MINOT, ND - A BERTHOLD MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED FOR THE KILLING OF HIS EX-WIFE.  39-YEAR OLD DAVID HAIL WAS SENTENCED TO 40 YEARS IN PRISON WITH 10 YEARS SUSPENDED BY JUDGE DOUGLAS MATTSON IN NORTHWEST DISTRICT COURT YESTERDAY.

      HAIL KILLED HIS EX-WIFE, 44-YEAR OLD NOREEN HAIL, IN A DOMESTIC DISPUTE ON FEBRUARY 28TH.  MEDICAL EXAMINERS SAY STRANGULATION WAS THE CAUSE OF DEATH.  HAIL WILL SERVE HIS SENTENCE AT THE STATE PRISON.

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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA SEN. BYRON DORGAN IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE PROSPECT FOR TALKS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA ON WATER AND FLOOD CONTROL ISSUES.

     LAST MONTH, DORGAN PROPOSED BRINGING TOGETHER REPRESENTATIVES OF BOTH COUNTRIES AND REPRESENTATIVES OF MANITOBA AND NORTH DAKOTA.

     MANITOBA PREMIER GREG SELINGER SAID FRIDAY IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET ALL THE JURISDICTIONS TO THE TABLE SOON. CANADIAN OFFICIALS WORRY ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF HARMFUL ORGANISMS COMING INTO MANITOBA FROM A MISSOURI RIVER PIPELINE AND A DEVILS LAKE OUTLET.

     DORGAN CALLED SELINGER'S STATEMENT ENCOURAGING. DORGAN HAS CALLED FOR THE TALKS TO BE SCHEDULED IN WASHINGTON, D.C., IN LATE SEPTEMBER.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA DEMOCRATIC U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE TRACY POTTER SAYS LARGE CUTBACKS IN THE SIZE OF AMERICA'S MILITARY FORCES IS NECESSARY TO REDUCE FEDERAL SPENDING.  POTTER SAYS THE REDUCTIONS SHOULD NOT MEAN CLOSING ONE OR BOTH OF THE STATE'S TWO U.S. AIR FORCE BASES.

     POTTER IS OPPOSING REPUBLICAN JOHN HOEVEN FOR THE NORTH DAKOTA SENATE SEAT BEING LEFT BY DEMOCRATIC SENATOR BYRON DORGAN AT YEAR'S END.  AT A NEWS CONFERENCE ON FRIDAY, POTTER SAID AMERICA SHOULD CLOSE DOWN ITS LARGE MILITARY BASES OVERSEAS AND BRING THE TROOPS HOME. HE SAYS AMERICAN SOLDIERS SHOULD LEAVE IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN AS SOON AS IT'S PRACTICAL TO DO SO.

     HOEVEN SAYS U.S. TROOPS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN SHOULD RETURN WHEN THOSE COUNTRIES' SOLDIERS CAN MAINTAIN STABILITY ON THEIR OWN.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - MOTORISTS THIS LABOR DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND MIGHT WANT TO KEEP A CLOSER WATCH ON THEIR SPEEDOMETERS IF THEY'RE TRAVELING THROUGH FARGO OR GRAND FORKS.

     THOSE TWO CITIES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED BY THE NATIONAL MOTORISTS ASSOCIATION AS BEING AMONG THE WORST FOR SPEED TRAPS.  THE INFORMATION IS BASED ON THE ASSOCIATION'S NATIONAL SPEED TRAP EXCHANGE, WHERE DRIVERS MAKE REPORTS.

     THE ASSOCIATION SAYS FARGO IS THE NORTH DAKOTA CITY WITH THE MOST USER-REPORTED SPEED TRAPS REGARDLESS OF POPULATION SIZE, AND GRAND FORKS HAS THE MOST REPORTED SPEED TRAPS FOR CITIES WITH POPULATIONS OF 100,000 OR LESS.

 

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A FEDERAL JUDGE SAYS THREE LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATES FOR THE NORTH DAKOTA LEGISLATURE DIDN'T GET ENOUGH PRIMARY VOTES TO GO ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.  IN A RULING TODAY, JUDGE RALPH ERICKSON SAID NORTH DAKOTA'S LAW DOESN'T DISCRIMINATE, AND THE THREE CANDIDATES DIDN'T MEET ITS STANDARDS.

     THE LIBERTARIANS WANTED TO RUN FOR TWO GRAND FORKS SEATS IN THE NORTH DAKOTA HOUSE AND A STATE SENATE SEAT IN WAHPETON. THEY NEEDED MORE THAN 130 PRIMARY VOTES TO ADVANCE TO THE GENERAL ELECTION. THEY ALL GOT FEWER THAN 10 VOTES.

     THE CANDIDATES ARGUED NORTH DAKOTA'S LAW IS TOO RESTRICTIVE AND THEY SHOULD GET ON THE BALLOT ANYWAY BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T OPPOSED IN THE LIBERTARIAN PRIMARY. ERICKSON DIDN'T AGREE AND DISMISSED THE CASE.  SECRETARY OF STATE AL JAEGER SAYS HE'S HAPPY WITH THE RULING.
    
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA OFFICIALS MADE THEIR CASE FOR DEVILS LAKE FLOOD CONTROL DURING A MEETING IN WASHINGTON, D.C., TODAY WITH A FEDERAL EMERGENCY TASK FORCE.

     A SPOKESMAN FOR THE STATE'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION SAYS THE SESSION FOCUSED ON WAYS TO REMOVE WATER FROM THE LAKE IN ORDER TO PREVENT AN UNCONTROLLED OVERFLOW, AND WAYS TO MINIMIZE IMPACTS ON DOWNSTREAM COMMUNITIES.  THE TASK FORCE IS EXPECTED TO RELEASE ITS FINAL REPORT LATER THIS MONTH.

     THE LAKE HAS MORE THAN TRIPLED IN SIZE SINCE 1993 BECAUSE OF A SERIES OF WET YEARS.
    
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     GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - A FORMER UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA STUDENT WHO PLEADED GUILTY TO MARRYING A BOSNIAN WOMAN FOR $15,000 HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS PROBATION.

     AUTHORITIES SAY 23-YEAR-OLD JEFFREY GOBLE AGREED TO MARRY 28-YEAR-OLD ALMA NUMIC FOR THE MONEY SO SHE COULD OBTAIN U.S. CITIZENSHIP. THEY MARRIED IN JUNE 2008 AT FAIRY TALE WEDDINGS IN GRAND FORKS.  GOBLE PLEADED GUILTY IN JULY TO MARRIAGE FRAUD. NUMIC HAS MOVED TO BOSNIA.

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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA'S STATE TREASURER HAS BEEN ELECTED BY HER PEERS TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE TREASURERS.  KELLY SCHMIDT SAYS SHE'S HONORED.

     HER ONE-YEAR TERM BEGINS ON JAN. 1. IN ADDITION TO HER DUTIES AS PRESIDENT, SCHMIDT WILL HOST THE ASSOCIATION'S 2011 ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN BISMARCK.
    

 

 

 

 

     PARSHALL, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA OFFICIALS HAVE IDENTIFIED THE WOMAN WHO WAS KILLED IN A TWO-VEHICLE CRASH NEAR PARSHALL.  THE HIGHWAY PATROL SAYS 22-YEAR-OLD AMANDA HART DIED IN THE CRASH THAT HAPPENED AROUND 6:30 A.M. THURSDAY ON STATE HIGHWAY 23, ABOUT A MILE WEST OF PARSHALL.

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A TEXAS COMPANY WORKED THURSDAY TO SEAL THE UNDERGROUND PIPING OF A FAULTY OIL WELL THAT HAS LEAKED MORE THAN 1,100 BARRELS OF CRUDE AND WATER AT THE DRILL SITE IN WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA.  OFFICIALS SAY THE SPILL HAPPENED ABOUT 2 1/2 MILES SOUTHWEST OF KILLDEER AND WAS REPORTED EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING.

     BOB CORNELIUS, A SPOKESMAN FOR DENBURY ONSHORE, SAYS THE WELL CONTINUED LEAKING ABOUT TWO BARRELS OF MOSTLY WATER EACH MINUTE THIS MORNING.  HE SAYS 1,007 BARRELS OF WATER USED IN SO-CALLED FRACKING OPERATIONS AND 125 BARRELS OF OIL HAD BEEN RECOVERED BY THIS MORNING.
    
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     PARSHALL, N.D. (AP) - ONE PERSON IS DEAD IN A TWO-VEHICLE CRASH NEAR PARSHALL.  HIGHWAY PATROL CAPT. ALAN BILLEHUS SAYS THE CRASH HAPPENED ABOUT 6:30 THIS MORNING ON STATE HIGHWAY 23, ABOUT A MILE WEST OF PARSHALL.

