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Parole Task Force Arrests Dozens in First Two Weeks of Operation
RAPID CITY, S.D. – Two weeks after the interagency Parole Task Force began operations in Pennington County, 35 parolees have been taken into custody for new or outstanding criminal offenses committed in our community. The interagency Parole Task Force has made 40 arrests for a variety of parole violations, new offenses, and outstanding warrants. Of these arrests, 18 offenders were found to be on parole. An additional 17 parolees have been arrested in the same timeframe during contact with local law enforcement during routine enforcement efforts. The targeted enforcement efforts of the PTF are focused on identifying and apprehending parole absconders, parolees with active warrants, and parolees who have been involved in recent criminal activity. Law enforcement say based on the initial success of these enforcement efforts of the Parole Task Force, their operations across Pennington County will continue into the foreseeable future.
Aerial Firefighting Training Set for Angostura Reservoir
RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota National Guard and wildland fire are holding annual aerial water delivery training. The simulated exercise is set for Friday on the Angostura Reservoir near Sheps Canyon Road. Pilots will be training on Black Hawk helicopters and work with wildland crews to coordinate water drops for simulated wildfire mitigation. The helicopters can carry more than 500 gallons of water. Officials are asking the public to avoid the area during the training.
Rail Study Moves Forward with Focus on Growth and Infrastructure
RAPID CITY, S.D. – This week’s Rapid City Legal and Finance Committee meeting included an update on the Railyard Relocation and Railway Configuration Study. Long-Range Planning Division Manager Kip Harrington presented a study draft report to the committee members. The report was also made available to the City’s Public Works Committee this week. Both committees provided recommendations of approval on the study report and the item will be on Monday night’s agenda of the Rapid City Common Council. Harrington says the goal is finding an alternative that addresses community concerns, alleviates the need to replace the Cambell Street bridge structure, considers efficient, effective rail operations and supports the orderly growth of the region.
Citywide Street Sweeping Begins Across Rapid City
RAPID CITY, S.D. – Beginning Friday, crews with the Rapid City’s Streets Division plan to sweep every street on Rapid City’s 400-plus mile transportation system, putting the fleet of 10 sweepers to the test to collect debris left over on streets from the winter season. Most of the City’s street system contains multiple lanes of traffic. Last May, crews traveled 4,122 miles, logged just shy of 265 hours of driving time and collected 385.5 tons of material off City streets.
Douglas High School Evacuated After Bomb Threat Deemed Hoax
BOX ELDER, S.D. – Douglas High School was evacuated Thursday after a reported bomb threat prompted a law enforcement response and a full search of the building, school officials said. The Douglas School District said the threat is believed to be a hoax, similar to incidents seen at schools across the country, but students were dismissed because the search took time to complete. While the high school was evacuated and dismissed, all other schools in the district remained in “secure status,” meaning students stayed inside as a precaution. The secure status was eventually lifted and students were dismissed at normal times.
Spearfish Man Killed in Early Morning Crash Involving Construction Equipment
SPEARFISH, S.D. – Spearfish police say a 48-year-old man died following a crash that happened early Thursday morning. Police say they responded to the crash just after 2:00 a.m. after being notified of the collision involving a 2025 Subaru Crosstrek. Police say the vehicle collided with construction equipment in the road closure area on East Colorado Boulevard and Aurora Avenue. The driver and single occupant of the Subaru died from injuries sustained in the accident.
Supreme Court Weakens Voting Rights Law in Louisiana Redistricting Case
The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down Louisiana’s second majority-Black congressional district, ruling it was an unconstitutional gerrymander and significantly weakening a key provision of the Voting Rights Act that protected minority representation, with the decision raising concerns among voting rights advocates that it could make it harder to challenge discrimination and allow states to redraw districts in ways that reduce representation for Black and Latino voters.
Trump signs bill to end Homeland Security shutdown, averting more airport disruptions
President Donald Trump has signed legislation funding much of the Department of Homeland Security, but not its immigration enforcement operations, ending the longest shutdown in the agency’s history. After weeks of delay, the House voted earlier Thursday for a bipartisan package that would avoid another round of airport disruptions. Earlier in the Senate, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff faced another day of intense questioning as the Trump administration seeks a historic $1.5 trillion military budget for 2027. It was the first chance for senators to confront or praise how the military leaders are handling the Iran war.
Maine Gov. Mills drops Democratic US Senate bid against Platner, lamenting a lack of campaign funds
Democratic Maine U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner says he hopes to work with Gov. Janet Mills to turn Republican Sen. Susan Collins’ seat “blue again” now that Mills has dropped out of their primary. Platner said Thursday he and Mills entered the Senate race because they know how critical it is to defeat Collins and Mills’ decision “reflects a commitment to that.” Mills says she has the passion and commitment but not the financial resources to continue her campaign. Mills had the backing of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and prominent left-leaning advocacy groups but struggled to outshine Platner, an oyster farmer and first-time candidate. Collins has thanked Mills for her decades of service.
