The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo Reports Record Crowds and Vendor Success
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The dust has settled on another successful year for the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo and Rodeo Rapid City, as organizers report massive crowds and record-breaking interest throughout the ten-day event. The annual tradition, which serves as a cornerstone for the region’s agricultural community and tourism economy, saw a surge in participation across all venues. With over 400 vendor booths, The Cinch Trade Show sold out for the fifth year in a row, with officials noting that many vendors had record-breaking shows. (Full Story)
Pennington County Preparing 2026 Property Assessment Notices
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Pennington County Director of Equalization is currently preparing the 2026 property assessment notices, which will be mailed to property owners no later than March 1, as required by state law. Property owners should be aware that legislation passed last year limits the increase in the total countywide valuation of owner-occupied property to a maximum of 3% over the prior year. This limitation applies to the countywide total of owner-occupied property and does not limit the change in assessed value for any individual property. Individual owner-occupied properties may experience increases or decreases in value over or below 3%, but the combined valuation of all owner-occupied property within Pennington County is subject to the 3% limitation.
South Dakota Hall of Fame Assumes Ownership of Dignity of Earth and Sky Monument
CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. — The South Dakota Hall of Fame on Monday formally assumed ownership of Dale Lamphere’s iconic Dignity of Earth and Sky monument during a ceremony in Chamberlain, concluding years of discussion with the artist. Hall of Fame leaders said the transfer ensures long-term stewardship, preservation of the sculpture’s story and protection of its copyright, while Lamphere said proceeds tied to the monument will support Native cultural events and his planned nonprofit Lamphere Studio for the Arts, aimed at fostering creativity for future generations. (Full Story)
Cell Phone Restriction Bill Advances to Senate Floor Without Recommendation
PIERRE, S.D. — The Senate Education Committee sent a cell phone restriction bill to the Senate floor today without a recommendation after debate. Senate Bill 198 would ban students from using phones during the school day except for medical needs or emergencies. Sponsor Sen. Chris Karr says 26 states have similar policies showing improved test scores and reduced behavioral problems. But Secretary of Education Joe Graves and school groups opposed the bill, saying districts are already addressing the issue locally. The committee voted 5-2 to advance the amended bill. The committee voted 5-2 to send the amended bill to the Senate floor with no recommendation. (Full Story)
Governor Larry Rhoden Issues First Veto of 2026 Session Over Fake Meat Bill
PIERRE, S.D. — Governor Larry Rhoden issues his first veto of the 2026 session over a fake meat bill. The bill would have classified cell-cultivated protein food products to be adulterated food. It passed in both chambers but opposition argued classifying the food as adulterated could set a precedent that would have banned products deemed safe to consume by federal bodies. Rhoden says lawmakers should look to make a compromise. He says he will not be seen eating the meat but the legislature shouldn’t vote on something just because they don’t like it. (Full Story)
Rhoden Signs Bill Removing Gun Suppressors From South Dakota’s Controlled Weapons List
PIERRE, S.D. — Gov. Larry Rhoden on Tuesday signed legislation removing gun suppressors, also known as silencers, from South Dakota’s definition of a controlled weapon, eliminating felony penalties tied to unregistered possession. Supporters, including bill sponsor Sen. Casey Crabtree and Attorney General Marty Jackley, said suppressors function as hearing protection and that state regulation does not improve public safety, while Rhoden said the move reinforces South Dakota’s strong Second Amendment stance. The bill passed both chambers of the Legislature without opposition, though national gun safety groups argue deregulation makes gunfire harder to detect and respond to. (Full Story)
FBI releases surveillance images of masked person on Nancy Guthrie’s porch
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — A masked person with a handgun holster was caught on camera outside Nancy Guthrie’s front door the night she disappeared. The FBI made the announcement Tuesday as it released the images in the first major break in a case that has gripped the nation for more than a week. The person wearing a backpack and a ski mask can be seen in a video tilting their head down and away from a doorbell camera while nearing an archway at the home of the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie. The images did not show what happened to 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie or help determine whether she is still alive. (Full Story)
Google, Meta, push back on addiction claims in landmark social media trial
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jurors in a landmark social media case that seeks to hold companies responsible for harms to children got their first glimpse into what will be a lengthy trial characterized by dueling narratives from the plaintiffs and the two remaining defendants, Meta and YouTube. At the core of the Los Angeles case is a 20-year-old identified only by the initials “KGM,” whose case could determine how thousands of other, similar lawsuits against social media companies will play out. She and two other plaintiffs have been selected for bellwether trials — essentially test cases for both sides to see how their arguments play out before a jury. (Full Story)
Minneapolis man accused of cyberstalking, threatening ICE supporter amid crackdown in Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minneapolis man is accused of cyberstalking and making online threats against a person who federal prosecutors say supported immigration officers. A criminal complaint in the case says Kyle Wagner doxed the person in Michigan by sharing personal information online. The complaint also details several online posts in which prosecutors say Wagner threatened immigration officers amid the federal crackdown in Minneapolis. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says such conduct won’t go unpunished. (Full Story)