     HE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFY THE 22-YEAR-OLD PARSHALL WOMAN WHO WAS KILLED.  BILLEHUS SAYS THE WOMAN WAS DRIVING A PICKUP TRUCK AND DISREGARDED A STOP SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE HIGHWAY AND A GRAVEL ROAD. SHE WAS ALONE IN THE PICKUP.  NONE OF THE FOUR PEOPLE IN THE TRUCK SHE COLLIDED WITH WAS HURT.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA VOTERS IN NOVEMBER WILL DECIDE WHETHER TO BAN BIG-GAME HUNTING IN FENCED PRESERVES.

     SECRETARY OF STATE AL JAEGER TODAY SAID SUPPORTERS OF THE MEASURE SUBMITTED MORE THAN THE NECESSARY 12,844 PETITION SIGNATURES TO QUALIFY THE MEASURE FOR THE NOV. 2 BALLOT. JAEGER SAID IT WILL BE LISTED ON THE BALLOT AS MEASURE NO. 2.

     THE MEASURE SEEKS TO ABOLISH FENCED PRESERVES WHERE PEOPLE PAY TO SHOOT BIG GAME SUCH AS DEER AND ELK. ITS SUPPORTERS SAY FENCED HUNTING IS UNETHICAL, WHILE OPPONENTS SAY A BAN WOULD VIOLATE THE PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THOSE WHO RUN FENCED-HUNTING OPERATIONS.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A BISMARCK DAY CARE PROVIDER ACCUSED IN THE DEATH OF A 3-MONTH-OLD BOY HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR TRIAL FEB. 8.

     DEFENSE ATTORNEY STEVEN MOTTINGER SAYS HE DOES NOT ANTICIPATE THAT 35-YEAR-OLD LARENA DOLL WILL ACCEPT ANY PLEA OFFERS FROM PROSECUTORS.  DOLL IS ACCUSED OF SHAKING KINGSTON KUNTZ OR HITTING HIS HEAD IN APRIL 2008. SHE HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO MURDER.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - BISMARCK IS BEING AFFECTED BY DELTA AIR LINES FLIGHT REDUCTIONS.

     AIRPORT MANAGER GREG HAUG TOLD KXMB THAT DELTA IN OCTOBER WILL PULL ONE OF ITS TWO DAILY FLIGHTS FROM BISMARCK TO SALT LAKE CITY. THERE ALSO WILL BE ONE LESS DAILY DELTA FLIGHT TO MINNEAPOLIS FROM BISMARCK.

     MINOT AIRPORT DIRECTOR ANDREW SOLSVIG EARLIER THIS WEEK SAID DELTA IS ENDING DAILY FLIGHTS BETWEEN MINOT AND SALT LAKE CITY IN OCTOBER.  HAUG SAYS IT'S TYPICAL OF AIRLINES TO CHANGE THEIR FLIGHT SCHEDULES WHEN THE SEASONS CHANGE.
    
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     WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) - A HELICOPTER IS HELPING BASIN ELECTRIC POWER COOPERATIVE STRING A NEW ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINE ALONG U.S. HIGHWAY 2 BETWEEN WILLISTON AND TIOGA.  SPOKESMAN FLOYD ROBB SAYS BASIN CONTRACTED WITH A CALIFORNIA-BASED COMPANY FOR THE CHOPPER TO HELP WITH THE 61-MILE LINE.

     THE LINE BEGINS AT A WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION SUBSTATION NEAR WILLISTON AND WILL END AT A MON-DAK UTILITIES SUBSTATION OUTSIDE TIOGA. ROBB SAYS THE GOAL IS TO STRING ABOUT SIX MILES PER WEEK. THE $26.5 MILLION PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

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     WASHINGTON (AP) - THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE ROSE IN NEARLY HALF OF THE NATION'S 374 LARGEST METRO AREAS IN JULY, AS THE PACE OF HIRING SLOWED FROM EARLIER THIS YEAR.  THE LABOR DEPARTMENT SAYS THE JOBLESS RATE ROSE IN 178 AREAS, DROPPED IN 151 AND WAS UNCHANGED IN 45.

     BISMARCK HAD THE LOWEST JOBLESS RATE, AT 3.1 PERCENT, FOLLOWED BY FARGO, AT 3.7 PERCENT.

     THE ECONOMY IS BARELY GROWING AND ECONOMISTS WORRY IT WON'T EXPAND FAST ENOUGH TO BRING DOWN THE 9.5 PERCENT NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE. ON FRIDAY, THE GOVERNMENT IS EXPECTED TO SAY THAT PRIVATE EMPLOYERS ADDED ONLY 41,000 JOBS IN AUGUST, DOWN FROM 71,000 THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
    

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA'S SUPREME COURT IS CONSIDERING WHETHER A VOTER INITIATIVE ON PHARMACY OWNERSHIP WILL GET A STATEWIDE VOTE.

     THE INITIATIVE'S SUPPORTERS SAY IT WILL GIVE NORTH DAKOTANS ACCESS TO CHEAPER PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. ITS OPPONENTS SAY LETTING LARGE RETAILERS INTO THE PHARMACY BUSINESS WILL HURT RURAL DRUGSTORES.

     ATTORNEY GENERAL WAYNE STENEHJEM TOLD THE SUPREME COURT ON WEDNESDAY THAT THE INITIATIVE PETITION DIDN'T INCLUDE A REQUIRED LISTING OF THE PROPOSAL'S SPONSORS. HE CALLS THE MISTAKE A "COMPLETE FAILURE" AND SAYS IT SHOULD PREVENT THE MEASURE FROM BEING LISTED ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

     DEVILS LAKE ATTORNEY DAN TRAYNOR REPRESENTS THE INITIATIVE'S SPONSORS. HE SAYS THE OMISSION WAS AN HONEST MISTAKE AND SHOULDN'T PREVENT A STATEWIDE VOTE ON THE PHARMACY ISSUE.
    
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     KILLDEER, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE WHY THE LINING OF AN OIL WELL FAILED AND ALLOWED MORE THAN 1,000 BARRELS OF OIL TO SPILL.

     LYNN HELMS, DIRECTOR OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF MINERAL RESOURCES, SAYS IT APPEARS THAT WORKERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RECOVER ALL THE OIL THAT SPILLED SINCE THE STEEL AND CONCRETE LININGS INSIDE THE WELL FAILED WEDNESDAY.  BUT THE WELL WILL CONTINUE LEAKING ABOUT 100 BARRELS OF OIL AN HOUR UNTIL IT CAN BE CAPPED THURSDAY.

     THE SPILL HAPPENED ABOUT 2 1/2 MILES SOUTHWEST OF KILLDEER, BUT REMAINED MORE THAN A MILE AWAY FROM THE CITY'S DRINKING WATER WELLS.  A PROTECTIVE DIKE KEPT THE OIL FROM REACHING A NEARBY CREEK.  NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE LEAKING WELL IS OPERATED BY DENBURY ONSHORE.

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     DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (AP) - THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS HAS HIRED A MINNESOTA COMPANY TO RAISE PART OF THE LEVEE 6 FEET TO BETTER PROTECT THE CITY OF DEVILS LAKE FROM THE BODY OF WATER WITH THE SAME NAME.

     THE $3.84 MILLION PROJECT WAS AWARDED TO VERSACON OF MAPLE GROVE, MINN., TO CONTINUE THE SECOND PHASE OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LEVEE.  THE LAKE HAS MORE THAN TRIPLED IN SIZE SINCE 1993 BECAUSE OF A SERIES OF WET YEARS.  VERSACON WILL RAISE THE EMBANKMENT TO 1,466 FEET ELEVATION OVER A 5,000-FOOT-LONG SECTION EAST OF HIGHWAY 20.  THE WORK WILL INCLUDE WIDENING THE EMBANKMENT TO HANDLE THE ADDITIONAL HEIGHT.
    
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     MCCLUSKY, N.D. (AP) - THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE SAYS THE CAUSE OF A GRAIN ELEVATOR FIRE IN MCCLUSKY CANNOT BE DETERMINED.  FIRE MARSHAL RAY LAMBERT SAYS DAMAGE FROM THE AUG. 4 BLAZE AT THE CO-OP ELEVATOR WAS TOO EXTENSIVE FOR INVESTIGATORS TO PINPOINT THE CAUSE.  BUT LAMBERT SAYS AUTHORITIES HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THE FIRE IS SUSPICIOUS.
    
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     DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA REP. EARL POMEROY SAYS THE NEW VETERANS AFFAIRS CLINIC IN DICKINSON IS TO OPEN SEPT. 15.  THE VA EARLIER THIS SUMMER AWARDED A CONTRACT TO CRASSOCIATES INC.

