The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Black Hills Energy Customers Could See $19.70 Monthly Increase for Lange II Plant
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Your Black Hills Energy bill will likely be increasing in December to cover the costs of the $320 million Lange II Generating Station in the northern part of Rapid City. Last week, Black Hills Energy requested approval from the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission to add a new monthly surcharge to customer bills, known as a Phase-in Plan Rate (PIPR) to cover construction costs of the plant. The plant will serve 78,000 customers and serve as a replacement for the aging 1960s-era Ben French Power Plant on Deadwood Avenue. The estimated monthly bill impact of the Lange II surcharge will be approximately $19.70 for average residential customers and approximately $24.25 for small commercial customers. (Full story)
Crews Stop Forward Progress of 150-Acre Wildfire Near Bear Butte
STURGIS, S.D. — Fire crews have stopped the forward progress of a 150-acre wildfire near Bear Butte that drew a multi-agency emergency response and prompted travel warnings along Highway 79 outside Sturgis on Monday afternoon. The fire – which initial reports indicate was human-caused – started near the Iron Horse Campground. Emergency crews were first alerted shortly after 2 p.m. Monday when the fire was burning roughly a half-mile from Bear Butte Lake Road. (Full story)
Two Arrested After Gunfire Reported on Skyline Drive
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Police have identified the two shooters from Sunday morning’s gunshots call from the Stonewall Overlook area of Skyline Drive as 20-year-old Wicapiiyoyinpa Richards and 29-year-old Miranda Marks, both of Rapid City. A search warrant was executed at their residence in the 1900 block of Twin Elms Drive, and police have recovered the handgun used during the incident. Both suspects have been placed under arrest for Reckless Discharge of a Firearm and Possession of a Loaded Firearm While Intoxicated. (Full story)
Nebraska Man Arrested After Allegedly Pointing Rifle at Vehicle Occupant
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A 21-year-old Nebraska man is in custody in Rapid City after pointing a rifle at another person inside a vehicle and attempting to flee from officers on foot. On Sunday night, police were dispatched to the 3700 block of Arizona Street in Rapid City to investigate a report of an assault with a weapon. Upon making contact with the reporting party, officers determined that Kendrell Cuveas, 21, of Rushville, Nebraska, was inside a vehicle when he pointed a rifle at another occupant. Cuveas’ was located a short time later near 5th street and Stumer Road where police apprehended the man after a foot chase. Cuveas was arrested for Aggravated Assault and Obstruction before being transported to the Pennington County Jail. (Full story)
Sturgis Rally Activity Tracking With Last Year, Police Chief Says
STURGIS, S.D. — The 86th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is tracking closely with last year in crowds and law enforcement activity, according to Sturgis Police Chief Geody VanDewater. Police are addressing underage drinking, fake identification, impaired driving and unauthorized drone activity. VanDewater said the department is handling roughly one to five DUI cases per night. Police are also urging motorcyclists to ride within their abilities, watch for other riders and obey traffic laws. A temporary flight restriction is in effect over the Rally area, and authorities are working with federal partners to detect unauthorized drones. (Full story)
Trump officials propose new requirements for food additives and ingredients
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health officials want food manufacturers to provide more information about new additives and ingredients. Under a proposal announced Monday, food companies would have to notify the Food and Drug Administration before introducing new colors, flavorings, sweeteners and other ingredients found in processed food. The change would reverse a decades-old policy allowing companies to self-certify that new ingredients are safe. That policy has long been criticized by health advocates, who blame it for allowing thousands of additives into the U.S. food supply. Reforming the system has been a key pledge for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his “Make America Healthy Again” movement. (Full story)
Taylor Farms recalls jalapeno products over salmonella concerns
Taylor Fresh Foods is voluntarily recalling products containing jalapeños because of potential salmonella contamination linked to fresh jalapeños supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors. Recalled items include guacamole, pico de gallo and taco dip with “Best If Used By” dates through Aug. 16, 2026. Products were distributed in multiple states and sold at Kroger, Stop & Shop, Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Walmart. No illnesses have been reported linked to Taylor Fresh Foods products. Consumers should discard recalled products and can receive refunds at the place of purchase. Questions can be directed to Taylor at 855-455-0098 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time Monday through Friday. (Full story)
A man accused of orchestrating Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing is on trial. Here’s what to know
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The trial of a man accused of orchestrating the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur has started. The unsolved case has gripped the hip-hop world for 30 years. The trial began Monday and is expected to last about a month. Duane “Keffe D” Davis has pleaded not guilty to one charge of murder with a deadly weapon. At the time, Davis was a leader of the South Side Compton Crips. People who will testify include those who saw Shakur moments before he was shot, as well as people who were affiliated with rival record labels. Shakur was on his way to perform at a Las Vegas club when a car pulled up beside him. Shakur was shot multiple times and died a week later. (Full story)
