The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Rapid City Murder
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A man convicted of killing his best friend has been sentenced to life in prison. Luke Birch, 23, was sentenced this week after being found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of McGarland Walker. Evidence presented at trial showed Walker was shot six times and killed on March 8, 2024, inside a west Rapid City apartment building. Testimony established that Birch and Walker had been involved in an argument, much of which occurred over the phone. Following the shooting, Birch fled the scene and took steps to conceal his involvement in the crime. During the sentencing hearing, several members of Walker’s family addressed the court, describing him as a devoted husband, son, and father whose life mattered deeply to those who loved him.
Public Comment Period Nears End for Parks and Recreation Master Plan
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The public has another week to provide feedback on the Rapid City Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The project is entering the final stage of development prior to introduction to the Rapid City Common Council for consideration and possible adoption. Deadline to submit public comment is June 17. The Parks and Recreation Master Plan will guide the direction of future improvements and growth for the next 10-15 years. The plan defines development priorities, aligns recommendations with the goals of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and suggests strategies to utilize facilities, partnerships, funding and staff most efficiently.
Rapid City Building Permits Shatter Valuation Records
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City’s Building Services Division issued 190 permits in May with a combined valuation total of more than $75.6 million. Partnered with April’s permit valuation total of more than $92.7 million, Rapid City has shattered records for highest two-month valuation total and for the opening five-month valuation total for any year in the City’s history. This year’s January-May valuation total of $236.2 million eclipses the previous high totals for the first five months of the year set in 2022 of $228.1 million and the 2018 total of $210.5 million. May’s valuation total of more than $75.6 million is the second-highest valuation total ever for the month of May.
Parkview Playground Closed for Surface Replacement Project
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Parkview Playground is closed to public access this week as contractors replace the wood fiber surfacing with synthetic turf safety surfacing material. The project is expected to be completed in approximately two weeks. The project is similar to recent efforts in other areas of the Rapid City Parks system to replace outdated materials in the park playground areas. Much of the wood fiber surfacing at Parkview was lost during the December wind storm. Parks officials indicate when the Parkview Playground project is completed, contractor crews will install similar material at the new playground equipment areas at Robbinsdale Park.
Pennington County Approves Short-Term Rental Compliance Agreement
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Pennington County Board of Commissioners has approved the Planning & Zoning Department to enter into an agreement with Deckard Technologies, a company specializing in short-term rental analytics and compliance services, to provide enhanced data regarding Vacation Home Rentals (VHRs) and Short-Term Rentals (STRs) operating throughout Pennington County. The county will gain access to data that helps identify active short-term rental properties, and improve compliance with existing county regulations. The information will provide a more complete picture of the short-term rental market in Pennington County and assist the Planning & Zoning Department in facilitating the rentals. Property owners will have six months from the Commission approval date of June 3, 2026, to submit their application before enforcement actions begin.
Wounded Knee Man Sentenced in Federal Manslaughter Case
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A Wounded Knee man is facing six years in prison for aiding and abetting manslaughter. Myron Hollow Horn was sentenced by a federal judge on Monday. He was accused of hitting Lyle Mousseau with a shovel in February of 2024 and then hitting him in the head, along with an accomplice. The accomplice, Eugene Hunts Horse, is already serving a 10-year sentence for his role in the incident.
After long waits at the Social Security Administration, its chief says things are getting better
WASHINGTON (AP) — After complaints about staffing cuts and long waits to get help at the Social Security Administration, its commissioner says things are getting a lot better. Frank Bisignano is set to face tough questions this week on Capitol Hill about the agency’s customer service. He plans to tout a 75% reduction in phone wait times and a 50% increase in people served. Critics argue these gains rely on temporary staffing shifts and increased online services, creating long-term risks. Bisignano dismisses that criticism, saying the agency is helping people where they want to be served. (Full story)
Texas teen who fatally stabbed track athlete at school meet found guilty and sentenced to prison
MCKINNEY, Texas (AP) — A Texas teenager who fatally stabbed a 17-year-old athlete from a rival track team has been found guilty of murder. Jurors on Tuesday convicted 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony and sentenced him to 35 years in prison in the death of Austin Metcalf. The killing last year stunned the booming Dallas suburb of Frisco. Both teens attended different schools there. Prosecutors accused Anthony of egging on a confrontation after being asked to leave the tent of Metcalf’s team. Anthony’s attorney claimed the stabbing was self-defense. The case drew wide attention, in part because of social media posts about race. Anthony is Black. Metcalf was white. But prosecutors and defense attorneys said the case had nothing to do with race. (Full story)
NASA unveils Artemis III astronauts to test technology for a future moon landing
NEW YORK (AP) — NASA has revealed the crew for its Artemis III mission, the next step in eventually landing astronauts on the moon. NASA’s Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio, Andre Douglas and the European Space Agency’s Luca Parmitano won’t fly to the moon or land on the surface. Instead, they’ll orbit Earth while practicing docking their Orion capsule with lunar landers. The demo is targeted for 2027. NASA’s Artemis program aims to land astronauts on the moon for the first time since the 1970s. (Full story)
