The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
County offices rebound after cybersecurity attack
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Pennington County offices will reopen today following a cybersecurity attack that disrupted operations over the weekend, though many services remain limited. The Treasurer’s Office cannot process vehicle registrations or payments, while the Auditor’s Office cannot process lien payments. Sheriff Brian Mueller said restoring systems and protecting personal information remain the county’s priorities. The City of Rapid City is also investigating its systems because of shared infrastructure with the county. Utility payments and building permit processing are affected while the review continues, though mailed and in-person utility payments are still being accepted. (Full story)
FBI Offers $25,000 Reward in 2023 Pine Ridge Homicide
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The FBI is offering up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the 2023 murder of 73-year-old Patrick Carlow Sr. Carlow was found dead May 19, 2023, in his home near Oglala on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Investigators believe the homicide occurred overnight and said there were no signs of forced entry, indicating the suspect likely knew Carlow and his home. The investigation is part of Operation Steadfast Promise and Operation Not Forgotten. Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI. (Full story)
Kickstands Hillside Fire Reported Near Sturgis
STURGIS, S.D. — Fire crews responded Monday afternoon to a hillside fire above Kickstands Campground and Venue in Sturgis. Kickstands owner Joey Roberts alerted the public in a social media post at 3:15 p.m., warning people in the area about the fire. Video posted with the message showed crews working to contain the grass fire, which appeared to cover multiple acres on the hillside above the property. Authorities have not released information on the cause of the fire or the exact acreage burned. (Full story)
County, City Face Ambulance Funding Debate
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Fire Department has advised Pennington County that it cannot continue carrying the financial burden of providing ambulance service outside the city’s municipal boundaries without a sustainable funding agreement. Pennington County Commissioner Jerry Derr addressed the issue in a Facebook post, saying the situation raises questions about emergency response reliability in rural areas. Derr also said Rapid City taxpayers should not be expected to cover ambulance response costs for areas outside the city without participation from the jurisdictions receiving that service. Residents who want to share their input are urged to attend the next Pennington County Commission meeting on July 7, beginning at 9 a.m., in Rapid City. (Full story)
Type O Blood Supply Reaches Two-Year Low
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Vitalant is urging blood donors, especially those with type O blood, to schedule appointments after its type O blood supply dropped to a two-year low. The nonprofit said the shortage worsened following the July Fourth holiday as travel reduced donor turnout. Thousands of donation appointments remain available through the end of July. Vitalant said donors who give by July 11 can receive a T-shirt while supplies last and, with a qualifying appointment, a $20 gift card. Donors who give between July 9 and Aug. 8 also will be entered to win a car valued at up to $30,000. (Full story)
3 firefighters killed in Colorado remembered for their bravery as wildfires churn in the West
Wildland firefighters have gathered to pay tribute to three of their own who died after they were trapped by flames a week ago in western Colorado. Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson and Sydney Watson were remembered Sunday as courageous public servants who left a lasting impact through their work. The three were killed outside Grand Junction, Colorado, while battling flames on the Colorado-Utah line. While that fire is now almost entirely contained, nearly 40 large fires are still going strong across the West. Most of the current fires are scattered around Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. (Full story)
A new ICE facility could speed up deportations for families and kids
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Trump administration plans to open a 528-bed holding center for migrant families and unaccompanied children awaiting removal from the U.S., putting it next to a Louisiana airfield that has become the nation’s largest hub of deportation flights. Last week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials signed a contract to build the facility at a former military base in Alexandria, according to Ralph Hennessy, executive director of the local England Airpark Authority. ICE said the facility is not a detention center but a “staging facility.” Immigration advocates say the facility is a departure from existing legal frameworks for managing children and expressed concern that they would be held longer than court-mandated limits. (Full story)
Prosecutors push for a trial for the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk
PROVO, Utah (AP) — Prosecutors in Charlie Kirk’s murder case are seeking to convince a judge they have enough evidence to try the man accused of killing him and seek the death penalty. A five-day preliminary hearing that began Monday marks the most significant presentation of evidence in the case so far. It’s also the first time that Kirk’s parents and widow will be in the courtroom with defendant Tyler Robinson. Robinson, 23, is charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 assassination of Kirk at Utah Valley University. He has not yet entered a plea. The proceeding will resemble a mini-trial but with a lower standard of proof. (Full story)
