THE GOOD: The Rapid City Fire Department's "Fill the Boot" fundraising drive that raised an astounding $42,882 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association when local firefighters stood in Rapid City traffic holding boots asking for donations. The only thing more impressive than the firefighters' dedication was the generosity of folks in Rapid City.

THE GOOD: The record- setting turnout by Democratic voters in the June 3 primary in South Dakota. That almost 51 percent of them - or 93,938 Democrats - came out to cast their votes was characterized as nothing short of "phenomenal" by S.D. Secretary of State Chris Nelson.

THE BAD: Primary election turnout is usually dismal - more typically ranging in the 30 percent range here in South Dakota. In the non-competitive Republican presidential primary, more than 70 percent of registered voters stayed home this year.

THE UGLY: That even in elections featuring history-making candidates like Sens. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton, fully half of registered Democratic voters chose not to vote.

THE UGLY: Oil prices that hit $139 per barrel last week, putting a gallon of unleaded gasoline over $4 in many places, and which are expected to rise to $150 or higher by the Fourth of July,

THE GOOD: Much needed moisture that finally broke an eight-year drought in many western S.D. counties.

THE BAD: When it rains, it pours. Especially in the Belle Fourche area, where more than 4 inches of rain fell in less than one 24-hour period last week, leading to flooded roads, evacuations and a disaster declaration for Butte County.

THE UGLY: That the rainstorms didn't bring as much drought-relief to the southwestern corner of the state, where pastures, forests and reservoirs are still in desperate need of rain.

THE GOOD: Former Sen. Tom Daschle's name is on the lips of many political pundits and national commentators as a vice-presidential possibility for Sen. Barack Obama. Among Daschle's many desirable qualities as a veep candidate, one is mentioned repeatedly: He's the most "Obama-like," which seems to translate into someone who is calm, affable and unflappable in the middle of a political storm.

THE GOOD: A special D-Day memorabilia display at the S.D. Air and Space Museum at Ellsworth Air Force Base that will run through Friday, June 13. Among the items in the special exhibit: A photograph of a mystery airplane, a B-29 that was dubbed "Mrs. Rapid City," which museum curators haven't been able to learn much else about. Any one with any identifying information about the plane should contact the director of the museum, TSgt. Steven D. Wilson, at 605-385-5188.