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Fire Displaces Multiple Businesses at Summerset Plaza
SUMMERSET, S.D. — Several businesses in the Stagestop Plaza in Summerset are displaced after a fire Wednesday night. A casino, daycare and coffee shop are among the businesses that suffered when the two-alarm fire broke out. It’s believed the fire originated in the casino and spread into the canopy of the large building. The fire’s cause was under investigation. No injuries to civilians were reported although two firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion while fighting the blaze in temperatures near 100-degrees at the time. (Full story)
Rapid City Seeks High School Students for Sustainability Committee
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The City of Rapid City is seeking youth applicants to fill positions on the Standing Committee on Sustainability. The mayoral appointments will fill positions on the Committee with terms expiring in August of 2027. Interested youth currently enrolled in high school are encouraged to apply by submitting a Citizen Interest Application online at www.rcgov.org. Application deadline is Monday, July 27 at 5 p.m. The 14-member committee meets twice monthly and works to educate citizens about sustainability through social media, hosting events and working directly with City employees.
Rapid City Sales Tax Collections Continue Strong Growth in May
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City’s sales tax collections remained strong in May, with general two-percent sales tax revenues increasing 6.3 percent compared to May 2025. Finance Director Daniel Ainslie told the City Council’s Legal and Finance Committee that year-to-date collections are running 5.6 percent above 2026 budget projections, reflecting stronger-than-expected economic activity. Tourism-related sales tax collections also rose, increasing 5.2 percent in May. Sales tax receipts supporting the Capital Improvement Fund and Vision Fund also increased compared to the same period last year. (Full story)
Rapid City Sets New First-Half Building Permit Valuation Record
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City issued 358 building permits valued at more than $37.1 million in June, the highest June permit count in five years and the second-highest June valuation total on record. The City has issued 1,340 permits worth more than $273.3 million through the first six months of 2026, setting a new first-half valuation record and surpassing the previous mark of $262.4 million set in 2022. Major June projects included a $12 million Admiral Beverage addition, a $5.2 million RPM Machine Shop facility, and three other projects valued at more than $1 million each. (Full story)
Hegseth announces new policy to test troops for low testosterone
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says he’s rolling out a new screening program for “testosterone deficiency” among troops. In a video posted on social media Wednesday, he calls the move necessary to allow service members to operate at their “absolute best.” He says the screenings will be conducted annually as part of service members’ required medical screenings for those 30 and older. Troops under 30 can volunteer to be tested. Other Trump administration officials have begun to advocate for men to have easier access to testosterone replacement therapies. (Full story)
At least 1 person has died as Texas flooding forces evacuations and rescues, governor says
UVALDE, Texas (AP) — Authorities in Texas have rescued dozens of stranded drivers and people trapped in homes and at least one person has died due to catastrophic flooding. Gov. Greg Abbott said during a news conference Thursday there has been “one loss of life” due to the disaster in Texas Hill Country. The region is still recovering from devastating floods a year ago. The National Weather Service says a “deadly flood wave” is barreling down the Guadalupe River that runs alongside Camp Mystic. That’s where two dozen children and two counsellors were killed last July. Rivers are rising hour by hour, turning them into fast-moving seas of white water. Abbott has issued disaster declarations for dozens of counties. (Full story)
Slumping AI stocks drag down markets around the world
NEW YORK (AP) — Drops for computer chipmakers and other AI winners dragged down stock markets worldwide. The S&P 500 fell 0.5% Thursday, even though more stocks rose within the index than fell. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite lost 1.5%. Wall Street mostly rose after more U.S companies reported better earnings for the latest quarter than analysts expected. But drops for Nvidia and other chip companies overshadowed them. The losses were sharper in South Korea, where AI winners whipped lower. Yields rose in the bond market, and oil prices erased an early gain to dip modestly. (Full story)
