Box Elder, SD · Daily edition

Box Elder news for Friday, October 23, 2026

2 stories from Box Elder and Pennington County, in about three minutes.

Community News · Rapid City, SD

FEMA Approves $638K for Rapid City, Pennington County Storm Damage

FEMA has approved more than $638,000 in federal funding to assist with recovery from strong winds that struck the area in December 2025. Rapid City will receive nearly $469,000 to repair or replace damaged fencing, netting, poles and related equipment. Pennington County is slated to receive nearly $170,000 to help cover debris removal costs from the same storm. The funding comes through FEMA’s Public Assistance program, which helps state, local and tribal governments recover from disasters.

Source: KOTA TV (Rapid City) Read the full story ↗

Public Safety · Pennington County

SD Highway Patrol Plans November Sobriety Checkpoints Across 15 Counties

The South Dakota Highway Patrol plans to conduct sobriety checkpoints during November in 15 counties statewide, including Custer, Lawrence, and Pennington in western South Dakota. Troopers will coordinate with local law enforcement agencies at the checkpoints, which are intended to improve road safety and identify impaired drivers. Other affected counties include Beadle, Brule, Codington, Edmunds, Hanson, Hughes, Jones, Lincoln, Minnehaha, Moody, Roberts, and Union. Officials encourage anyone planning to drink to arrange a sober driver or use another safe way home.

Source: KOTA TV (Rapid City) Read the full story ↗