• RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) -- A museum chronicling the history of the North American bison is now open in South Dakota.
• The Museum of the American Bison in downtown Rapid City held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this month.
• The nonprofit museum features interactive and informative exhibits that teach the importance of the American bison.
• Director Susan Ricci says she hopes visitors will get an appreciation for not only how important the animal was to history but also learn about the restoration of the bison in recent years.
• The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is free, though donations are accepted.
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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources is accepting applications for grants to support projects aimed at improving water quality.
• Officials say they expect about $2 million will be available for South Dakota projects. Conservation districts, water development districts, counties, cities, universities and American Indian tribes can apply for the grants through Oct. 1.
• The grants from the federal Environmental Protection Agency require a 40 percent local funding match.
• The federal Clean Water Act provides grants to reduce water pollution from nonpoint sources such as runoff from urban, agricultural and forest lands.
• Such pollution comes from heavily fertilized lawns, urban street and pet wastes, agricultural fields and small livestock operations. The primary nonpoint source pollutants in South Dakota are sediment, phosphorus, nitrogen and fecal coliform bacteria.
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• VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) -- A University of South Dakota track and field athlete

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