The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Iowa Teen Identified as Victim in Hippie Hole Drowning
PENNINGTON COUNTY, S.D. — The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office has identified the victim in Tuesday’s drowning at Hippie Hole as Easton Cody, a 14-year-old male from Grimes, Iowa who was visiting the Black Hills with a church group from Iowa. The investigation determined that Easton was at the water’s edge when he slipped on a rock and fell into the water. When First Responders arrived, they began rescue efforts, including an underwater search. Easton was recovered at approximately 11:10 a.m. The incident has been determined to be a tragic accident. (Full story)
Rapid City Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Child Exploitation Case
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A Rapid City man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after being convicted of multiple child exploitation offenses involving online communications with a minor. Kyle Beck, 23, was sentenced for attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, attempted online enticement of a minor and attempted receipt of child pornography. Federal prosecutors said Beck contacted a 15-year-old girl through Instagram and requested sexually explicit photographs. He was found guilty of the charges following a bench trial in May 2026. (Full story)
Pennington County Commissioners Advance 2027 Budget Proposal
PENNINGTON COUNTY, S.D. — The Pennington County Commissioners approved a provisional budget Wednesday morning clearing the way for public meetings on the proposal before it’s adopted in its final form in September. The provisional budget shows total appropriations of $135.6 million, 2.8 percent above the 2026 budget. Two key takeaways from the commissioner’s discussion revolved around a 4 percent reduction to wages in major operating budgets and funding for outside agencies, specifically library services. The next 2027 Pennington County budget meeting is scheduled for Aug. 18. By state law, the Public Hearing for final adoption of the 2027 budget is Sept.1 at 10 a.m. (Full story)
Campbell Street Soccer Field Lighting Project Heads to Committee
RAPID CITY, S.D. — In Rapid City, lights for the Cambell Street soccer fields will be on the Public Works Committee agenda next week. The lighting project is one of 14 Vision Fund projects approved for funding by the Rapid City Council in June 2025. The field lighting project on behalf of the Ignite Soccer Club would install four light poles with LED lighting and run just more than $100,000. Last October, the Rapid City Council approved a $500,000 contribution and an additional $500,000 loan to Black Hills Rapids Soccer Club as part of a multi-million upgrade to the complex, including installation of lights on four fields among other complex enhancements. (Full story)
Ride the Rush Giveaway Offers Chance to Win 2025 Harley-Davidson
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The motorcycle rally is just around the corner and what better way to enjoy the week than by visiting downtown Rapid City? Ride the Rush, a Visit Rapid City event that features a community celebration and free breakfast on Aug. 7, also includes the chance to win a 2025 Harley-Davidson Street Bob. The giveaway is open August 7-16, with a winner being drawn on Friday, August 21. It’s easy and free to enter; stop by one of the 37+ participating Rapid City businesses and enter to win. See the full list of participating locations – as well as the sweepstakes rules – at VisitRapidCity.com/Sturgis. (Full story)
Box Elder chicken ordinance advances to City Council
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A proposed ordinance allowing residents in certain areas of Box Elder to keep chickens, advanced after receiving approval from the Finance, Legal and Public Safety Committee. The proposal now moves to the City Council for consideration. The ordinance would amend the city’s municipal code to allow chickens in certain zoning districts under specific regulations, including permit requirements, limits based on lot size, a ban on roosters, and standards for coops, sanitation and annual permit renewals. City officials said comments submitted on Facebook will not be included in the official public comment process. (Full story)
Lindsey Graham returns home one last time for his funeral in South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Sen. Lindsey Graham is being buried in South Carolina, where a funeral in the state capital drew people who remembered him for never forgetting his roots as the son of pool hall owners. After Graham was eulogized in Washington on Tuesday as a Republican powerbroker by the president and other national leaders, Wednesday’s funeral featured mourners who recalled his gregarious personality and dedication to people across the state. The senator died suddenly on July 11 in Washington, likely from an aortic tear. He was 71. Now his sister is holding his seat and being challenged by eight other Republicans in a special primary. (Full story)
Fauci repeatedly invokes the Fifth Amendment in a contentious Senate committee hearing
WASHINGTON (AP) — Dr. Anthony Fauci repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment and declined to answer more than 100 questions during a Republican-led Senate hearing Wednesday about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Subpoenaed by Sen. Rand Paul, Fauci said he followed his attorney’s advice because of repeated calls for his prosecution. Republicans accused Fauci of misleading Congress about the pandemic’s origins and NIH-funded research, while Democrats defended him and called the hearing politically motivated. Paul said the committee will vote next week on whether to hold Fauci in contempt for refusing to answer questions. (Full story)
Wisconsin’s appeals court overturns ruling that had restored collective bargaining power
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin public worker and teachers unions have suffered a legal setback as they seek to regain the collective bargaining rights they lost 15 years ago. A state appeals court on Wednesday overturned a ruling that restored the rights unions lost under a 2011 state law. The enactment of the Republican-backed law sparked weeks of protests and made Wisconsin the center of the national battle over union rights. That law, known as Act 10, effectively ended most public employees′ ability to bargain for wage increases and other issues, and forced them to pay more for health insurance and retirement benefits. Unions are expected to appeal to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. (Full story)
