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Rapid City Schools Seek Feedback on New English Language Arts Materials
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City School District says they are updating English Language Arts (ELA) instructional materials and are asking for public comment from both parents and students. The move is part of regular state Department of Education updates and will be used in the school system for at least the next seven years. Two programs selected for review by K12 ELA committees are currently being piloted in the classroom. The two programs selected by the committee will be highlighted at open houses on October 21 and November 18.
Rapid City Law Enforcement to Host National Drug Takeback Event Saturday
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Police Department and Pennington County Sheriff’s Office are teaming up with the Drug Enforcement Administration for National Drug Takeback Day this Saturday, giving residents a safe way to dispose of unused or unwanted medications. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lobby of the Public Safety Building at 300 Kansas City Street. The nationwide initiative aims to prevent drug misuse and protect the environment by keeping expired or unused prescription and over-the-counter medications out of homes, landfills, and waterways. Organizers say the program helps reduce the risks of accidental poisoning, overdose, and substance abuse in the Black Hills community.
Nemo Road Bridge to Close Thursday for Deck Installation
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Transportation officials say the Nemo Road Bridge will be closed Thursday, Oct. 30 to allow contractors to install a bridge deck. Through traffic will be stopped at Norris Peak Road and Rolling Hills Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There will be no detours around the worksite.
State Data Shows Success of Treatment Courts in Reducing Repeat Offenses
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Data published by the state Unified Judicial System found 73% of all participants in the treatment court network do not commit another felony offense within five years of involvement. Treatment courts are most utilized for lower risk individuals, often battling substance abuse or mental health disorders, and can break cycles of incarceration and addiction. S.D.P.B. reports treatment courts utilized personalized plans to address the participants’ unique needs while also utilizing probation officers to continue supervision in the community. In total, a participant will receive between 200 and 300 hours of counseling, supervision, and court sessions during their time in the program.
SNAP Benefits Could End October 31 if Federal Shutdown Continues
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakotans who rely on SNAP benefits will stop receiving payments on October 31 if the government shutdown continues. The shutdown has led to a lapse in funding for the Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, affecting the distribution of funds. Over 75,000 people receive SNAP benefits in South Dakota.
USDA to Reopen 2,100 Offices to Assist Farmers During Shutdown
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture will reopen about 2,100 county Farm Service Agency offices on Thursday to help farmers and ranchers access $3 billion in aid despite the ongoing government shutdown. Each office will operate with two paid employees to assist with farm loans, crop insurance and disaster aid programs. A USDA spokesperson said the move reflects President Donald Trump’s commitment to supporting farmers, though many have expressed frustration over trade and import policies. The reopening is being funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation, which stabilizes agricultural prices. Lawmakers and farm groups praised the decision, including Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, who said reopening the offices will give producers critical access to services during harvest season. Democrats criticized the timing, saying the administration could have acted sooner to ease farmers’ financial strain.
US strikes eighth alleged drug-carrying boat, this time in the Pacific Ocean
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the U.S. military has launched its eighth strike against an alleged drug-carrying vessel. The Tuesday night strike occurred in the eastern Pacific Ocean. That’s a departure after the seven previous strikes all targeted vessels in the Caribbean. Hegseth said Wednesday in a social media post the strike killed two people, bringing the death toll from all the attacks that began last month to at least 34 people. The strike marks an expansion of the military’s targeting area as well as a shift to the waters off South America where much of the cocaine from the world’s largest producers is smuggled.
Trump levies new sanctions on Russian oil giants in a push on Putin to end Ukraine war
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration has announced new sanctions against Russia’s oil industry aimed at moving President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. Putin continues to frustrate the U.S. administration’s efforts to bring an end to Moscow’s brutal war in Ukraine. The sanctions unveiled Wednesday against oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil followed months of calls from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as well as bipartisan pressure on Trump to hit Russia with harder sanctions on its oil industry. That’s the economic engine that allows Russia to continue to execute the grinding invasion of Ukraine even as Moscow finds itself internationally isolated. Trump said he hopes the new sanctions will help make Putin “reasonable” and negotiate an end to the war.