South Dakota Public Broadcasting

Boaters are ready to hit the water this 4th of July. However, officials are urging them to keep safety in mind ahead of the holiday weekend. Casey Kenrick is a captain at the Pennington County Sheriff's Office. He said he hopes boaters understand the purpose of having deputies and conservation officers out on the water. “I know that a lot of the time people think cops are out there just to bust everybody, right – and it’s really not the point of it.

A president might energize a nation, but the leader of your city or municipality is most often tasked with solving problems closer to home. Alexander Heffner set out to learn how mayors across the world enact change. Heffner is host of “The Open Mind” on PBS and coauthor of “A Documentary History of the United States.” He spoke with SDPB’s Lori Walsh. A transcript of the conversation follows.

Friday, President Donald Trump will visit the Black Hills for the Mount Rushmore fireworks show. That creates unique complications for visitors, residents, and those managing the event on an already busy holiday weekend. The fireworks show will cause an uptick in traffic and use of local amenities, authorities say. For Casey Kenrick, a captain at the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, it’s a reminder that there’s preparation for those planning on taking trips to the area.

See the audio attached above to listen to the full news update/podcast. Each day, SDPB brings you statewide news coverage. We then compile those stories into a daily podcast. Subscribe on Appleand Spotify. ______________________________________________________________________________________ Below is a transcript of today's podcast: With SDPB News, I'm Julia Stelter in Sioux Falls. Today is Wednesday July 1; here are today's stories.

South Dakota’s public universities are hosting events centered around civic and community engagement to honor America’s 250th anniversary. Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to participate in conversations about government, civic responsibility and the future of democracy, state officials said. This programming is supported by the state Board of Regents. The board’s president said higher education plays an essential role in preparing informed and engaged citizens.

Nearly 200 new laws take effect in South Dakota Wednesday. July 1 is the date bills passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor take effect in the state, unless they have an emergency clause. Gov. Larry Rhoden signed nearly 240 bills into law in the 2026 session. Most — just under 200 — did not have an emergency clause.

A federal court will decide whether South Dakota’s newest anti-abortion law prevents sharing information about the availability of abortion pills. Lawyers for the state argued certain advertising solicits and facilitates illegal activity. Lawyers for the plaintiffs argued that providing accurate information about the availability of abortion pills is protected under the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment.

The Rapid City Job Service will be hosting the Hire the Hills hiring event on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. MDT at 2330 N. Maple Ave., Rapid City. Business partners participating in the June 10th event include: Abbott House Youth Services, Black Hills Federal Credit Union, Custer Care and Rehab Center, Dakota Pure Bison, McDonald's, Mead Lumber, Office Pride, Product Connections, Sam’s Club, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the U.S. Army.

The Dahl Arts Center’s recent community night – Dilly Dally to the Dahl – encouraged residents to slow down and take in the budding Rapid City arts scene. Offering everything from artist conversations, music, and even a tap-dancing demonstration, it highlighted the color arts provides communities. Among the performances was a drum group called Kokopelli’s Cousin, a group of percussion enthusiasts who can normally be heard playing under the cottonwood tree in Jackson Park.

Gov. Larry Rhoden declared a state of emergency for the counties impacted by the severe thunderstorm that hit central and northeastern South Dakota. That storm hit early Monday morning, bringing multiple confirmed tornadoes and straight-line winds over 100 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service. Officials say the emergency declaration reduces administrative barriers over debris removal. It also lets the state use extra resources for recovery efforts.