The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Governor Rhoden Signs Bill Supporting Airport Expansion in Rapid City and Sioux Falls
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Gov. Larry Rhoden signed Senate Bill 76 into law during a ceremony at Rapid City Regional Airport, joined by local and state officials. The bill allows low-interest loans from the state’s Housing Infrastructure Fund to support airport expansion projects in Rapid City and Sioux Falls, including up to $15 million in funding. Officials said the measure is intended to support growth, increase access and benefit the state’s economy. Mayor Jason Salamun said the investment will have statewide impact, noting both airports serve communities across South Dakota.
Sturgis Mayor Kevin Forrester Resigns Amid Health Battle
STURGIS, S.D. — Sturgis Mayor Kevin Forrester has resigned as he continues to battle pancreatic cancer, city officials announced. Ward 2 Councilor and Council President Tony Dargatz will serve as mayor pro tem while the city council considers next steps during a special meeting. Under city ordinance, the council may appoint a replacement until a special election can be held, with early June being discussed as a possible timeline. Forrester was elected in April 2025, and the remainder of his term runs through April 2028.
Women & Co. Event Set to Support Female Entrepreneurs in the Black Hills
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Women & Co. event is scheduled to take place at The Barn at Aspen Acres, bringing together women from across the Black Hills for an evening focused on networking and business support. Organized by Wynter Childers of Created By Wyn Event Planning, the event raises funds for the Women & Co. Grant, which is awarded annually to a female entrepreneur. The event will feature a themed experience and opportunities for attendees to connect and engage. Community members can participate by purchasing tickets, becoming sponsors or making donations, with proceeds supporting the grant program.
South Dakota Enacts New Law to Protect Genetic Data Privacy
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Gov. Larry Rhoden has signed Senate Bill 49 into law, establishing new protections for personal genetic data and setting civil penalties for misuse. The legislation, introduced by Attorney General Marty Jackley, addresses growing concerns over how genetic information is collected, shared and sold, and was influenced in part by a 2025 lawsuit involving 23andMe. With the bill’s passage, all 10 measures introduced by Jackley during the legislative session have been approved.
Seconds before LaGuardia crash, controller cleared the fire truck to cross the runway, NTSB says
NEW YORK (AP) — Federal investigators say one of only two air traffic controllers on duty at LaGuardia Airport cleared a fire truck to cross a runway just 12 seconds before an Air Canada flight touched down, leaving little time to avoid the collision that killed both pilots. The National Transportation Safety Board is working to determine which of the airport’s layers of safety precautions failed and allowed the fire truck onto the runway Sunday night. Among the areas being explored are whether the common practice of two controllers on duty overnight is enough and why a runway warning system didn’t alert the possibility of a crash. The plane carrying more than 70 people slammed into the fire truck, killing two pilots. (Full story)
Airport disruptions abound as senators chase deal to end Homeland Security budget standoff
WASHINGTON (AP) — Travel disruptions have deepened as senators are racing to salvage a proposal to end the Homeland Security shutdown. Democrats have refused to fund the Department of Homeland Security unless it made changes to its immigration and deportation operations. But unpaid Transportation Security Administration workers are failing to show up for shifts and at least 458 have quit altogether. Asked about the emerging plan Tuesday, President Donald Trump says he’s not happy with any deal. The deal would impose some but not all of the restraints Democrats have demanded on immigration operations. Senate Majority Leader John Thune says it’s time to end the standoff. (Full story)
Some state officials say shifting mail ballot deadline will complicate plans for November elections
The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether mail ballots that arrive after Election Day should be counted. If the justices decide they should not be, it would leave little time for election officials and voters to adapt. Some election officials said some material related to November’s midterm elections has already been printed. Others said informing voters of the change would be the biggest hurdle, to ensure they are not disenfranchised. In 14 states, all mail ballots will be counted if sent by Election Day and received within a certain period of days. Another 15 states have grace periods for military and overseas ballots. (Full story)
