The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Rapid City Man Sentenced to Probation After Firing Gun at Occupied Vehicle
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A Rapid City man who fired a gun into a vehicle occupied by two individuals was sentenced to probation this morning in Pennington County Circuit Court. Ty Hill, 25, pled guilty to aggravated assault in April. The shooting incident occurred following a verbal confrontation between Hill and the vehicle’s occupants. The State recommended a 15-year prison sentence. Instead, the Court ordered a suspended sentence and placed Hill on ten years of supervised probation.
Journey Museum to Merge with Black Hills Historical Society
RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Journey Museum has announced plans to merge with the Black Hills Historical Society. Executive Director Conor McMahon told Rapid City Council members this week the merger, scheduled to happen at the end of the month, would allow them to combine their membership and supporter base. He said the merge will also allow them to develop new and exciting programs and be more effective with their fundraising. McMahon also mentioned he plans to host a summer festival at the Journey Museum June 21 to celebrate the merger and showcase new programs.
Rapid City Building Permits Top $41 Million in April, Second-Highest on Record
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City issued 223 building permits in April with a combined valuation of more than $41.6 million. The valuation total was the second-highest total ever recorded for Rapid City for the month of April. The City has issued 719 building permits for the January through April period, with a combined valuation total of more than $99.5 million. The April valuation total is the second-highest valuation total recorded for the fourth month of the year, surpassed only by the $55 million valuation total recorded in April 2021.
Rapid City Rush to Extend Lease with The Monument, Announce Arena Upgrades
RAPID CITY, S.D. — According to the Rapid CityPost, the Rush will remain at The Monument Ice Arena for the foreseeable future under a new lease extension set to be formally announced Thursday, May 8 at 10:00 a.m. The Rush, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Calgary Flames, have called The Monument home since the team’s founding in 2008. The upcoming agreement ensures that tradition will continue while also ushering in a new era of improvements. As part of the lease extension, plans include capital upgrades to the Ice Arena aimed at enhancing the fan experience and modernizing the facility. More details are expected to be shared at the official announcement.
The Rapid City Post: School Foundation Honors 40 Staff Members in Heartfelt Teacher Appreciation Week Surprise
RAPID CITY, S.D. — In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, the Rapid City Public School Foundation backed by All Metal Manufacturing surprised 40 standout staff members across 26 school locations as part of its “Above and Beyond” program. The initiative, which allows students, parents, and colleagues to nominate exceptional school employees, awarded each winner a $50 cash prize, totaling over $2,000. The honored staff ranged from teachers and counselors to custodians and kitchen staff, all recognized for their dedication. The Rapid City Post notes the Foundation will continue the celebration during tonight’s School Board Meeting at 5:30 pm, showcasing the winners in the “Sharing the Success” segment.
Rapid City Woman Featured on Season Three of Fifty Dates Fifty States
RAPID CITY, S.D. (The Rapid City Post) — Matt Wernig, creator of the popular social media series Fifty Dates Fifty States, kicked off Season Three with a date in Rapid City last weekend, choosing local nursing student Kezley Yaeger as his South Dakota match. The pair’s itinerary included WaTiki Waterpark, go-karting, local hotspots, and breakfast, with Kezley calling it the best date she’s ever had. Originally from Nevada and now in her third semester of nursing school, Kezley says the experience was unexpected but memorable. Though she hasn’t heard much from Matt since, she’s staying optimistic and ready if she makes it to the season finale. Find the complete story at rapidcitypost.com
Poll: South Dakota Republicans support Trump but policies mixed
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (South Dakota News Watch) – Nearly three-quarters of South Dakota Republican voters approve of President Donald Trump’s leadership during the first 100 days of his second term, according to a statewide poll co-sponsored by South Dakota News Watch and the Chiesman Center for Democracy. The survey of 500 GOP voters found 73% approve of Trump’s performance, while 68% hold a favorable opinion of him overall. Support was strongest in rural areas, with slightly lower approval in Sioux Falls (64%) and Rapid City (62%). While many Republicans back Trump’s policies on immigration and tariffs, opinions were more divided on federal spending cuts led by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency. The poll also revealed increased confidence in election integrity, with 82% of all voters saying they trust the 2024 vote count—up sharply from a year ago. Optimism about the country’s future is high among Republicans (89%) but significantly lower among Democrats (33%).
Homeland Security chief says travelers with no REAL ID can fly for now, but with likely extra steps
WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of Homeland Security says travelers who aren’t REAL ID compliant by the upcoming deadline this week will still be able to fly but should be prepared for extra scrutiny. Kristi Noem told a congressional panel that 81% of travelers already have IDs that comply with the REAL ID requirements. She says security checkpoints will also be accepting passports and tribal identification when the deadline hits Wednesday. She says those who still lack an identification that complies with the REAL ID law “may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step.” But they will still be allowed to fly.
How Utah dentists are preparing patients for the first statewide fluoride ban
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah dentists say they’re bracing for an increase in tooth decay among the state’s most vulnerable people. Utah’s first-in-the-nation fluoride ban takes effect Wednesday. It could be followed closely by a ban in Florida. The bill’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Stephanie Gricius, said she does not dispute that fluoride can have some benefits but thinks people should not be given it by the government without their informed consent. Republican Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed the law against the recommendation of many dentists and national health organizations. They warn removing fluoride will harm tooth development, especially in young patients without regular access to dental care. People can add fluoride supplements to their water at home, but the cost may be prohibitive for some.
Skype shut down for good, but users still have these alternatives
LONDON (AP) — Skype users are scrambling to find an alternative after Microsoft shut down the pioneering internet phone service which let people make cheap long distance calls and chat with other users. Google Voice lets users make calls from a smartphone or a desktop web browser but it’s only available to people in the U.S. Viber users can call phone numbers but can’t get a number to receive calls. Zoom offers phone options too. You could get a number from a low cost virtual carrier or try other internet phone services. Microsoft says some Skype features will migrate to Teams, but its Teams Phone feature is only for businesses.
Ukraine drone attacks briefly shut down Moscow’s international airports
All four international airports around Moscow temporarily suspended flights as Russia said its forces intercepted more than 100 Ukrainian drones. Russia’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday that almost a dozen Russian regions were targeted. The overnight assault came two days ahead of a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin. It coincides with celebrations in Moscow marking Victory Day in World War II. The day celebrating Moscow’s defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945 is Russia’s biggest secular holiday. The leaders of China, Brazil and other countries will attend.
