The Daily Slice: Wednesday, April 02, 2025
The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
RV Fire Contained at Covered Wagon RV Park in Piedmont
PIEDMONT, S.D. — Law enforcement and area fire crews responded to an RV Fire Tuesday afternoon in Piedmont, according to The Rapid City Post. At approximately 10:37 a.m., emergency responders were dispatched to the reported fire at the Covered Wagon RV Park, located in the 1400 block of Sturgis Road. Upon arrival, Meade County Sheriff’s deputies discovered an RV fully engulfed in flames. Fire personnel from Piedmont Fire and EMS, along with the Black Hawk Volunteer Fire Department, responded swiftly to the scene. Their coordinated efforts successfully contained the fire to the single RV, preventing it from spreading to nearby structures.
Piedmont Woman Arrested for DUI During RV Fire Response
PIEDMONT, S.D. — A woman was arrested for DUI during the emergency response to an RV fire Tuesday at the Covered Wagon RV Park. Witnesses identified the RV’s resident as a female driver who had been seen operating a vehicle erratically in the area. Meade County Sheriff’s deputies located the suspect’s vehicle at the scene, but she refused to exit when ordered. After being removed, she displayed signs of impairment consistent with drug or alcohol use. The suspect, identified as Darian Johnson of Piedmont, was arrested and transported to the Meade County Jail, where she was charged with second-offense DUI. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Rapid City Considers 29 Project Proposals for Vision Fund
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City officials say 29 project proposals have been approved for consideration to receive funding from the city’s Vision Fund. Rapid City Communications Coordinator Darrell Shoemaker says the requests total more than $74 million for the 2025 through 2029 cycle. He says that far exceeds the $12 million approved by the Rapid City Council for allocations this cycle.Among the projects to be reviewed by the Vision Fund Citizen Committee are $3.5 million for the Black Hills Soccer Club, nearly $3.5 million for Black Hills Works Foundation and $2.5 million for Canyon Lake Little League’s baseball complex. Following a review, the citizen committee is expected to submit recommendations for funding to Rapid City Council in late May or early June..
Jimmy Patronis Wins Northwest Florida Congressional Race
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis has won the race for Northwest Florida’s congressional seat, defeating Democrat Gay Valimont by about nine points. Patronis, a Greek-American and longtime Republican figure, was heavily favored after earning former President Donald Trump’s endorsement in November, which helped clear the field in the GOP primary despite Patronis not residing in the district. The seat became vacant when former Rep. Matt Gaetz was selected as Trump’s attorney general. In the campaign’s final days, Trump joined Patronis for a tele-town hall, urging voters to support him in what he called the “all-important” April 1 election. Following his victory, Patronis reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Trump’s agenda, including border security, military rebuilding, and economic recovery, stating, “I really want to make America Florida.” A proud Greek-American, Patronis previously served in the Florida House before being appointed state CFO in 2017, later winning elections to retain the position in 2018 and 2022.
Tesla Misses Q1 Delivery Estimates, Shares Drop in Premarket Trading
AUSTIN, Texas — Tesla reported 336,681 vehicle deliveries for the first quarter, falling short of the consensus estimate of 377,000. The electric vehicle maker produced 362,615 vehicles during the quarter, with 4% of deliveries subject to operating lease accounting. Model 3/Y deliveries totaled 323,800, while other models accounted for 12,881. The quarterly delivery count was Tesla’s lowest since 2022, impacted by Model Y production line changes across its four factories. Tesla previously delivered 462,890 and 495,570 vehicles in the last two quarters and 386,810 in the first quarter of 2023. Analysts have yet to adjust forecasts for the rest of 2024, projecting that second quarter deliveries at 456,000, third quarter at 497,000, and the fourth quarter at 544,000, with optimism tied to the new Model Y and a potential $30,000.00 model. Tesla shares fell 4.8% in premarket trading and are down 33.5% year-to-date, with short interest at 2.5% of the total float.
Trump Launches “Liberation Day” Tariffs to Strengthen U.S. Trade
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is set to announce a series of reciprocal tariffs, marking what he’s calling “Liberation Day,” to free the U.S. from decades of unfair trade practices. The tariffs, which apply to both allies and adversaries, aim to level the playing field for American manufacturers. While some economists predict economic risks, Trump remains confident that these tariffs will encourage foreign companies to produce in the U.S., boosting job creation and revitalizing the manufacturing sector. Despite potential consumer costs, the administration stands firm in its commitment to reshaping global trade.
Stocks Swing as Trump Prepares to Unveil Tariffs
NEW YORK — U.S. stocks fluctuated Wednesday ahead of President Donald Trump’s anticipated announcement of new tariffs, which are expected to reshape global trade. The S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq all showed losses in morning trading, influenced partly by Tesla’s lower-than-expected vehicle deliveries. The market remains uncertain as Trump’s tariffs could risk economic growth and inflation. Wall Street hopes the worst of tariff-related uncertainty may soon be over, although economists remain cautious about the potential economic impact, with positive job reports offering some optimism.
Val Kilmer, ‘Top Gun’ and Batman star with an intense approach, dies at 65
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Val Kilmer has died at age 65. The versatile actor played flying ace Iceman opposite Tom Cruise in “Top Gun,” Batman in “Batman Forever” and singer Jim Morrison in the biopic “The Doors.” Kilmer’s daughter says he died Tuesday in Los Angeles from pneumonia. He had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. The Los Angeles-born Kilmer studied acting at the elite Juilliard School and had his big break in the 1985 spy spoof “Top Secret.” He was sometimes regarded as a difficult presence on film sets but said in his memoir that he always put the art first.
