The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
City Moves Up Water Restrictions Due to Low Levels at Pactola Reservoir
RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Rapid City residents will face summer water restrictions earlier than usual this year due to current water levels and inflows at Pactola Reservoir. Starting immediately, no outdoor watering is allowed between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. Odd-numbered addresses can water on odd days, and even-numbered addresses on even days. No watering is permitted on the 31st of any month. Restrictions remain in place through August 31.
$207 Million Water Reclamation Project Progresses in Rapid City
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Public Works Committee received an update this week on the city’s $207 million Water Reclamation Facility South Plant Improvements Project. Construction has been ongoing for eight months at the South Side Drive site, with new treatment facilities under development and renovations underway on existing structures. Funding includes a $101.5 million Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $43.5 million ARPA grant.
Public Invited to Tour Rapid City’s New Greenhouse Facility
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a public open house for its new City greenhouse from 9-11 a.m. next Tuesday. The new 4,800 square-foot facility is located next to the City’s old greenhouse at the City’s maintenance facility on Canyon Lake Drive. A portion of the old greenhouse, which was over four decades old, has been retained for seeding operations. The Rapid City Council approved the new facility in September 2023.
Ellsworth AFB to Conduct Live-Fire Aircraft Training May 1
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Ellsworth Air Force Base will conduct live-fire training for aircraft emergencies on Thursday, May 1, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its training grounds. Heavy black smoke will be visible on the base’s west side. The exercise is designed to provide firefighters with real-world emergency preparedness experience in a safe, controlled setting.
TIE Conference Inspires Educators at The Monument
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The 39th Annual TIE Conference wrapped up in Rapid City, bringing 500 educators together at The Monument’s Rushmore Hall. Hosted by Compass, the conference theme, “Guiding Education Forward,” focused on innovation in teaching. Educators networked and attended keynotes aimed at enhancing classroom tools and student engagement.
Poll Shows Majority of South Dakotans Back Noem, Rhoden, and Thune in New Leadership Roles
PIERRE, S.D. — A new statewide poll shows more than half of South Dakotans approve of Kristi Noem’s performance as U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, with 51% expressing support for the former governor’s leadership in President Donald Trump’s Cabinet. The Mason-Dixon survey of 500 registered voters also found strong approval for South Dakota’s current Governor Larry Rhoden, who received a 58% approval rating just months into his term, and U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who garnered 55% approval. The poll, conducted April 9–11 and co-sponsored by South Dakota News Watch and the University of South Dakota’s Chiesman Center for Democracy, reflects generally positive public sentiment toward the state’s top Republican leaders.
Upper Midwest States Navigate Evolving Climate Policy with a Focus on Reliable Energy and Cooperation
Changes to federal climate policy under President Donald Trump have sparked a spirited debate in the Upper Midwest over renewable energy reliability and the balance between state and federal interests. Lee Zeldin, the administration’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, has announced plans to reduce staff and reverse Biden-era rules on coal-fired power plants, oil and gas development, and water quality standards—a move welcomed by energy officials in Republican-led South Dakota, who argue that easing stringent regulations helps ensure grid reliability. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s legislature, recently passing a law requiring utilities to produce only carbon-free power by 2040, demonstrates the state’s commitment to clean energy, prompting discussions over how best to balance environmental goals with energy stability. Despite differing priorities between neighboring states, stakeholders are emphasizing cooperation, pragmatic policy adjustments, and a shared vision for a resilient, sustainable energy future that benefits communities across the region.
Dusty Johnson, Larry Rhoden lead early in 2026 South Dakota GOP governor poll
A new poll of 500 registered Republicans shows U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (28%) and incumbent Gov. Larry Rhoden (27%) in a tight early lead for the 2026 GOP primary, with Attorney General Marty Jackley at 18%. With a crowded field likely and 35% needed to avoid a runoff, the race remains wide open—20% of voters are still undecided. Rhoden, who took over as governor after Kristi Noem joined Trump’s cabinet, is working to define himself apart from her legacy. Johnson, who has $5.9 million in campaign funds, is aligning with Trump on key issues while maintaining a pragmatic image. Jackley, with $520K in funds, is focusing on endorsements to boost his standing. Other possible candidates include Speaker Jon Hansen and businessman Toby Doeden, though both face low name recognition. Trump remains highly popular among GOP voters in the state with a 68% favorability rating.
State lawmakers have dozens of anti-China proposals targeting Chinese goods and firms
Across the U.S., state lawmakers—especially Republicans—are pushing a wave of anti-China proposals in response to growing concerns over national security and economic influence. Inspired in part by President Trump’s tough-on-China stance and recent 145% tariffs, these efforts include restricting Chinese investments, blocking government purchases of Chinese goods, and ending public fund investments in Chinese companies. South Dakota has joined this movement, with a concurrent resolution urging the attorney general to sue China over COVID-19 damages. So far, at least 240 proposals have been introduced in 41 states, some also targeting other adversarial nations like Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
The home of Elon Musk’s SpaceX could become an official Texas city called Starbase
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Elon Musk has for years made Texas his business home and playground as he launches rockets and builds cars in the Lone Star state. Now, a new Musk project is taking shape. A vote is scheduled Saturday to turn the South Texas home of his SpaceX rocket company into an official city known as Starbase. Approval is likely. Most of the eligible voters are SpaceX workers. But that vote and other proposals to give the city new authority to close beaches for rocket launches has drawn critics who say the change would give Musk and his company town too much power.
Kuwait frees 10 more Americans in the second release in as many months
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say Kuwait has released 10 more American detainees in an apparent goodwill gesture. It brings to nearly two dozen the total number freed from Kuwait in the past two months. Taken together, the pardons of 23 Americans since March — done as a goodwill gesture by a U.S. ally — amounted to the largest release of U.S. citizens by a single foreign country in years. Ten others were released on March 12, weeks after a visit to Kuwait by Adam Boehler, who is serving as the Trump administration’s envoy for hostage affairs. The releases weren’t done as part of a swap and the U.S. wasn’t asked to give up anything in return.
