The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
New Bill Aims to Cut Costs, Ease Staffing Shortages in County Offices
PIERRE, S.D. – A new bill could help counties save money and address staffing shortages. House Bill 1194, passed by the State House Tuesday, would allow counties to combine their Director of Equalization offices, which could improve efficiency and reduce costs. These directors ensure property is properly assessed and placed on tax rolls. Rep. Drew Peterson, who sponsored the bill, called the position “thankless” with high turnover. He noted that this legislation was a product of a summer study this past year aimed at easing the state’s property tax burden. The bill allows counties to voluntarily work together, with the goal of creating a more efficient process.
Bill to Tighten Lithium Mining Regulations Fails in Committee
PIERRE, S.D. – A bill to increase regulations for lithium mining in the Black Hills failed in committee. House Bill 1258 would have required more environmental reviews and public input before issuing permits, similar to hard rock mining. Supporters argued for stronger oversight, while opponents, including the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said current regulations are adequate. The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee deadlocked 6-6, ending the bill’s run, though its sponsor plans to reintroduce it next session.
Two Men Plead Not Guilty in Skyline Drive Shooting Case
RAPID CITY, S.D. – Two men allegedly involved in a shooting incident on Skyline Drive were back in court Tuesday. Roman Venegas, 18, and David Venegas, 23, each pleaded not guilty to discharge of a firearm at a motor vehicle and two counts of aggravated assault in Seventh Circuit Court. The charges stem from an incident on December 27 when gunfire toward Kelly’s Sports Lounge on Jackson Boulevard was reported. There were no reports of injuries. If convicted, the two men could face up to 15 years in prison.
Bodies of Youngest Israeli Hostages Returned by Hamas
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas has handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including a mother and her two children, whose abduction on October 7, 2023, had become a symbol of national anguish. The remains of Shiri Bibas and her sons, Ariel and Kfir—the youngest hostage taken that day—along with 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz, were transferred to Israel via the Red Cross. Hamas had previously claimed the family was killed in Israeli airstrikes, but their fate remained uncertain for months. The father of the children was freed earlier this month in a ceasefire deal. The return of their remains, following widely circulated images of the red-haired children, has reignited calls for the release of all hostages still held by the militant group. The remains will now undergo formal identification.
Trump backs idea to send some DOGE savings to American citizens
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he likes the idea to give some of the savings from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency back to U.S. citizens as a kind of dividend. Trump expressed support twice Wednesday, first at an investment conference in Miami and later aboard Air Force One on the flight home to Washington. The Republican president told reporters on the plane, “I love it.” Earlier in the day in Miami, Trump said some of the savings produced by DOGE’s cost-cutting efforts would also be used to pay down the country’s debt.
Russia seems to have time on its side as the war in Ukraine reaches its third year
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine three years ago has turned into Europe’s largest conflict since World War II. Tens of thousands have been killed, cities have been reduced to ruins, millions of Ukrainians became refugees, and Russia was isolated from the West. Now as top Russian and U.S. officials are talking again and setting the stage for summit meeting, Putin appears closer than ever to cementing Moscow’s gains of about a fifth of Ukraine’s territory and keeping the country out of NATO. President Donald Trump reversed the U.S. policy of isolating Russia, saying they have agreed “to work together very closely” to end the war. He said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “will be involved” but didn’t elaborate.
Two Killed in Midair Collision at Arizona’s Marana Regional Airport
MARANA, A.Z. – Two people died Wednesday after a midair collision between two small aircraft at Marana Regional Airport, just northwest of Tucson. Authorities confirmed that each plane had two occupants, but the total number of casualties has not been released as the investigation continues. The crash is part of a recent string of aviation incidents, including the January 29 collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, where a military helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet collided, killing 67 people. Since then, four other aviation accidents have raised national concerns over air safety.
