Good morning to you Rapid City! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Stand-Up Comedy with Jayson Cross and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Rapid City Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile - America's Best Mobile Network, according to Ookla Speedtest. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Rapid City Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Rapid City.
1. Rapid City Legal and Finance Committee review Artificial Intelligence policy for city staff (newscenter1.tv) — Rapid City's Legal and Finance Committee has advanced a new artificial intelligence policy for city staff and a $7.2 million supplemental appropriation, largely to launch the Rapid City Sports Complex fund. Members also explored refinancing Summit Arena bond debt through a tender offer that could save taxpayers over $2.2 million annually, with final decisions up to the full council on Oct. 5.
2. Rapid City Endorses Long-Term Plan to Relocate Railyard, Reduce Train Delays (kotaradio.com) — Rapid City's council has endorsed a long-term plan to move the rail yard east toward Box Elder, aiming to cut frequent train delays that snarl southeast Rapid City streets like Saint Patrick. The proposal would keep mainline tracks in town but reduce daily train traffic, with costs estimated up to $80 million and years of coordination and grant-seeking still ahead.
3. Black Hills Film Festival to showcase 20 independent films from SD and beyond at 17th annual event (newscenter1.tv) — Film lovers in Rapid City can catch 20 independent movies from South Dakota and around the world at the Black Hills Film Festival, running Oct. 2–4 at the Journey Museum. Six themed screening sessions, South Dakota–focused documentaries, filmmaker Q&As, and free Saturday panel discussions offer plenty to explore, with VIP and single-session tickets available online or at the door.
4. Madonna Whipple (chadronradio.com) — Family and friends in Rapid City and Pine Ridge are mourning Madonna "Donna" Florence Whipple Wilson, a horse-loving country girl who later made Rapid City her home. Services, including a one-night wake on Oct. 2 and funeral on Oct. 3 at the Old Seventh Day Adventist Church in the Payaba (#4) Community, invite all relatives and friends to honor her life and Lakota traditions.
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
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.
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
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: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Rapid City Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.