The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
High Winds Cause Widespread Damage Across the Black Hills
RAPID CITY, S.D. — High winds in excess of 100 mph have left widespread damage across the Black Hills area today. In Rapid City, there were reports of a tower down on the top of Tower Road at Skyline Drive, and numerous signs were blown over, including a Liberty Motors sign that was toppled on to a row of new S.U.V.’s. Rapid City Public Works was reporting debris throughout town. Many communities across the Black Hills were reporting damage due to the winds.
City Opens Landfill and Remote Sites for Storm Tree Debris
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The City of Rapid City encourages citizens to bring tree debris from the wind storm that impacted the area the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, to the Rapid City Landfill. Additional remote tree debris disposal sites at Floyd Fitzgerald Stadium and West Boulevard North are also open through Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Citizens are reminded that the remote disposal sites are meant for residential tree debris only and any other items that were damaged in the storm should be brought to the Rapid City Landfill. Additionally, any large trees should be disposed of at the Rapid City Landfill to allow more room for limbs and branches at the remote disposal sites.
Greyhound Fire Near Keystone Reduced to 166 Acres, Containment Continues
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Fire officials gained control of the Greyhound Fire burning to the east of Keystone Thursday. After a more accurate mapping process, the fire was listed at 166 acres, down from the initial estimate of 200 acres from Wednesday night. Firefighters continue suppression efforts using engines, crews, and heavy equipment. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Governor Rhoden Supports Prison Seminary Model for Inmate Rehabilitation
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Governor Larry Rhoden is throwing his support behind a recommendation to implement the Prison Seminary Model in South Dakota’s correctional system. The recommendation came from the Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force. Republican Senator Sue Peterson of Sioux Falls heads the task force subcommittee on faith-based rehab initiatives. Her subcommittee calls the Seminary Model the premier program nationwide for transforming inmates’ lives.
Trump administration moves to cut off transgender care for children
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials are proposing new restrictions that are designed to block access to gender-affirming care for minors. The announcement from Department of Health and Human Services is the latest step by the Trump administration cracking down on care for transgender Americans. The sweeping proposals include cutting off federal Medicaid and Medicare funding from hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to children. The proposals are not final or legally binding. They must go through a lengthy rulemaking process and are likely to face legal challenges. They also contradict the recommendations of major medical groups including the American Medical Association. (Full Story)
TikTok signs deal to sell US unit to American investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — TikTok has agreed to sell its U.S. business to a group of American investors led by Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX, a move that will allow the video-sharing platform to continue operating in the United States, according to an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press. Under the deal, expected to close Jan. 22, a new U.S.-based joint venture will be created with a majority-American board, U.S. user data stored domestically by Oracle, and the app’s algorithm retrained on U.S. data to address national security concerns. ByteDance will retain a minority stake, while affiliates of existing investors and the new consortium will hold the remaining shares, ending years of uncertainty over TikTok’s future following congressional action that threatened to ban the app without a sale. (Full Story)
Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and family among 7 killed in North Carolina plane crash
STATESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife, and their two children are among the seven people killed in a plane crash in North Carolina. The Cessna C550 crashed at Statesville Regional Airport, north of Charlotte. Records show the plane was registered to a company run by Biffle. AccuWeather reports some drizzle and clouds at the time of the crash. The Statesville airport serves NASCAR teams and Fortune 500 companies. NASCAR says the news is devastating. The 55-year-old Biffle won more than 50 races across NASCAR’s three circuits, (Full Story)
