The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Senate Panel Rejects Cut to Dual Credit Funding, Limits Certification Reimbursements
PIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota Senate Education Committee Tuesday rejected a bill that would have cut state funding for high school dual credit programs. House Bill 1040, which proposed reducing the state’s share from two-thirds to 50 percent, failed on a 4-3 vote. Secretary of Education Joe Graves said the change would have saved the state about $1.2 million next year. Opponents argued the current funding structure is crucial to the program’s success. The committee did approve House Bill 1039, which limits new entries into teacher and counselor national certification reimbursement programs after July first, 2025. The committee also tabled a bill that would have permitted merit pay for teachers.
South Dakota Senate Panel Rejects Black Hills Preservation Study
PIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota Senate Agriculture Committee Tuesday killed a resolution that would have created a study committee on Black Hills preservation. House Concurrent Resolution 6010, which proposed examining development in the Black Hills region, failed on a 4-3 vote. Representative Scott Odenbach of Spearfish introduced the measure, citing concerns about rapid growth threatening the area’s character. Local government officials opposed the resolution, arguing existing regulations are sufficient. Senator Helene Duhamel of Rapid City motioned to kill the proposal, while Senator Kevin Jensen of Canton defended it, saying West River concerns often get overlooked.
Trump Promises Bold Action as Economic and Foreign Policy Shifts Continue
President Donald Trump vowed more “swift and unrelenting action” reorienting the nation’s economy, immigration and foreign policy in an unyielding address before Congress as Democratic lawmakers showed their dissent. The fallout from Trump’s trade war continues, with financial markets now accounting for rekindled inflation and paralyzing uncertainty. Greenland’s prime minister declared Wednesday that the Arctic island cannot be taken or bought after Trump said the U.S. will acquire the territory “one way or another.” And Trump’s national security adviser says he and his Ukrainian counterpart are discussing dates and locations for opening negotiations to end the war with Russia.
CDC Responds to Texas Measles Outbreak as Cases Reach 159
The CDC is actively assisting Texas health officials in managing a measles outbreak that has now reached 159 cases, with at least 22 people hospitalized. Most cases have been reported in Gaines County, an area with a significant unvaccinated Mennonite population. To support containment efforts, the CDC has previously provided lab assistance and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines to the state. Last week, Texas confirmed the first fatality linked to the outbreak—a school-age child who was unvaccinated and had no underlying health conditions. This marks the first measles-related death in the U.S. since 2015 and the first pediatric measles fatality since 2003.
Pope resting after sleeping through the night with a ventilation mask as he battles pneumonia
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis is resting after sleeping through the night with a ventilation mask as he undergoes hospital treatment for double pneumonia. In its latest update, the Vatican said on Wednesday that the pope rested well overnight, waking up shortly after 8 a.m. Pope Francis remains in stable condition, with a guarded prognosis, meaning he was not out of danger. The 88-year-old pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, had two respiratory crises on Monday in a setback to his recovery. On Tuesday, he was breathing with just the help of supplemental oxygen after respiratory crises a day earlier.
Powerful Storm Sweeps Across U.S., Bringing Blizzard Conditions, Fires, and Severe Weather
A massive storm system is moving across the United States, bringing high winds, blizzard conditions, and fire risks to millions. The storm is expected to reach the East Coast today, impacting areas from Florida to New York. The most intense storms are forecasted from Charleston, South Carolina, to southern Virginia, where damaging winds and tornadoes are possible. Meanwhile, Texas is battling multiple wildfires amid critical fire conditions, and blizzard warnings remain in effect across parts of the Midwest. In Mississippi, severe storms on Tuesday claimed the lives of two people in Madison County as the system continues its destructive path.
