The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Man charged with murder wants statements made to law enforcement suppressed
RAPID CITY, S.D. – A Rapid City man charged with murder is seeking to have part of his statement made to law enforcement be suppressed at his upcoming trial. Luke Birch, 22, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of McGarland Walker in March of last year. Birch’s lawyers have asked for part of his statement made on the night Walker’s death be suppressed because they believe it violates their client’s Miranda Rights. No decision was made during the hearing this week. Birch is to stand trial in early September.
Motorists Come to Aid of Highway 44 Crash
RAPID CITY, SD (Rapid City Post) — Several Good Samaritans jumped into action Tuesday following a crash on Highway 44, offering immediate help before emergency crews arrived. The accident, temporarily slowed traffic and drew a quick response from passing drivers who assisted those involved. Officials say no fatalities were reported. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash and commended the bystanders who offered assistance.
Sturgis Council approves resolution to establish ordinance advisory committee
STURGIS, S.D. — The Sturgis City Council last night approved a resolution that will establish a city ordinance advisory committee. The City has entered into an agreement with American Legal to recodify its city ordinances. City officials are looking at conducting a comprehensive review of existing ordinances to identify outdated, conflicting, or unenforceable ordinances and to amend, repeal, or propose new ordinances to address emerging needs or concerns of the city. The resolution establishes an Ordinance Advisory Committee comprised of City Council members, city attorney, and two residents of the community with the authority to establish subcommittees as necessary to review and propose changes to specific ordinances.
Ambulance services in state of emergency
STURGIS, S.D. – During National EMS Week (May 18–24), rural ambulance providers in South Dakota are raising concerns about sustainability, with many struggling to operate due to low reimbursement rates, aging staff, and limited funding. Brian Hambek of the South Dakota Ambulance Association says some crews, like his in Spearfish, rely on volunteers in their 80s, while a state legislative committee prepares to study workforce shortages and trauma access in remote areas this summer. A recent bill to classify EMS as an “essential service” and create dedicated funding failed, leaving providers worried that communities could lose emergency services without warning.
Sturgis Harley-Davidson Sells First Motorcycle, Launches Founders Club
STURGIS, S.D. (Newswire) – Sonic Automotive, Inc. has sold its first motorcycle at the newly opened Sturgis Harley-Davidson dealership, marking the first time in Harley-Davidson’s 85-year history that motorcycles are being sold from a retail location in downtown Sturgis. Dan Ostermann of Keystone, South Dakota, purchased a 2024 Harley-Davidson CVO Pan America, becoming the dealership’s inaugural customer. In celebration of the 85th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the dealership announced a Founders Club for the first 85 buyers, who will receive serialized challenge coins, a commemorative patch, lifetime VIP access to dealership events and their names enshrined at the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame.
With little progress after phone calls and talks, Ukraine’s allies hit Russia with new sanctions
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Kyiv’s European allies have slapped new sanctions on Moscow, a day after a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to produce a breakthrough on ending the 3-year-old war in Ukraine. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the European Union expects an unconditional and immediate ceasefire from Russia. Diplomatic efforts have produced little progress in halting the fighting, including Monday’s phone call between Trump and Putin, and Friday’s direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said “it is obvious that Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war and occupation. We are working with partners to put pressure on the Russians to behave differently.”
Markers in blood and urine may reveal how much ultraprocessed food we are eating
Scientists have identified molecules from blood and urine that may reveal how much energy a person consumes from ultraprocessed foods. It could be a key step to understanding the impact of the foods that make up nearly 60% of the American diet. It’s the first time that scientists have found a set of dozens of biological markers that can indicate higher or lower intake of the foods linked to a host of health problems. The work is a “major scientific advance,” an outside expert said. The study was published Tuesday in PLOS Medicine.
Arrested New Orleans jail worker says he helped inmates to escape after stabbing threat
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Authorities have arrested an Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office maintenance worker in connection with the escape of 10 jail inmates. Thirty-three-year-old Sterling Williams has admitted he turned the water off in a cell before the men slipped away through a hole behind the toilet early Friday. Williams told authorities an inmate threatened to stab him if he didn’t help. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson last week told reporters her agency had suspended three employees pending an investigation. Four of the fugitives have been apprehended and six remain at large.
Southwest Airlines will require chargers be kept out while in use because of battery fire concerns
Passengers on Southwest Airlines flights will soon be required to keep their portable chargers in plain sight while using them because of concerns about the growing number of lithium battery fires. Southwest announced the new policy that will go into effect on May 28. The airline says passengers may have already seen notifications about the industry-leading rule when using the airline’s app. There is growing concern about lithium-ion battery fires on planes because the number continues to grow annually and devices powered by those batteries are ubiquitous. There have already been 19 incidents this year following last year’s record high of 89. Other airlines may copy Southwest’s new policy.
