The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Meade County Approves Property Tax Credit for Homeowners
STURGIS, S.D. — Meade County Commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday authorizing a property tax credit for owner-occupied homes under South Dakota Senate Bill 96. The credit will apply to the 2027 property tax year, payable in 2028, and will be distributed at an equal percentage to qualifying properties. The amount will depend on available money in the county’s Property Tax Reduction Fund. Commissioners delayed applying the credit to avoid potential funding shortfalls. The county auditor may retain 2% of the fund for administrative costs in 2027 and up to $20,000 annually in subsequent years. (Full story)
Exceptional Community Hospital Opens in Rapid City, Offering New Emergency Care Option
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Exceptional Community Hospital officially opened Monday, Oct. 12, giving Rapid City residents another option for emergency and inpatient medical care. The 21,000-square-foot facility features 10 emergency rooms, eight inpatient beds, a trauma bay, an on-site laboratory and diagnostic imaging services. Hospital Administrator and Director of Operations Robert Kunkel said the goal is to provide patients with more choices while helping reduce emergency room wait times across the community. The hospital welcomed its first patient by ambulance just 40 minutes after opening. A surgery center is also planned for spring 2027. (Full story)
Call for Art: K-12 Art Teachers Exhibition
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Arts Council (RCAC) invites K-12 art educators from across the Black Hills region to submit artwork for an exhibition celebrating the creative practices of those who teach.This exhibition aims to recognize these educators not only as teachers but as artists and active participants in a creative profession.The exhibition is open to current or retired K-12 art educators in the Black Hills region – public, private and tribal schools. Submission deadline: November 16 and the exhibition opens January 22.
Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Deputy Dies Three Days After Being Shot in Line of Duty
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) — An officer shot during Friday night’s shooting in southwest Sioux Falls has passed away, according to the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office. Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Deputy Katherine Ann Frank died Monday, Oct. 12, three days after she was shot in the line of duty. She was 26 years old. Katherine Frank worked at the South Dakota State Penitentiary from September 2022 until being hired by the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office in June 2024. A man involved in the shooting, 39-year-old Brandon Oetken, faces three counts of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer and three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. (Full story)
Rapid City to Host Public Open House on Proposed Data Center Ordinance Wednesday
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City’s Community Development Department will host an open house on a proposed ordinance regarding data centers in the community today from 5 p.m. -7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers and the Circle of Friends Community Room of City Hall. The proposed ordinance amendment would add provisions to an ordinance adopted by the Rapid City Common Council in December 2024. At its Sept. 10th meeting, the Planning Commission continued review of the item until its Nov. 5th meeting to provide work on the proposed ordinance, which includes the opportunity for public review and feedback.
Vatican says pope’s lung nodule surgery was successfully completed
ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has undergone surgery to remove a lung nodule, with the Vatican confirming the procedure was successful. The 71-year-old pontiff returned to his room at Rome’s Gemelli hospital after the operation on Tuesday. The surgery aimed to determine if the nodule is malignant and whether further treatment is needed. Leo had announced the discovery of the nodule during his Sunday prayer. Experts say his prognosis is excellent, even if the nodule is cancerous, as it was caught early. The Vatican has canceled his audiences through October 20, allowing for recovery. (Full story)
Man killed on a Six Flags roller coaster was thrown from the ride and hit other patrons, police say
MABLETON, Ga. (AP) — Police say an Atlanta man killed on a roller coaster at Six Flags over Georgia was thrown from his seat and struck other patrons before landing below. Cobb County police said Tuesday that the man who died was 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem. Visitors at the theme park near Atlanta described watching the man being tossed from the coaster train Monday and falling to his death. The theme park operator has temporarily closed nine similar roller coasters nationwide. Officials have not released any other information about those who were struck and injured. One witness told NBC that he was on the coaster when he saw the man come out of his seat. (Full story)
Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis gets 40 years to life in prison for orchestrating the murder of Tupac Shakur
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Duane “Keffe D” Davis has been sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for the murder of rap icon Tupac Shakur. Jurors convicted Davis of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon in late August. A Nevada judge handed down the sentence Tuesday. Shakur was struck in a drive-by shooting off the Las Vegas Strip in September 1996. The case went unsolved for decades. It was revived as Davis gave interviews and wrote a tell-all memoir about his role in the shooting. He later denied playing a part in it. (Full story)
