The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Highway Patrol Tells Recruits Western South Dakota Needs More Troopers
DEA Reports Shift Toward Fentanyl Powder and Rising Meth, Cocaine Seizures in South Dakota
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) offices in South Dakota reported a 43% increase in fentanyl powder seizures and 41% decrease in counterfeit pill seizures in 2025 falling in line with a nationwide trend. Across the United States, the DEA has noticed a shift away from pill production with cartels opting instead for the cost savings associated with fentanyl powder production and distribution. Agents in South Dakota have seen powder, which decreased in purity from nearly 20% to 10.3%, mixed into other substances including methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin. While fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing the nation, it’s worth noting that agents also reported a jump in both methamphetamine and cocaine seizures in South Dakota. More than 300 pounds of methamphetamine were seized in 2025 along with close to 40 pounds of cocaine. (Full Story)
Greater Sturgis Foundation Announces Major Donation to Expand Sturgis Trail System
STURGIS, S.D. — The future of the Sturgis Trail System got a big shot in the arm at Monday night’s Council meeting, where the Greater Sturgis Foundation announced a $250,000 donation to Sturgis Trails. The grant will serve as a catalyst to complete a project of 19 additional miles of trails in the Black Hills, near Sturgis. The funding will be provided in phases, with an initial allocation released upon final project approval and construction readiness. The Greater Sturgis Foundation has invested nearly one million dollars in charitable grants to support the greater Sturgis community. (Full Story)
Senate Committee Advances Hemp THC and Kratom Bills Without Recommendation
PIERRE, S.D. — The Senate Health and Human Services Committee has sent two substance-related bills to the full Senate without recommendation. Lawmakers voted unanimously to advance a bill limiting hemp-derived THC products outside the medical cannabis system, following testimony from CBD retailers who said the proposal would shut down their businesses. Later in the same meeting, the committee took the same action on a bill banning kratom. Sending two bills to the Senate floor without recommendation in one day is unusual and indicates disagreement over how to regulate the substances. (Full Story)
Republicans and some Democrats back contempt for the Clintons in House Epstein probe
WASHINGTON (AP) — A House committee has advanced resolutions to hold former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress over the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee approved the contempt of Congress charges in bipartisan votes. It sets up a potential vote in the House. Democrats were split on the measures. A number of progressive lawmakers called for full transparency in the Epstein investigation even if it meant threatening a former Democratic president if he refuses to testify. (Full Story)
A former flight attendant is accused of fooling airlines into giving him free flights.
HONOLULU (AP) — Authorities say a Canadian man posed as a commercial pilot and working flight attendant to obtain hundreds of free flights from U.S. airlines. Authorities say 33-year-old Dallas Pokornik of Toronto pleaded not guilty Tuesday following his extradition. He was arrested in Panama after being indicted on wire fraud charges in federal court in Hawaii last October. Court documents say Pokornik used fake employee identification to obtain tickets reserved for pilots and flight attendants on three airlines for four years. The indictment did not identify the airlines except to say they are based in Honolulu, Chicago and Fort Worth, Texas. (Full Story)
US stocks recover half of the prior day’s plunge after Trump calls off Greenland-related tariffs
NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market bounced back from its worst day since October. The S&P 500 rallied 1.2% Wednesday after President Donald Trump said he reached the framework for a deal about Greenland, an island he’s long coveted, and won’t impose tariffs he had threatened on several European countries The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 588 points, or 1.2%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.2%. Treasury yields also eased in the bond market in another signal of reduced worries among investors. The value of the U.S. dollar clawed back some of its declines against other currencies after sliding the day before. (Full Story)