     THE MOVE CAME AFTER GREAT PLAINS CLINIC'S CONTRACT AS A VA OUTPATIENT CLINIC EXPIRED MAY 1, AND GREAT PLAINS DID NOT BID ON A NEW CONTRACT BECAUSE OF DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE FEDERAL AGENCY.  THAT FORCED VETERANS IN THE REGION TO GO TO ANOTHER VA CLINIC IN THE STATE OR GET AUTHORIZATION FROM THE VA TO RECEIVE CARE FROM A PRIVATE PROVIDER. THERE ARE ABOUT 800 MILITARY VETERANS IN THE REGION.
    
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - THE CENTER FOR VISUAL AND COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY IS GETTING MORE FUNDING FOR RESEARCH ON HOW THE BRAIN WORKS.  THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH RESOURCES SAYS IT WILL PROVIDE $10.7 MILLION OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. THE CENTER IS A COMPONENT OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.

     THE NDSU CENTER WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2004 WITH AN $8.9 MILLION GRANT FROM THE CENTERS OF BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH EXCELLENCE.

     THE WORK BEING DONE INCLUDES HOW THE BRAIN PROCESSES VISUAL INFORMATION, HOW FACTORS SUCH AS ATTENTION, INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES AND EMOTION AFFECT VISUAL PERCEPTION AND COGNITION, AND HOW MEMORY AND ATTENTION WORK.
    

 

 

 

     MINOT, N.D. (AP) - THE MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS EX-WIFE IN BERTHOLD EARLIER THIS YEAR HAS PLEADED GUILTY TO CLASS AA FELONY MURDER.  THIRTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD DAVID HAIL IS TO BE SENTENCED IN STATE DISTRICT COURT IN MINOT ON FRIDAY.

     HAIL WAS ACCUSED OF STRANGLING 44-YEAR-OLD NOREEN HAIL DURING A DOMESTIC DISPUTE ON FEB. 28. HE INITIALLY PLEADED NOT GUILTY BUT CHANGED HIS PLEA DURING A HEARING ON TUESDAY.
    
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     MINOT, N.D. (AP) - DELTA AIR LINES IS ENDING DAILY FLIGHTS BETWEEN MINOT AND SALT LAKE CITY ONLY A FEW MONTHS AFTER THEY BEGAN.

     MINOT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DIRECTOR ANDREW SOLSVIG SAYS THE SERVICE WILL END OCT. 4 BECAUSE OF LOWER-THAN-EXPECTED DEMAND FOR THE FLIGHTS, WHICH BEGAN MAY 4. ONLY ABOUT HALF OF THE PLANES WERE FILLED ON AVERAGE.

     DELTA'S FLIGHTS BETWEEN MINOT AND MINNEAPOLIS ARE NOT AFFECTED.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA'S SUPREME COURT IS HEARING ARGUMENTS ABOUT WHETHER A VOTER INITIATIVE ON PHARMACY OWNERSHIP SHOULD GET A STATEWIDE VOTE THIS FALL.

     ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING BOTH SIDES ARE MAKING THEIR CASE WEDNESDAY MORNING. THE SUPREME COURT IS EXPECTED TO RULE BEFORE SEPT. 8. THAT'S THE DEADLINE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE AL JAEGER TO PROVIDE COUNTY AUDITORS WITH A FINAL COPY OF THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

     THE INITIATIVE'S SUPPORTERS SAY IT WILL HELP GIVE NORTH DAKOTANS ACCESS TO LESS EXPENSIVE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. OPPONENTS SAY IT COULD HURT RURAL PHARMACIES.

     TODAY'S ARGUMENTS ARE ABOUT WHETHER THE MEASURE SHOULD GO ON THE BALLOT, EVEN THOUGH THE INITIATIVE'S PROMOTERS DIDN'T INCLUDE A LIST OF ITS SPONSORS ON THE PETITION ITSELF.
    
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     MINOT, N.D. (AP) - A ROLLA WOMAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO A YEAR AND THREE MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON IN A CASE IN WHICH AUTHORITIES SAY SHE AND TWO JUVENILES USED A STOLEN CAR TO RAM A BAR THAT THEY THEN BURGLARIZED.

     TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD COURTNEY CHARBONNEAU IN MAY PLEADED GUILTY TO BURGLARY AND LARCENY CHARGES.  AUTHORITIES SAY CHARBONNEAU AND THE TWO JUVENILES IN APRIL 2009 BROKE INTO A RESIDENCE IN THE BELCOURT AREA AND TOOK MONEY, A VIDEO GAME CONSOLE AND KEYS TO A CAR THAT THEY LATER RAMMED INTO THE WALLS OF A BAR. THE GROUP THEN TOOK ALCOHOL, MONEY TILLS AND LIGHTING, AND STOLE ANOTHER CAR ON THE WAY OUT.

     CHARBONNEAU WILL BE ON SUPERVISED RELEASE FOR THREE YEARS FOLLOWING HER PRISON TERM. SHE ALSO WAS ORDERED TO PAY $13,290 IN RESTITUTION.

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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - HOUSING OFFICIALS FROM ACROSS THE GREAT PLAINS ARE IN NORTH DAKOTA FOR A THREE-DAY CONFERENCE.

     SEN. KENT CONRAD SAYS THE 2010 SUSTAINABLE HOMES AND COMMUNITIES CONFERENCE IN FARGO IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING TOGETHER LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL RESOURCES TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS.  THE NORTH DAKOTA DEMOCRAT SAYS THE GOAL IS TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO HOUSING CHALLENGES.

     ADEQUATE HOUSING IS A PARTICULAR PROBLEM IN WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA, WHERE THE BOOMING ENERGY INDUSTRY HAS CREATED A HOUSING CRUNCH. HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY SHAUN DONOVAN VISITED WILLISTON EARLIER THIS MONTH TO GET A FIRSTHAND LOOK AT THE PROBLEM.

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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - THE HIGHWAY PATROL SAYS 2010 IS TURNING OUT TO BE A SAFER YEAR FOR NORTH DAKOTA MOTORISTS.  AS OF MONDAY, 59 PEOPLE HAD DIED FROM MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES IN THE STATE COMPARED TO 92 PEOPLE AT THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR.

     THE PATROL SAYS THERE ARE SEVERAL REASONS FOR THE DROP, INCLUDING ROAD SAFETY UPGRADES, EDUCATION EFFORTS AND ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGNS.  THE PATROL IS URGING MOTORISTS TO CONTINUE SAFE DRIVING AS THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND APPROACHES.
    
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     OMAHA, NEB. (AP) - MORE THAN A THIRD OF SUPPLY MANAGERS IN NINE MIDWEST AND PLAINS STATES SURVEYED FOR A REGIONAL BUSINESS INDEX EXPECT A RECESSION IN 2011.

     AS PART OF THE MID-AMERICA REPORT RELEASED WEDNESDAY, SUPPLY MANAGERS WERE ASKED THEIR EXPECTATIONS FOR 2011, AND 35 PERCENT SAID A RECESSION WAS LIKELY OR VERY LIKELY.  THE AUGUST OVERALL ECONOMIC INDEX DIPPED TO 55.8 FROM 60.8 IN JULY.

     THE REPORT USES A COLLECTION OF INDEXES RANGING FROM ZERO TO 100. ANY SCORE ABOVE 50 SUGGESTS ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE NEXT THREE TO SIX MONTHS, WHILE A SCORE BELOW 50 SUGGESTS A CONTRACTING ECONOMY. THE REPORT IS OVERSEEN BY CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY ECONOMIST ERNIE GOSS.

     STATES IN THE SURVEY ARE ARKANSAS, IOWA, KANSAS, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, OKLAHOMA AND SOUTH DAKOTA.

 

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - HOUSE INVESTIGATORS HAVE RECOMMENDED DROPPING A FUNDRAISING PROBE AGAINST NORTH DAKOTA REP. EARL POMEROY.

     THE INDEPENDENT HOUSE OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS HAS BEEN CHECKING WHETHER CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS WERE IMPROPERLY LINKED TO A HOUSE VOTE ON A HUGE FINANCIAL REGULATORY BILL.  THE NORTH DAKOTA DEMOCRAT WAS ONE OF EIGHT HOUSE MEMBERS WHO WERE PART OF THE INQUIRY.

     POMEROY SAYS INVESTIGATORS WERE WORRIED THAT WALL STREET INTERESTS WERE TRYING TO USE DONATIONS TO KILL THE REGULATORY BILL. POMEROY VOTED FOR THE BILL, AND HE SAYS HE'S BAFFLED HE WAS INCLUDED IN THE PROBE.

