The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Pierre man convicted of second-degree murder in teen’s 2023 stabbing death
PIERRE, S.D. — A Hughes County jury has found a Pierre man guilty of second-degree murder in the November 2023 stabbing death of 17-year-old Evie Maxey of Rapid City. David Shangreaux Jr. was convicted Wednesday (April 30, 2025) following a trial that lasted about a week. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Maxey was found with multiple stab wounds in the bathroom of a Pierre apartment after police responded to a disturbance call on Nov. 30, 2023.
Former special ed teacher pleads guilty to online enticement of a minor
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A former special education teacher pleaded guilty this week to enticement of a minor using the Internet. Duncan Sioux Witt, 28, admitted to having explicit conversations with one of her special education students, who was under the age of 18. The former Douglas School District teacher faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison when she’s sentenced. In exchange for her guilty plea, sexual exploitation of a minor and child pornography charges were dismissed.
Rapid City investment returns top $12 million in 2024
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City’s Legal and Finance Committee learned this week the community continues to see millions of dollars in returns from investments. A breakdown of Rapid City’s $210.9 million in cash and investments shows that at the end of March, nearly 72% of the city’s liquid assets from taxes were invested in CDs and other fixed-rate maturities, increasing the total return on the investments and providing another stream of revenue to Rapid City. The city’s total interest income in 2024 was $12,198,219, as compared to $7,379,900 in 2023, $495,160 in 2022, and $107,840 in 2021. Rapid City Finance Director Daniel Ainslie says this is the third highest stream of income for the city, but as interest rates fall, Ainslie predicts the city’s interest income will not be as high.
South Dakota moves up in national average teacher pay rankings
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — South Dakota is making a slight improvement among state ranks for average teacher pay. The state is now 46th — moving up three spots from 49th — for K-through-12 teachers. This is according to the National Education Association with updated numbers from the 2023-2024 school year. South Dakota’s average teacher salary is now reported to be just over $56,000. The positive trend is being viewed among state education leaders as a win but with more work to be done investing in local teachers.
Monument Health Foundation Raises Over $136,000 at Inaugural ‘Night at the Derby’
SPEARFISH, S.D. — The Monument Health Foundation raised more than $136,000 during its first-ever A Night at the Derby event, held April 26. The evening featured themed games, raffles, and auctions to raise funds and awareness for hospice care in the Northern Hills. Proceeds will support local hospice patients and their families, and help purchase three wireless fetal monitors for the Spearfish Hospital Labor & Delivery Department. The event builds on the legacy of the Northern Hills Hospice Ball, which supported regional health care for 27 years. Foundation Director Hans Nelson said the strong turnout shows the community’s deep commitment to helping those in need. In addition to fundraising, the evening also honored long-time hospice caregiver Renee Skroch with the annual Dignity Award. Skroch, a beloved member of the Spearfish Home Health and Hospice team, is known for her warmth, compassion, and 47 years of service. She plans to retire in June 2025.
Prescribed Burn at Angostura State Park set for May 2
ANGOSTURA PARK, S.D. — The Rapid City Post reported that South Dakota Wildland Fire, in coordination with Angostura State Park, plans a 130-acre prescribed burn on Friday, May 2, 2025, near the park’s Visitor Center, Cheyenne Campground, and Summer Sun Trailer Park. The operation aims to reduce invasive grasses, promote native vegetation, and decrease wildfire risk by eliminating excess plant material. Smoke may be visible in surrounding areas and could linger for several days, with intermittent closures possible on North Angostura Road. The park will remain open, though visitors may experience delays near the burn area. If weather conditions are unfavorable, the burn will be rescheduled.
Black Hills Corp. Requests Rate Review and Rider Renewal in Nebraska
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Black Hills Corp., based in Rapid City, announced that its Nebraska natural gas utility has filed a rate review request with the Nebraska Public Service Commission, seeking $34.9 million in new annual revenue. This request supports recovery of infrastructure investments and operational costs necessary to maintain safe and reliable service for more than 304,000 customers. Including $18.5 million in existing rider revenue, the total proposed increase in base rate revenue is $53.4 million. Since 2020, the company has invested over $453 million in Nebraska’s natural gas infrastructure. The proposed rate structure includes a 10.5% return on equity and seeks interim rates starting August 1, 2025, with new rates expected in early 2026. The application also proposes renewing the System Safety and Integrity Rider to continue safety-focused pipeline replacement efforts.
Midwest carbon dioxide pipeline could face new hurdle as some Iowa lawmakers question eminent domain
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A proposed carbon-capture pipeline that would traverse through several Midwestern states could face more hurdles in Iowa as a dozen Republican state senators try to force the issue to a vote. Summit Carbon Solutions already will likely have to readjust plans for its estimated $8.9 billion project. That’s because South Dakota’s governor signed a ban on using eminent domain to acquire land for carbon dioxide pipelines. Twelve GOP state senators have now told their Republican leaders that they will not vote on any budget until they bring a pipeline bill to the floor. The Legislature is constitutionally required to approve any budget. The Iowa House supported several measures.
Israeli military strikes near Syria’s presidential palace after warning over sectarian attacks
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Israel’s air force struck near Syria’s presidential palace early Friday hours after warning Syrian authorities not to march toward villages inhabited by members of a minority sect in southern Syria. The strike came after days of clashes between pro-Syrian government gunmen and fighters who belong to the Druze minority sect near the capital, Damascus. The clashes left dozens of people dead or wounded. The Israeli army said in a statement that fighter jets struck adjacent to the area of the Palace of President Hussein al-Sharaa in Damascus. It gave no further details. Pro-government Syrian media outlets said the strike hit close to the People’s Palace on a hill overlooking the city.
Soviet-era spacecraft is set to plunge to Earth a half-century after its failed launch to Venus
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A Soviet-era spacecraft meant to land on Venus in the 1970s is expected to soon plunge uncontrolled back to Earth. It’s too early to know where the half-ton mass of metal might come down or how much of it will survive reentry. A Dutch scientist predicts the craft will reenter around May 10. The Soviet Union launched the spacecraft in 1972, one of a series of Venus missions. But it never made it out of Earth orbit because of a rocket malfunction. Experts believe the lander portion has been circling the world for 53 years, gradually dropping in altitude.
