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Governor Signs Disaster Declaration After December Windstorm
RAPID CITY, S.D. — South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden has signed a disaster declaration seeking federal assistance for damage caused by the December windstorm that swept across the state. The storm, which began Dec. 17, brought wind gusts over 100 mph and caused widespread infrastructure damage, especially in Pennington, Custer and Fall River counties. Cleanup efforts are underway with help from inmates with the Department of Corrections, but a formal disaster declaration was required within 30 days of the storm to qualify for federal aid. State officials report that damages to public property have exceeded the $1.72 million threshold needed for FEMA assistance. If approved, FEMA would cover 75 percent of eligible repair costs, with the state contributing 10 percent and counties responsible for 15 percent. (Full Story)
Rapid City Residents Push for Backyard Chickens Ordinance
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City residents are hoping to join cities like Sturgis and Spearfish who allow backyard chickens. The group Rapid City Citizens for Urban Hens is spearheading a proposed ordinance to allow them. Current city rules restrict chickens to properties of at least 3 acres or land zoned for agriculture. The proposed ordinance would allow up to six hens per household, prohibit roosters and set standards for coops, setbacks and care. It would not override home-owners association rules. (Full Story)
Piedmont Annexation Petition Targets Proposed Limestone Mine
PIEDMONT, S.D. — A petition for voluntary annexation into Piedmont city limits by several land owners was on the Piedmont Board of Trustees’ agenda at their meeting Tuesday night. It’s a new legal strategy by opponents of a potential 300-acre limestone mine to be operated in and around city limits by Simon Contractors. The annexation is intended to force the proposed mining project under stricter municipal zoning rules. However, the board took no action on the petition due to issues with how it was presented to the board. Board President Phil Anderson said this technicality invalidated the current petition, but the city is already working with an attorney to draft a more viable version to present to a judge. (Full Story)
Hiring Underway for Rapid City Women’s Prison Ahead of Opening
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City’s new women’s correctional facility has begun the hiring process for 133 employees ahead of its opening later this year. Gov. Larry Rhoden’s budget address allocated $13.2 million for 96 security operations, 23 health care and 20 education, programming and administrative staff members at the prison. The South Dakota Department of Corrections has struggled with hiring and retaining staff in the past. But vacancies for security and correctional staff hit a four-year low in July, with just 3% of positions unfilled, and it remains much lower than in years prior. Financial incentives may help: The DOC has raised wages for correctional officers by 43% in the past three years, which may contribute to lower vacancies as the prison opens. (Full Story)
Rapid City Building Permits Top $390 Million in 2025
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City’s Building Services Division issued 2,428 building permits in 2025 with a combined valuation total of more than $390.9 million, the third highest annual valuation total in the City’s history. The 2025 building permit valuation total is surpassed only by the record set in 2023 of $463.5 million and the $393.5 million valuation total produced in 2021. Last year’s total edged out the 2024 valuation total of $383.6 million over 2,593 building permits. Among the highlights of the year-end report included 186 permits issued for single family homes in Rapid City, the third-highest permit total in the classification since 2007. The City issued 68 building permits in 2025 with a valuation total exceeding $1 million each, including 12 issued with at least $5 million each in valuation. (Full Story)
Lane Closure on Fifth Street for Debris Removal
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The west southbound lane of Fifth Street from Terracita Drive to Anamaria Drive is closed as City Utility Maintenance Storm Division crews remove debris from a settling pond near the area. Crews are expected to have the cleanup work completed and the lane reopened to traffic by late afternoon Thursday. Drivers are advised to use caution in the affected area with equipment and crews at work during the closure period. (Full Story)
U.S. Seizes Venezuelan Oil Tankers, Outlines Plan to Oversee Oil Sales
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Wednesday seized two additional sanctioned oil tankers linked to Venezuela and announced plans to ease some sanctions to allow U.S.-approved sales of Venezuelan oil under American oversight. U.S. officials said the seizures, carried out in the North Atlantic and Caribbean Sea, are part of enforcing sanctions and controlling the movement of Venezuelan petroleum following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro. The Energy Department said Venezuelan oil exports would move only through channels approved by the United States, with proceeds held in U.S.-controlled accounts, while the Justice Department said criminal investigations are underway involving tanker crews accused of violating U.S. orders. The administration said the policy aims to regulate oil distribution consistent with U.S. law and national security interests as Venezuela’s state oil company confirmed negotiations with the U.S. over crude sales. (Full Story)
U.S. to Withdraw From Dozens of International Organizations Under Trump Order
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced Wednesday it will withdraw U.S. participation and funding from 66 international organizations and agreements, including the U.N. Population Fund and the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, after President Donald Trump signed an executive order following a review of global engagements. The White House said the move reflects a shift away from organizations the administration views as redundant, mismanaged, or inconsistent with U.S. sovereignty and national interests, while officials said the U.S. will continue participating selectively in international bodies tied to trade, labor and technical standards. The decision builds on earlier withdrawals from agencies such as the World Health Organization and UNESCO and marks a broader retrenchment from multilateral cooperation, with the administration saying future involvement will be based on alignment with U.S. priorities. (Full Story)
New dietary guidelines urge Americans to avoid processed foods and added sugar
The Trump administration on Wednesday released the 2025–2030 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, advising people to eat more whole foods and protein while cutting back on highly processed foods, added sugars and refined carbohydrates. Issued by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the updated guidance emphasizes fresh vegetables, fruits, whole foods and whole-food sources of fats, introduces a revised graphic replacing the traditional food pyramid, recommends higher protein intake, and advises avoiding foods high in added sugars and excessive processing. The guidelines, which will shape federal nutrition programs including school meals, also remove specific daily alcohol limits in favor of a general recommendation to drink less for better health. (Full Story)
