The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Working-Age Adults Drive South Dakota Population Growth
For years, retirees have been closely associated with South Dakota’s population growth but Census migration estimates tell a different story. Reporting by South Dakota News Watch shows working-age adults ages 18 to 64 represented the largest share of people moving into South Dakota from other states each year from 2021 through 2024, according to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. During that period, an average of about 21,000 working-age adults moved into South Dakota annually, compared with roughly 5,000 children and 2,000 retirees. The findings suggest retirees remain an important part of South Dakota’s migration story but are not the state’s largest group of newcomers. (Full story)
Habitat Breaks Ground on 40-Home East Creek Village Development
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity broke ground Monday on East Creek Village, an affordable/workforce housing development on Creek Drive in Rapid City. The 4.25-acre East Creek Village is a mixed-income homeownership opportunity for 40 qualifying individuals and families. Townhomes will range from 1,500 – 2,000 sq. ft. and will have its own garage/parking and will be purchased with its own plat of land. (Full story)
Pennington County Warns Unlicensed Vacation Rentals of $200-Per-Day Fines
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Pennington County Planning & Zoning Department will soon begin mailing notices to Vacation Home Rental (VHR) and Short-Term Rental (STR) operators identified as operating without the required county license. Property owners who receive a notice of noncompliance with Pennington County regulations will have until December 3, 2026, to obtain the required license. After the December 3 deadline, those who continue to operate without a license may be subject to a $200-per-day fine. Property owners who receive a notice are encouraged to contact the Planning & Zoning Department with any questions and complete the licensing process before the December 3 deadline.
Rapid Transit Offers Free Youth Ride Orientation Rides Through Friday
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid Transit System is offering free orientation rides through Friday for parents wishing to learn more about RTS’ ‘Youth Ride Free’ program. Parents can learn more about the program and are invited to take the free orientation ride when accompanied by their school-aged child. RTS officials indicate parents can use the orientation ride to become familiar with routes and schedules and address any questions about the program. Registration is required for the free transportation program, whether public transit is used occasionally or on a regular basis. Parents and guardians can contact Rapid Transit Service or register online.
Economists don’t expect reopening the US to Mexican cattle imports to reduce high beef prices
The U.S. has reopened a border crossing in Arizona to cattle from Mexico as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce near-record-high beef prices. But economists doubt the move will mean much to prices shoppers see at grocery stores. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has said concerns about the New World screwworm’s spread lessened enough to allow Mexican cattle to cross the border at Douglas, Arizona, starting Monday. While Mexico has traditionally exported 1.1 million head of cattle a year to the U.S., economists say the biggest problem is that the U.S. cattle herd is the smallest in 75 years. (Full story)
Tropical Storm Moke set to dump more heavy rain on hurricane-stricken Hawaii
HONOLULU (AP) — Tropical Storm Moke is passing to the south of Hawaii’s Big Island, close enough to dump a foot or more of rain on communities dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Lala. The National Hurricane Center located the center of Moke about 320 miles south-southwest of Hilo, Hawaii, on Sunday. The storm has top sustained winds of about 40 mph, though the real impact is expected from rainfall in places where last weekend’s hurricane flooded communities, caused mudslides and washed out roads. Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Iselle formed Sunday in eastern Pacific waters well away from Mexico’s southwest coastline, posing no threat to land. (Full story)
3-year college degrees grow more popular in the US, saving time and cash. But critics aren’t sold
A growing number of colleges are offering three-year degree programs, which cut a year off a traditional bachelor’s with reduced credit. Advocates say these programs are a solution to the college affordability crisis and a godsend for non-traditional students. Critics, however, worry that they’ll narrow what students learn too much, confuse employers, limit graduate school options and create headaches in fields that require state licenses. As of this spring, half of U.S. states have a college that offers at least one reduced-credit, three-year bachelor’s, according to the nonprofit research group RAND. (Full story)
