the 2025 Ryder Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics.
Hulk Hogan’s cause of death was a heart attack, medical examiner says
A Florida medical examiner’s report says Hulk Hogan’s death last week was caused by a heart attack. The report said Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, also had leukemia and atrial fibrillation and the cause of death was “natural.” Flags on official buildings in the state will be flown at half-staff on Friday to honor him, as Gov. Ron DeSantis declared it “Hulk Hogan Day in Florida.” The Republican governor called him “a true Floridian through and through.” Hogan was a major WWE star, known for his larger-than-life persona. His wife, Sky Daily, shared her grief on Instagram, calling the loss “sudden and impossible to process.”
