According to the South Dakota Commission on Gaming, the total gaming handle in Deadwood increased 10.6% in September compared to the same month last year. Through the first nine months of 2026, overall gaming activity is up about 9%.

Deadwood Gaming Association Executive Director George Milos says the city’s mix of gaming, special events, history and outdoor recreation continues to attract visitors.

Slot machines led the growth with an 11% increase, while table games were up nearly 9%. Sports wagering, however, continued a downward trend, falling more than 30% from a year ago and marking its sixth consecutive month of decline.

During September, casinos distributed more than $2.1 million in promotional free-play incentives and generated just over $16 million in taxable gross gaming revenue.

Gaming taxes collected during the month totaled nearly $1.45 million, with funding distributed to the state’s general fund, South Dakota Tourism and Lawrence County.

Officials say the latest numbers reflect continued strength in Deadwood’s gaming and tourism economy as 2026 heads into its final quarter.

During Monday night’s meeting, council members passed the second and final reading of the spending plan, which includes more than $25.5 million in total expenditures.

The approved budget contains general fund spending of just over $10.1 million and is projected to finish the year with a surplus of nearly $82,000.

Changes made between the first and second readings included adjustments related to commercial dumping fees at the rubble site, library budget updates, and recalculated staffing and scheduling costs for the ambulance department.

City officials say the budget maintains a positive fund balance while accounting for operational costs and service needs heading into 2027.

According to the South Dakota Highway Patrol and Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, the semi rolled onto its driver’s side near mile marker 116, blocking the entire westbound lane of traffic.

As a result, westbound motorists were diverted off the interstate at mile marker 121 onto Big Foot Road while crews worked to clear the scene. Eastbound traffic was not affected by the crash.

Cleanup operations took several hours as a towing company was brought in to remove the truck and trailer from the roadway.

Authorities report there were no serious injuries resulting from the crash. The incident remains under investigation.

The Rapid City Historic Preservation Commission and The Journey Museum will host a “Picture Our Past” session Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Journey Museum.

Organizers are asking residents to bring up to three historic photos that are at least 50 years old and depict Rapid City homes, buildings, businesses, signs, streetscapes or other community landmarks from 1976 or earlier. Photos will be scanned and returned immediately to their owners.

The images will become part of an interactive online map and be added to The Journey Museum’s digital collection, helping preserve the city’s history for future generations.

Community Development Special Projects Planner Jennifer Bergstrom says many of Rapid City’s stories are preserved in family photo albums and personal collections, and the project offers residents an opportunity to share those memories with the broader community.

The event is being held as part of Rapid City’s 150th anniversary celebration, and organizers hope the collection will help document the people and places that shaped the city’s history.

Most city offices will be closed for the holiday, including the Rapid City Public Library and administrative offices for the Police and Fire Departments. Regular emergency services will continue to operate.

Trash and recycling collection schedules will be adjusted for the holiday week. Tuesday and Wednesday routes will be collected one day early, while Monday, Thursday and Friday collections will remain on their normal schedules. The Rapid City Landfill will also be closed on Veterans Day.

Public transit services, including RapidRide and Dial-A-Ride, will not operate on November 11 and will resume service the following day.

The Monument’s administrative offices will be closed, but the facility will remain open for scheduled events, including a Rapid City Rush hockey game.

Several community events are also planned to honor veterans, including the annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown Rapid City beginning at 11 a.m., followed by a luncheon at VFW Post 1273. Mayor Jason Salamun is also scheduled to participate in a Veterans Day Drive-Thru Parade at Meadowbrook Elementary School later in the afternoon.

City officials encourage residents to plan for holiday-related service adjustments and take part in the community’s Veterans Day observances.

RAPID CITY, S.D. – After more than four decades delivering the news to viewers across western South Dakota, longtime KOTA Territory News anchor and reporter Jack Caudill is stepping away from the newsroom.

As Caudill concludes a remarkable 43-year career with KOTA Territory News, former colleagues are sharing messages of appreciation and congratulations, reflecting on his impact on broadcasting in the Black Hills and surrounding region, and his dedication to journalism, professionalism, and commitment to keeping local communities informed throughout his career.

For generations of viewers, Caudill has been a familiar and trusted voice covering some of the region’s biggest stories. His retirement marks the end of an era in local news and a milestone career that has spanned more than four decades.

From all of us at KOTA Radio, we thank Jack Caudell for his assistance with our daily newscasts and for his service and dedication to news in the Rapid City Area. We wish Jack the best in his future endeavors.

In District 27, State Senate candidate Celestine Stadnick has organized a free voter transportation effort to help residents who may lack reliable vehicles or fuel money get to polling locations. Stadnick says the service is available to all voters, regardless of political affiliation, and is intended to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.

Stadnick noted that long travel distances in rural areas can create barriers to voting, particularly for residents on reservations and in remote communities.

Meanwhile, in Rapid City, ongoing South Street construction has complicated access to the District 32 polling location at West Park Apartments. To help address that issue, Monument Health has opened its Health Sciences Building parking lot on 11th Street, allowing voters to park for free and walk to the polling site.

Advocates say transportation access remains a key factor in voter participation, and efforts like ride programs and additional parking options can help ensure more South Dakotans can make their voices heard on Election Day.

The American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota says voters have the legal right to vote free from intimidation, harassment or interference. Officials note that aggressive behavior, threatening actions, or attempts to intimidate voters near polling places are against the law and should be reported immediately to election officials.

Advocates also want voters to know that forgetting a photo ID does not prevent them from voting. Registered voters who do not have identification with them can sign a personal identification affidavit and still cast a regular ballot.

If a voter’s name cannot be found on the registration roster, they may request a provisional ballot, which election officials can verify after Election Day. Voters who make mistakes on their ballots can also request replacement ballots from poll workers.

State law also requires polling places to be accessible for voters with disabilities, and individuals needing assistance may bring a family member or friend into the voting booth.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. local time, and anyone in line by 7 p.m. is entitled to cast a ballot. Election advocates encourage voters experiencing problems at the polls to immediately speak with election workers or call the national Election Protection hotline.

Because City of Rapid City offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day, the Legal and Finance Committee meeting has been moved to Tuesday.

The Public Works Committee will meet at its regularly scheduled time of 12:30 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. Once that meeting concludes, the Legal and Finance Committee will convene immediately afterward in the same location.

City officials say the scheduling adjustment creates a rare committee meeting doubleheader ahead of the Veterans Day holiday. All city offices will be closed November 11 in observance of the federal holiday.

Ward 5 City Council members Laura Armstrong and Callie Meyer are hosting a “Friday Pie Day” meeting at 4:30 p.m. Friday in the Circle of Friends Community Room at City Hall.

The event is open to residents from all areas of Rapid City and is designed as a casual meet-and-greet with no formal agenda. Armstrong and Meyer say they will provide updates on city issues while giving attendees the chance to ask questions, share concerns and offer feedback.

City officials say the gathering is intended to encourage open communication between community members and their elected representatives in a relaxed setting.