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Rapid Transit System Reports Ridership Growth in October
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid Transit System (RTS) recorded continued increases in both youth passenger trips and overall ridership in October. In its latest monthly report, RTS officials report 26,494 passenger trips in October, a five percent increase over ridership from October 2024 when 25,199 passenger trips were recorded and a four percent jump over the September numbers. There were more than 9,000 additional passenger trips recorded last month compared to the same month just four years ago in 2021 when 17,432 trips were tallied. Youth passenger trips as part of the ‘Youth Ride Free’ program also increased in October. A total of 7,661 youth passenger trips were recorded in the month, a three percent increase over September’s numbers and a three percent increase over October 2024. More than 3,000 additional youth passenger trips were recorded for October than the same month just three years ago when 4,657 youth trips were registered.
Rapid City Fire Department to Host Station 1 Dedication Ceremony
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Fire Department invites the community to celebrate the completion and dedication of the newly expanded Station 1, located in downtown Rapid City. A dedication ceremony will be held on Friday, November 14th at 10:00 a.m., featuring a hose uncoupling ceremony and remarks from Fire Chief Jason Culberson and Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun. Following the ceremony, station tours will be available every half hour until 5:00 p.m. The public is also invited to additional station tours on Saturday, November 15th from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Deadwood Firefighters Respond to Unauthorized Burn in Rural Sturgis
DEADWOOD, S.D. — The Deadwood Fire Department says they responded to an unauthorized fire in rural Sturgis Tuesday. Firefighters responded just after 5 p.m. and discovered a free-burning fire within the trees and grassland, with flames reaching over eight feet high. Crews from Brush 6 and Engine 2 worked about half-an-hour to put out the fire. The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office cited the property owner for negligence related to the unauthorized burn. Officials are reminding residents that burning without a permit is against the law.
Police Seize Drugs and Firearms During Sturgis Search Warrant
STURGIS, S.D. — In a coordinated effort between the Sturgis Police Department and the Deadwood Police Department, officers executed a search warrant at a residence in Sturgis that resulted in the seizure of multiple illegal substances and firearms. During the search, officers recovered several pounds of marijuana, approximately 67 grams of cocaine, 203 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, THC edibles, THC wax, and multiple firearms. The investigation remains ongoing, and charges are pending against the individuals involved.
Rapid City Launches Annual Christmas Lights Recycling Program
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The City of Rapid City has kicked off its annual Christmas Lights Recycling Program, setting up 12 collection bins across the community for residents to drop off non-working holiday lights and extension cords. The program helps prevent tangled materials from disrupting recycling equipment while promoting proper disposal. Last year, nearly 3.4 tons of lights and cords were collected, and more than 14 tons have been recycled since 2020. The bins, available through January 31, are located at sites including Ace Hardware, Boyd’s Drug Stores, City Hall, the Rapid City Public Library, and Menards.
House passes bill to end historic government shutdown, sending measure to Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday approved a bill to end the nation’s longest government shutdown, a 43-day lapse that left federal workers without pay and disrupted travel and food assistance programs. The measure, passed 222-209 along mostly party lines, now goes to President Donald Trump for signature after clearing the Senate. The shutdown stemmed from disagreements over extending an Affordable Care Act tax credit, with Democrats insisting on its inclusion and Republicans arguing it should be debated separately. Lawmakers returned to Washington for the vote after weeks away, marking the first legislative session since September. Republican leaders said the shutdown had failed to achieve policy goals, while Democrats vowed to continue pressing for the subsidy extension.
US Mint presses final pennies as production ends after more than 230 years
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The U.S. has ended production of the penny. The last 1-cent coins were made Wednesday at the mint in Philadelphia. The penny was embedded in American culture for more than 230 years, but it has become nearly worthless. When it was introduced in 1793, a penny could buy a biscuit, a candle or a piece of candy. Now most of them are cast aside to sit in jars or junk drawers. Meanwhile each one costs nearly 4 cents to make. The last few pennies were to be auctioned off. Billions of pennies are still in circulation and will remain legal tender.
Fort Peck Reservation Culls Bison to Offset Food Aid Losses During Shutdown
WOLF POINT, Mont. (AP) — Tribal officials on the Fort Peck Reservation in northern Montana have killed about 30 bison to help offset food shortages after federal nutrition benefits were reduced during the prolonged government shutdown. Roughly one-third of tribal members rely on monthly assistance, and November payments were only partially distributed when the administration halted full SNAP funding. The animals, processed into meat for tribal members, provided about 12,000 pounds of food. Leaders said they planned for such emergencies when expanding their herd with bison from Yellowstone National Park and emphasized the continued importance of the animals as a food source during disruptions in federal aid.
