The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Candidates Set for June 3 Rapid City Municipal Election
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The candidates are set for the June 3rd Rapid City municipal election as the Tuesday petition deadline has passed. One Council position is up in each of the city’s five wards and there will be races in three of them. Stephen Tamang and Lawrence “Larry” Adams will compete for the open council seat in Ward 1. Incumbent Jesse Ham is not running for reelection. Incumbent Lance Lehmann will be challenged by Eltina Three Stars for the council seat in Ward 4. Incumbent Pat Roseland will be challenged by Callie Meyer for the council seat in Ward 5. The voter registration deadline is May 19.
South Dakota Enacts Election Law Changes as 100th Legislative Session Ends
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The conclusion of South Dakota’s 100th Legislative Session is bringing changes to the state’s election and voting process. Governor Larry Rhoden signed 20 election-related bills into law this week. Two of those laws will redefine residency for voting requirements and voting on a federal ballot. However, Governor Rhoden did issue his second-ever veto by shutting down a bill changing how groups gather signatures for ballot measures. House Bill 11-69 would’ve required ballot measure petitions to receive at least five percent of signatures from each of the 35 senate districts based on the last gubernatorial election turnout.
New Waterlines to Serve Communities Near Ellsworth AFB Following Contamination
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. — New waterlines are coming to communities near Ellsworth Air Force Base after toxic chemicals used in fire retardants on the base contaminated wells nearby. Construction of new lines began in September 2024 and Completion is anticipated for December 2025. At a meeting Tuesday, the South Dakota Ellsworth Redevelopment Authority noted the total cost of the project is expected to be around $15 to $17 million dollars. The project is being funded by the Air Force.
Rapid City Man Sentenced to 50 Years for 2023 Manslaughter
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that a Rapid City man was sentenced Tuesday to 50 years in prison, with 15 years suspended, after earlier pleading guilty to a charge of First Degree Manslaughter in the 2023 beating death of a 53-year-old man in Rapid City. Craig Returns From Scout, 30, was sentenced in Pennington County Circuit Court. Returns From Scout was charged in the death of Glennard Gunn behind a Rapid City business. Co-defendant Jacob Jumping Eagle of Rapid City, 30, also pleaded guilty to First Degree Manslaughter and was sentenced to 45 years in prison with 20 years suspended, in October 2024.
NATO Clarifies U.S. Soldiers’ Status After Training Incident in Lithuania
WARSAW, Poland — NATO clarified remarks by Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Wednesday after he suggested that four missing U.S. soldiers in Lithuania had died, despite the U.S. Army stating their fate remains unconfirmed. The soldiers, from the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, were conducting tactical training when their armored vehicle was found submerged in water, prompting ongoing recovery efforts by U.S. and Lithuanian forces. NATO later emphasized that Rutte was referencing emerging reports, not confirming casualties. The incident occurred near Lithuania’s border with Belarus, amid heightened regional tensions following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Anti-Abortion Groups Push to Defund Planned Parenthood Ahead of Supreme Court Case
WASHINGTON — Major anti-abortion groups gathered in Washington, D.C., on Thursday to launch a lobbying effort aimed at defunding Planned Parenthood, as the Supreme Court prepares to hear a case that could strip the organization’s Medicaid funding in South Carolina. The “Defund Planned Parenthood” initiative targets federal funding for the reproductive health provider, despite the Hyde Amendment already restricting public funds for most abortions. Planned Parenthood, which offers contraception, STI treatment, and cancer screenings, argues the effort misrepresents its use of Medicaid funds. The case could have national implications, with conservative lawmakers pushing similar measures in other states. Meanwhile, Republican-led efforts to expand tax breaks for anti-abortion centers and restrict medication abortion access continue, as both sides of the debate watch for potential policy shifts under Trump’s administration.
FBI Director Patel Faces Lawmakers’ Questions Over Signal Chat Messages
WASHINGTON — FBI Director Kash Patel testified before Congress this week about whether the agency would investigate leaked Signal chat messages in which Trump administration officials discussed attack plans. While Patel was not part of the chat, he faced scrutiny over the FBI’s role in enforcing Espionage Act statutes on mishandling national defense information. The Justice Department, under Attorney General Pam Bondi, has discretion over whether to pursue an investigation. Trump officials maintain the messages were not classified, but legal experts note that even unclassified but sensitive information can trigger prosecution.
SSA Partially Reverses In-Person, Online Claims Requirement
WASHINGTON — The Social Security Administration (SSA) is rolling back its plan to require all applicants to file claims in person or online, now limiting the mandate to those seeking retirement, survivors, or family benefits after April 14. Applicants for disability benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Medicare will still be able to file claims by phone, the agency confirmed. The policy shift comes as the SSA prepares to eliminate 7,000 jobs—approximately 12% of its workforce—and close some local offices. Critics warn the changes could lead to longer wait times and force some beneficiaries to travel significant distances for assistance.
