The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Mount Rushmore Fireworks Show to Cost State $700,000 for America’s 250th Celebration
RAPID CITY, S.D. – The fireworks show at Mount Rushmore on July 3rd is costing the state 700-thousand dollars. The state’s Department of Tourism says a contract has been signed with Pyro Spectaculars for the event celebrating America’s 250th birthday. There is a cancellation policy on the contract, which is scaled based on how many days in advance the cancellation occurs. Pyro Spectaculars provided the fireworks for the display in 2020. The company will also be responsible for the cleanup after the show.
South Dakota Mines Receives $40 Million in Funding Through New Heights Campaign
RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is receiving 40-million dollars in philanthropic funding. The money is being provided thanks to a larger effort that raised 120-million dollars through the university’s New Heights Campaign. The 40 million will be focused on improving equipment for faculty, upgrading labs, expanding resources and improving hands-on learning opportunities. The head of the school’s mechanical engineering program says the donations elevate, “the daily educational experience.” School officials say programs like the New Heights Campaign help ensure Mines remains at the forefront of science and engineering in the country.
Governor Rhoden Alleges Blackmail Attempt Ahead of Gubernatorial Race
RAPID CITY, S.D. – South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden told a gathering of journalists Friday that one of his challengers, U.S. House Rep. Dusty Johnson, attempted to blackmail him into not to entering the gubernatorial race. Rhoden spoke at the South Dakota NewsMedia Association conference in Deadwood. He didn’t name Johnson directly during his comments but later confirmed to SD News Watch that’s who he was talking about. Rhoden said that Johnson, through a mutual friend, tried to dissuade him from running for re-election by insinuating he would direct a large portion of his campaign war chest, including funds from super political action committees associated with him, against Rhoden if he ran.
Rapid City Medical Center Joins Monument Health System
RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Rapid City Medical Center has announced it is joining the Monument Health system. It’s a change officials say strengthens their shared focus on physician-led, community-based care in the Black Hills. The transition takes effect today, Monday, May 4. Officials say for patients, it’s business as usual, same providers, same locations, now backed by the added resources and coordination of a larger health system.
Trump Teases Release of New UFO Files Amid Skepticism
President Donald Trump says the Pentagon is preparing to release previously undisclosed UFO and unexplained aerial phenomena files following a directive earlier this year to increase transparency, but experts and former officials caution the documents may not reveal evidence of extraterrestrial life, noting past government reports have found no confirmed alien technology despite hundreds of reported sightings.
Rudy Giuliani hospitalized in critical condition, his spokesman says
A spokesman for Rudolph Giuliani says the ex-mayor of New York City and former Trump adviser is in critical but stable condition at a hospital. Spokesman Ted Goodman didn’t say what sent the 81-year-old to the hospital or how long he’s been there. Goodman on Sunday asked for prayers for the former mayor. Giuliani earned the “America’s Mayor” nickname for helping unite the nation following the Sept. 11 attacks. In recent years he became a divisive figure after serving as an adviser and personal lawyer for President Donald Trump.
A suspected outbreak of the rare hantavirus on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean kills 3 people
The World Health Organization says that a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has killed three people and sickened at least three others. In a statement to The Associated Press on Sunday, the WHO said an investigation was ongoing but that at least one case of hantavirus had been confirmed. One of the patients was in intensive care in a South African hospital, the U.N.’s health agency said. The company that runs the cruise said it was trying to evacuate two crew members who were sick and still onboard. The outbreak happened on the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius cruise ship.
