The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Ten Foreign-Born Inmates Paroled for Deportation Under South Dakota’s Operation: Prairie Thunder
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Governor Larry Rhoden announced that ten foreign-born inmates have been approved for parole and transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation as part of Operation: Prairie Thunder, a statewide public safety initiative. The South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles approved the transfers under state law allowing parole to another jurisdiction for confinement or deportation. The inmates, from countries including Mexico, Sudan, Liberia, Canada, Somalia, Cuba, and Ethiopia, were selected based on immigration status, low-risk classification, and nearing sentence completion. Offenses ranged from drug possession and burglary to aggravated assault and rape. The move follows Rhoden’s push for a 287(g) agreement with ICE, allowing state agencies to help enforce federal immigration law.
Minnesota Man Arrested After Chase Through Custer State Park
CUSTER, S.D. — A 35-year-old Saint Paul, Minnesota, man is facing multiple charges after fleeing a traffic stop in Custer State Park on August 14. Authorities say a park officer attempted to pull the vehicle over on Wildlife Loop Road around 9:30 a.m., but the driver sped off, evading two attempts to deploy tire deflation devices. The chase continued at speeds of 20-40 mph until a Custer County deputy performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention on Iron Mountain Road, forcing the vehicle off the road. Officials say the suspect was uncooperative and was subdued with a taser before being taken into custody.
Rapid City Committee Backs Ordinance to Ban Tianeptine
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City’s Legal and Finance Committee has endorsed a new ordinance that would ban the sale of Tianeptine, an unregulated drug linked to addiction, severe withdrawal, and overdose deaths. The measure was introduced by Ward 1 councilor Stephen Tamang, who also serves as Director of Addiction Medicine at Monument Health. Often sold at gas stations, vape shops, and convenience stores, Tianeptine has been referred to as “gas station heroin.” The proposed ban will go before the full city council for first reading Monday night.
Two Rapid City TIF Districts Voided Due to Administrative Error
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Two major tax increment finance (TIF) districts previously approved by the Rapid City Council are now voided because of an administrative error. The sports complex and Libertyland theme park districts must return to the public comment and voting process. State law requires any TIF to be published in the local newspaper at least 10 days before the planning commission votes. In this case, the notices published contained text for a different TIF proposal.
South Dakota Mines Partners with Western Dakota Tech on Engineering Pathway
RAPID CITY, S.D. — South Dakota Mines and Western Dakota Technical College have signed an articulation agreement to provide students a clear pathway from Western Dakota Tech’s environmental engineering technician program into Mines’ bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. The partnership aims to ensure smooth credit transfers and follows similar agreements Mines has established with other colleges, including Southeast Tech in Sioux Falls.
Rapid Transit System Prepares for 10th ‘Youth Ride Free’ Season
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid Transit System (RTS) is gearing up for its 10th season of the popular ‘Youth Ride Free’ program. Starting next Monday through August 23, parents can learn about the program and take a free orientation ride with their school-aged child. RTS officials say the orientation helps parents understand routes, schedules, and answer any questions about the program.
Trump Administration Names DEA Chief as D.C.’s Emergency Police Commissioner
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Thursday appointed Drug Enforcement Administration head Terry Cole as Washington’s “emergency police commissioner,” granting him all the powers of the city’s police chief as part of a federal law enforcement takeover. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s directive requires the Metropolitan Police Department to obtain Cole’s approval before issuing orders, rescinds sanctuary city policies, and removes restrictions on immigration status inquiries and arrests based solely on federal warrants. The move, which sidelines current Police Chief Pamela Smith, is one of the most sweeping federal assertions of authority over a local government in modern history. It follows days of heightened security, with National Guard troops, federal agents, and other officers visibly patrolling the capital.
Supreme Court allows Mississippi to require age verification on social media like Facebook and X
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has refused for now to block enforcement of a Mississippi law aimed at regulating the use of social media by children. The case deals with an issue of growing national concern. The justices on Thursday rejected an emergency appeal from a tech industry group challenging laws passed in Mississippi and other states that require social media users to verify their ages. NetChoice, which brought the lawsuit, argues the Mississippi law threatens privacy rights and unconstitutionally restricts the free expression of users of all ages. It’s the latest legal development as court challenges play out against similar laws in states across the country.
Malnourished kids arrive daily at a Gaza hospital as Netanyahu denies hunger
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims there is no hunger in Gaza, but malnourished children are regularly arriving at Nasser Hospital. The U.N. says starvation and malnutrition in Gaza are at the highest levels since the war began. The Gaza Health Ministry says 171 people have died of malnutrition-related causes since July 1, a quarter of them children. Aid has increased in recent weeks, but food remains scarce or unaffordable for many. While the influx of food might help much of Gaza’s population, experts say that is not necessarily the case for children who are already severely malnourished. They often require treatment first at a hospital, where vital micronutrients must be replenished before their bodies will be able to properly metabolize food.
Six planets are hanging out in early morning skies this month. Here’s how to spot them
NEW YORK (AP) — Six planets are hanging out in the sky this month. It’s what’s known as a planetary parade and it’s the last one of the year. These fairly common linkups happen when several planets appear to line up in the night sky at once. Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and a faint Mercury are visible this month to the naked eye, and the best chances to spot them are over the next week. Uranus and Neptune can only be glimpsed through binoculars and telescopes. To spot the planets, go out on a clear morning shortly before sunrise and look east.