The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Rapid City Schools Unveil Master Plan to Modernize Facilities and Address Overcrowding
RAPID CITY, S.D. — At a public meeting held last week at Central High School, consultants from Co-Op Architecture unveiled a preview of the district’s new master plan. The plan includes major upgrades, such as improved classroom technology, new security systems, and enhancements to HVAC and air quality infrastructure. One of the key goals is addressing overcrowding—especially in schools on the city’s east side. Consultants say schools should ideally operate at no more than 90 percent of their maximum capacity to ensure functional learning environments. A full version of the district’s master plan is expected to be posted online in the coming days.
South Dakota Judge Named to Federal Judicial Security Task Force
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Northern Plains News reports U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier of South Dakota has been appointed to the Judicial Security and Independence Task Force. Established by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the task force aims to address rising threats against federal judges and ensure the judiciary’s independence. Schreier, who became South Dakota’s first female federal judge in 1999, will collaborate with other members to develop strategies enhancing court security nationwide.
Wall Woman Identified in Fatal One-Vehicle Crash Near Downtown
WALL, S.D. – Authorities have identified a Wall woman who died in a one-vehicle crash in Wall last Tuesday. The highway patrol says Yvonne Marie Bull Bear, the driver of a 1999 Toyota Camry, was in a downtown Wall, SD parking lot near Main Street and 5th Avenue when the vehicle reversed into a wood fence then accelerated north over 5th Avenue and collided head-on with a light pole. Bull Bear was not wearing a seatbelt and died from her injuries. The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
South Dakota Army National Guard Investigates PFAS Contamination at Rapid City Facility
RAPID CITY, S.D. – According to The Rapid City Post, the South Dakota Army National Guard is conducting an environmental investigation for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the Rapid City Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF). An Administrative Record has been initiated to support the investigation, which will include reports, fact sheets, and other relevant documents. To keep the public informed, the Army National Guard will maintain these records at the Rapid City Public Library and other locations. The Guard is also seeking public interest in establishing a Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) to provide updates and gather input on the environmental cleanup process. Interested individuals can contact COL Scott Linquist by June 11, 2025, for more information.
Public Safety Director position to be phased out
SPEARFISH, SD – The City of Spearfish will soon implement changes to its public safety leadership structure following the retirement of Public Safety Director Pat Rotert in June. Going forward, the Chief of Police and Fire Chief will report directly to the City Administrator, Bobby Falcon. Falcon expressed confidence that the shift will allow for effective management of the departments, which have been strengthened under Rotert’s leadership since the Public Safety Director position was created in 2019. Code Enforcement and Building Inspections will remain under their current departments. The story was reported by The Rapid City Post.
Trump promises to order that the US pay only the price other nations do for some drugs
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’ll sign an executive order that, if implemented, could bring down the costs of some medications. He’s reviving a failed effort from his first term on an issue he’s talked up since even before he became president. The order Trump is promising to sign Monday will direct the Department of Health and Human Services to tie what Medicare pays for medications administrated in a doctor’s office to the lowest price paid by other countries. In his post Sunday on his social media site, Trump said: “I will be instituting a MOST FAVORED NATION’S POLICY whereby the United States will pay the same price as the Nation that pays the lowest price anywhere in the World.”
Trump envoy confirms that Hamas has agreed to release the last living US hostage in Gaza
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas says the last living American hostage in Gaza will be released as part of efforts to establish a ceasefire, reopen crossings into the Israeli-blockaded territory and resume aid delivery. Two Hamas officials tell The Associated Press they expect the release of Edan Alexander in the next 48 hours. U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff is confirming in a message to the AP that Hamas has agreed to release Alexander as a good will gesture toward Trump. The announcement of the first hostage release since Israel shattered a ceasefire in March comes shortly before Trump visits the Middle East this week. Alexander is an Israeli-American soldier who grew up in the United States.
Zelenskyy hopes for ceasefire with Russia and challenges Putin to meet him in Turkey ‘personally’
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has challenged Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to meet him personally in Turkey on Thursday. It’s the latest move in a weekend-long exchange of proposals from both sides on the next steps in the U.S.-led peace effort. Zelenskyy said that he still hopes for a ceasefire with Russia starting Monday, and that he will “be waiting for Putin” in Turkey “personally” after U.S. President Donald Trump insisted Ukraine accept Russia’s latest offer — to hold direct talks in Turkey on Thursday. Ukraine, along with European allies, had demanded Russia accept an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting Monday before holding talks, but Moscow effectively rejected the proposal and called for direct negotiations.
Ancient wooden spears found in Germany may have been wielded by Neanderthals, a new study suggests
NEW YORK (AP) — A set of ancient wooden spears may be younger than scientists thought and wielded by Neanderthals instead of their ancestors. The complete spears made of spruce and pine are among the oldest known hunting weapons. Previous estimates dated the spears to 300,000 years ago, but the new analysis says the spears are younger and may have been used by Neanderthals instead. The well-crafted spears could help scientists understand what Neanderthals were capable of and how they worked together to hunt. More research is needed to be sure of the spears’ age. The research was published Friday in the journal Science Advances.
