The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Police Search for Armed and Dangerous Suspect After Pursuit and Near-Collision
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Local law enforcement agencies were searching for an armed and dangerous man following a pursuit and near-collision with an officer on Friday. The Rapid City Police Department and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office are attempting to locate 37-year-old Jeremy Taylor. Taylor is wanted on an active arrest warrant out of Ohio for gross sexual imposition, along with local charges including eluding, resisting arrest, and obstruction. Authorities stated that officers with the Rapid City Police Department stopped Taylor on Friday, January 30th. During the encounter, Taylor allegedly drove off and nearly ran over a police officer. The suspect was last seen in the area of Baker Park Road and Sheridan Lake Road in Pennington County. Law enforcement officials reported that Taylor fled into the woods carrying an AR-15 rifle. (Full Story)
West River Legislators Hold First Cracker Barrel of Session
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Legislators from districts 30, 32, 33, 34 and 35 held their first Cracker Barrel of the session over the weekend. Among topics discussed were construction at Ellsworth Air Force Base, rural healthcare and property taxes. Saturday’s Cracker Barrel was held at the Western Dakota Tech Event Center. Elevate Rapid City will hold only one more cracker barrel this year on February 28th.
Two Arrested on Second-Degree Murder Charges in Lonehill Homicide
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City Police arrested 2 suspects on Friday night, who they said had a role in the murder of 43-year-old Randall Lonehill. Police said that 30-year-old Celeste Conquering Bear and 41-year-old Artie Black Bear, both of Rapid City, are facing 2nd degree murder charges. It happened at an improvised outdoor encampment at the 100 block of East North Street last week. An autopsy revealed that Lonehill’s death was caused by trauma associated with a physical assault and stabbing. The homicide remains under investigation. (Full Story)
State Senate Advances Utility Wildfire Liability Protection Bill
PIERRE, S.D. — State senators are passing a bill to protect utility providers against wildfire lawsuits. The bill requires providers to file wildfire mitigation plans with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. Those who file lawsuits against the utility providers will have to prove the utility failed to comply with the mitigation plans and that damages were caused directly because of that failure. Lawmakers say this will save the public from fees and additional, unnecessary burdens of frivolous lawsuits. The bill passed in a 29-to-four vote and now heads to the House.
SURF Director Mike Headley Selected for Ellsworth Honorary Commander Program
LEAD, S.D. — Mike Headley, executive director of the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority and laboratory director at the Sanford Underground Research Facility, has been selected as one of 11 participants in the 2026 Ellsworth Honorary Commander program. Announced by Col. Erick Lord, commander of the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, the program pairs community and business leaders with military commanders to strengthen ties between the base and the surrounding region. Headley brings prior Air Force experience, including service with the National Reconnaissance Office, and said he looks forward to supporting the mission of the 28th Bomb Wing and learning more about base operations. (Full Story)
More winter weather leads to heavy snow, canceled flights and, in Florida, falling iguanas
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A huge swath of the U.S. from the Gulf Coast into New England is mired in extra-cold temperatures after a bomb cyclone brought heavy snow. There were hundreds of flight cancellations to North Carolina, snow flurries and falling iguanas in Florida, and more misery for thousands who are still without power from last weekend’s ice storm in the South. About 150 million people are under cold weather advisories and extreme cold warnings in the eastern portion of the U.S. Wind chills have been near zero to single digits in the South, with Florida experiencing its coldest air mass since December 1989.. (Full Story)
Epstein files lead to resignation in Slovakia and calls in Britain for former prince to cooperate
NEW YORK (AP) — Newly released files on Jeffrey Epstein have prompted the resignation of a top official in Slovakia and revived calls in Britain for a former prince to cooperate with authorities. Miroslav Lajcak resigned Saturday from his role as an adviser to Slovakia’s prime minister. He was not accused of wrongdoing. But Lajcak faced pressure to resign after emails showed he met with Epstein in 2018. The disclosures also renewed questions about whether long-time Epstein friend Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, should talk with investigators about Epstein and his links to powerful people around the world. (Full Story)
“Melania” Documentary Debuts With $7 Million Opening Weekend
NEW YORK (AP) — The documentary “Melania,” centered on First Lady Melania Trump, debuted with an estimated $7 million in ticket sales over its opening weekend, according to studio figures released Sunday. The film, acquired by Amazon MGM Studios for $40 million with an additional estimated $35 million spent on marketing, opened in 1,778 theaters nationwide. Directed by Brett Ratner, the documentary follows Melania Trump over a 20-day period leading up to President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. While costly by industry standards, the opening marked the strongest theatrical debut for a documentary outside of concert films in more than a decade. Pre-release estimates ranged from $3 million to $5 million. The film earned an “A” CinemaScore rating. “Melania” will stream on Prime Video following its theatrical run. (Full Story)
