The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Rapid City Council to Consider 2026 Deer Harvest Plan
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Council next week is expected to discuss the upcoming 2026 deer harvest. Based on a survey by the Game, Fish and Parks Department, the recommendation for this year’s harvest is 100 deer in city limits. The harvest recommendation is the lowest number since the 2016–2017 harvest. If approved, the city plans to begin the harvest next month and will target antlerless deer, with activities being conducted in the late evening hours. Deer harvested will be donated to Feeding South Dakota. (Full Story)
YMCA of Rapid City to Become YMCA of the Black Hills
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The YMCA of Rapid City has announced that it is changing its name to the YMCA of the Black Hills, effective January 1, 2026. The organization says the new name better reflects the organization’s broad reach and commitment to serving communities throughout the Black Hills region. While the name is changing, the YMCA’s mission remains the same: to strengthen community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Programs, services, leadership, and staff will continue uninterrupted, and the organization remains a part of the national YMCA movement. (Full Story)
RapidRide Routes Now Available on Google Maps
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Officials with the Rapid Transit System announced RapidRide routes went live on Google Maps recently. Residents can now utilize Google Maps to determine which route works best for their trips. In addition to Google Maps, residents can check out system maps by visiting rapidtransitsystem.org, which also provides RapidRide hours of operation, fares, helpful information, arrival and departure times as well as descriptions and stops for the six fixed route loops. (Full Story)
Rapid City Upgrades Utility Billing System, Phases Out Sure Pay Program
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Finance Office is moving forward with significant upgrades to the City’s utility billing system, expanding payment options and improving convenience for customers. Earlier this month, Rapid City launched an enhanced online utility payment portal, now offering customers the ability to conveniently pay using credit cards, debit cards, eChecks and Interactive Voice Response. As part of this modernization effort, the City must phase out its existing Sure Pay program effective March 1. The Sure Pay program currently allows automatic withdrawals directly from customer bank accounts. Its retirement is necessary to support new automatic payment capabilities using credit and debit cards. Immediately following the phase out, customers will be able to enroll in automatic utility payments through the upgraded system. (Full Story)
Jackley Outlines 2026 Legislative Priorities Focused on Prison Drugs, Youth Protection and AI Pornography
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced that his 2026 legislative bill package will focus on three issues: controlled substances in the state penitentiary, protecting minors and young adults from illegal substances, and addressing AI generated pornographic images. The proposals stem from investigations into inmate overdose deaths, enforcement actions against illegal THC product sales, and cases involving nonconsensual AI generated pornography. Jackley said the bills would strengthen laws targeting drugs in prisons, add age restrictions for certain cannabis related products, and ban the creation and distribution of digitally fabricated pornographic material of nonconsenting individuals. He plans to introduce 10 bills when the Legislature convenes Jan. 13, 2026. (Full Story)
Trump Administration Announces $50 Billion Rural Health Care Investment
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, the largest federal investment in rural health care in U.S. history, providing funding to every state over five years from fiscal year 2026 through 2030. The program, established under legislation signed by Donald Trump, will distribute $10 billion annually to strengthen the rural health care workforce, modernize facilities and technology, and expand innovative care delivery models in underserved communities. According to the administration, the initiative is designed to improve access to quality health care regardless of location, with individual state awards ranging from about $147 million to more than $281 million, including nearly $189.5 million allocated to South Dakota. (Full Story)
Trump Says US Strike Targeted Drug Trafficking Operations as Venezuela Pressure Campaign Continues
PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump said the United States has taken action against a dock facility used by boats accused of carrying illegal drugs, describing the move as part of an expanded effort to disrupt drug trafficking networks. Trump said the strike targeted an area where vessels were being prepared for smuggling operations, signaling a possible extension of US actions beyond previous strikes on boats in international waters. US officials have not released additional details, and Trump did not specify where the strike occurred or which agency carried it out. The action comes as the administration continues a broader strategy that includes maritime interdictions, seizures of oil tankers and increased military presence, which officials say is aimed at protecting the United States by cutting off drug flows and maintaining pressure on criminal networks in the region. (Full Story)
Russia’s nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles have entered active service, Moscow says
Russia’s nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system has entered active service, Russia’s Ministry of Defense says, as negotiators continue to search for a breakthrough in peace talks to end Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Troops held a brief ceremony to mark the occasion in neighboring Belarus where the missiles have been deployed, the ministry says. It did not say how many missiles had been deployed or give any other details. The announcement comes at a critical time for peace talks, with negotiators still searching for a breakthrough on key issues, including territory and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. (Full Story)
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