The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Rapid City Accepting Applications for Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City is seeking to fill one vacancy on the City’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The board vacancy is a three-year term set to begin in January. Interested citizens are encouraged to apply by submitting a Citizen Interest Application online. The application deadline is December 23 at 5:00 p.m. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board initiates, reviews and makes recommendations for ordinances, policies and rules governing the use of the City’s public parks, swimming pools and other facilities.
South Dakota Faces Growing Structural Deficit Ahead of 2026 Session
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota heads into the 2026 legislative session with a growing structural deficit. New federal labor data shows 21,000 job openings statewide, including hundreds in state agencies, which are pushing wages and recurring costs higher. Corrections spending is also rising as prison construction and per-inmate costs increase. Medicaid and K-12 pressures add to the strain, and pandemic-era federal dollars are nearly gone. Lawmakers begin work on the budget in January.
Illegal Immigrant Wanted for Murder Arrested in Rapid City
PIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota Department of Public Safety says an illegal immigrant wanted for murder in El Salvador was arrested by the South Dakota Highway Patrol (SDHP) and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Wednesday morning. SDHP, working in coordination with ICE, conducted the traffic stop on Haines Avenue near the intersection of Van Buren Street in Rapid City. ICE had identified one of the vehicle’s occupants as a suspect in a homicide case in El Salvador. Three individuals in the vehicle were detained without incident.
Board of Regents Approves New Post-Tenure Review Policy
PIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota Board of Regents (BOR) has approved a new post-tenure review policy designed to support continued excellence among tenured faculty across the state’s public universities. The policy outlines a clear, consistent five-year review cycle intended to promote high-quality teaching, research, and service throughout a faculty member’s career. With this new policy, the Board says it affirms its commitment to retaining these values while clearly defining and consistently applying performance expectations. Its goal is to create a fair review process that supports academic growth, transparency, and professional accountability. Implementation begins in the 2026–2027 academic year.
Farmers will get more money from Trump. They still have more problems
RANDOLPH, Minn. (AP) — American farmers are feeling the strain from trade disputes under President Donald Trump, particularly with China. Trump has announced $12 billion in aid for U.S. farmers, but many farmers say that’s not enough. South Dakota farmer Gene Stehly believes the aid is insufficient to cover losses from low commodity prices and declining sales. Farmers such as Charlie Radman in Minnesota and Bryant Kagay in Missouri say they need more certainty and new markets, not just temporary payments. The aid is seen as a stopgap. Many farmers want solutions to rising costs and market access beyond China. (Full Story)
Tens of thousands ordered to flee flooding after torrential rain in Pacific Northwest
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) — Washington state is under a state of emergency from a barrage of torrential rain that’s sent rivers flowing over their banks, caused mudslides to close highways and trapped people in floodwaters. The governor says flooding could reach historic levels. Officials say 78,000 people live in the floodplain north of Seattle that has been ordered to evacuate. The weather has already prompted rescues and road closures. Another storm system is expected to bring more rain starting Sunday. (Full Story)
NASCAR settles federal antitrust case, gives all teams the permanent charters they wanted
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR has settled an antitrust lawsuit with two race teams, including one co-owned by Michael Jordan. The settlement was announced Thursday after a delay on the ninth day of the trial. The lawsuit was filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports last year after they refused to sign new charter agreements presented by NASCAR. The teams raced uncharted for most of 2025. The case highlighted family ties in motorsports, with emotional testimonies from figures like Denny Hamlin and Jordan. NASCAR’s chairman, Jim France, defended the temporary nature of charters, citing core principles from his family. (Full Story)
The man accused of killing Charlie Kirk appears in court for 1st time as a judge weighs media access
PROVO, Utah (AP) — The Utah man charged with killing Charlie Kirk is making his first in-person court appearance Thursday as his attorneys push to further limit media access in the high-profile criminal case. A Utah judge has been weighing the public’s right to know details in Tyler Robinson’s case against his attorneys’ concerns that the swarm of media attention could interfere with his right to a fair trial. Prosecutors have charged Robinson with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 shooting of the conservative activist on the Utah Valley University campus. They plan to seek the death penalty. Judge Tony Graf could decide on a request from law enforcement and Robinson’s legal team to ban cameras in the courtroom. (Full Story)