     POMEROY HELD A CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISER IN WASHINGTON ON DEC. 10, A DAY BEFORE THE HOUSE VOTE. POMEROY SAYS THE EVENT WAS ORGANIZED IN OCTOBER AND THERE WASN'T ANY LINK TO THE FINANCIAL VOTE.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA'S U.S. HOUSE CANDIDATES ARE TARGETING EACH OTHER IN TELEVISION ADS, AND BOTH DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT EARL POMEROY AND REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER RICK BERG HAVE SOME EXAGGERATIONS.

     POMEROY SAYS BERG WANTED TO "PRIVATIZE" SOCIAL SECURITY. THE CLAIM IS BASED ON BERG'S VOTES ON TWO SOCIAL SECURITY RESOLUTIONS IN THE NORTH DAKOTA HOUSE FIVE YEARS AGO, THOUGH NEITHER RESOLUTION SUGGESTED TURNING SOCIAL SECURITY INTO A PRIVATE RETIREMENT PLAN.

     POMEROY IS MORE ON TARGET WHEN HE CRITICIZES BERG'S SUPPORT FOR BANK PRIVACY LEGISLATION. IN 2001, BERG VOTED TO GET RID OF NORTH DAKOTA'S REQUIREMENT THAT BANKS GET A CUSTOMER'S PERMISSION BEFORE SHARING INFORMATION WITH OUTSIDE COMPANIES.  POMEROY POINTS OUT THAT 73 PERCENT OF NORTH DAKOTA VOTERS DECIDED BERG'S FAVORED BILL SHOULD BE REPEALED.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A NATURAL GAS COMPANY HAS CONFIRMED PLANS TO BUILD A NEW PROCESSING PLANT NEAR WATFORD CITY IN WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA.

     BEAR PAW ENERGY TOLD THE STATE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION IT INTENDS TO FILE A CONSTRUCTION APPLICATION FOR THE PROJECT NEXT MONTH. THE NEW PLANT WILL COST ABOUT $175 MILLION TO BUILD, AND WILL BE ABLE TO PROCESS ABOUT 100 MILLION CUBIC FEET OF GAS DAILY.

     NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION IN WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA HAS BEEN RISING AS OIL PRODUCTION GOES UP.  PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER TONY CLARK SAYS SEVERAL PIPELINE AND GAS PROCESSING VENTURES HAVE BEEN BUILT OR ARE UNDER DEVELOPMENT TO HANDLE THE PRODUCTION INCREASE.  AMERADA HESS AND WHITING PETROLEUM ARE AMONG THE COMPANIES THAT HAVE EXPANDED THEIR ABILITY TO TRANSPORT OR PROCESS NATURAL GAS.
    
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - THE FARGO POLICE DEPARTMENT IS BANNING ALL EMPLOYEES FROM TEXTING WHILE DRIVING DEPARTMENT VEHICLES.

     THE POLICY CHANGE IS EXPECTED IN THE NEXT MONTH. CHIEF KEITH TERNES SAYS IT ALSO WILL LIMIT CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING TO "NECESSARY AND REASONABLE" CALLS.

     TERNES AND OTHER CITY OFFICIALS ALSO ARE WATCHING THE FATE OF A PROPOSED CITYWIDE TEXTING AND DRIVING BAN IN GRAND FORKS, TO SEE WHETHER FARGO SHOULD CONSIDER A SIMILAR ORDINANCE.

     GRAND FORKS OFFICIALS HAVE DEBATED THE ORDINANCE THE PAST FEW MONTHS AND LIKELY WILL TAKE UP THE ISSUE AGAIN NEXT WEEK.
    
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     GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - THE GRAND FORKS CITY COUNCIL IS TO VOTE MONDAY ON A BAN ON TEXTING WHILE DRIVING.

     SOME MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL'S SERVICE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE HAD WANTED A BROADER BAN ON DRIVING WHILE DISTRACTED. MEMBERS ULTIMATELY OPTED TO FOCUS JUST ON TEXTING WHILE THEY WORK ON LEGAL LANGUAGE TO DEFINE DISTRACTED DRIVING.

     THE TEXTING-AND-DRIVING LAW WOULD FORBID THE SENDING AND RECEIVING OF TEXT MESSAGES, E-MAIL AND WEB PAGES WHILE BEHIND THE WHEEL, WITH SOME EXCEPTIONS SUCH AS FOR REPORTING A CRIME. THE FINE WOULD BE $20.
    

 

 

 

     MINOT, N.D. (AP) - A COMMITTEE IN MINOT HAS STARTED DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO GUIDE THE CITY'S GROWTH.

     CITY MANAGER DAVID WAIND SAYS THE EXISTING PLAN FINISHED IN 1969 AND UPDATED IN 1995 NO LONGER IS RELEVANT IN MANY AREAS. THE NEW PLAN WILL LOOK AT EVERYTHING FROM LAND USE TO HOUSING.

     THE SCREENING COMMITTEE WILL WORK ON A DRAFT PLAN OVER THE NEXT YEAR. AFTER THAT, CITY PLANNERS, THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY WILL BECOME INVOLVED.  THE ENTIRE PROCESS IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS.

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     MINOT, N.D. (AP) - TRIAL IS SET TO BEGIN SEPT. 14 IN FEDERAL COURT IN MINOT FOR TWO MEMBERS OF THE THREE AFFILIATED TRIBES FACING MULTIPLE RAPE CHARGES INVOLVING MINORS.

     U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE DANIEL HOVLAND HAS ORDERED THAT MEDICINE BIRD MORSETTE OF NEW TOWN AND DUSTIN MORSETTE OF MINOT BE TRIED TOGETHER BEFORE A JURY.  AUTHORITIES ALLEGE THE MEN WHO ARE EITHER 20 OR 21 YEARS OLD ARE GANG MEMBERS WHO SEXUALLY MISTREATED YOUNG GIRLS. BOTH COULD FACE LIFE IN PRISON IF CONVICTED.

     TELEPHONE LISTINGS COULD NOT BE FOUND FOR EITHER MORSETTE.
    
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     WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) - OFFICIALS IN WILLISTON HAVE BROKEN GROUND FOR A NEW SUBDIVISION THAT WILL PROVIDE HOUSING FOR 250 FAMILIES.  HOUSING IS AT A PREMIUM IN WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA BECAUSE OF THE BOOMING ENERGY INDUSTRY.

     THE NEW GRANITE PEAK SUBDIVISION WILL INCLUDE LAND FOR 84 SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES, 84 TWIN HOMES AND AN APARTMENT COMPLEX WITH MORE THAN 100 UNITS.  ANOTHER NEW DEVELOPMENT, THE TIMBERS SUBDIVISION, WILL CONSIST OF 124 HOUSING UNITS WHEN COMPLETED.
    
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    BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - ONE OF THE LAST VETERANS OF THE VIETNAM WAR STILL SERVING IN THE NORTH DAKOTA NATIONAL GUARD HAS RETIRED.

     MASTER SGT. DOUGLAS BALLIET (BAL-EE-ET') ENLISTED IN THE ARMY IN 1970 AND SERVED AS AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC IN VIETNAM. THE LINTON NATIVE JOINED THE NORTH DAKOTA GUARD IN 1972 AND SERVED NEARLY FOUR DECADES, MOST RECENTLY AS THE GUARD'S AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR.

     IN ADDITION TO HIS MAINTENANCE DUTIES, BALLIET LOGGED MORE THAN 2,300 FLIGHT HOURS AS A CREW CHIEF IN VARIOUS AIRCRAFT.  BALLIET WAS HONORED AT A CEREMONY IN BISMARCK ON MONDAY.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A WORLD WAR II BATTLE OF THE BULGE VETERAN WHO WENT ON TO COMMAND THE NORTH DAKOTA NATIONAL GUARD HAS DIED.  DUNSEITH NATIVE CHARLES MURRY DIED SUNDAY IN BISMARCK AT AGE 86.

     MURRY ALSO SERVED AS A DIRECTOR OF THE NEWLY CREATED NORTH DAKOTA LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM 1951 TO 1975. CURRENT GUARD ADJUTANT GENERAL DAVID SPRYNCZYNATYK SAYS MURRY HELPED ESTABLISH THE COUNCIL AND WRITE A LOT OF THE LAWS THE STATE HAS TODAY.

     MURRY WAS APPOINTED THE GUARD'S LEAD GENERAL IN 1975 BY THEN-GOV. ART LINK. HE SERVED IN THE POST THROUGH 1984. HE THEN SERVED AS MANAGER OF THE GARRISON DIVERSION PROJECT FROM 1985 TO 1993.

