Wednesday, July 09, 2014 • Vol. 16--No. 355 • 18 of 30

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winds that can carry the smoke long distances.
• The meteorologist expected the haze to last through Wednesday.

Pressler invites Obama to SD to talk health care

• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- Independent U.S. Senate candidate Larry Pressler is inviting President Barack Obama to South Dakota for a conference on the president's signature health care law.
• The former Republican senator on Tuesday sent a letter inviting Obama to Pressler's hometown of Humboldt to talk about how to fix the act so it fits rural and small-town South Dakota.
• He says despite pleas from many Republicans to repeal the law, the country has passed the legislation and lawmakers need to build on it and make it better.
• Pressler says he'd be surprised if Obama accepts the open invitation, but he'd host the conference even after the November election.
• Pressler, former Republican Gov. Mike Rounds, Democrat Rick Weiland and independent Gordon Howie are seeking the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Tim Johnson.

Autopsy shows RC man died of blunt force trauma

• RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) -- Preliminary autopsy results for a Rapid City man who was found dead in an alley indicate he died from blunt force trauma and strangulation.
• Officers found 47-year-old Myron Rock in an alley behind the Cold Stone Creamery in Rapid City on Sunday morning.
• Police have charged 18-year-old Michael hand with one count of second-degree murder. Hand made his initial court appearance in Pennington County Tuesday morning. His bail was set at $500,000.
• Police spokeswoman Tarah Heupel says police were initially called around 5:30 a.m. Hand and another man had entered a Walgreens in Rapid City and told an employee to call 911. After speaking with both men, officers found Rock in the nearby alley. He was badly beaten.
• Heupel says full autopsy results for Rock may take several weeks.


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