The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Federal Prosecutors Dismantle Four Major South Dakota Drug Trafficking Organizations
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Federal prosecutors say four major drug trafficking organizations responsible for bringing methamphetamine and fentanyl into South Dakota have been dismantled, resulting in charges against 63 defendants and more than 660 years of combined federal prison sentences. U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons announced the results Thursday, calling the prosecutions a coordinated effort involving federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies. So far, 54 defendants have been convicted. Authorities estimate the organizations trafficked more than 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine, tens of thousands of fentanyl pills and multiple kilograms of fentanyl powder into communities including Rapid City. (Full story)
President Trump to Attend America 250 Mount Rushmore Fireworks Celebration
RAPID CITY, S.D. — South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden announced Thursday that President Donald Trump will attend the America 250 Mount Rushmore Fireworks Celebration. South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds also announced that he will be in attendance as well. The fireworks celebration will be held on July 3, 2026, in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the National Park Service. Governor Rhoden and DOI Secretary Doug Burgum previously signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to move forward with planning for the fireworks celebration. Tickets are required for attendance at the event, and they were distributed through a public lottery, which ended on April 12th. (Full story)
Drought Conditions Remain Largely Unchanged Across Western South Dakota
STURGIS, S.D. — There was little change in this week’s U.S. Drought Monitor, despite reports of rain in parts of Western South Dakota over the past week. Most of Lawrence County, western Pennington and Custer County and the majority of Fall River County remain in extreme drought. That includes Mount Rushmore where a large fireworks display is still planned for July 3rd. Southwestern Meade County, including Sturgis, remained in severe drought with the rest of southern Meade County listed in moderate drought. Central Pennington County is in severe drought along with the remainder of Custer County. (Full story)
Rapid City Teen Arrested After Alleged Meth, Police Pursuit Incident
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City police arrested a teen following an incident that occurred Wednesday night. Police say 18-year-old Jessina Lefthandbull of Rapid City was arrested on several charges after being located in an apartment. Lefthandbull initially fled police after they to make contact with her in a parking lot. Police say she was seen tossing a bag out of the window of the vehicle she was in before leaving the parking lot off-road and abandoning it behind an apartment building. Police say the bag contained methamphetamine and related paraphernalia. Witnesses helped police locate her a short time later. (Full story)
Native Americans commemorate victory at Little Bighorn with horse races, dance and song
LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT, Mont. (AP) — Native American tribes are marking the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Greasy Grass. Known to many as the Battle of Little Bighorn, it’s an iconic symbol of resistance and resilience. Tribes came together that sweltering day in June 1876 to defeat Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and more than 200 of his troops, demonstrating strength and unity in the face of westward expansion. While Custer has long captured public imagination as a flamboyant officer and controversial commander, the battle carries deep meaning for Native Americans. They’ll be marking the victory with songs, dances, horse races and a reenactment of the famous battle. (Full story)
Reflecting Pool liner was cut with a sharp knife or razor, National Park Service says
WASHINGTON (AP) — A top official at the National Park Service says a liner along the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was cut with a sharp knife or razor this month, causing damage to the foam sealant installed as part of a $16 million rehabilitation project. The park service reported the June 9 incident to U.S. Park Police. Frank Lands, deputy director of operations for the park service, said about 70 fence post tops also were thrown into the pool. Lands made the statements in a court document filed late Wednesday as part of a lawsuit filed by a nonprofit organization to halt the administration’s work on the project. (Full story)
DEA Requests Watchdog Investigation Into Fentanyl Handling Claims
The Drug Enforcement Administration has asked the U.S. Justice Department’s inspector general to investigate allegations that DEA agents allowed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to reach New Mexico communities while pursuing larger criminal cases between 2023 and 2025. The request follows an Associated Press investigation citing current and former agents and government records. DEA Administrator Terry Cole said the review is needed because of public attention and questions about the agency’s decisions and oversight. The request came one day after New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham asked the state attorney general to examine whether the agency’s actions violated state law. (Full story)
