The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Federal Lawsuit Halts Black Hills Drilling Project
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A federal lawsuit filed against the South Dakota Board of Minerals and Environment has delayed upcoming hearings and temporarily paused Project Chord, a proposal by Canadian mining company Clean Nuclear Energy Corp. to drill 38 holes up to 750 feet deep near Craven Canyon outside Rapid City. The lawsuit, filed by community members and Craven Canyon intervenors, alleges a lack of due process during the public hearing process. Former Oglala Sioux Tribe President Alex White Plume said the Black Hills are sacred land protected by treaty rights, while Black Hills Clean Water Alliance Executive Director Dr. Lilias Jarding said the group plans to continue fighting uranium mining in the area. (Full story)
Monument Health Foundation Raises Record Amount for Northern Hills Hospice at Derby Event
SPEARFISH, S.D. — Monument Health Foundation raised a record $156,731 during this year’s “A Night at the Derby” fundraiser to support hospice care in the Northern Hills and surrounding Black Hills region. Proceeds from the event will benefit Northern Hills Hospice and helped fund the purchase of SoloProtect ID Touch safety devices for home health caregivers, which provide 24/7 emergency support while caregivers work in patients’ homes. The event also honored hospice nurse Blake Benson with the Dignity Award for his service and compassion. Monument Health Hospice Director Michelle Sieveke praised Benson’s empathy and dedication, noting he often sings to patients to bring comfort during difficult moments. Benson has worked as a nurse for nearly 18 years, including the past 15 years at Hospice House. (Full story)
Mary Hall Park Bathrooms Reopen After Major Vandalism
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Bathrooms at Mary Hall Park have been reopened after major vandalism was committed earlier this month. The facilities had been closed since May 7th after crews discovered destroyed toilets, sinks and scattered debris throughout the building. Park officials called the damages one of the most significant cases of destruction in the history of the city’s park system. The restrooms had only recently been reopened when the vandalism occurred. City officials say they are monitored daily by staff and park rangers but vandalism events in the past have forced long-term closures.
Memorial Day Ceremony Planned at Rapid City’s Memorial Park
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Mayor Jason Salamun will be among participants at the annual Memorial Day ceremony at Rapid City’s Memorial Park on Monday. The event, ‘In Memory of Our Fallen Heroes’ is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday at the War Monument site at Memorial Park. The ceremony will feature patriotic music, invocation, national anthem, introductions of mayors from Rapid City and Box Elder and an Ellsworth Air Force Base official, a welcome to Gold Star families, a special soldier dedication, guest speaker presentation, laying of wreaths at the monument by local veterans organizations, and concluding with the three volley gun salute and the playing of TAPS. (Full story)
Rapid City Invites Community to Historic Photo for 2076 Time Capsule
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Residents are invited to gather at Main Street Square on Friday, May 22, for a community photo that will be preserved in a time capsule scheduled to be opened in 2076. The drone photo is set for 1:30 p.m., with participants asked to arrive by 1:15 p.m. Youth, families, seniors and community groups are encouraged to attend. The photo will be included among 20 items placed in the time capsule, which will be buried during a public ceremony May 29 at Founders Park as part of Rapid City’s 150th anniversary and America 250 celebrations. (Full story)
3 dead in New Mexico and first responders decontaminated after exposure to unknown substance
MOUNTAINAIR, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico authorities say three people are dead and more than a dozen first responders were assessed for possible exposure to an unidentified substance after being called to a rural home for a suspected drug overdose. New Mexico State Police said four people were found unresponsive inside the Mountainair home east of Albuquerque. Three died and the fourth was being treated at a hospital. Officials at the University of New Mexico hospital say nearly two dozen patients were asessed and decontaminated after being exposed to the substance. Most of them were first responders who displayed no symptoms and later were discharged. (Full story)
Woman at center of sprawling Minnesota fraud gets nearly 42-year prison sentence
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The former leader of a Minnesota nonprofit has been sentenced to nearly 42 years in prison for her role in a staggering $250 million fraud case. Aimee Bock ran Feeding Our Future, which had claimed it provided millions of meals to children in need during the pandemic. She appeared Thursday in Minneapolis federal court. Her lawyer had argued for a sentence of no more than three years, saying she had been unfairly painted as the mastermind. Authorities later announced charges against 15 more people accused of fraud in receiving federal payments for a variety of social services in Minnesota. (Full story)
2-time NASCAR champ Kyle Busch dies at 41 after being hospitalized with a ‘severe illness’
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion who won more races than anyone across NASCAR’s three national series, has died at 41. The Busch Family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR issued a joint statement Thursday saying that Busch died after being hospitalized. No cause of death was given. Busch’s family said earlier Thursday that he was hospitalized with a “severe illness,” three days before he was to compete at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Full story)