     FUNERAL SERVICES ARE THURSDAY AT TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH. MURRY WILL BE BURIED AT THE NORTH DAKOTA VETERANS CEMETERY.

 

 

 

 

     DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (AP) - A NEW REPORT ON DEVILS LAKE FLOODING ADDRESSES AN OVERALL BASIN PLAN, ADDITIONAL OUTLET CAPACITY, SAVING THE TOWN OF MINNEWAUKAN AND BUYING OUT STRUCTURES IN COUNTIES NOT PREVIOUSLY AFFECTED.

     THE REPORT OBTAINED BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WAS COMPLETED BY THE STATE WATER COMMISSION, STATE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS. THE GROUP IS HOPING THE STUDY AND ITS MORE THAN 30 "POSSIBLE NEXT STEPS" WILL BE CONSIDERED NEXT MONTH WHEN A FEDERAL TASK FORCE MAKES IT RECOMMENDATIONS.  THE TASK FORCE MEETS FRIDAY IN WASHINGTON.

     THE LAKE IS AT THE BOTTOM OF A CLOSED BASIN THAT HAS NO NATURAL RIVER OR STREAM OUTLET. A WET CYCLE THAT BEGAN IN THE EARLY 1990S HAS PUSHED THE LAKE WITHIN 6 FEET OF ITS NATURAL OVERFLOW, THREATENING DOWNSTREAM COMMUNITIES.
    
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO 45 YEARS IN PRISON FOR LEADING A CRACK COCAINE RING THAT STRETCHED ACROSS NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA AND MINNESOTA.

     A JURY IN JUNE FOUND 26-YEAR-OLD FERRIS LEE GUILTY ON 13 FEDERAL COUNTS, INCLUDING ENGAGING IN A CONTINUING CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE. HE FACED A MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF LIFE IN PRISON.

     ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY CHRIS MYERS SAID DURING MONDAY'S SENTENCING HEARING IN FARGO THAT LEE RAN "ARGUABLY THE LARGEST AND MOST COMPLICATED" CRACK COCAINE RING SEEN BY FEDERAL PROSECUTORS IN NORTH DAKOTA.

     DEFENSE ATTORNEY JOHN GOFF SAID THERE WASN'T A LARGE AMOUNT OF COCAINE SEIZED IN THE CASE AND THE CRIME DID NOT INVOLVE VIOLENCE. HE ASKED FOR A SENTENCE OF 30 YEARS IN PRISON.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - SOME BISMARCK BAR OWNERS WANT THE CITY COMMISSION TO ADDRESS SMOKING SHELTERS, NOW THAT COMMISSIONERS HAVE BANNED BAR PATRONS FROM LIGHTING UP.  THE ORDINANCE RECENTLY APPROVED THAT BANS SMOKING IN BARS EFFECTIVE NOV. 1 PROHIBITS SMOKING WITHIN 10 FEET OF A BUSINESS ENTRANCE OR EXIT.

     SOME BAR OWNERS WOULD LIKE THE ABILITY TO HAVE PARTIALLY ENCLOSED STRUCTURES NEAR EXITS FOR SMOKERS TO USE IN THE WINTER.  COMMISSIONER JOSH ASKVIG SAYS THE COMMISSION WILL ADDRESS CONCERNS AS THEY ARISE, BUT HE DOESN'T ANTICIPATE ALTERING THE SMOKING ORDINANCE.
    
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     LINTON, N.D. (AP) - OFFICIALS ON MONDAY BROKE GROUND FOR A WATER TREATMENT FACILITY IN LINTON FOR THE SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL WATER DISTRICT.

     REP. EARL POMEROY SAYS THE PROJECT HAS RECEIVED MORE THAN $21 MILLION IN FEDERAL STIMULUS GRANTS AND MORE THAN $7 MILLION IN FEDERALLY BACKED LOANS.  THE NORTH DAKOTA DEMOCRAT SAYS THE PROJECT WILL INCREASE THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER IN EMMONS, LOGAN AND MCINTOSH COUNTIES.

     THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 2012. EXPANSIONS INTO MCINTOSH AND LOGAN COUNTIES THEN WILL BEGIN. POMEROY SAYS ANOTHER $9 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE WATER DISTRICT IN FISCAL 2010 WILL HELP WITH EXPANSION INTO EMMONS, KIDDER AND LOGAN COUNTIES.
    
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     WEST FARGO, N.D. (AP) - WHEN THE SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS TUESDAY IN WEST FARGO, SPACE WILL BE AT A PREMIUM.

     ABOUT 7,200 STUDENTS ARE SIGNED UP FOR CLASSES, AN INCREASE OF NEARLY 350 FROM A YEAR AGO. SUPERINTENDENT DAVID FLOWERS SAYS SPACE IS RUNNING OUT. HE SAYS THE DISTRICT HAS THREE CLASSROOMS NOT YET FULLY USED. ONCE THEY'RE FILLED, CLASS SIZES WILL GET LARGER OR OTHER SOLUTIONS MUST BE FOUND TO THE SPACE
PROBLEM.

     VOTERS IN THE WEST FARGO SCHOOL DISTRICT HAVE REJECTED BUILDING REFERENDUMS TWICE, IN MARCH AND IN JUNE 2009. FLOWERS SAYS IN COMING MONTHS, HE'LL WORK WITH STAFF AND THE SCHOOL BOARD TO IDENTIFY THE BEST ALTERNATIVES FOR MEETING SPACE NEEDS.
    

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - THE CHAIRMAN OF NORTH DAKOTA'S INVESTMENT BOARD SAYS A NEW AUDIT OF STATE PENSION FUNDS WILL LEAD TO CHANGES IN HOW THEY'RE OPERATED.  LT. GOV. JACK DALRYMPLE SAYS HE'S EXPECTING THE BOARD TO TAKE A GREATER ROLE IN REVIEWING THE HIRING OF INVESTMENT MANAGERS FOR THE FUNDS.

     UNTIL RECENTLY, STATE INVESTMENT DIRECTOR STEVE COCHRANE DID THE MANAGER REVIEWS. COCHRANE KILLED HIMSELF LAST APRIL, AND THE INVESTMENT BOARD IS LOOKING FOR HIS SUCCESSOR.

     AUDITOR THOMAS REY SAYS COCHRANE DID EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND WORK ON INVESTMENT MANAGERS BEFORE HE HIRED THEM, BUT HE DIDN'T KEEP ADEQUATE DOCUMENTATION OF HIS REVIEWS.  REY SAYS COCHRANE ALSO DID ALL THE WORK HIMSELF, AND HE SAYS THE DUTIES SHOULD HAVE BEEN SHARED.
    
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     NEW YORK (AP) - IT'S ANOTHER SIGN THAT BORROWERS HAVE TAKEN TIGHTER CONTROL OF THEIR DEBT. LATE PAYMENTS ON AUTO LOANS DROPPED IN THE SECOND QUARTER.

     THE CREDIT REPORTING AGENCY TRANSUNION SAYS THE RATE OF PAYMENTS 60 DAYS OR MORE PAST DUE DROPPED TO 0.53 PERCENT OF THE OUTSTANDING AUTO LOANS IN THE APRIL-TO-JUNE PERIOD. THAT WAS DOWN FROM 0.73 PERCENT A YEAR AGO.

     NORTH DAKOTA HAD THE BEST PAYMENT RECORD, WITH A DELINQUENCY RATE OF JUST 0.28 PERCENT. MISSISSIPPI HAD THE HIGHEST DELINQUENCY RATE, AT 1.05 PERCENT.
    
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     DOUGLAS, N.D. (AP) - THE WARD COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING A BAR BURGLARY IN DOUGLAS.

     AUTHORITIES SAY SOMEONE BROKE THROUGH A BACK DOOR AT THE DOUGLAS BAR EARLY FRIDAY, AND TOOK ABOUT $1,600 FROM A WALK-IN SAFE AS WELL AS ABOUT $60 FROM A DONATION JAR.  THE DONATION JAR WAS TO HELP A 1-MONTH-OLD CHILD WHO NEEDS HEART
SURGERY.

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     DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) - STATE TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR FRANCIS ZIEGLER SAYS MAJOR OVERHAULS ARE PLANNED FOR U.S. HIGHWAYS 12 AND 85 IN SOUTHWESTERN NORTH DAKOTA.

     THE HIGHWAYS ARE NARROW TWO-LANE ROADS. THEODORE ROOSEVELT EXPRESSWAY ASSOCIATION DIRECTOR CAL KLEWIN SAYS THEY WERE NOT DESIGNED FOR THE KIND AND AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC BROUGHT BY THE CURRENT OIL PATCH BOOM.

