The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Rapid City Police Investigate Death Under I-190 Bridge as Homicide
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City Police have now classified the death of a man found under the I-190 bridge earlier this week as a homicide. In a Thursday release, authorities say the ruling follows an autopsy that revealed significant blunt-force trauma to the victim. The victim has been identified as 64-year-old Jerry Evans of Rapid City. Investigators believe the incident took place within an improvised outdoor camp hidden under a secluded section of the bridge. Authorities say they have interviewed multiple witnesses and continue to develop leads.
HomeSlice Group Unveils Free Digital Newspaper for Black Hills Region
RAPID CITY, S.D. — In a move to fill a growing gap in local journalism, HomeSlice Group has launched The Rapid City Post, a free digital newspaper serving the Black Hills region, western South Dakota, and neighboring states. CEO Dean Kinney said the rapidly evolving media landscape has left a need for a major local news source dedicated to Rapid City. The publication has partnered with outlets such as KBHB Radio News, Fox Sports Rapid City, and statewide organizations like South Dakota Searchlight and The Dakota Scout. Managing Editor Chris Hornick emphasized a commitment to timely, impactful journalism, while Chief Revenue Officer Brad “Murdoc” Jurgensen noted plans for a future print edition and premium content, with a primary focus on accessible, ad-supported community news.
Meade 46-1 School Board to Discuss Property Tax Bill Impact in Special Session
STURGIS, S.D. — The Meade 46-1 School Board will meet in a special session Friday for a Study Session and Work Retreat. The board will be discussing capital outlay, including the effects on Senate Bill 216 on the five year plan. Senate Bill 216 is the Governor’s Property Tax relief bill. The governor’s bill, which was also crafted by a working group of legislators this session, does several things. It caps assessment growth at three percent for five years. It also limits the amount of growth taxing districts can capture for five years. School districts across the state are discussing the bill because they receive a significant portion of the state’s property taxes.
Judge Orders Trump Administration to Preserve Signal Messages on Houthi Strikes
Washington, D.C. — A U.S. judge has ordered the Trump administration to preserve Signal messages discussing military plans against the Houthis in Yemen, which were inadvertently shared, according to U.S. District Judge James Boasberg. The messages, reportedly exchanged by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, included discussions on timing and targets for military strikes, as first revealed by The Atlantic. The watchdog group American Oversight sued to ensure the messages are retained under the Federal Records Act, stressing the importance of public access to government records. While the White House press secretary stated that no classified information was shared, a spokesman for Hegseth maintained that no war plans were discussed.
Putin suggests putting Ukraine under U.N.-sponsored external governance, boasts battlefield gains
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed putting Ukraine under external governance under the U.N. aegis as part of efforts to reach a peaceful settlement. It was a blustery statement that reflected his determination to achieve his war goals. Speaking to the crew of a Russian nuclear submarine on a visit to the Arctic port city of Murmansk, Putin reaffirmed his claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose term expired last year, lacks the legitimacy to sign a peace deal. Kyiv maintains that elections are impossible to hold amid a war. Putin claimed that any agreement that is signed with the current Ukrainian government could be challenged by its successors.
Israel strikes Beirut for the first time since a ceasefire ended the latest Israel-Hezbollah war
BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) — Israel has launched an attack on the Lebanese capital, Beirut, for the first time since a ceasefire ended the latest Israel-Hezbollah war in November. Associated Press reporters in Beirut heard a loud boom and witnessed smoke rising from the area in Beirut’s southern suburbs that Israel’s military had vowed to strike. The attack was the first strike on Beirut since a ceasefire took hold on Nov. 27, 2024 between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group, although Israel has struck targets in southern Lebanon almost daily since then. After the strike, Israel’s army said it attacked a Hezbollah drone storage facility in the area of Dahiyeh, which it called a key Hezbollah stronghold. Israel said it issued advanced warning for people to leave.
Inflation Remains High as Consumer Spending Rebounds in February
WASHINGTON — An inflation gauge closely monitored by the Federal Reserve held steady in February, even before the full impact of new tariffs set in. The Commerce Department reported Friday that consumer prices rose 2.5% from a year earlier, matching January’s rate, while core inflation, which excludes food and energy, increased to 2.8% from 2.7% the previous month. Despite inflation cooling from its 2022 peak, concerns remain high among Americans. Consumer spending rebounded in February, rising 0.4% after January’s sharpest decline in four years. President Donald Trump’s recent tariffs on Chinese imports, steel, aluminum, and automobiles are expected to push inflation higher, with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warning of economic uncertainty. Business and consumer confidence has dropped sharply, with a Pew Research Center survey finding that 63% of Americans still consider inflation a “very big problem.”
