The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
South Dakota Highway Patrol Makes Largest Meth Bust Ever Near Sturgis
STURGIS, S.D. — South Dakota Highway Patrol made its largest meth bust ever during a traffic stop near Sturgis. A trooper pulled over a 42-year-old man for speeding and found more than 200 pounds of crystal meth with help from a police K-9. Its street value was worth an estimated $12 million. The Mexican national, identified as Alonso Molinacorona, pleaded not guilty at his initial court appearance Tuesday.
South Dakota DOT Reports Record Vehicle Count for 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
STURGIS, S.D. — The South Dakota Department of Transportation has released its final Sturgis Motorcycle Rally vehicle count for the 85th annual event. The D.O.T. says they counted 537,459 vehicles entering Sturgis during the period of Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 10. The D.O.T. kept track of the numbers by using traffic counters placed at nine locations entering Sturgis. This year’s total surpassed the previous five-year average of 482,987 vehicles.
Rapid City Fire Department Responds to Garage Fire, Minor Damage to Nearby Home
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Monday afternoon that resulted in a damaged detached garage and minor damage to a nearby home. At approximately 2 p.m., the department was dispatched to a fire in the 400 block of E Custer Street. A column of smoke was visible to crews as they approached the scene. Upon arrival, firefighters found a single-car detached garage with visible smoke and flames. They were able to quickly extinguish the blaze. The back of the main house sustained minor damage. No injuries were reported in the incident. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Rapid City Area Schools Overhaul Bus Routes, Eliminating Over 100 Stops for 2025-26
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City Area Schools is rolling out its most significant transportation overhaul in years — a bold move that eliminates more than 100 bus stops for the 2025–2026 school year, aiming to reduce route cancellations. The changes come after months of analysis, including a district-wide busing study, multiple community forums, and in-depth conversations with families, bus drivers, and school staff. School staff say the changes were made with student safety, on-time arrivals, fewer cancellations, and attendance in mind.
Drivers Advised to Plan for Fifth Street Lane Closures
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Effective Wednesday, the City of Rapid City will begin repairs on a water line in the southbound lanes of Fifth Street near Cathedral Drive. This work in the Black Hills will lead to lane restrictions that are expected to last into next week. Traffic will be reduced to one southbound and one northbound lane to accommodate the repair work. The excavation site is about 400 feet south of the Fifth Street and Cathedral Drive intersection. Due to high traffic volume in the area, motorists are advised to seek alternate routes to avoid delays. Dakota Barricade will be providing traffic control. For questions, contact the City’s Utility Maintenance Division at 605 394 4163.
SNAP Recipients Urged to Change PIN Numbers, Protect Benefits in Midst of Theft
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The South Dakota Department of Social Services is urging SNAP recipients to change their personal identification numbers after more than 350 beneficiaries in Sioux Falls had their benefits stolen through skimming devices. The devices were found at the Walmart Supercenter on East Arrowwood Parkway and several Dollar General stores, allowing thieves to capture account and PIN numbers, then make out-of-state transactions. DSS has restricted such transactions and is working with retailers to prevent further incidents. Officials advise recipients to regularly change their PINs, monitor transactions, and use the ebtEDGE mobile app to block non-local use, freeze cards when not in use, and set up alerts. Victims should report theft to law enforcement.
Massive rescue effort led to pulling workers from debris of Pennsylvania steel plant explosion
CLAIRTON, Pa. (AP) — Workers were heating coal and preparing for routine maintenance when an explosion rocked a U.S. Steel plant outside Pittsburgh. That’s according to a company executive who spoke to reporters Tuesday, a day after the blast killed two workers. The explosion was powerful enough to shake nearby homes. It also injured more than 10 other steelworkers, including one who spent hours trapped in rubble. Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and plant executives vowed to investigate and do whatever is necessary to prevent such an accident from happening again. The cause remains under investigation.
Zelenskyy says Putin wants the rest of Ukraine’s Donetsk region as part of a ceasefire
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining 30% of the Donetsk region that Ukraine controls as part of a ceasefire deal. Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine would not withdraw from territories it controls because it was unconstitutional and would only serve as a springboard for a future Russian invasion. Zelenskyy said Putin wants the remaining 9,000 square kilometers (3,500 square miles) of Donetsk under Kyiv’s control, where the war’s toughest battles are grinding on, as part of a ceasefire plan. Doing so would hand Russia almost the entirety of the Donbas, a region comprising Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland that Putin has long coveted.
Trump Deploys National Guard, Assumes Temporary Control of D.C.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump activated about 800 National Guard members and temporarily took control of Washington’s police department, citing a “crime emergency,” even as city officials note crime is already declining. Guard troops were expected on the streets Tuesday night, though the Army gave no location specifics; by law the federal takeover can last up to 30 days unless Congress extends it. Mayor Muriel Bowser pledged to cooperate while stressing the MPD chief remains in charge of officers. The White House said roughly 850 officers and agents fanned out Monday, making 23 arrests on charges ranging from homicide and DUI to gun, drug, and fare-evasion offenses. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the effort will be “reevaluated,” while Attorney General Pam Bondi called coordination meetings productive. The administration also highlighted U.S. Park Police removal of 70 homeless encampments over five months, saying people were offered shelter or treatment and warning those who refuse could face penalties.
Trump Weighs Move to Reclassify Marijuana as Less Dangerous Drug
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is weighing whether to support reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug, a move that could align federal policy more closely with many states. The Justice Department previously proposed shifting marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance, which would ease research restrictions and allow tax breaks for licensed marijuana businesses, but not legalize recreational use nationwide. The Drug Enforcement Administration was still reviewing the proposal when Trump took office in January. While Trump has expressed interest in medical uses, the plan faces opposition from some conservatives and law enforcement groups. Currently, 40 states and Washington, D.C., allow medical marijuana, and 24 states permit recreational use. National polls show growing support, with Gallup reporting 68% of Americans favor legalization.