The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Family Says Central States Fairgrounds Shooting Victim Has Died
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Family members of the man who was shot on Sunday morning at the Central States Fairgrounds say he has died from his injuries. Officials with the Central State Fair had earlier reported Paul, or “Pauly” Nebel, was shot by John Troy Lee on Sunday morning, prompting a search for Lee that led to an officer-involved shooting that left him dead. Lee was fatally shot by Oglala Sioux Tribal Law Enforcement members during a standoff Sunday afternoon. The Central State Fair and area law enforcement officials have sent out condolences and sympathies to the family. (Full story)
Temporary Traffic Signals Planned for Rushmore Cup Soccer Tournament
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Effective Friday, a traffic control adjustment will be made at the intersection of Elk Vale Drive and E. Mall Drive due to the expected high volume of traffic associated with the 37th annual Rushmore Cup Soccer Tournament, hosted by the Black Hills Rapids at the Dakota Fields Complex. Temporary traffic signals will be placed at the intersection to help manage the traffic in the area. The signals will be in place until Monday. Drivers are advised of the temporary addition of the signal light at the intersection, expect high volumes of traffic in the area during the tournament period and use additional caution.
Monument Health Opens New Standalone Emergency Room in Rapid City
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Monument Health is expanding emergency services in Rapid City with a new standalone emergency room that opened this week. The 16,750-square-foot facility is located along the Interstate 90 corridor. Officials say the location will help better serve the community. The facility will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and marks the first completed phase of the Monument Health Emergency Services and Medical Campus. The standalone emergency room has eight exam rooms, as well as X-ray and CT capabilities, one trauma room, full laboratory services and two inpatient rooms.
City Urges Dust Control Measures Ahead of High Winds
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City officials are urging contractors and others doing work that disrupts soil to take extra precautions as higher wind speeds are expected this week. Environmental Planner Morgan Twombly encouraged minimizing soil disturbance during periods of high winds. Officials also recommend stabilizing stockpiles, waste pits, process equipment and construction sites using water or chemical treatments to keep dust under control. Twombly said any work that generates dust should include watering and other mitigation efforts before wind events begin. Officials also reminded contractors that all truck loads capable of producing dust must be covered before traveling on public roads, regardless of weather conditions.
South Dakota Consumers to Receive Restitution in GS Labs Settlement
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota consumers will receive $50,380 as part of a $4.87 million multistate settlement with GS Labs over allegations the COVID-19 testing company overcharged patients, charged unlawful administrative fees and failed to provide timely test results. Attorney General Marty Jackley said consumers were misled by promises that were not kept and will receive restitution through the agreement. The settlement covers testing practices from 2020 through 2022. GS Labs will pay more than $3.6 million in patient restitution nationwide and $1.25 million to participating states, with South Dakota receiving $16,669.99 for consumer protection efforts. (Full story)
Fall River Health Services Invests in Employee Housing Development
HOT SPRINGS, S.D. — Fall River Health Services in Hot Springs, South Dakota, is investing in a subdivision project to provide housing for its employees. The hospital is paying $2.3 million for infrastructure to create 48 affordable housing units near its campus. State housing officials say its the first-of-its-kind project. As of May 29, the hospital had 19 job openings, most in direct patient care. A housing shortage has caused the hospital to lose prospective workers. The Cascade Hills project has received a $1.2 million grant from South Dakota Housing. The project aims to attract employees and support the community. The city of Hot Springs supports the initiative, which could spur further development. (Full story)
Bill Gates testifies about his ties to Epstein, calls meeting him a ‘grave error in judgment’
WASHINGTON (AP) — Bill Gates says he made an error in judgment by ever meeting with Jeffrey Epstein as the Microsoft co-founder faces questions behind closed doors from lawmakers about his relationship with the disgraced financier. In an opening statement provided Wednesday to The Associated Press, Gates said he should never have met with Epstein, but that he never had any indication that Epstein was engaged in criminal activity. The tech billionaire became the latest powerful figure linked to Epstein to testify before the House Oversight Committee. As Gates arrived at the Capitol, he noted that he was there voluntarily. (Full story)
A burning cross in a Chicago park shocks residents and has police searching for who did it
Chicago police are urging residents to come forward with any information about a cross burning in a public park. The burning of a cross is a historic symbol of hate and intimidation against Black Americans. However, the intent behind the fire Tuesday afternoon in Grant Park was still unclear. Police released a community alert Wednesday that included an image of a person walking away from the area Tuesday. Video taken by a driver that circulated widely online showed the wooden cross engulfed in bright orange flames as it leaned against a tree in the park. Chicago firefighters put out the blaze. (Full story)
An ancient whale graveyard in the Indian Ocean teems with life
NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists have unearthed marine communities thriving on a millions-year-old whale graveyard. These graveyards form when whale carcasses fall to the sea floor, becoming a sustaining snack for nearby critters. Researchers used a submersible to explore the remains in the southeastern Indian Ocean and found bones dating back 5.3 million years, as well as living creatures like jellyfish and tubeworms. The researchers say many factors likely conspired to preserve the bones, including the bones’ high density, their location deep underwater and a special coating of minerals. The new study was published Wednesday in the journal Nature. (Full story)
