The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Sturgis Man Awaiting Initial Court Appearance After Chase and Alleged Kidnapping
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A Sturgis man arrested Tuesday is awaiting his initial court appearance in Meade County Court. Michael Wilson was arrested after leading authorities on a chase that started in Sturgis and ended in Spearfish Tuesday afternoon. Wilson was arrested for multiple felony offenses, including rape, aggravated kidnapping and various drug and pursuit-related charges. Sturgis Police say a juvenile female reported to them she had been held against her will by Wilson and had been sexually assaulted and forced to consume illegal drugs. Wilson is set to make his initial court appearance this morning.
South Dakota Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Black Hawk Sinkhole Case
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The South Dakota Supreme Court heard testimony yesterday from attorneys for Black Hawk area families whose homes became unlivable because of a large sinkhole that opened up in their neighborhood in 2020. Those residents soon learned their homes were built on top of an old, underground gypsum mine. Wednesday morning, the Supreme Court listened to arguments from both residents’ attorneys and the state. The plaintiff’s attorneys argue the state is liable because it damaged the homeowner’s property for public use. The state says the damage occurred when it still owned the property, and the developer was aware of the gypsum mine when it began to sell homes in the neighborhood. The Supreme Court will issue a decision in the case later.
Annual Black Hills Powwow Kicks Off This Friday in Rapid City
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The annual Black Hills Powwow will entertain the Black Hills beginning Friday at the Monument in Rapid City. Organizers say it’s one of, if not the largest, powwows in the United States. The annual event will also host other activities, including Dance Contests, Hand Games, Workshops, and drum circles. The event will get underway with the popular Grand Entry. The Black Hills Powwow runs through Monday, October 13th.
Trial for Moody County Deputy’s 2024 Murder Case Moved to Pennington County
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces a Circuit Court has ordered the trial of Joseph Hoek, who is charged in the 2024 murder of Moody County Deputy Sheriff Ken Prorok, to be moved to Pennington County from Moody County. At a hearing last week in Flandreau, the Court agreed to a defense motion that the trial be moved from Moody County. The trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 21, 2026, and is expected to last five weeks.
Boil-Water Advisory Issued After Pine Ridge Main Break; Repairs Complete, Testing Underway
RAPID CITY, S.D. — O.S.T. Water & Sewer Co. issued a “Drinking Water Warning” for the Pine Ridge area after a mainline break on Monday, Oct. 6 caused a loss of pressure and potential contamination, advising residents to boil water for three minutes before use and discard recently made ice or stored water. The utility said inadequately treated water can cause illnesses and urged extra caution for infants, young children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems. The mainline repair was completed Oct. 6, and the advisory will remain in effect until laboratory testing confirms the water is safe; customers will be notified when it is lifted. For information, residents can contact Frank Steele at 605-867-5804 or 605-454-2643.
New California law aims to improve school nutrition by phasing out some ultraprocessed foods
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a law phasing out certain ultraprocessed foods from school meals. The state will have to adopt rules by 2028 defining “ultraprocessed foods of concern” under the law. The law directs schools to start phasing out the foods by 2029, with a full ban taking effect in 2035. The legislation is part of a growing push across states aimed at improving nutrition at schools. But some critics say it goes too far. States have also sought to ban or require the labeling of foods that contain artificial dyes and controversial additives.
IRS to Furlough Nearly Half of Workforce Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Internal Revenue Service announced plans to furlough nearly half of its employees Wednesday as the federal government shutdown entered its second week. According to an updated contingency plan, about 39,870 IRS workers, roughly 53.6% of the agency’s staff will remain on the job while most operations close. The move follows the failure of President Donald Trump and Congress to reach a funding agreement. Doreen Greenwald, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, warned taxpayers to expect delays and longer wait times as the shutdown continues. The IRS said all employees, including those furloughed, will receive back pay once the shutdown ends. Earlier this year, the agency implemented mass layoffs that reduced its workforce from about 100,000 to 75,000 employees.
Carney, Trump Discuss Possible Revival of Keystone XL Pipeline
TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney raised the potential revival of the Keystone XL pipeline project during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House this week, according to a Canadian government official. The project, intended to carry up to 830,000 barrels of crude oil daily from western Canada to Nebraska, was canceled in 2021 after President Joe Biden revoked its permit. The official said Trump was receptive to the idea, which Carney tied to discussions on U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum. Carney later told business leaders that Canada supplies 60% of the aluminum the U.S. uses and called such tariffs inefficient. The pipeline remains a key issue for Alberta leaders seeking expanded oil exports, with discussions expected to continue between the two governments.
Israel and Hamas agree to ‘first phase’ of plan to end fighting and release hostages, Trump says
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first Phase” of his peace plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners. “This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace,” Trump wrote Wednesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “With God’s help we will bring them all home.” Negotiators have been meeting in Egypt for days to hash out a Trump-backed peace plan that he hopes will ultimately result in a permanent end to the two-year war.