     ZIEGLER SAYS A VARIETY OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WILL BE UNDERTAKEN ALONG THE TWO HIGHWAYS BETWEEN THIS YEAR AND 2014.  HE SAYS THE PROJECTS TOTAL ABOUT $108 MILLION.

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     DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) - CITY LOTS ARE A HOT COMMODITY IN DICKINSON AS THE CITY CONTINUES TO DEVELOP.  OFFICIALS SAY THEY EXPECT 426 LOTS TO SELL THIS YEAR, COMPARED TO ABOUT A DOZEN IN EACH OF THE LAST TWO YEARS.

     CITY ADMINISTRATOR SHAWN KESSEL SAYS THE BOOM EVENTUALLY WILL DRY UP, THOUGH, BECAUSE THE LOTS ARE RUNNING OUT. HE SAYS THE CITY USED TO HAVE ABOUT A DOZEN PAGES OF LOTS AVAILABLE FOR SALE BUT IS NOW DOWN TO TWO PAGES. THAT'S AN ESTIMATED 31 LOTS.

     KESSEL SAYS THAT'S A GOOD THING, BECAUSE IT MEANS THE CITY NO LONGER HAS TO MAINTAIN THE LOTS, AND THEY'RE BEING DEVELOPED BY PRIVATE INTERESTS.

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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - BURLEIGH COUNTY AUTHORITIES DISPOSED OF AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE THAT HAD BEEN LIT AND LEFT IN A MAILBOX SOUTH OF BISMARCK.

     GARY SCHAFFER OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS A RESIDENT HEARD NOISES OUTSIDE ABOUT 2 A.M. THURSDAY AND LATER FOUND THE DEVICE, WHICH WAS LIT BUT DID NOT DETONATE, IN HIS MAILBOX.

     BISMARCK POLICE SGT. MARK BUSCHENA SAYS THE DEPARTMENT'S BOMB SQUAD TOOK AN X-RAY OF THE DEVICE THEN DISPOSED OF IT.  NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THE INCIDENT.

     SCHAFFER SAYS THERE ARE NO SUSPECTS, ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT THE FIRST EXPLOSIVE DEVICE REPORTED IN THE AREA IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. AUTHORITIES HAVEN'T DETERMINED WHETHER THEY'RE RELATED.

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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA'S DEER ARCHERY SEASON OPENS AT NOON ON FRIDAY.

     THE STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT IS REMINDING BOWHUNTERS TO FOLLOW REGULATIONS WHEN USING TREE STANDS IN PUBLIC HUNTING AREAS.  THAT INCLUDES DISPLAYING THE OWNER'S NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER ON TREE STANDS LEFT UNATTENDED ON GAME AND FISH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS.

     GAME AND FISH SAYS EACH YEAR IT RECEIVES INQUIRIES FROM BOWHUNTERS REGARDING TREE STANDS THAT ARE STOLEN, MOVED OR TAMPERED WITH. THE AGENCY SAYS THEFTS OF TREE STANDS SHOULD BE REPORTED TO LOCAL SHERIFFS OFFICIALS.

     THE ARCHERY SEASON IS OPEN THROUGH NEXT JAN. 2.
     
    

 

MONDAY - 08/30/10 - MORNING EDITION 

     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A JUDGE HAS ORDERED THE GOVERNMENT TO RESPOND TO A FARGO MAN TRYING CLEAR HIS CONVICTION FOR THREATS AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH.

     DANIEL CVIJANOVICH WAS SENTENCED IN 2007 ON ONE FELONY COUNT OF THREATS AGAINST THE PRESIDENT. HE SERVED 19 MONTHS IN PRISON AND FOUR MONTHS IN A HALFWAY HOUSE.

     CVIJANOVICH WAS ACCUSED OF TELLING THREE FELLOW INMATES IN A JAMESTOWN JAIL THAT HE PLANNED TO KILL BUSH WHEN HE WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON, ALTHOUGH A JURY FOUND THAT ONLY ONE OF THE THREATS WAS CREDIBLE.

     CVIJANOVICH SAYS THE GOVERNMENT FAILED TO DISCLOSE THAT THE KEY WITNESS HAD PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED A STIFFER SENTENCE IN A SEPARATE CASE FOR LYING TO A JURY.

     U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE RALPH ERICKSON SAYS PROSECUTORS HAVE UNTIL SEPT. 3 TO REPLY.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A PETITION FOR DISCIPLINE HAS BEEN FAILED AGAINST A BURLEIGH COUNTY PROSECUTOR ACCUSED OF WITHHOLDING EVIDENCE IN CASE AGAINST NORTH DAKOTA'S FORMER WORKERS COMPENSATION DIRECTOR.

     THE PETITION FILED BY PAUL JACOBSON, AN ATTORNEY FOR THE STATE SUPREME COURT DISCIPLINARY BOARD, SAYS CYNTHIA FELAND VIOLATED STATE PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT RULES.  THE PETITION SAYS FELAND DIDN'T TURN OVER A STATE AUDITOR'S MEMO THAT WOULD HAVE HELPED SANDY BLUNT'S DEFENSE.

     BLUNT WAS CONVICTED OF MISSPENDING MORE THAN $26,000. THE STATE SUPREME COURT UPHELD HIS CONVICTION LAST MONTH. ON THURSDAY, BLUNT'S ATTORNEY ASKED A JUDGE TO GRANT BLUNT A NEW TRIAL OR DISMISS HIS CONVICTION, CITING WITHHELD EVIDENCE.

     FELAND HAS SAID BLUNT'S ATTORNEY HAD THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE MEMO.

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    BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA REGULATORS ARE EXPECTED TO DECIDE IN ABOUT TWO MONTHS ON SITE AUTHORIZATION FOR A WIND PROJECT IN MCINTOSH COUNTY.

     THE 200-MEGAWATT PROJECT OF MARYLAND-BASED COMPETITIVE POWER VENTURES INC. ALSO WILL REQUIRE FEDERAL APPROVAL, BECAUSE THE COMPANY PLANS TO SELL THE POWER TO THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY, A CORPORATION OWNED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.

     COMPETITIVE POWER VENTURES HOPES TO BEGIN INSTALLING JUST UNDER 90 TURBINES BETWEEN ASHLEY AND LEHR IN 2012.  PROJECT MANAGER JOHN HAFNER SAYS THE PLANNED $400 MILLION WIND FARM ENCOMPASSES 17,400 ACRES OF THE 37,000 ACRES THE COMPANY HAS UNDER CONTRACT IN THE AREA. IT WOULD EMPLOY BETWEEN 50 AND 80 PEOPLE DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE AND 10 TO 16 DURING OPERATIONS.

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     DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (AP) - A MINNESOTA WOMAN HAS BEEN KILLED IN A TWO-VEHICLE CRASH ON U.S. HIGHWAY 2 NEAR DEVILS LAKE, IN EAST-CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA.

     THE HIGHWAY PATROL SAYS THE 59-YEAR-OLD MEE XIONG, OF WOODBURY, MINN., WAS IN A VAN THAT PULLED INTO THE PATH OF A PICKUP AND WAS REAR-ENDED JUST BEFORE 4 P.M. FRIDAY. SHE DIED AT A HOSPITAL.

     THE PATROL SAYS THE DRIVER OF THE VAN, 38-YEAR-OLD KA XIONG, ALSO OF WOODBURY, MINN., WAS CITED FOR FAILING TO YIELD. ANOTHER PASSENGER IN HER VEHICLE HAS BEEN HOSPITALIZED IN STABLE CONDITION.
    
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - FARGO SHANLEY HIGH SCHOOL IS USING PART OF AN ANONYMOUS $2 MILLION DONATION TO ADD THE FINISHING TOUCHES TO ITS NEW SID CICHY STADIUM.

     DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR TODD MICKELSON SAYS THE $475,000 PROJECT WILL ADD FENCING AND ENTRY GATES, A PRESS BOX, WALKING PATHS AND PERMANENT SEATS FOR 1,500 FANS.  OFFICIALS HOPE TO COMPLETE THE WORK BY THE HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME AGAINST VALLEY CITY ON OCT. 1.

     HALF OF THE $2 MILLION DONATION PLEDGED OVER FIVE YEARS WILL GO TO AN ACTIVITIES-FOCUSED FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN THE FARGO CATHOLIC SCHOOLS BEGAN IN 2006. THE OTHER HALF WILL GO TOWARD ACADEMIC AND FAITH PROGRAMMING AND EFFORTS TO KEEP TUITION COSTS AFFORDABLE.

