The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
City of Rapid City to Host Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Display
RAPID CITY, S.D. —The City of Rapid City’s annual fireworks display will be held this Friday, July 4 at approximately 9:30 p.m. from the Executive Golf Course. The 20-25 minute show, under the direction and coordination of J&M Displays of Clear Lake, Minnesota, will be synched to music on 104.7 The Cowboy. The Rapid City Municipal Band will perform its annual holiday concert prior to the fireworks display, beginning at 8 p.m. at the Memorial Park Band Shell. Audience members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets as the venue provides excellent viewing of the City fireworks display.
Rapid City Unveils New $9 Million Landfill Cell for Future Garbage Storage
RAPID CITY, SD — A new multi-million-dollar garbage storage cell at the Rapid City Landfill will be put into service soon. The cell will be the storage site for the city’s garbage – minus recyclables – as the landfill continues to meet the needs of a growing region. The $9 million project – Cell Number 15 – covers 10 acres at the landfill and will serve as the garbage storage site for the next five years.
Dusty Johnson Discusses Gubernatorial Campaign, Priorities, and Challenges in Studio Interview
RAPID CITY, S.D. — U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson sat down with the Rapid City Post’s Murdoc this week, following his official campaign announcement for South Dakota governor. Johnson reflected on packed events in Sioux Falls and Rapid City and emphasized his commitment to a campaign rooted in positivity and results. He highlighted his priorities: reducing property taxes responsibly, making education more affordable, improving public safety, and fostering smart economic growth. Johnson, who has held leadership roles under former Governors Rounds and Daugaard, said he aims to bring long-term thinking and unity to Pierre. The congressman also discussed pressing issues like workforce shortages, housing, addiction response, and the future of prison planning in South Dakota. As a self-described builder, Johnson noted that while progress in Washington often comes in inches, South Dakota offers the opportunity to move forward in miles.
Box Elder Withdraws from Consideration as State Prison Site
BOX ELDER, S.D. — The City of Box Elder has officially withdrawn its land from consideration for a proposed state prison, citing community feedback and workforce concerns. City officials said the initial proposal aimed to boost job creation and regional economic impact, but public response revealed opposition to hosting a correctional facility. Because the city submitted its own land, it had the authority to withdraw—unlike other locations offered by private landowners. The Project Prison Reset Task Force will now focus on sites in Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Worthing, and existing Department of Corrections locations, with its next meeting set for July 8.
New Voter Residency Rules to Take Effect in South Dakota on July 1
PIERRE, SD — The South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office is notifying voters of changes to residency requirements for voter registration taking effect on July 1, 2025. These updates reflect changes to South Dakota Codified Laws 12-1-4 and 12-4-1, providing clearer guidance for determining voter residency and the registration process. Under the revised law, a “resident” is defined as someone who maintains a fixed, permanent dwelling where they live and usually sleep for at least thirty consecutive days. The law also clarifies that a person remains a resident of South Dakota while temporarily away, so long as they intend to return.
South Dakota Age Verification Law for Adult Sites Now in Effect
PIERRE, SD — South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces a new South Dakota state law that requires age verification to access adult-oriented websites has taken effect thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last week. The Supreme Court upheld as constitutional a Texas law that requires adults to verify their age in order to access adult-oriented websites. The intent is to protect minors from entering such websites. South Dakota had supported Texas in its argument before the Court.
U.S. Pauses Some Weapons Shipments to Ukraine Over Stockpile Concerns
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is pausing certain weapons shipments to Ukraine due to concerns about declining U.S. stockpiles, officials said Tuesday. The affected munitions were previously promised under the Biden administration to aid Ukraine’s defense against Russia. The decision follows a review of U.S. military support and reflects President Donald Trump’s shift in priorities. “This decision was made to put America’s interests first,” said White House spokesperson Anna Kelly. The move comes shortly after U.S. missile strikes were ordered against Iranian nuclear sites.
Trump Announces Israel’s Agreement to 60-Day Ceasefire in Gaza, Urges Hamas to Accept Deal
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Israel has agreed to the terms of a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen. The agreement, brokered ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House next week, would pause nearly 21 months of fighting and allow further negotiations. Trump called it a “best and final offer,” with Qatar and Egypt expected to deliver the proposal to Hamas. U.S. officials believe Hamas has been significantly weakened, and Iran, its primary backer, was also hit hard in recent Israeli-U.S. strikes. Talks have long stalled over demands from Hamas for a full Israeli withdrawal versus Israel’s requirement that Hamas disarm and surrender. Trump said he believes a final agreement could be reached next week.
Jury reaches verdict on 4 of 5 counts in Diddy trial but is told to keep deliberating
NEW YORK (AP) — The jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial says it has reached a verdict on four of five counts against the hip-hop mogul. The jury was stuck on the top charge, racketeering conspiracy. Tuesday’s partial decision remains under wraps. Jurors are due to continue deliberating about the racketeering conspiracy charge Wednesday. Prosecutors, Combs’ defense team and Judge Arun Subramanian reasoned that after just two days of deliberations, it was too soon to give up on reaching a verdict on all counts. So rather than taking a partial verdict, Subramanian told the jury to continue weighing the remaining charge.
Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart Dies at 90
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, once a towering figure in American Pentecostal broadcasting whose ministry was rocked by scandal in the 1980s, has died at age 90. His death was announced Tuesday on his public Facebook page, with no cause given, though he had suffered cardiac arrest last month. Swaggart rose to national fame with a massive television ministry before a 1988 scandal involving a prostitute led to his resignation from the Assemblies of God. Despite a tearful public apology and a decline in his audience, Swaggart continued to preach for decades.
