The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
New Task Force Targets Repeat Offenders and Parole Absconders in Pennington County
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Area law enforcement have announced a new interagency taskforce working together to address an ongoing issue with parolees who continue to reoffend in Pennington County. Beginning this week, law enforcement personnel assigned to the task force will work to identify and apprehend parole absconders and parolees with active criminal warrants across Pennington County. Law enforcement will also be working with SD DOC Parole Services in order to conduct additional checks on parolees, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. In the best interests of public safety, local law enforcement and prosecutors are also requesting an immediate and thorough review of policies and practices for parolee supervision at the state level. (Full story)
Western Dakota Tech Expands with New Gunsmithing Program Backed by $4 Million
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Governor Larry Rhoden has announced the addition of a new gunsmithing curriculum to Western Dakota Technical College, expanding the workforce for South Dakota’s defense and firearms industries. Governor Rhoden is awarding $4 million from the Future Fund to Western Dakota Technical College to support the purchase of equipment and related assets and ultimately acquire an accredited gunsmithing school in Colorado. The program will expand hands-on training and help meet workforce needs across South Dakota’s defense and firearms industries. Graduates of the current program find careers with law enforcement, military agencies, and firearm manufacturers. (Full story)
Rapid City Regional Airport Sets First Quarter Passenger Record
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KBHB) — Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) recorded 78,506 enplaned passengers in the first quarter of 2026, a 2 percent increase over the same period last year and the highest Q1 enplanement total in the airport’s history. The airport enplaned 29,380 passengers last month, up 4.6 percent from March 2025. Total passengers (enplaned and deplaned combined) reached 58,894 for the month, a 3.3 percent year-over-year increase. The record comes as RAP’s summer schedule begins to take shape. Several seasonal routes are already flying. American Airlines’ Chicago service launched earlier this month, and United’s Chicago nonstop, which returned in late March, is now operating up to four times daily. Charlotte, Phoenix Sky Harbor, Orlando, Atlanta, Houston, and Sun Country’s Minneapolis service all come online this spring and early summer.
Rapid City Declares Cleanup Week with Free Disposal for Residents
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KBHB) — Officials in Rapid City are declaring April 20th through the 24th as Cleanup Week. It’s a chance for residents to get rid of unwanted items for free and it’s hosted by the city’s Solid Waste Division. Landfill fees will be waived through regular hours but charges will still apply for oversized and specialty items like mattresses and tires. Hazardous materials like paint and appliances containing Freon will not be accepted. For more information about the event, residents can contact the Rapid City Solid Waste Division.
Fatal Crash in Sturgis Involving Stolen Vehicle Under Investigation
STURGIS, S.D. — One person is dead following a crash caused by a person in a stolen vehicle Tuesday morning in Sturgis. Sturgis Police Geody Vandewater says the incident happened at approximately 10:39 a.m. when police received a report of a stolen vehicle at a residence in Sturgis. Officers responded to the location and quickly located the vehicle. As officers approached the vehicle to make contact with the driver, the suspect fled the scene at a high rate of speed. Officers initiated a traffic stop; however, the vehicle—a newer Ford F-250—failed to yield and continued westbound on Lazelle Street, driving recklessly at speeds estimated to exceed 70 miles per hour. The suspect vehicle passed other westbound traffic before colliding with a white Honda Accord also traveling westbound on Lazelle Street. Both drivers were trapped in their vehicles, unresponsive, and required extrication. The driver of the stolen truck was transported by LifeFlight in critical condition. The driver of the Honda Accord sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. Due to the severity of the accident, the South Dakota Highway Patrol has been requested to investigate the crash. The Sturgis Police Department is conducting a separate criminal investigation involving the driver of the stolen vehicle. Criminal charges are pending, and the incident remains under active investigation. outside watering is allowed on the 31st day of any month.
Attorney for suspect in attack at Sam Altman’s home says he was in midst of ‘mental health crisis’
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The public defender for a man accused of throwing an incendiary device at Sam Altman’s home says her client has autism and was experiencing an “acute mental health crisis.” San Francisco Deputy Public Defender Diamond Ward said Tuesday that Daniel Moreno-Gama has been overcharged by prosecutors. He faces charges including attempted murder. She says prosecutors have overcharged Moreno-Gama to curry favor with Altman, who is the chief executive officer of OpenAI. Authorities say he targeted Altman and was motivated by his hatred of AI technology. The San Francisco District Attorney says prosecutors have evidence to back up their charges. The suspect was ordered held without bail and his arraignment was set for May 5. (Full story)
Wall Street rallies to the edge of its all-time high as oil prices ease
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rallied to the edge of their all-time high, and crude oil prices eased as hopes climbed that the United States and Iran may try again on talks to end their war. The S&P 500 rose 1.2% Tuesday, bringing the index within 0.2% of its record set in January. The Dow gained 0.7%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 2%. If talks succeed and the war ends up being only a temporary setback for the global economy, investors can turn their attention back to the rising profits for companies that had markets worldwide doing well before the fighting began. (Full story)
7-Eleven expects to close hundreds of its stores in North America this year
NEW YORK (AP) — 7-Eleven expects to close hundreds of its convenience stores this year. According to earnings filings published last week, 7-Eleven’s North American operator plans to close 645 stores in the 2026 fiscal year — outpacing the 205 locations it forecasts it will open during that same time. Seven & i Holdings, the Japan-based parent of the convenience chain, noted that these closures “include the conversion to wholesale fuel stores.” The company did not specify which locations could be impacted. But the latest cuts arrive as higher prices strain consumers worldwide. (Full story)