 

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - ATTORNEY GENERAL WAYNE STENEHJEM SAYS A PHARMACY INITIATIVE SHOULDN'T QUALIFY FOR THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.  THE SUPREME COURT IS HEARING THE DISPUTE NEXT WEEK. STENEHJEM FILED HIS ARGUMENTS WITH THE HIGH COURT FRIDAY.

     SECRETARY OF STATE AL JAEGER WOULDN'T TAKE THE INITIATIVE PETITIONS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T INCLUDE A LIST OF THE PROPOSAL'S SPONSORS. SUPPORTERS OF THE MEASURE SAY THAT'S A TECHNICALITY.

     IN HIS LEGAL FILING FRIDAY, STENEHJEM SAYS NORTH DAKOTA'S CONSTITUTION AND LAW REQUIRE THAT THE SPONSOR LIST BE PART OF AN INITIATIVE PETITION. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS THAT LETS VOTERS KNOW WHO IS BEHIND A PROPOSED MEASURE.

     THE MEASURE'S SUPPORTERS SAY JAEGER GAVE CONFUSING INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT THE PETITION. BUT STENEHJEM SAYS JAEGER'S LETTERS AND OFFICE PUBLICATIONS ARE CLEAR THAT A SPONSOR LIST IS PART OF ANY VOTER INITIATIVE.
    
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - CHARGES AGAINST AN OKLAHOMA MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING A NORTH DAKOTA DENTIST HAVE BEEN CHANGED.

     MICHAEL NAKVINDA PLEADED NOT GUILTY THURSDAY IN CASS COUNTY DISTRICT COURT TO INTENTIONAL HOMICIDE, A CHARGE THAT WAS AMENDED FROM FELONY MURDER. THE 42-YEAR-OLD FROM OKLAHOMA CITY ALSO FACE CHARGES OF ROBBERY, BURGLARY AND THEFT IN THE OCT. 26 KILLING OF PHILIP GATTUSO.

     AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THAT GENE KIRKPATRICK, THE FATHER OF GATTUSO'S LATE WIFE, PAID NAKVINDA $3,000 TO KILL GATTUSO BECAUSE HE DID NOT AGREE WITH THE WAY HIS GRANDDAUGHTER WAS BEING RAISED. NAKVINDA ONCE WORKED AS KIRKPATRICK'S HANDYMAN.  NAKVINDA'S TRIAL HAS BEEN DELAYED UNTIL NOV. 30.

     KIRKPATRICK, OF JONES, OKLA., FACES A MURDER CONSPIRACY CHARGE AND IS SCHEDULED FOR TRIAL IN OCTOBER.

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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA IS IN LINE FOR ANOTHER $12.5 MILLION IN FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY TO WEATHERIZE LOW-INCOME HOMES.

     FEDERAL ENERGY SECRETARY STEVEN CHU SAYS NORTH DAKOTA HAS COMPLETED WEATHERIZATION WORK ON MORE THAN 900 HOMES, OR ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE HOMES PLANNED FOR THE WORK WITH THE INITIAL $12.5 MILLION. HE SAYS THAT MAKES THE STATE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE GRANT.

     THE STATE'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION SAYS THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE HOME HEATING DURING A NORTH DAKOTA WINTER CAN TAKE A BIG BITE OUT OF A FAMILY'S BUDGET.
    
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - SANFORD HEALTH IS TRYING TO CONTACT DOZENS OF PATIENTS AND EMPLOYEES WHO MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO ACTIVE TUBERCULOSIS THROUGH A DOCTOR WHO'S BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH THE ILLNESS.

     THE HEALTH SYSTEM SAID FRIDAY THAT THE RISK OF INFECTION IS LOW BUT IT WILL OFFER TESTS TO 77 PATIENTS AND 43 EMPLOYEES WHO CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE DOCTOR BETWEEN JULY 1 AND AUG. 16.

     SANFORD WILL ATTEMPT TO CONTACT ALL AFFECTED PATIENTS AND EMPLOYEES WITHIN 72 HOURS. THE NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS ASSISTING.  SANFORD SAYS THE DOCTOR WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH TUBERCULOSIS BUT DIDN'T PROVIDE MORE DETAILS.

     TUBERCULOSIS, OR TB, IS CAUSED BY A BACTERIUM THAT OFTEN INFECTS THE LUNGS AND CAN BE FATAL.  THERE WERE 11,540 CASES IN THE U.S. IN 2009, THE LOWEST SINCE THE ILLNESS WAS FIRST TRACKED IN 1953.
    

 

 

 

     MINOT, N.D. (AP) - A MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS EX-WIFE IN BERTHOLD HAS BEEN GIVEN MORE TIME TO CONSIDER A PLEA AGREEMENT OFFERED BY PROSECUTORS.

     JUDGE DOUGLAS MATTSON ON THURSDAY GAVE 39-YEAR-OLD DAVID HAIL ANOTHER WEEK TO PONDER THE DEAL, AFTER HAIL'S ATTORNEY SAID HIS CLIENT HAD NOT HAD ADEQUATE TIME TO MAKE A DECISION.

     HAIL IS ACCUSED OF STRANGLING 44-YEAR-OLD NOREEN HAIL DURING A DOMESTIC DISPUTE ON FEB. 28. HE HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY.  HAIL IS DUE BACK IN COURT ON SEPT. 3.
    
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     DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (AP) - A 65-YEAR-OLD DEVILS LAKE MAN ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY ABUSING A TEENAGE GIRL FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS HAS PLEADED GUILTY TO A REDUCED CHARGE TO AVOID A POSSIBLE LIFE PRISON TERM.

     CLINT CAMPBELL INITIALLY WAS CHARGED WITH CONTINUAL SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD. HE PLEADED GUILTY TO GROSS SEXUAL IMPOSITION ON WEDNESDAY, THE DAY HIS TRIAL ON THE MORE SERIOUS CHARGE WAS TO BEGIN.

     AUTHORITIES ALLEGED THAT CAMPBELL ABUSED THE GIRL, WHO WAS YOUNGER THAN 15, BETWEEN FALL 2007 AND THIS PAST MARCH. CAMPBELL DISPUTED THAT, SAYING THE ABUSE BEGAN A SHORT TIME BEFORE HIS ARREST IN MARCH.

     HE COULD FACE UP TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON, THOUGH PROSECUTORS ARE RECOMMENDING HE SERVE FIVE WITH ANOTHER FIVE YEARS OF PROBATION. A SENTENCING DATE WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY SET.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - AN AUDIT OF NORTH DAKOTA'S PENSION FUNDS FOR TEACHERS AND STATE WORKERS DIDN'T FIND ANY WRONGDOING BY THEIR FORMER MANAGER.  NORTH DAKOTA'S INVESTMENT BOARD ORDERED THE AUDIT AFTER INVESTMENT DIRECTOR STEVE COCHRANE KILLED HIMSELF LAST APRIL.

     LT. GOV. JACK DALRYMPLE IS THE BOARD'S CHAIRMAN. HE SAYS AUDITORS WENT THROUGH COCHRANE'S COMPUTER DISKS, FILES AND E-MAILS AND LOOKED AT ALMOST A YEAR'S WORTH OF TRANSACTIONS.  AUDITORS SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING UNUSUAL. THE AUDIT SAYS COCHRANE STUCK TO AGENCY INVESTMENT POLICY AND DIDN'T ALLOW CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.

     THE REPORT SAYS THE AGENCY PAYS HIGHER FEES TO OUTSIDE MONEY MANAGERS BECAUSE IT HAS SOME COMPLEX INVESTMENTS. IT ALSO SAYS COCHRANE SHOULD HAVE DONE MORE TO DOCUMENT HIS BACKGROUND CHECKS OF THE MONEY MANAGERS HE HIRED.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - AIRLINE BOARDINGS AT NORTH DAKOTA'S EIGHT COMMERCIAL AIRPORTS IN JULY WERE UP 8.5 PERCENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR, WITH MANY AIRPORTS SEEING THEIR HIGHEST NUMBERS IN A DECADE.

     AERONAUTICS COMMISSIONER LARRY TABORSKY SAYS JULY IS THE BUSIEST TIME FOR AIR TRAVEL IN NORTH DAKOTA, AND THIS JULY WAS THE BUSIEST MONTH ON RECORD. BOARDINGS HAVE BEEN UP CONSISTENTLY THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF NORTH DAKOTA'S GOOD ECONOMY AND MORE AVAILABLE FLIGHTS.

     FARGO WAS THE ONLY CITY TO SEE A BOARDINGS DECREASE OVER THE YEAR, OF 4 PERCENT, BUT TABORSKY SAYS THE DROP WAS FROM A RECORD HIGH LAST YEAR.

     WILLISTON HAD THE BIGGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN BOARDINGS IN JULY, OF MORE THAN 47 PERCENT. MINOT HAD THE MOST ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS, WITH , 2,331 MORE BOARDINGS OVER THE YEAR.
    

