Good morning, Rapid City.

Combat veteran Benjamin Sledge will headline the Gallantly Forward Gala at The Monument’s LaCroix Hall in Rapid City on Saturday, Oct.

17 to support veteran suicide awareness; veterans and active-duty attend free and others pay $40 with doors at 5 p.m.

Rapid City residents will join the peaceful 'No Kings 4' demonstration + food drive on Oct.

17 as organizers promote civic engagement ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

South Dakota’s Board of Economic Development approved tax rebates over $6 million for the state’s largest wind project near Philip, a $750 million, 333-megawatt facility expected to be operational in 2028 and create 200 construction jobs + 12 long-term positions.

The board also granted a sales tax rebate to Sioux Falls lab OmegaQuant Analytics for its research work.

After a survey showed half supported the change, the Meade 46-1 School Board is reviewing a draft plan to shift to a four day school week with classes extended by 35 minutes for 154 days.

A public presentation on the draft will be held tonight at Stagebarn Middle School in Summerset.

Lawrence County commissioners lifted the burn ban on Tuesday, Oct.

14 for open burns outside city limits and on lands not managed by state or federal authorities (burn restrictions remain north of Interstate 90 when the Grassland Fire Danger Index is high). Residents should check with local agencies for updated guidelines.

Monument Health will host a free Community Health Talk at the Sturgis Community Center on Oct.

21 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to provide educational sessions on breast cancer awareness — including treatment, health insurance and healthy eating.

Rapid City residents gained a new emergency care option when Exceptional Community Hospital opened on Monday, Oct.

12 at 1700 Dyess Avenue. The 21,000 sqft facility — featuring 10 emergency rooms and eight inpatient beds — aims to reduce wait times and ease pressure on nearby hospitals.

A fact brief shows measles vaccination rates for kindergarteners dropped by 6.7 percentage points since the 2019-20 school year, with 11 cases recorded in 2026, mostly among unvaccinated students.

The Department of Health aims to raise the rate to 95% by 2030.

Monument Health has opened its second Community Heart Hub (a free blood pressure monitoring station) at Sturgis Public Library, where adults can check their blood pressure and access health resources; additional hubs will open in other Black Hills communities.

Rapid City Central Cobblers won Tuesday night's home cheer and dance competition by scoring 278 points in cheer and earning the Grand Champion title in dance with 40 points, while Sturgis, Rapid City Stevens, St Thomas More, and Douglas finished behind.

Rapid City Stevens lost 2 to 1 to Sioux Falls Lincoln in the Class AA state semifinal Tuesday night in Sioux Falls — Will Barth scored with nine minutes remaining — and the Raiders could not tie the game.