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š± Why a candy-loving squirrel put Rapid City in a wildlife showdown.
Rapid City, South Dakota Patch AM: a 5 min readHi there, Rapid City! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. āļøļø
In today's newsletter:
- Why a candy-loving squirrel put Rapid City in a wildlife showdown.
- How a Box Elder truck stop theft ended in Wyoming custody.
- What a new national defense center could mean for Rapid City jobs
Today's riddle: What kind of shoes do frogs wear? š¤ (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Saturday: Near-record temperatures, with a high of 106 and low of 80 degrees. š¶ Hot!
- Sunday: Very hot, temps: high: 104, low: 74.
- Monday: A strong afternoon t-storm, with a high of 102 and low of 71 degrees.
š° News we're reading
ā¢ Rapid City squirrel's sweet tooth sparks friendly āwildlife rivalry' with Box Elder goose (kotatv.com) ā Rapid Cityās playful Facebook post about a squirrel savoring a cherry sucker outside City Hall has sparked a friendly āwildlife rivalryā with neighboring Box Elder and its wayward goose. The cities are trading jokes and photos of critters from City Hall to the Rapid City Public Library crosswalk, giving residents a lighthearted break and celebrating local wildlife. 
Ā Ā Ā 
ā¢ Rapid City man in custody after Box Elder theft and pursuit into Wyoming (kotatv.com) ā A 50-year-old Rapid City man was arrested after a reported theft at Loveās Truck Stop in Box Elder led to a multi-county pursuit ending just over the Wyoming line. South Dakota and Wyoming law enforcement agencies joined the chase along I-90 and rural roads before a trooper pinned the pickup against a tree; no injuries were reported. Ā Ā Ā
ā¢ Universities ask for $24.5 million to launch and maintain artificial intelligence system ā¢ South Dakota Searchlight (southdakotasearchlight.com) ā South Dakotaās public university system is asking lawmakers for $60.5 million, including funds to launch a new Center for National Defense in Rapid City tied to Ellsworth Air Force Base and local defense employers. The proposal also includes $24.5 million for an AI technology system and maintenance, plus building projects in Sioux Falls and Brookings that could reshape higher education statewide. Ā Ā Ā
šø Around Rapid City
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
š
Upcoming Events in
Rapid City
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
-
Donuts & Documentaries
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
3:00 pm -
Books and Blankets
Rapid City Public Library Downtown -
10:00 am -
Kinder Scouts: Kindergarten Readiness Series
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
10:30 am -
Monday Craft
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
1:00 pm -
Sit & Stitch Knitting Club
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Conference Room
5:00 pm -
Little Owl Tuesday Story Time
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
9:30 am -
Storytime & Crafts with Jane
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
10:15 am -
Curiosity Club
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
3:30 pm
Sunday July 26
Monday July 27
Tuesday July 28
š£ Rapid City Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
š Events Nearby
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Family Fun Day at Storybook Island ā
Storybook Island, 1301 Sheridan Lake Rd, Rapid City
10:00 am -
Books with Bernard
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Youth Services
10:30 am -
Rushmore Music Festival Presents: Stories Without Words
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
11:00 am -
A Morning with Rushmore Music Festival ā
Rapid City Public Library, 610 Quincy St, Rapid City
11:00 am
Saturday July 25
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
š¬ Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
Peanut was LOST on July 21, 2026 in Rapid City, SD 57702 near Hawthorne and E Meade St Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or toā¦ (Nextdoor Kohls) - Good morning folks.
Just wanted to share this news with you about Hollyās cat Zoee as Iām sure most of you have heard of them from her posts and flyers. I saw an orangeā¦ (Nextdoor Gemstone Dr.)
- Bass Pro Shops posted a job opening for Receiving Outfitter - Part Time in Rapid City. Apply here.
- Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Maintenance Custodian Associate in Rapid City. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rapid City here.
š Nearby News
Box Elder
- Rural ambulance coverage at risk in western South Dakota (keloland.com)
- USA: Federal, State, Local, and Tribal Law Enforcement Conduct 'Operation Black Book' to Take Down Multi-State Cocaine Trafficking Organization as Part of Operation Take Back America (cannabislaw.report)
- ICAP Breaks ground on The Summit at Van Eps (amazingmadison.com)
Keystone
- Governor candidates fight to prove they're the more conservative option (kotatv.com)
- Stage 2 Fire Restrictions for Black Hills National Forest in effect July 27, 2026 (tsln.com)
Custer
- Deadwood gaming revenue jumps 12% in June as slots drive growth (kotatv.com)
Ok Rapid City! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Open-toad (Thank you Harold W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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