The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Widespread Power Outage Impacts Western South Dakota and Northeastern Wyoming
STURGIS, S.D. — A wide portion of western South Dakota into northeastern Wyoming was plunged into the dark Thursday afternoon as power went out across a wide area. In a Thursday afternoon press release, Black Hills Power said they were working to restore power to customers in their service territory in South Dakota and Wyoming affected by today’s regional electrical outage. Multiple utilities were impacted by the regional transmission event which caused generation facilities and substations in both states to go offline. Regional Public Affairs Manager Lynn Kendall with BHP said to protect system safety and stability, they were using a phased process to restore power. Kendall said it is critical that “our power facilities ramp up slowly to prevent damage to the system.” Kendall says the outage impacted multiple utilities across the region, resulting from an event on the regional transmission grid outside of the Black Hills Energy footprint.
Rapid City Committee Tables Proposed Cannabis Ordinance
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City’s Legal and Finance Committee voted to table a proposed ordinance that would have reduced the number of medical cannabis dispensary licenses in the city and potentially increase permit fees. The vote came after several cannabis business owners and patients told the board the proposal would hurt access to medicine and penalize legitimate operators. The proposed ordinance lowers the number of available dispensary licenses from 15 to 5. In favor of the ordinance is Ward 1 Alderman Stephen Tamang, who says the proposal was written by the city’s legal department after residents requested further review of the city’s cannabis policies. Tamang said he hopes the full City Council will vote to remove the ordinance from the table at its next meeting.
Governor Rhoden Expected to Announce 2026 Campaign
RAPID CITY, S.D. — It looks like South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden will make a long-anticipated campaign announcement next week. Rhoden will be at the Hotel Alex Johnson in Rapid City November 18th to make what’s termed a “special announcement.” All signs point toward Rhoden announcing he’ll seek the governor’s job in the 2026 elections. He joins a crowded field in the Republican primary. Others running for the job are Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden, House Speaker Jon Hansen and Congressman Dusty Johnson.
Meade County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Suspect in Hit and Run
STURGIS, S.D. — The Meade County Sheriff’s Office arrested an individual following a hit and run Wednesday. The sheriff’s office says the individual was allegedly involved in a hit and run on Spring Creek Road. Authorities say the individual was eventually apprehended and was facing several charges, including hit and run and drug D-U-I. The sheriff’s office reports in a social media post they also found drugs in the individual’s possession. Multiple agencies helped in the incident.
‘Pack the Pantry’ Food Drive Surpasses Last Year’s Totals
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Community residents continue to respond in impressive ways as the ‘Pack the Pantry’ food drive hosted by Rapid City’s Public Works Department and AFSCME has reached its halfway point, and has easily surpassed the donation total of last year’s drive. As of Wednesday this week, the ‘Pack the Pantry’ food drive had collected 2,588 pounds of food and $1,200 in cash donations. Last year’s three-week effort yielded 2,253 pounds of food and $1,232 in cash donations.
Charlotte Prepares for Possible Federal Immigration Operation
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte officials and community groups are preparing for a potential federal immigration enforcement operation after Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden said he was informed that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents could arrive as early as this weekend. Federal officials have not confirmed details, and the Department of Homeland Security declined to comment. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said it has no authority to enforce federal immigration laws and is not involved in the operation. Local leaders and advocacy groups have begun sharing resources, training volunteers and informing immigrant communities amid reports of plainclothes officers in neighborhoods. The city, home to more than 150,000 foreign-born residents, is the latest Democratic-led area to anticipate an operation following similar actions in Chicago and Los Angeles.
Blue Origin Launches New Glenn Rocket Carrying NASA’s Twin Mars Orbiters
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn rocket Thursday on its second flight, sending a pair of NASA Mars orbiters on a multi-year journey to the red planet. The 321-foot rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station after weather and solar storms delayed the launch. For the first time, the company recovered the booster, landing it upright on an offshore barge. The two identical spacecraft, named Escapade, will spend a year in Earth’s neighborhood before heading to Mars in 2026 and arriving in 2027. Once in orbit, they will study the planet’s upper atmosphere, magnetic fields and interaction with the solar wind. Managed by the University of California, Berkeley, the mission costs under $80 million and marks a key step as NASA and Blue Origin prepare for future lunar missions under the Artemis program.
USS Gerald R. Ford Heads Toward Venezuela Amid U.S. Military Buildup
WASHINGTON (AP) — The USS Gerald R. Ford, the most advanced U.S. aircraft carrier, is expected to reach waters near Venezuela within days, marking a significant display of American military power in Latin America. The deployment comes as part of the Trump administration’s counterdrug operations in the region, which also include bomber training flights, CIA activity inside Venezuela and maritime strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels. Analysts say the carrier’s arrival has heightened anxieties across the region, though it remains unclear whether its aircraft will be used for any strikes. The Ford’s presence adds to a growing U.S. military footprint aimed at pressuring Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
