Free Republic

Bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts have descended on South Dakota's Black Hills for the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, again raising concerns that COVID-19 will rapidly spread among the hundreds-of-thousands expected at the event. Last year's rally drew widespread criticism, as maskless attendees gathered en masse, even as most in-person events were canceled around the country. This year, vaccines have made more gatherings possible — but Sturgis still stands out. Some recent large-scale events, including the music festival Lollapalooza, have required attendees to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test and to wear a mask. Because the nation is currently...

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - A judge on Thursday set bond at $5 million each for two bikers charged with shooting five rival Outlaws Motorcycle Club members in a gunfight. Chad John Wilson, 30, of Lynnwood, Wash., and John James Midmore, 32, of Valparaiso, Ind., each face five counts of attempted first-degree murder for a shooting Tuesday at Custer State Park.

RAPID CITY -- Nothing will keep most bikers away from the Sturgis Rally, not even the recent motorcycle gang violence in the area, several bikers said Friday. Bikers will keep coming back for the concerts, the babes and the bikes, they said. Even the first-timers said they would not be deterred. Brian Sherman, 53, of Lafayette, Colo., said it was all about fun for him, not worries. "I don't care," Sherman said. "This is my first time. I'm having a blast. This is a wonderful venue

It would have been an unusual traffic stop any other time of year in South Dakota, but stopping several armed members of the Outlaws biker gang Thursday evening was not peculiar, a law officer said Friday. That’s because of the Sturgis motorcycle rally. Motorcycle gang members carrying concealed handguns are stopped daily during the event that draws throngs of bikers and others to the Black Hills each August, said Capt. Kevin Joffer, district commander of the Highway Patrol at Sioux Falls. “We tell the media not to sensationalize this because this is not out of the ordinary,” he said. “Please...