The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Public Meeting Set for Draft Rapid Trip 2050 Transportation Plan
RAPID CITY, SD — The public can review the draft Rapid Trip 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan at a public meeting this Thursday at City Hall in Rapid City. The Rapid City Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is hosting the meeting to present the draft Metropolitan Transportation Plan and collect feedback from attendees. The session will be held Thursday from 4–6 p.m. in Council Chambers and the Circle of Friends Community Room of Rapid City Hall, 300 Sixth Street in Rapid City.
Fitzgerald Stadium Yard Waste Site to Temporarily Close for Firecracker Tournament
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Effective next Monday, the remote yard waste and recycling collection site adjacent to Fitzgerald Stadium will be closed to public access for a week for the upcoming American Legion Firecracker Tournament. The Firecracker Tournament is scheduled for July 2–6. The Fitzgerald Stadium remote disposal site will be closed beginning next Monday and scheduled to reopen for public access July 7. The removal dates include two days before the tournament to allow for removal of the containers and cleanup of the area. The City’s Traffic Operations will place signage near the Fitzgerald remote site to advise the public of the temporary closures.
Governor Rhoden Announces Return of Fireworks to Mount Rushmore in 2026
MOUNT RUSHMORE, S.D. — South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden says Fireworks are coming back to Mount Rushmore in 2026. In a news release Tuesday, Rhoden announced the details of next year’s Fourth of July fireworks display at the National Monument. The state, along with the Department of the Interior are moving forward with planning for the Mount Rushmore Fireworks celebration to celebrate America’s 250th Birthday.
South Dakota Advances Plan for National Garden of American Heroes Near Mount Rushmore
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — South Dakota officials are working to bring President Donald Trump’s vision for the National Garden of American Heroes to life with a proposed location near Mount Rushmore. A mining company has offered to donate 40 acres of land less than a mile from the monument, and Governor Larry Rhoden has expressed strong support, citing the area’s natural beauty and historic significance. While the proposal has drawn concerns from Indigenous groups due to the Black Hills’ sacred status and longstanding land disputes, the state remains committed to honoring American heroes in a meaningful and respectful way.
24 Inmates Indicted in South Dakota Penitentiary Riot
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Minnehaha County grand jury indicted 24 inmates following a May 27 disturbance at the South Dakota penitentiary that left 14 people injured. The inmates were indicted on felony and misdemeanor charges, including aggravated assault, simple assault, and rioting. Attorney General Marty Jackley says the defendants orchestrated violent assaults that endangered both inmates and staff. Six of the 24 inmates were serving sentences for crimes in Pennington County.
Fireworks Sales and Discharge Regulations for Rapid City and Rapid Valley in 2025
RAPID CITY, S.D. — As Independence Day approaches, residents and visitors in Rapid City and Rapid Valley are reminded of the local regulations on fireworks sales and discharge. In 2025, fireworks may be sold from June 27 to July 5 and from December 28 to January 1. Retail sales are prohibited between midnight and 7 a.m., and sales from vehicles are not allowed. Fireworks can be discharged during the same periods, but in Rapid City, they are prohibited within city limits and one mile of the city, except for novelty items. Rapid Valley follows Pennington County regulations, which encourage a voluntary curfew of 11 p.m. during legal discharge periods. Public fireworks displays are scheduled throughout the area, including shows at Executive Golf Course, Arrowhead Golf Course, Black Hills Speedway, and Post 22 Baseball. Law enforcement will be monitoring compliance, with fines up to $500 or 30 days in jail for violations. Residents are encouraged to celebrate safely and responsibly. For more details on local regulations and events, visit the Pennington County Fireworks Information Page.
Fragile Iran-Israel Ceasefire Holds as U.S. Intelligence Questions Nuclear Strike Impact
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel appeared to hold Tuesday after initially faltering, as President Donald Trump expressed frustration with both nations, saying they had fought “for so long and so hard” they no longer know what they are doing. Despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that Iran’s nuclear program was brought “to ruin,” a new U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency report found the strikes over the weekend set the program back only a few months. After the ceasefire began, Israel accused Iran of launching missiles, which Iran denied. Sirens sounded in northern Israel as two missiles were intercepted. Trump later said both sides had violated the agreement but declared the ceasefire in effect, noting that Israeli planes turned back following his conversation with Netanyahu.
NATO Weighs 5% Defense Spending Goal as Trump Pushes Allies and Ukraine Seeks Aid
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Leaders gathered Tuesday to discuss a proposed goal for member nations to spend 5% of their GDP on defense by 2035, a plan supported by the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, and the Netherlands, but questioned by Spain and Slovakia. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised President Donald Trump for pushing allies toward the new target, while Trump shared a private message from Rutte confirming support. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met separately with European leaders to discuss military aid, including a Dutch commitment of radar systems and drone production support, though he was not included in the summit’s main roundtable discussions.
Texas Enacts First-Ever Food Label Law to Promote Ingredient Transparency by 2027
DALLAS — A new Texas law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott aims to promote transparency in food labeling by requiring warnings starting in 2027 on products containing more than 40 dyes or additives not recommended for human consumption in several countries, including Australia, Canada, the European Union, and the U.K. Part of the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, the bipartisan law encourages greater awareness of food ingredients and could lead to reformulated products and clearer choices for consumers.
NTSB: Boeing Door Plug Failure on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 Was Preventable
WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board concluded Tuesday that the January 2024 door plug panel failure on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 was caused by manufacturing lapses at Boeing and inadequate FAA oversight. Four bolts securing the panel were removed during assembly and never replaced, leading to a blowout shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon. No fatalities occurred, but several people sustained minor injuries. The crew’s swift response was praised, but NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy emphasized the failure should never have happened. Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems are redesigning the panels with backup systems, though FAA certification isn’t expected before 2026. The NTSB issued safety recommendations urging Boeing and the FAA to improve training, oversight, and communication across all levels of operation.
