The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Mistrial Declared in Nick Tilsen Trial After Jury Deadlocks
RAPID CITY, SD — The trial which began on Monday has resolved with ambiguous results as a Hung Jury has resulted in a “Mistrial” verdict.
The trial, concerning NDN Collective CEO Nick Tilsen had its closing arguments Wednesday Afternoon afternoon, with jurors being sequestered for deliberation until a verdict could be reached. In this time, the jury was asked to consider evidence laid out over the course of the three-day affair, which seems to have been ultimately inconclusive.
The case concerns an incident which took place in 2022, in which Tilsen, according to prosecution representing the State of South Dakota utilized his vehicle to intimidate a police officer standing in or near a parking spot when Tilsen accelerated into said parking spot momentarily before braking. The defense, representing Tilsen has held throughout that Tilsen’s intent was observation of proceedings, and had no intention of attacking or intimidating the on-duty officer
Late Wednesday evening, however, word has been received that the Jury has reported itself unable to come to a decision regarding the whole of the incident. In cases of a hung jury, the trial is nullified entirely and the case is returned to its pre-trial status, during which prosecution may choose to retry the case with a new Jury selection, or move that the charges be dismissed entirely. It is not clear at this time what the State’s intent with this case is, and may not be for some time yet. (Full Story)
Rapid City Police Investigating North Street Death as Homicide
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City Police say following the results of an autopsy, the death of a man found this week is now being investigated as a homicide. The deceased was identified as 43-year-old Randall Lonehill of Rapid City. Police say evidence indicates the incident was not random. Officers were dispatched around 4:35 p.m. Jan. 26 to the 100 block of East North Street after reports of an unresponsive male and located Lonehill in an outdoor encampment near the railroad tracks. The investigation is being conducted jointly with the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Morgan Slanina at 605-394-4134 or submit an anonymous tip by texting “RCPD” to 847411. (Full Story)
$200,000 Traffic Study Approved for Eglin Street Corridor
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City officials have approved a $200,000 traffic study for Eglin Street, one of the city’s busiest retail corridors, as the area prepares for significant new development. The study will examine the corridor between North LaCrosse Street and East North Street, including businesses that make up Rushmore Crossing, and will analyze current traffic conditions and forecast changes as new projects come online. (Full Story)
Rapid City Sales Tax Revenue Up More Than 3 Percent Through November
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Sales through November of 2025 generated more than $81.6 million in overall sales tax revenue for the City of Rapid City. The total is 3.23 percent higher than the sales tax collected through the first 11 months of 2024 when $79.1 million was collected. For the month of November, more than $7 million was collected in sales tax receipts ($7,000,561), a record collection for the month of November. The November collection compares to $6.89 million collected in November 2024 and marked the first time sales tax receipts exceeded $7 million in November. (Full Story)
Rapid City Advances LED Street Light Replacement Project
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Public Works Department has approved the next phase of a four-year project to replace all city-owned street lights with more energy-efficient LED fixtures. The initiative calls for switching 2,700 high-intensity discharge fixtures to LED lights, which are more than 50 percent more efficient. This is the second year of the project, with an estimated cost of $222,541 for materials and in-house labor. City officials hope the project will generate significant savings on the city’s annual electric bill. (Full Story)
Wildfire Liability Bill Advances in South Dakota Senate Committee
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota lawmakers advanced a bill Tuesday that would give utilities legal protections if a wildfire is blamed on them, in exchange for filing a wildfire mitigation plan. Under the bill, private utilities could submit plans to the Public Utilities Commission, while electric cooperatives and municipal utilities could submit plans to their boards or city councils, along with annual compliance reports. Required elements include identifying high-risk areas, inspection and operating standards, vegetation management strategies, and coordination with wildfire agencies. The Senate Commerce and Energy Committee voted 6-3 to send the bill to the full Senate. (Full Story)
Medicaid Expansion Repeal Resolution Heads to House Floor
PIERRE, S.D. — A resolution that would place a ballot measure to repeal South Dakota’s Medicaid expansion requirement is now heading to the House floor. House Joint Resolution 5002 proposes a constitutional amendment that would repeal the requirement to provide expanded Medicaid. Voters approved Medicaid expansion in 2022 by a 56 percent majority. The resolution passed committee by an 8-4 vote and would allow voters to weigh in on the issue again at the next general election. (Full Story)
Man wounded after exchanging gunfire with Border Patrol agents near US-Mexico border
Authorities say a man who was involved in a human smuggling operation was shot Tuesday in an exchange of gunfire with the U.S. Border Patrol and after firing at a federal helicopter. The FBI says agents returned fire, striking the man and wounding him. Authorities say the 34-year-old man was transported to a hospital and was recovering from surgery Tuesday evening. He was identified as Patrick Gary Schlegel. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department says the FBI asked it to lead a use-of-force investigation of the Border Patrol. It noted that such investigations are standard when a federal agency is involved in a shooting in the county. (Full Story)
Trump Tax Law Expected to Increase Refunds for 2026 Filing Season
WASHINGTON (AP) — As tax season begins, many Americans are expected to receive larger refunds under President Donald Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts Act, according to multiple economic analyses. Experts project average refunds could rise by about $1,000 or more, with estimates ranging from 15% to 30% compared with recent years, driven by new tax provisions applied to the 2025 tax year. Analysts estimate the changes could result in up to $50 billion in additional taxpayer savings, with the IRS preparing updated guidance and tools ahead of the 2026 filing season. (Full Story)
Your baby could qualify for $1,000 with a Trump Account. Here’s what to know
WASHINGTON (AP) — Claiming to give every child “a shot at financial freedom,” President Donald Trump is unveiling the new Trump Accounts initiative, which gives $1,000 to every newborn if their parents open an account. This money is invested in the stock market, and children can access it when they turn 18. Trump attended an event Wednesday meant to provide new details and celebrate the program’s upcoming July launch. Congress is funding accounts for babies born between 2025 and 2028. Critics say the accounts fall short of supporting low-income children in their early years of development. (Full Story)
