The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Rapid City Police Investigate Fatal Motorcycle Crash on Omaha Street
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City Police are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. The accident happened in the area of W. Omaha and Cross Street where a motorcyclist had abruptly accelerated onto W. Omaha Street and lost control, colliding with a light post. The rider was taken to the hospital and later passed away due to injuries sustained in the crash. The rider’s identity is being withheld until proper notification of next-of-kin can be accomplished.
Sylvan Lake Road Reopens After Accident Cleanup, Emergency Crews Handle Second Crash Near Custer
CUSTER, S.D. — Sylvan Lake Road (Highway 89) was reopened Monday after being closed for five hours due to an accident that required significant cleanup. The Custer Volunteer Fire Department credited the “remarkable and amazing” work of LJ’s Recovery & Transport LLC, along with support from the South Dakota Department of Transportation, Custer County Sheriff’s Office, Highway Patrol, Ambulance Service, Search & Rescue, and County Communications.
As crews were returning from the scene, they responded to a second emergency—a motorcycle accident. No further information on that incident was immediately released.
Rapid City Police Increase Patrols Downtown Amid Safety Concerns
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Police Department is keeping extra patrols in place downtown as safety concerns from business owners and residents continue. With the school year around the corner, officers are working to balance resources between campuses and the downtown area. Lieutenant Tim Doyle says the goal is both immediate visibility and long-term community engagement. He also says thanks to improved staffing, they can keep the added presence going.
Highway 385 to Be Fully Paved for Rally Traffic Despite Ongoing Construction
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Good news for motorcyclists who plan to use Highway 385 this year for the Rally. The heavily traveled road in the Black Hills is still under construction but will be completely paved this year. Last year, a section of gravel road was present, which can be dangerous for motorcycles. Although the highway will be completely blacktopped this year, transportation officials remind bikers there are certain spots where small rocks can be seen on the road. The highway’s speed limit has also been reduced to 45 miles per hour in some sections.
South Dakota DCI Agents Complete ICE Training to Target Violent Criminals, Drug Dealers
PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced Monday that two Division of Criminal Investigation agents have become the first state law enforcement officers to complete U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) training under the 287(g) program. The training equips agents to assist in enforcing federal immigration laws targeting violent criminals and drug traffickers in South Dakota. The agents completed 40 hours of online coursework, and a new DCI Task Force Program will be based in Pierre to support this partnership.
South Dakota Teacher Pay Falls Short of Target Despite Small Improvement
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota teachers are earning an average of just over 56,000 dollars this year. That’s below the nearly 60,000-dollar target set two years ago, which would have boosted the state’s national pay ranking by eight spots. South Dakota now ranks 46th in teacher pay, improving slightly from 49th last year, but still behind the goal. The Teacher Compensation Review Board met Monday to discuss these gaps, along with challenges like teacher shortages and school capacity. The board plans to explore new ideas at their next meeting in August.
Badlands Sabres Urge Rapid City Families to Open Their Homes to Junior Hockey Players
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Badlands Sabres junior hockey team is calling on the Rapid City community to consider becoming billet families—a crucial support system for players ages 16 to 21 who move from across the country to chase their hockey dreams. Billet coordinator McKenzie Quigley says these athletes arrive as strangers and leave as family, with host families providing more than just a place to stay. They offer meals, mentorship, and a sense of belonging. Coach Brooks Mitzel emphasized that host families don’t need to change their routines, just open their homes and hearts. Families receive financial help for groceries and must complete background checks and SafeSport training. The Sabres currently need at least one host family, with a few more needed for mid-season transitions. Those interested can visit the team’s website or email info@badlandssabres.com. “If you’ve ever thought about doing this,” Quigley said, “now is the time.”
South Dakota Family Mourns After Couple Killed on Arkansas Hiking Trail
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Clinton and Cristen Brink, a couple who recently moved from South Dakota to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, were fatally shot while hiking with their daughters at Devil’s Den State Park. Their children, ages 7 and 9, were unharmed. Authorities arrested 28-year-old Andrew James McGann at a Springdale barbershop after a nationwide manhunt. The Brinks had just settled into their new home, with Clinton preparing to start a new job and Cristen licensed as a nurse in South Dakota and Montana. Arkansas State Police credited public tips and trailgoers’ photos for helping identify the suspect. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders called the killings “senseless and horrific.” The park remains closed during the investigation.
Trump’s Envoy Arrives in Israel as Gaza Aid Death Toll Rises
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Israel Thursday to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where at least 91 Palestinians have died and over 600 have been injured in the past 24 hours while seeking food and aid. The Gaza Health Ministry reported 54 deaths in a single incident near the Zikim crossing, attributing the toll to chaos surrounding aid trucks. The Israeli military claimed it only fired warning shots and suggested the violence stemmed from within the crowd. Witkoff is expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the dire conditions and the possibility of a ceasefire. This marks their first meeting since both nations recalled their negotiating teams from Qatar. Israel’s war against Hamas, launched in response to the group’s deadly October 7, 2023 attack that killed 1,200 and took 251 hostages, has now resulted in over 60,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Meanwhile, protests continue in Jerusalem, with families of hostages demanding an end to the war.
Russian missile and drone attack hits Ukrainian capital Kyiv, killing 8 people and wounding 82
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian authorities say a Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine’s capital killed at least eight people including a 6-year-old boy. A Kyiv official said Thursday that at least 82 other people were wounded in the attacks. The official said that the number was likely to rise. A large part of a nine-story residential building collapsed after it was struck. Rescue teams were at the scene to search for people trapped under the rubble. Western leaders have accused Putin of dragging his feet in U.S.-led peace efforts in an attempt to capture more Ukrainian land.
