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Sturgis Sets June 2 Election as Forrester Resignation Letter Names Rod Bradley
STURGIS, S.D. — The Sturgis City Council approved a June 2 special election following the resignation of Mayor Kevin Forrester, who stepped down due to declining health from pancreatic cancer. In his resignation letter, Forrester recommended Sturgis businessman Rod Bradley to complete the remainder of his term, calling him a strong fit to lead the city. The council did not appoint an interim mayor during its special meeting, with Council President Tony Dargatz continuing to serve as mayor pro tem. City officials said candidate petitions will be due by early May, and the council is expected to revisit the interim appointment process at its April 6 meeting. (Full story)
Piedmont Residents Voice Concerns as Company Hosts Informational Event on Proposed Limestone Mine
PIEDMONT, S.D. — Residents voiced concerns about a proposed limestone mine near I-90 during an informational event hosted by Simon Contractors. The event featured educational displays and one-on-one discussions, but many attendees criticized the lack of a public Q&A format and said key questions were not addressed. Concerns included air quality, water impacts and proximity to homes. Company officials said plans have been adjusted based on feedback, including phased mining and expanded buffer zones, though details are still being finalized. (Full story)
Two SUVs Overturn in Three-Vehicle Crash Near Sioux Park
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Emergency crews responded to a three-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon near Sioux Park that caused two SUVs to overturn. The crash happened around 1 p.m. on Canyon Lake Drive when a black SUV attempted to pass a motorcycle, clipped it and then struck a red Buick Rendezvous, causing both SUVs to flip. The driver of the black SUV was taken from the scene on a stretcher, while the driver of the red SUV was evaluated on site. The motorcyclist sustained a minor abrasion. Authorities have not released names or conditions as the investigation continues. (Full story)
All Five Rapid City Council Wards to Have Contested Races in June Election
RAPID CITY, S.D. — All five Rapid City Council wards will have contested races as a total of 11 candidates submitted petitions to run for three-year positions on the council, and all have had their petitions validated by the Rapid City Finance Office. Their names will appear on the June 2 municipal election ballot. It is the first time since 2002 there will be contested races in all five wards in the same election cycle and only the third time since 1995. One position in each of Rapid City’s five wards is up for election. Four incumbents are running for re-election. City Council President Rod Pettigrew is not seeking re-election. (Full story)
Early Morning Fire in Summerset Injures Four, Destroys Home
BLACK HAWK, S.D. — At least four people were hurt in an early morning fire in Summerset Wednesday. The fire destroyed a home on Polk Street and escalated to two-alarms after it spread to adjacent structures, trees and vegetation. Three people were treated for injuries on scene with one person transported to the hospital with more serious injuries. Two pets died in the fire. The Red Cross was assisting the home’s residents. The cause of the fire was under investigation. (Full story)
Box Elder Announces Final Call for “Heroes Among Us” Military Banner Program
BOX ELDER, S.D. — The City of Box Elder is reminding residents that the deadline to apply for its “Heroes Among Us” military banner program is this Friday. The program honors active service members and veterans with double-sided 30 by 60 inch banners displayed along Villa Drive and near City Hall from Memorial Day through Veterans Day as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Participants must submit an application and a high-resolution military photo. City officials say space is limited and banners will be placed on a first come, first served basis. (Full story)
Jury finds Instagram and YouTube liable in a landmark social media addiction trial
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A jury has found Meta and YouTube liable in a first-of-its-kind lawsuit that aimed to hold social media platforms responsible for harm to children using their services. The decision Wednesday came after more than 40 hours of deliberation across nine days and more than a month since jurors heard opening statements in the trial. The plaintiff is a 20-year-old woman identified as KGM in documents and her lawyers called her Kaley during the trial. She says she became addicted to social media as a child and that this addiction exacerbated her mental health struggles. The companies must pay her a total $6 million in damages. (Full story)
Teens get probation after using AI to create fake nudes of classmates
LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) — Two teenage boys have been given probation after using artificial intelligence to create hundreds of fake nude photos of their classmates. The boys were 14 at the time. Authorities said the boys took images of the girls from school photos, yearbooks, Instagram, TikTok and FaceTime chats, and morphed them with images of adults depicting nudity or sexual activity. At least 59 girls were among the victims, many of them classmates with the boys at Lancaster Country Day School. Many called for the toughest sentence on Wednesday as they described their trauma. The judge said the boys’ records will be expunged in two years if they don’t reoffend. (Full story)
Woman pleads not guilty to attempted murder of Rihanna and to assaulting the superstar’s family
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A woman has pleaded not guilty to firing shots at Rihanna’s home while the singer and her family were there. Thirty-five-year-old Ivanna Lisette Ortiz of Orlando, Florida, appeared in court in Los Angeles to enter the plea. She is charged with the attempted murder of Rihanna and 10 counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm against people including Rihanna’s partner A$AP Rocky and their three young children. According to a newly public police report, three bullets hit an Airstream trailer while Rihanna and Rocky were inside. Another hit the exterior wall of a nursery where the three kids and their nanny were. (Full story)
