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Two Arrested After Armed Robbery at Mount Rushmore Road Business
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Two men are in custody after an armed robbery Sunday morning at Common Cents on Mount Rushmore Road, where police say a suspect used a BB gun made to look like a real firearm. Rapid City officers responded around 11:40 a.m. to the store at 2640 Mount Rushmore Road, where witnesses reported a man demanding money at gunpoint before fleeing. Police quickly detained 22-year-old Matthew Arapahoe and identified 39-year-old Ronald Redtomahawk as an accomplice who helped Arapahoe evade officers and dispose of the weapon while receiving part of the stolen money. Both were arrested on first-degree robbery charges and taken to the Pennington County Jail, with police praising swift patrol and investigative work that led to the arrests. (Full Story)
Rapid City Residents Protest U.S. Military Action in Venezuela
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Dozens of people gathered outside Rapid City City Hall at noon Sunday to protest recent U.S. military operations in Venezuela, participating in an “emergency protest” organized by Indivisible Rapid City. Protesters called for an immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces, a congressional investigation, respect for international law, and a shift toward humanitarian aid rather than military intervention. (Full Story)
USPS Rule Change Could Make On Time Mail Appear Late in South Dakota
RAPID CITY, S.D. — South Dakotans who rely on mail for ballots, tax payments, prescriptions or legal filings face a new risk after a recent U.S. Postal Service rule change. The USPS now considers official postmarks to be applied when mail is processed at regional sorting facilities, not when it is dropped off at a local post office. The change affects about 24,000 post offices nationwide and roughly 70 percent of ZIP codes. In South Dakota, mail is processed through just three facilities in Sioux Falls, Huron and Rapid City. (Full Story)
Salvation Army Falls Short of Red Kettle Campaign Goal
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Salvation Army of the Black Hills says it did not meet its Red Kettle Campaign fundraising goal this holiday season. The campaign provides unrestricted funding that supports year-round operations, including food assistance, youth services, worship programs and disaster relief. Leaders say the shortfall will impact the organization’s ability to support daily services. (Full Story)
Rockerville Firefighters Battle Overnight Structure Fire
ROCKERVILLE, S.D. — The Rockerville Fire Department responded to a fully involved structure fire just after midnight Saturday. Fire and smoke were visible from Highway 79, and crews eventually located the blaze at the end of Ember Road. Due to limited water access, a second alarm was requested for tender support. Firefighters remained on scene through the night, with all resources cleared around 6 a.m. (Full Story)
Student Loan Wage Garnishment Set to Resume in 2026
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Wage garnishment for federal student loan borrowers in default is expected to resume in early 2026. The U.S. Department of Education says it will restart involuntary collections, allowing up to 15 percent of a borrower’s disposable pay to be withheld without a court order. South Dakota News Watch reports the change could significantly impact South Dakotans living on fixed or modest incomes. (Full Story)
Rubio Says Maduro Arrest Signals Tougher U.S. Stance on Drug Trafficking in Western Hemisphere
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that the Trump administration’s operation to apprehend indicted narcoterrorist and former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro reflects President Donald Trump’s commitment to stopping drug trafficking and hostile foreign influence in the Western Hemisphere. Appearing on multiple national news programs, Rubio said the action was not a war against Venezuela but a targeted effort against criminal organizations and threats to U.S. national security, emphasizing that no sustained U.S. military presence was deployed. He said the administration aims to prevent Iran and Hezbollah from operating in the region, curb the use of Venezuela’s oil industry to benefit U.S. adversaries, and protect American security and economic interests, adding that the United States will continue to apply pressure and use available legal and security tools until meaningful changes occur. (Full Story)
Trump Administration Intensifies Federal Investigations Into Alleged Minnesota Fraud
WASHINGTON — The administration of President Donald Trump says it has launched an expanded, multi-agency crackdown on alleged large-scale fraud involving public assistance, housing, health care, and grant programs in Minnesota, citing ongoing investigations by the Department of Justice, FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and other federal agencies. Officials report dozens of convictions, thousands of subpoenas and interviews, payment freezes, loan suspensions, and on-the-ground enforcement actions aimed at recovering taxpayer dollars and strengthening oversight of federal programs in the state, which is led by Gov. Tim Walz. (Full Story)
Hundreds march in silence to honor victims of Swiss bar fire that left 40 dead
CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland (AP) — Hundreds marched in silence to honor victims of the New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. The fire left 40 dead and many injured. Mourners attended a Mass on Sunday at Chapelle Saint-Christophe before marching to Le Constellation bar. The crowd stood in silence, some weeping, and then applauded as flowers were placed at a makeshift memorial. By Sunday evening, Swiss authorities had identified all of the 40 fatalities. A criminal investigation of the bar managers is underway. Authorities believe sparkling candles ignited the fire. Swiss President Guy Parmelin announced a national day of mourning for Jan. 9. (Full Story)
