Good morning Rapid City! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️
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In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Young Constructors Trap Shoot and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a one-legged Big Foot? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Emergency crews stage disaster drill at Rapid City airport (dailydispatch.com) — Emergency crews recently ran a full-scale disaster drill at Rapid City Regional Airport, giving local firefighters, police, EMS, and airport staff a chance to practice handling a major incident. Volunteers acted as injured passengers while teams tested triage, communication, and command systems. Officials say lessons from the exercise will directly improve Rapid City's readiness for a real airport emergency.
2. Salvation Army's Coats for Kids event to be held Thursday and Friday (newscenter1.tv) — Families in Rapid City can pick up free new coats for children ages 0 to 18 at the Salvation Army's Coats for Kids event this Thursday and Friday, starting at 9 a.m. at 405 N Cherry Avenue. Adults need photo ID and proof of children's ages, and brand-new coat donations are welcome to help reach more kids across Rapid City, the Northern Hills, and Pine Ridge.
3. B-21 developer Northrop Grumman brings new jobs to South Dakota (aberdeennews.com) — Rapid City is set to gain new defense-industry jobs as Northrop Grumman opens an office in an $18 million building near Ellsworth Air Force Base, developed by Elevate Rapid City. State and local partners are investing millions to support the project and a new South Dakota Defense Institute downtown. Leaders say the moves could eventually bring hundreds of high-paying positions to the area.
4. Two Rapid City Residents Arrested After Seizure of Thousands of Fentanyl Pills (kotaradio.com) — Two Rapid City residents are jailed on multiple felony drug charges after investigators say a Pennington County traffic stop uncovered nearly 4,000 fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills, additional fentanyl, cocaine, and cash. Authorities allege the pair were bringing drugs into Rapid City from Colorado as part of a broader UNET investigation. Officials emphasize the suspects remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
5. How many H-1B petitions were made by South Dakota employers classified under the Health Care and Social Assistance industry during 2025? (businessdailynetwork.com) — Monument Health Rapid City Hospital led South Dakota health-care employers in 2025 H‑1B visa petitions, filing 65 requests that were all approved. Overall, South Dakota health and social assistance employers submitted 200 petitions, reflecting how hospitals and clinics statewide, including in Rapid City, rely on highly skilled international workers to help fill critical staffing needs.
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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: Hop Squatch! (Thank you Terri R. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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