South Dakota
USDA Rural Development awarding $750,000 to Grow South Dakota
One South Dakota non-profit aiming to help small businesses in the state is receiving $750,000 from the federal government.
Grow South Dakota has been providing advancement of housing, education, and economic opportunities for 17 counties in the state.
A large piece to that aid comes from federal funding. The USDA Rural Development is giving the non-profit $750,000 to build upon its work and reach more opportunities.
The department is building upon $22 million of past funding awarded to Grow SD.
Lori Finnesand is the CEO for Grow SD. She said the relationship with Rural Development has helped them achieve their goals.
“Rural Development has been a great partner, like I mentioned, over 30 years we have partnered with them. There’re opportunities with them for us to access money, loan capital that we can turn around and relend to businesses across the state. They have a wide variety of programs, so we look to work with them and access capital whenever that’s feasible within their program,” Finnesand said.
Grow SD works with a variety of small businesses at different stages of development.
Finnesand said supporting these businesses can mean a lot to communities.
“This is a great opportunity for us to access additional capital for our loan fund that we can use to support businesses throughout the state of South Dakota. It helps us to keep jobs and retain businesses, especially in the small, rural towns across South Dakota. It really is rewarding for us to be able to assist businesses. It might be a small-town business that if that wasn’t there, they might have to drive several miles in order to access groceries or to access repair items,” Finnesand said.
She also said that the funding will go towards lending to some small businesses in need.
South Dakota
Pres. Trump travels to South Dakota
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – The President set to travel to Mount Rushmore to mark America’s 250th anniversary.
Friday, President Donald Trump is taking that celebration to one America’s most iconic sites, Mount Rushmore
The President is traveling to South Dakota for a celebration at Mount Rushmore that will include fireworks, military bands and flyovers – including one by the new Air Force One – which had its maiden flight on Wednesday to North Dakota. The Boeing 747 is a gift from Qatar.
While at Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills near Keystone, South Dakota, President Trump will deliver a keynote address marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The sculpture at Mount Rushmore features 60-foot-tall depictions of the heads of four U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. They were chosen to represent the nation’s foundation, expansion, development, and preservation
President Trump last visited Mount Rushmore for a Fourth of July Celebration in 2020. The event featured the first official fireworks display at the monument in over a decade.
He’s also repeatedly joked that his face should be added to the monument.
Copyright 2026 Gray DC. All rights reserved.
South Dakota
South Dakota State Museum reopens three renovated rooms for America 250
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.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
South Dakota
Families celebrate 250th in South Dakota
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.
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