The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Public Help Sought in Child Pornography Case Involving Former Gymnastics Coach
RAPID CITY, S.D. — State investigators are asking the public for help in the case of 25-year-old Hayden Sengua, a former gymnastics coach in Rapid City facing federal child pornography charges. Sengua, who worked at Just Gymnastics until 2024, is accused of possessing over 14,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse, some involving children from the local area. Authorities say these particular local images do not meet the threshold for criminal charges, but they are continuing the investigation. Attorney General Marty Jackley urges anyone whose child was coached by Sengua to contact the Division of Criminal Investigation at 605-394-2258.
Rapid City Council to Swear In New Members and Elect Leadership Monday
RAPID CITY, SD — Five recently elected members of the Rapid City Common Council will take their oaths of office during Monday evening’s meeting at City Hall. The ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Outgoing members Jesse Ham and Pat Roseland will be recognized for their service before City Finance Director Daniel Ainslie administers the oath to Stephen Tamang, Bill Evans, Greg Strommen, Lance Lehmann and Callie Meyer. Following the swearing-in, the newly formed Council will elect a president and vice president for the 2025–26 year before resuming the regular agenda.
Sink Hole on Maple Avenue
RAPID CITY, S.D. —City Streets Division crews were on scene of a sinkhole on North Maple Avenue near Texas Roadhouse and Dahl’s Chainsaw Art Galleries. Eastbound lanes on North Maple Avenue in the affected area were closed as crews assessed the situation and worked on street repairs. Traffic flow was maintained using the westbound lanes, and there was no impact on access to businesses in the affected area. Drivers were advised to use caution in the area, and pedestrians were advised to avoid the area as crews worked on street repairs. Officials indicated that the sinkhole was likely the result of the excessive precipitation received in the area late Tuesday afternoon. There was no estimate at the time for when repairs would be completed. Updates were to be provided when available.
Two Hospitalized After Rollover Crash Near Wall
WALL, S.D. — An injury accident on I-90 near mile marker 109 sent two people to Monument Health on Life Flight after their vehicle rolled and came to rest in the median. The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. Responding agencies included the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Wall Volunteer Fire Department, Wall Ambulance, Rapid City Fire Department, and Black Hills Life Flight.
Earth Day Trail Challenge Extended Through July 4th Weekend
RAPID CITY, SD — The Earth Day Trail Challenge in Rapid City has been extended through the Independence Day weekend to give more residents a chance to participate. Originally set to end last week, the challenge still has pins available for those who complete hikes on three local trails: Serendipity Trail, Sunrise Loop, and the Nature Trail at the Outdoor Campus West. Participants are asked to take a selfie with each trail’s challenge sign and are encouraged to pick up trash along the way.
South Dakota Joins Nationwide Effort to Crack Down on Boating Under the Influence
PIERRE, SD — South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks will take part in Operation Dry Water from July 4–6, a national campaign aimed at reducing boating incidents and fatalities tied to alcohol and drug use. Partnering with the U.S. Coast Guard and NASBLA, law enforcement will ramp up patrols and conduct sobriety checks to promote safe boating over the busy holiday weekend. Conservation Officers will focus on removing impaired boaters and educating the public on the dangers of boating under the influence. In South Dakota, operating a vessel with a BAC of 0.08 or higher is illegal. GFP urges everyone to boat sober and wear a life jacket.
South Dakota Lawmakers Back Pledge to Ban Chemtrails Amid Scientific Pushback
PIERRE, S.D. (Northern Plains News) — A pledge to ban so-called “chemtrails” is circulating among South Dakota lawmakers, with at least two representatives publicly supporting legislation to prohibit chemical spraying from aircraft and authorize military intervention. The Facebook group “South Dakotans Against Chem Trails,” which has 327 members, is advocating for National Guard action against planes allegedly dispersing chemicals. Representative Logan Manhart of Aberdeen posted the pledge April 4, with Representative Dylan Jordan of Clear Lake voicing support. The movement has drawn criticism from within its own ranks and from lawmakers who declined to sign. Scientists widely agree that these claims are false, noting that the visible trails behind planes are water vapor condensation, not chemical agents.
7 missing after explosion at California fireworks warehouse sets off massive blaze
ESPARTO, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say seven people are missing following an explosion at a fireworks warehouse in rural Northern California that caused a massive fire. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says Wednesday that emergency crews and investigators are working with the property’s owner and monitoring the area using drones to find the individuals. It’s not immediately clear if those missing worked at the warehouse or lived nearby. People were urged to avoid the area near the community of Esparto for several days following the Tuesday night blast, which set off a barrage of fireworks and caused a blaze that led to other spot fires and collapsed the building in the farming community northwest of Sacramento.
Hamas and Israel Signal Willingness for Talks, but Key Disagreements Remain
CAIRO (AP) — Israel and Hamas both responded Wednesday to a new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, with Hamas saying it is open to an agreement that ends the war and Israel maintaining that it will not accept any deal that allows Hamas to remain in Gaza. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Israel had agreed to terms for a 60-day ceasefire and urged Hamas to accept the plan, which includes a partial Israeli withdrawal and increased humanitarian aid. Hamas officials are in Cairo to meet with Egyptian and Qatari mediators, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Hamas must surrender, disarm and leave Gaza to end the conflict.
Ukraine Eyes Joint Weapons Production Amid U.S. Arms Pause and Renewed Russian Attacks
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials say they are accelerating plans for joint weapons production with international allies following the U.S. decision to pause some arms shipments, warning that delays only embolden Russia’s aggression. While Ukraine’s Defense Ministry has not received formal notification from Washington, it has requested urgent talks to clarify the status of key weapons, including air defense and precision artillery. The U.S. move, part of a broader policy shift under President Donald Trump, places greater pressure on European nations to support Ukraine’s defense industry. France and Denmark are stepping up: French President Emmanuel Macron urged a ceasefire in a rare call with Vladimir Putin, while Denmark, now holding the EU presidency, is investing directly in Ukraine’s arms production and inviting Ukrainian defense firms to operate on Danish soil as early as September.
Ford recalls more than 200,000 vehicles over malfunctioning rearview camera
Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 200,000 vehicles because a software defect can cause the rearview camera to fail, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. Ford told U.S. highway safety regulators that the camera can either display a blank image or that the image may remain on the display after the driver finishes backing up, causing a distraction. Dealerships will eventually update the camera software free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by July 28.
