The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Richard Hirth sentenced to life in prison for 2015 murder-for-hire killing of Jessica Rehfeld
RAPID CITY, SD — Richard Hirth, 44, was sentenced Tuesday to life in the South Dakota State Penitentiary for his role in the 2015 murder-for-hire plot that killed 22-year-old Jessica Rehfeld. Hirth, who carried out the stabbing, was the final of five defendants sentenced in the case. Seventh Circuit Judge Heidi Linngren imposed the maximum penalty allowed under South Dakota law—life without parole—after Hirth pled guilty to aiding and abetting first-degree manslaughter in exchange for dismissal of the original murder charge. Prosecutors called the killing “calculated and cold-blooded” and said the resolution brings long-awaited closure to Rehfeld’s family. Assistant Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Kelsey Blair emphasized the yearslong pursuit of justice, saying, “It did not come easily. But it came.”
Woman Arrested for DUI After Dragging Burning Mailbox
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A 44-year-old woman, Amy Jones, was arrested last week after allegedly driving under the influence and dragging a mailbox under her SUV, which caught fire. Police stopped Jones in a convenience store parking lot on East North Street, where they discovered the mailbox with burning mail inside. She faces multiple charges, including second-offense DUI.
Firefighters Quickly Contain Blaze on Saint Charles Street
RAPID CITY, SD — The Rapid City Fire Department swiftly extinguished a structure fire Monday afternoon on Saint Charles Street, with no injuries reported. The incident involved both a main residence and a detached garage, and while the cause remains under investigation, three animals safely escaped the blaze. A dark column of smoke was visible across Rapid City as fire crews responded to the 60 block of Saint Charles Street shortly after 4:30 p.m. Upon arrival, firefighters launched an aggressive attack, bringing the fire under control in a short amount of time. During the operation, crews encountered several hazards, including a downed power line, which necessitated extra caution. Fortunately, no occupants were home at the time of the fire. Units responding to the scene included Truck 1, Battalion 1, Engines 4 and 7, Medic Units 3 and 4, Squad 1, and Hazmat 6. Further information will be released as the investigation progresses.
Suspect located by drone, arrested after assault near Circle K
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Police arrested 19-year-old Mikael Fox of Rapid City early Thursday morning after he allegedly assaulted two people near the Circle K on Caregiver Court. Officers were dispatched around 12:20 a.m. and made contact with the victims, who said Fox approached them while they were parked and began assaulting them before fleeing on foot. A Pennington County deputy deployed a drone and located Fox hiding in a ravine near Edinborough Drive. He was arrested without incident and faces charges including two counts of aggravated assault, criminal entry of a motor vehicle, impersonation to deceive law enforcement, and two outstanding warrants.
One dead, one injured in I-90 crash near Wall
WALL, S.D. — A single-vehicle crash early Wednesday on Interstate 90 west of Wall left one man dead and another seriously injured, authorities said. The crash occurred around mile marker 109, where a 2014 GMC Yukon driven by 41-year-old Ramon Ray Two Bulls of Box Elder veered into the median, struck a crossing, went airborne, and overturned. Two Bulls was pronounced dead at the scene. Passenger Marcus Drew Two Bulls, 38, of Rapid City, sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Both men were wearing seatbelts. They were transported to Monument Health by Life Flight and the Rapid City Fire Department. The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating.
Trump reverses course, says U.S. will send more weapons to Ukraine
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday the U.S. will send additional weapons to Ukraine, days after ordering a pause in critical military aid. The announcement marks a swift shift in policy after the Pentagon held back shipments of air defense missiles and precision-guided artillery due to concerns about shrinking stockpiles. “We have to,” Trump said. “They have to be able to defend themselves.” He emphasized the focus would be on “defensive weapons primarily.” The change comes as Ukraine faces intensifying Russian airstrikes in the ongoing war, with recent attacks killing at least 11 civilians and injuring more than 80, including children.
Trump and Netanyahu take a victory lap to mark strikes on Iran nuclear facilities
WASHINGTON (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is telling President Donald Trump that he is nominating the U.S. leader for a Nobel Peace Prize. The two were taking a victory lap Monday after their recent joint strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, with both hailing the 12-day war as an unmitigated success. The two leaders sat down with their top aides for a dinner in the White House Blue Room to mark the operation. They were are discussing efforts to push forward with a 60-day ceasefire proposal to pause the conflict in Gaza.
Texas Flooding Death Toll Surpasses 100 as Search Continues for Missing Campers
KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — The death toll from devastating flash floods in central Texas over the July Fourth weekend has climbed past 100, with officials confirming at least 104 fatalities and warning that the number is expected to rise as search efforts continue. The floods tore through the Texas Hill Country early Friday, sweeping away cabins, campers, and entire families along the Guadalupe River. At Camp Mystic, a historic all-girls Christian summer camp, 27 campers and counselors were lost to the waters; 11 remain missing. In total, 84 bodies — including 28 children — have been recovered in Kerr County alone, with additional deaths reported across nearby counties. Authorities have yet to address evacuation concerns amid the worsening forecast, as rain threatens further flooding in an already devastated region.
American kids have become increasingly unhealthy over nearly two decades, new study finds
The health of U.S. children has declined sharply over the past 17 years, with rising rates of obesity, chronic illnesses, and mental health issues like anxiety and depression, according to a study published Monday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers found that nearly every indicator of child well-being has worsened, including a jump in obesity rates from 17% to 21%, increased prevalence of chronic conditions, and a higher mortality rate compared to other wealthy nations.
