PIERRE, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota State Museum in Pierre reopened three rooms to the public on July 1st after three years of renovations.

The State Historical Society received funds to enhance the Cultural Heritage Center in 2022, aimed at improving the building and expanding collection storage.

The museum’s exhibits were redeveloped based on extensive public input and updated state social studies standards, ensuring they reflect South Dakota’s story for modern visitors.

The reopening of the three rooms is part of the America 250 celebration.

“Come to Pierre and experience South Dakota’s history! People of many backgrounds have aided the process, so come see the collective work,” said South Dakota State Museum Director David Grabitske.

The South Dakota State Museum is closed on Mondays, but is open from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm on Sundays.

Admission is free for all South Dakotans and children from anywhere.

The remainder of the museum gallery space will be reopened later this year.

BADLANDS, S.D (KELO)– Cars and campers full of visitors are visiting Badlands National Park today. Tourists are traveling from other states to be in South Dakota for America’s 250th.

“I mean, it’s the kind of thing that you build a road trip for,” said William Retherford, who traveled from Indiana with his family.

For the out-of-state travelers, the beauty of the Badlands can be surprising.

“You picture South Dakota, you think flatland and grass,” said Michael Balafas, who traveled to SD from Idaho. “There are some pockets of South Dakota that are absolutely stunning.”

“It’s hard to even believe that it exists,” said Retherford.

Both families are also enjoying other sites during their trips to western South Dakota.

“What my mom says a lot of the time is, it’s not about the destination but the journey,” said Aralyn Balafas.

Retherford and his family had hoped to be at Mount Rushmore for Friday’s fireworks show.

“We entered eight different ways but didn’t get any tickets,” said Retherford.

Despite not being at the landmark for the show, the trip is well worth it for the country’s 250th.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I mean, we’ll never get to do that again,” said Michael.

“This is the kind of trip that you wait a lifetime for,” said Retherford.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Several new South Dakota laws officially take effect July 1 after being signed into law this session.

This includes new rules on government transparency, online safety, and data privacy.

The Attorney General’s office says the changes are designed to protect South Dakotans both online and in public institutions.

The following 10 bills go into effect July 1:

• Senate Bill 17: Prohibits a candidate or political committee from accepting contributions or loans made by a foreign national. It was unanimously passed by both the House and Senate.
• Senate Bill 41: Revise a provision related to criminal invasions of privacy, prohibit the creation and distribution of digitally fabricated material of an identifiable individual, and provide penalties therefor.
• Senate Bill 42: Enhance the penalties for ingestion, possession with intent to deliver, and delivery of a controlled substance in a state correctional facility.
• Senate Bill 43: Address search and seizure provisions applicable to digital currency.
• Senate Bill 44: Establish investigative subpoena authority to gather business records in certain investigations.
• Senate Bill 45: Revise a provision regulating delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, THC-O acetate, and hexahydrocannabinol for persons under the age of under the age of twenty-one and to provide a penalty therefor.
• Senate Bill 46: Modify the requirements for open meeting agendas and provide a penalty therefor.
• Senate Bill 47: Revise the requirements for executive sessions and closed meetings.
• Senate Bill 48: Clarify that an official open meeting agenda must be posted online at least seventy-two hours before the scheduled start of the meeting.
• Senate Bill 49: Safeguards the integrity, privacy, and security of genetic data and provides a civil penalty therefor.

“These bills protect our citizens from online predators, scammers, and illegal drugs, while they strengthen transparency within state government,” said Attorney General Jackley.