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Authorities Searching for Missing St. Onge Woman Near SD-WY Border
SUNDANCE, Wyo. — Multiple agencies from South Dakota and Wyoming are searching for 65-year-old Linda Thacker of St. Onge, who has been missing since Monday, August 18. The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office received a welfare check request after family members reported losing contact with her. Using technology and cooperation with the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, investigators located Thacker’s vehicle in a remote area near the South Dakota-Wyoming border. The search effort began on the evening of August 19 and remains active, with assistance from Spearfish, Crook, Lawrence, Weston, and Sheridan County search and rescue teams, the South Dakota National Guard, emergency management officials from both states, and multiple canine units. Authorities say the investigation into Thacker’s whereabouts is ongoing.
Rapid City Police Make Arrest After Early Morning Shooting
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City Police arrested 23-year-old Bellminion Trujillo following a shots-fired incident early Thursday morning on E. Anamosa Street. Officers found several shell casings at an apartment and charged Trujillo with possession of a loaded firearm while intoxicated and reckless discharge of a firearm. No injuries were reported.
Police Investigate Late-Night Stabbing on E. Fairmont
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Police are investigating a stabbing that occurred late Wednesday on E. Fairmont. Officers found a male with multiple stab wounds who was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Authorities believe the suspect was known to the victim, and the case remains under investigation.
NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Fatal Plane Crash Near New Underwood
NEW UNDERWOOD, S.D. — The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report on a July 28 plane crash near New Underwood that killed one passenger and seriously injured the pilot. The Piper PA-22 aircraft struck a powerline shortly after takeoff from a private Box Elder airport and came to rest upside down. Early findings show no mechanical problems with the plane.
Air Pollution Alert Issued for Rapid City
RAPID CITY, S.D. — An air pollution alert has been issued for Rapid City after state monitors detected hazardous levels of particulate matter. The Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources reported average readings of 150 micrograms per cubic meter at a westside monitoring site, a level considered unhealthy. Officials say the high readings are linked to strong winds stirring up dust from construction zones, unpaved roads, and disturbed soils. Morgan Twombly, City Environmental Planner, advised residents—particularly those with health concerns—to take precautions and avoid outdoor activities if possible. Twombly also urged construction sites and businesses to stabilize soil and stockpiles using water or chemical treatments to limit dust. Residents can monitor real-time conditions through the city’s Air Quality Index page at rcgov.org or by checking the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources website.
South Dakota Cannabis Industry Supports Hemp Sting Operations
RAPID CITY, S.D. — South Dakota’s medical cannabis industry expressed support for sting operations targeting hemp products that mimic marijuana. Jeremiah Murphy, lobbyist for the Cannabis Industry Association of South Dakota, praised the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office for actions at eight Rapid City-area smoke shops and convenience stores, noting the importance of protecting licensed medical cannabis businesses.
China is expanding into digital currencies, hoping to promote use of its ‘people’s money’
BANGKOK (AP) — China has been expanding use of digital currencies as it promotes wider use of its yuan, or renminbi, to reflect its status as the world’s second-largest economy. It also wants to challenge the dominance of the U.S. dollar in international trade and finance. Restrictions on access to Chinese financial markets and limits on convertibility of the yuan, or “people’s money,” are big obstacles blocking its global use. Still, Hong Kong already has stablecoin regulations and some Chinese experts are pushing for regulations to prepare for a possible stablecoin pegged to the yuan. Such moves follow President Donald Trump’s signing last month of a law regulating stablecoins.
Prosecutors say Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ request for acquittal or new trial should be swiftly rejected
NEW YORK (AP) — Federal prosecutors are urging a judge to quickly reject Sean “Diddy” Combs’ request that he throw out a jury verdict or order a new trial after a jury convicted the music maven of two prostitution-related charges. Prosecutors say in papers filed shortly before midnight Wednesday that Combs masterminded elaborate sexual events for two ex-girlfriends. The multiday, drug-fueled events involved hiring male sex workers and facilitating their travel across multiple states for what became known as “freak-offs” or “hotel nights.” Prosecutors say he then used video recordings he made of the sexual events to threaten and coerce the girlfriends to continue participating in the sometimes weekly or monthly sexual marathons.
Bones of ancient child suggest humans could have interbred with Neanderthals earlier than thought
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Modern humans and Neanderthals may have interacted 100,000 years earlier than previously thought. That’s according to researchers who used CT scans and 3D mapping to study the bones of a child they believe was the result of interbreeding between the two distinct groups. The child was buried in a cave in Israel some 140,000 years ago. Because no ancient DNA was extracted from the fossilized remains, it’s impossible to confirm the child’s origins, but scientists say microscopic details in the bones indicate the child had traits of both groups. The findings were published recently in the peer-reviewed journal L’Anthropologie.