Good morning, Black Hills! In today’s edition: American Airlines new routes, Calendar Girls, a glow-in-the-dark paint party, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

More destinations within reach: American Airlines will expand its network in 2026 with new routes to cities like Jackson, Abilene, McAllen, and Rapid City, using E175 aircraft to boost regional access and tourism — get all the details.

Celebration plan faces scrutiny: Rapid City is weighing closing streets downtown for America 250 festivities July 2 and 3, with concerts, reenactments, and exhibits. Legal and Finance Committee delayed a decision to next meeting — see what’s being considered.

Windfall fuels public projects: Rapid City reported a record October for sales tax collections, topping $74.6 million, with growth linked to tourism, construction, and new hotels that boosted revenue across the city — learn what’s driving the surge.

Cheer up your corners: The Farmer’s Daughter blends home decor, yard art, and just enough antiques for an easy home reset. Browse whimsical signs, seasonal finds, and conversation starters that make friends ask “Where’d you get that?” while you stay effortlessly cool.

Officials rethink recycling operations: Rapid City received nearly $5 million from the EPA to upgrade recycling. Plans include expanding commercial pickup and improving drop-off sites, aiming to boost recycling rates and rein in costs — see how funds will be used.

Pickleball, but comfier: Newly renovated indoor and outdoor courts at Canyon Lake Activity Center make it easy to squeeze in a few games, no gear drama, no weather worries. Grab your favorite paddle, find a partner, and let those kitchen-line instincts do their thing.

Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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🎨 Flyover: ​Visual Art Forum I @ Dahl Arts Center | Tuesday (1/13) – Think you know ‘flyover’ art? Six heavy hitters, including Dale Lamphere, Roger Broer, and Kenny Putnam, turn that label on its head at Ruth Brennan Gallery. Pop by the reception on December 19, 5-7pm, then linger all winter, sip, wander, and actually look.

🏛 Preservation Thursday: Deadwood at 150 @ Deadwood History | Thursday (1/15) at 12:00 PM – Preservation Thursday means a dive into Deadwood’s origin story, from muddy placer camp to casino town, with Dr. David Wolff separating legend, luck, and who did the work. At Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center, free for members, five bucks for the rest of us.

🏀 Women’s Basketball: New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls at Black Hills State Yellow Jackets @ Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center | Thursday (1/15) at 5:00 PM – Swap your snow boots for bleachers and cheer on the Yellow Jackets as they host New Mexico Highlands in a women’s hoops showdown at the Young Center. Expect gritty defense, small-town hospitality, and a crowd that knows when to clap, and when to chirp.

🌇 Winter Sunset @ Sawyer Brewing Co. | Thursday (1/15) at 6:00 PM – Trade your snow shovel for a brush at Sawyer Brewing’s Winter Sunset, a low-pressure paint-and-sip where the beer is cold, the canvas forgiving, and the company local. Spots are limited, so claim yours early, then pretend you always paint like this.

🎅 Splash with Santa @ WaTiki® Indoor Waterpark Resort | Friday (1/16) at 8:00 AM – Santa is swapping snow boots for swim trunks at WaTiki Indoor Waterpark, splashing through Christmas week with the kids or grandkids. Expect warm water, photo ops, and the only place in town where December feels like July. Bonus, they will be asleep by dinner.

🎨 Sip and Paint: Glow Party – Glow Cat @ Coffee and the Cats | Friday (1/16) at 6:00 PM – Think you can make a cat glow without alarming animal control? For $25 at Coffee and the Cats you get supplies, a mocktail, tea, or coffee, Kitty Cove time, and UV body paint, whether you follow their template or go delightfully rogue.

🎭 Calendar Girls @ Performing Arts Center | Friday (1/16) at 7:00 PM – Nothing beats a cheeky, heartwarming night at the theater where fundraising gets, well, a little revealing. Calendar Girls follows Annie, Chris, and their Women’s Institute pals as they pose for a tasteful nude calendar to buy a hospital settee. Big laughs, bigger heart, unmistakably local.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

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📻 Black Hills report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 45°F – Low: 31°F – Precip: 17%

A slight chance of snow between 8am and 11am. Mostly sunny. High near 45, with temperatures falling to around 39 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 19. Northwest wind 8 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Partly cloudy. Low around 31, with temperatures rising to around 36 overnight. West wind around 7 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 58°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 0%

Mostly sunny. High near 58, with temperatures falling to around 48 in the afternoon. West wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Later: Partly cloudy. Low around 35, with temperatures rising to around 37 overnight. West wind around 6 mph.

Most popular house this week

This updated 4-bed, 3.5-bath has easy flow and everyday style. Acacia wood flooring adds warmth, and a pantry with barn wood sliders brings character. The kitchen offers stainless appliances with a 2023 dishwasher and 2024 microwave. Three walk-in closets aid storage, and a gas fireplace with remote thermostat anchors the living area.

Outdoor living shines with an upper deck above a fully fenced backyard, set for gatherings or play. The lower level’s tall ceilings suit a gym, playroom, or media zone. A finished and heated garage supports projects. With a new roof, new siding, and paint in 2023, it is move-in ready. Seller is related to the Real Estate Agent.

Take a peek inside →