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Rushmore Hotel Issues Statement After Filing for Chapter 11
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The parent company operating The Rushmore Hotel & Suites in downtown Rapid City has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Tzadik Mount Rushmore Hotel, LLC, filed a voluntary petition on Aug. 13 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. In a statement, the parent company of the Rushmore Hotel said the hotel has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 reorganization and remains open and fully operational. The Chapter 11 process, according to the statement, provides the hotel with a structured opportunity to address its financial obligations while continuing operations and positioning the property for long-term stability and success. (Full story)
Final Sturgis Rally Numbers Show Traffic Down From Recent Years
STURGIS, S.D. — The 86th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is over and the final numbers are in. Traffic was down over last year – state traffic counts showed 448,166 vehicles entered Sturgis over the 10-day event – down 10 percent from the five-year average. Law enforcement was busy but most numbers were down compared to 2025. The Sturgis Police Department reported 482 non-traffic and traffic arrests and citations, jailing 128 people. The South Dakota Highway Patrol reported 114 DUI arrests, 221 misdemeanor drug arrests, 108 felony arrests, 31 non-injury accidents, 39 injuries, and three fatalities. The Meade County Sheriff’s Office responded to 1,200 calls for service, made 384 traffic stops, and wrote hundreds of tickets. While the rally traffic slowed during the week, the opening Friday and Saturday traffic counts exceeded five-year averages. (Full story)
Rapid City Council Seeks Options to Address Alcohol-Related Litter
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Common Council voted 7-3 Monday to direct the City Attorney’s Office to research potential ordinance amendments addressing alcohol-related litter. Council President Stephen Tamang requested the review and said he wants input from retailers, the alcohol industry, nonprofits and other stakeholders. Councilman Kevin Maher opposed the request, suggesting a task force instead. Assistant Police Chief Scott Sitz said police have responded to 3,700 intoxicated-person calls, made 2,900 trips to detox and handled 550 public consumption calls so far this year. (Full story)
Rapid City Sets Public Meeting on Housing and Community Development Priorities
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The City of Rapid City’s Community Enrichment Division will host a public meeting in September discussing housing and community development priorities. The session is scheduled for Thursday, September 3 at 9 a.m. in the Circle of Friends Community Room of City Hall. Input received at the meeting or by other means will be considered when drafting Rapid City’s Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Action Plan. (Full story)
Six Men Arrested in Sturgis Rally Child Sex Crime Operation
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced that six men have been arrested on charges of attempted sex crimes with minors. The arrests were the result of an undercover operation conducted during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally by the state Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Arrested on state charges were two Rapid City men, one man from Box Elder, one from Sturgis, one from Hot Springs and the last from Dillon, South Carolina. Charges included solicitation of a minor, first degree human trafficking, and attempted fourth degree rape. This was the 14th consecutive year of the ICAC operation during the Sturgis Rally. Since its inception, the operation has resulted in the arrest of approximately 104 offenders. (Full story)
Rhoden Expands State Assistance During South Dakota Drought
PIERRE, S.D. — Gov. Larry Rhoden signed an executive order expanding state assistance during South Dakota’s drought emergency. The order allows South Dakota Wildland Fire resources to assist rural fire departments statewide and extends hay-hauling provisions through Nov. 15. More than 90% of South Dakota is experiencing abnormally dry or moderate to extreme drought conditions. The order allows firefighting aircraft to be deployed outside the Black Hills Forest Fire Protection District when needed to protect lives and property. Hay may also be hauled two hours before sunrise and two hours after sunset under specified safety requirements. (Full story)
Hayden Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend was at apartment where she died, police report says
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Hayden Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson were at the South Carolina apartment where the actor died over the weekend. That’s according to a police report released Tuesday. A Greenville police officer who responded to the residence Sunday afternoon was met by the brothers and then observed paramedics performing CPR on an unresponsive woman. No cause has been determined and her death remains under investigation. An autopsy found no signs of trauma and officers saw no signs of foul play. The onetime child star, who soared to fame in the TV shows “Heroes” and “Nashville” while enduring struggles with addiction, would have turned 37 on Friday. (Full story)
Meta Platforms faces pivotal trial as opening statements begin in California
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Opening statements started Tuesday in a pivotal trial for Meta Platforms in a California federal court, where states are seeking billions of dollars in damages for social media harms to children. Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are seeking extensive financial damages plus changes to how the company operates Facebook and Instagram. Twenty-nine states sued the tech giant in 2023 over child safety and privacy. The other 25 will go to trial later. The company also faces lawsuits in state courts. Meta said in a statement that it believes it has a strong case. (Full story)
Frank Beard, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drummer of boogie-rock trio ZZ Top, dies at 77
NEW YORK (AP) — Frank Beard, the drummer for ZZ Top, has died at 77. He passed away Tuesday at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, with family by his side. ZZ Top sold over 50 million records and had six No. 1 singles on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. The band, formed in 1969, was known for hits like “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs.” They maintained their original lineup for over five decades. Their unique style and humor made them popular in Hollywood and MTV. Beard is survived by his wife, Debbie Meredith, and three children. (Full story)
