The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Two Arrested After Man Found Fatally Stabbed in Pine Ridge Village
PINE RIDGE, S.D. – A man was found dead from an apparent stab wound early Sunday morning in Pine Ridge Village, prompting an investigation by tribal and federal authorities.
Shortly after 2 a.m. on May 11, law enforcement and emergency medical personnel responded to a report of an unresponsive male at a residence. Upon arrival, officers found the victim on a porch with a stab wound and began life-saving measures. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A male and a female have been arrested in connection with the death.
Sturgis Man Pleads Guilty But Mentally Ill in Attempted Murder of Officer
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that a Sturgis man pleaded guilty but Mentally Ill to Attempted Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer and Discharge of a Firearm at an Occupied Structure stemming from a 2024 incident at the Meade County Law Enforcement Center. The incident occurred on June 30, 2024, when Fredrick Wilson, Jr., 20, fired shots at both an officer and at the law enforcement center. Explosive components were found near the entry doors of the building but were never detonated. Sentencing will be July 18 in Meade County Circuit Court.
California Man Arrested After Hit-and-Run Causes Major Power Outage in Rapid City
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A California man was arrested after a hit-and-run crash Friday night in Rapid City that damaged an electrical box and triggered a widespread power outage across the city’s southern area. The crash occurred near Pendleton Drive and Culvert Street just after 9 p.m., when a pickup truck struck the electrical box and fled the scene. Police later identified the driver as 36-year-old Bronson Byrd of San Juan Capo, California. He was located and arrested Saturday afternoon following an interview with detectives and is now being held at the Pennington County Jail.
International Student Graduates from SD Mines Amid Legal Battle Over Visa
RAPID CITY, S.D. – An international student graduated from South Dakota Mines over the weekend after being granted a temporary restraining order. Former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and the Department of Homeland Security have been attempting to revoke the student’s visa because of a misdemeanor from four years ago in which she failed to move over for flashing yellow lights. Priya Saxena’s visa does not expire until 2027 and her attorney is fighting to stop her deportation until her lawsuit against the government proceeds. Her attorney says she has not committed a deportable offense and has called the government’s actions “lawless.”
Temporary Railroad Crossing Closures Planned in Rapid City for Track Work
RAPID CITY, S.D. – Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad (RCP&E) officials notified Rapid City officials of plans to unload a unit train of pre-welded rail strings at several track crossings on Rapid City streets, requiring short-term closures at several railroad crossings. The unloading is scheduled for Wednesday (May 14) and will involve approximately 30-minute closures to thru traffic at New York Street, Milwaukee Street, North Lacrosse Street, East North Street and North Creek Drive crossings, as well as the longest closure of approximately one hour at the Omaha Street crossings near Fifth Street. Rapid City police will be assisting with traffic control at the various crossing sites during the work periods.
South Dakota Tourism Officials Remain Hopeful Despite Economic Concerns
PIEDMONT, S.D. (South Dakota News Watch) — For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, South Dakota tourism officials are expressing concern that visitor numbers and revenue may dip this year. From Sioux Falls to Rapid City, factors like inflation, the rising cost of living, federal job cuts, uncertainty around tariffs, and general unease about the national economy may impact travel plans. South Dakota Department of Tourism Secretary James Hagen noted that people are feeling anxious and are “being very cost-conscious right now.” Still, officials remain optimistic and are working to market the state’s unique attractions to keep visitors coming. South Dakota has enjoyed growth in tourism revenue and visitor numbers in seven of the past eight years.
Trump Signs Executive Order to Slash Prescription Drug Prices
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday aimed at dramatically lowering U.S. prescription drug costs by tying them to the lowest prices paid in other countries. Reviving a key initiative from his first term, the “Most Favored Nation” policy gives drug manufacturers 30 days to negotiate lower prices or face federal regulations linking Medicare drug payments to the cheaper rates found abroad. The order also encourages increased importation of affordable medications. Trump pledged the move would cut drug prices by at least 59%, delivering major savings for taxpayers. While the policy promises to reduce Medicare spending, it faces legal and pharmaceutical industry pushback, as well as questions about its impact on private insurance and long-term drug development.
Trump Open to Qatari Offer of Replacement Air Force One Amid Delays and Debate
WASHINGTON (AP) —President Donald Trump is considering accepting a free Boeing 747 from Qatar as a temporary replacement for Air Force One, citing long delays in the U.S. retrofit program and mounting frustration with the current aircraft. Trump emphasized that the $400 million plane would be donated to a future presidential library after his term, not used personally, and likened the offer to a friendly gesture on a golf course. While the proposal has sparked ethical and legal concerns from both sides of the political aisle, some see it as a practical solution to the outdated fleet. South Dakota Senator John Thune acknowledged the delays as a real issue but remained cautious, saying it’s unclear if this is the right answer. Trump is expected to face further scrutiny as he travels to the Middle East, including a visit to Qatar.
Russian drones attack Ukraine after the Kremlin turns down a ceasefire proposal but promises talks
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s air force says Russia launched more than 100 Shahed and decoy drones at Ukraine in nighttime attacks. The Kremlin has effectively rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in the more than three-year war. But Moscow reiterated that it would take part in possible peace talks later this week without preconditions. There was no direct response from the Kremlin on Monday to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s challenge for Russian leader Vladimir Putin to meet him for face-to-face peace talks in Turkey on Thursday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to say who might travel to Istanbul from the Russian side.
Hamas releases Israeli-American hostage in goodwill gesture toward Trump administration
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas has freed an Israeli-American soldier who was held hostage in Gaza for more than 19 months. The release offered a goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration. The deal could lay the groundwork for a new ceasefire with Israel. Edan Alexander was released to the Red Cross, which transferred him to the Israeli military. His release was the first since Israel shattered an eight-week ceasefire with Hamas in March and unleashed fierce strikes on Gaza that have killed hundreds of Palestinians. Alexander was reunited with his mother before being flown to a hospital in Tel Aviv.
