Good morning, Rapid City.

Your local Menards now serves as a drop site for a food pantry drive running from June 1 to July 31, with non-perishable items (including cereal and soup) collected near the exit door.

The drive welcomes community donations to support local families.

The Rapid City Job Service will host a free Hire the Hills event on Wednesday, June 10 from Noon to 2 p.m. at 2330 N.

Maple Ave for job seekers to meet local employers + apply for positions on-site.

A proposed Indigenous School of Medicine in Rapid City received a $1 million grant and a $100,000 capacity grant for a feasibility study before enrolling students in 2030.

The school will offer a holistic curriculum that blends cultural traditions with modern medical training.

The University of South Dakota is holding an annual archaeology dig at Bear Butte Creek Historic Preserve (between Sturgis and Ft. Meade) from May 26 to June 11 to uncover artifacts from U.S. Army laundresses' lives, and visitors may watch students work daily.

USDA Rural Development announced that Lakota Funds became South Dakota’s third home loan lender after signing loan documents on June 3 to finance Native American home loans on Pine Ridge Reservation; the $764,000 investment (part of over $8.6 million allocated statewide) supports affordable housing.

Officials said a case of New World screwworm in a Texas calf has raised concerns across the Great Plains; livestock operators are urged to inspect animals and follow quarantine protocols as federal responders plan to release sterile flies to curb potential spread.

Earlier this week, more than 300 Native youth gathered in Rapid City for the annual Healing the Sacred Child Camp, a four-day event featuring workshops in beading, horse therapy, and storytelling designed to support mental health and cultural identity.

Hotel Alex Johnson completed its guest room renovation as part of a broader plan to refresh the historic property ahead of its 98-year anniversary on July 1.

The hotel will update Starbucks, Paddy O’Neill’s Irish Pub (and meeting spaces) in Fall.

Girls state softball tournaments began on Thursday, June 4 with quarterfinal scores announced for classes AA, A, and B, and Friday saw consolation and semifinal games including a matchup featuring Rapid City Stevens in Class AA.

This recap highlights the ongoing state competition as local teams competed in Sioux Falls and Aberdeen.

The annual Black Hills Veterans Classic baseball tournament opened Thursday in Rapid City as Post 22 won 14-9 over Rock Mountain at their stadium and Post 320 defeated the Cody Cubs 22-7 in pool play.

Black Hills Con 2026

12 PM-5 PM — The Monument — Ticket prices vary — Experience three days of fandom fun with cosplayers, panels, and celebrity meet-and-greets.

Little Explorers Dinosaur Workshop

11 AM – 12 PM — Rapid City Public Library — Free entry — Hatch your own dinosaur with fizzy science and creative fun.

Soulful Sounds Concert

7-9 p.m. — Dahl Arts Center — $35-$90 — Experience a candlelit Jazzy R&B concert with Acute Inflections inspired by the Harlem Renaissance.