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installed in public areas of the Capitol and other state buildings in the Capitol Complex. • The council says the selection will be based on the quality of the work, its relevance to the state's heritage, the artist's experience and the safety required for public artworks. • Interested artists can find more information at www.artscouncil.sd.gov . •
Actor writes book about Mount Rushmore letters
• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- An actor best known for his role on "General Hospital" has written a book about his parents' connection to Mount Rushmore. • Former soap opera star Richard Cerasani's piece is called "Love Letters from Mount Rushmore: The Story of a Marriage, a Monument, and a Moment in History." • The story centers on his father, who was sculptor and artist who worked on Mount Rushmore for six months in 1940 and stayed connected to his wife through daily letters. • The book is available for $29.95 at most book stores and through the South Dakota Historical Society Press. • Cerasani was made famous by his role as villain Bill Watson on "General Hospital." •
SD uses tobacco settlement dollars for education
• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakota has directed annual funds from a 1998 tobacco settlement toward a state trust fund for education. • Top cigarette makers have made about $6 billion in annual payments to 46 states to cover smoking-related health care costs. States are not required to use that money on tobacco-related programs. • South Dakota officials will deposit $4.8 million from this year's settlement in the Education Enhancement Trust Fund. The remaining $18.8 million this year will make up bond payments due to the trust fund backers. • In 2002, the state created the trust fund with money from Educational Enhancement Funding Corporation bonds. It is paid back annually from the tobacco settlement dollars. • The trust fund currently has $480 million. Four percent of the fund's market value must go to education enhancement each year. •
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