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA PRISON OFFICIALS SAY AN INMATE WHO WALKED FROM THE PENITENTIARY GROUNDS TO THE PARKING LOT OF A NEARBY NURSERY WASN'T TRYING TO ESCAPE.

     STATE CORRECTIONS SPOKESMAN TIM TAUSEND SAYS THE INMATE HAD BEEN WORKING ON THE PRISON GROUNDS AND CROSSED THE STREET BRIEFLY TO THE NURSERY BEFORE RETURNING.

     TAUSEND WOULDN'T IDENTIFY THE INMATE. TAUSEND SAYS HE HAS BEEN HOUSED AT THE MINIMUM-SECURITY MISSOURI RIVER CORRECTIONAL CENTER IN SOUTHWESTERN BISMARCK. HE'S BEING DISCIPLINED. AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT, TAUSEND SAYS THE INMATE HAS BEEN MOVED BACK TO THE MAIN STATE PRISON.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A LAWYER FOR FORMER NORTH DAKOTA WORKERS COMPENSATION DIRECTOR SANDY BLUNT SAYS PROSECUTORS WITHHELD CRUCIAL EVIDENCE IN BLUNT'S FELONY TRIAL.

     BLUNT WAS CONVICTED IN DECEMBER 2008 OF MISSPENDING MORE THAN $26,000 IN WORKFORCE SAFETY AND INSURANCE FUNDS. NORTH DAKOTA'S SUPREME COURT UPHELD HIS CONVICTION.

     BLUNT'S LAWYER, MIKE HOFFMAN, FILED PAPERS IN STATE DISTRICT COURT ON THURSDAY ASKING A JUDGE TO DISMISS THE CASE OR GRANT BLUNT A NEW TRIAL.  HOFFMAN SAYS PROSECUTORS DIDN'T PROVIDE COPIES OF POLICE INTERVIEWS OF SOME KEY WITNESSES, EVEN THOUGH HOFFMAN ASKED FOR THEM.

     BURLEIGH COUNTY PROSECUTOR CYNTHIA FELAND HAS ALREADY ASKED A JUDGE TO DETERMINE WHETHER SHE BROKE ANY RULES IN FAILING TO TURN OVER MATERIAL TO BLUNT'S LAWYER.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS SAY POWER PLANT COAL ASH DUMPS IN NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTH DAKOTA ARE POLLUTING GROUNDWATER WITHIN A FEW MILES OF DRINKING WATER WELLS.  THE GROUPS WANT THE FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY TO REGULATE COAL ASH DISPOSAL.

     THEY RELEASED A REPORT THAT MENTIONS NORTH DAKOTA'S ANTELOPE VALLEY AND LELAND OLDS POWER STATIONS AND SOUTH DAKOTA'S BIG STONE PLANT AS POLLUTION SITES.

     J. DRAKE HAMILTON IS SCIENCE POLICY DIRECTOR FOR FRESH ENERGY OF MINNESOTA. HAMILTON SAYS STATE REGULATION OF COAL ASH DUMPS IS UNEVEN.  THE REPORT SAYS COAL ASH DUMPS HAVE MORE ARSENIC AND HEAVY METALS THAN FEDERAL DRINKING WATER STANDARDS ALLOW.

     NORTH DAKOTA HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THE STATE DOES A GOOD JOB MONITORING COAL ASH DISPOSAL. SOUTH DAKOTA REGULATORS SAY THE REPORT'S CLAIMS ABOUT BIG STONE AREN'T TRUE.
    
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - U.S. REPRESENTATIVES FROM NORTH DAKOTA AND MINNESOTA SAY A POSSIBLE DELAY TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS ABOUT A RED RIVER DIVERSION WON'T DERAIL THE PROJECT.

     THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS HAS RECEIVED HUNDREDS O, F COMMENTS ABOUT THE PROPOSED CHANNEL TO MOVE WATER AROUND THE FARGO AND MOORHEAD, MINN., AREA, MOST OF WHICH ARE CRITICAL OF THE $1.5 BILLION PROJECT.  THE CORPS IS CONSIDERING A DELAY TO REVIEW THE COMMENTS.

     MINNESOTA REP. JAMES OBERSTAR, CHAIRMAN OF A HOUSE COMMITTEE THAT AUTHORIZES FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS, SAID DURING A MEETING IN FARGO ON THURSDAY THAT THE PLAN APPEARS TO BE ON SCHEDULE.

     NORTH DAKOTA REP. EARL POMEROY SAID THE DIVERSION IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE AND WILL GET DONE AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.
    

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A LAWYER FOR FORMER NORTH DAKOTA WORKERS COMPENSATION DIRECTOR SANDY BLUNT SAYS PROSECUTORS WITHHELD CRUCIAL EVIDENCE IN BLUNT'S FELONY TRIAL.

     BLUNT WAS CONVICTED IN DECEMBER 2008 OF MISSPENDING MORE THAN $26,000 IN WORKFORCE SAFETY AND INSURANCE FUNDS. NORTH DAKOTA'S SUPREME COURT UPHELD HIS CONVICTION.

     BLUNT'S LAWYER, MIKE HOFFMAN, FILED PAPERS IN STATE DISTRICT COURT ON THURSDAY ASKING A JUDGE TO DISMISS THE CASE OR GRANT BLUNT A NEW TRIAL.  HOFFMAN SAYS PROSECUTORS DIDN'T PROVIDE COPIES OF POLICE INTERVIEWS OF SOME KEY WITNESSES, EVEN THOUGH HOFFMAN ASKED FOR THEM.

     BURLEIGH COUNTY PROSECUTOR CYNTHIA FELAND HAS ALREADY ASKED A JUDGE TO DETERMINE WHETHER SHE BROKE ANY RULES IN FAILING TO TURN OVER MATERIAL TO BLUNT'S LAWYER.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS SAY POWER PLANT COAL ASH DUMPS IN NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTH DAKOTA ARE POLLUTING GROUNDWATER WITHIN A FEW MILES OF DRINKING WATER WELLS.  THE GROUPS WANT THE FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY TO REGULATE COAL ASH DISPOSAL.

     THEY RELEASED A REPORT THAT MENTIONS NORTH DAKOTA'S ANTELOPE VALLEY AND LELAND OLDS POWER STATIONS AND SOUTH DAKOTA'S BIG STONE PLANT AS POLLUTION SITES.

     J. DRAKE HAMILTON IS SCIENCE POLICY DIRECTOR FOR FRESH ENERGY OF MINNESOTA. HAMILTON SAYS STATE REGULATION OF COAL ASH DUMPS IS UNEVEN.  THE REPORT SAYS COAL ASH DUMPS HAVE MORE ARSENIC AND HEAVY METALS THAN FEDERAL DRINKING WATER STANDARDS ALLOW.

     NORTH DAKOTA HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THE STATE DOES A GOOD JOB MONITORING COAL ASH DISPOSAL. SOUTH DAKOTA REGULATORS SAY THE REPORT'S CLAIMS ABOUT BIG STONE AREN'T TRUE.
    
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - U.S. REPRESENTATIVES FROM NORTH DAKOTA AND MINNESOTA SAY A POSSIB, LE DELAY TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS ABOUT A RED RIVER DIVERSION WON'T DERAIL THE PROJECT.

     THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS HAS RECEIVED HUNDREDS OF COMMENTS ABOUT THE PROPOSED CHANNEL TO MOVE WATER AROUND THE FARGO AND MOORHEAD, MINN., AREA, MOST OF WHICH ARE CRITICAL OF THE $1.5 BILLION PROJECT.  THE CORPS IS CONSIDERING A DELAY TO REVIEW THE COMMENTS.

     MINNESOTA REP. JAMES OBERSTAR, CHAIRMAN OF A HOUSE COMMITTEE THAT AUTHORIZES FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS, SAID DURING A MEETING IN FARGO ON THURSDAY THAT THE PLAN APPEARS TO BE ON SCHEDULE.

     NORTH DAKOTA REP. EARL POMEROY SAID THE DIVERSION IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE AND WILL GET DONE AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.
    
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     GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - THE CITY-OWNED ALERUS CENTER IN GRAND FORKS IS ANTICIPATING A $19,300 LOSS BY YEAR'S END.  THE BUDGET SET LAST YEAR SAID THE FACILITY WOULD BREAK EVEN.

     THE ALERUS HAS LOST $172,000 SO FAR THIS YEAR, THOUGH LOSSES HAVE SLOWED IN RECENT MONTHS. IN JULY, THE FACILITY LOST $14,000 COMPARED TO THE EXPECTED LOSS OF $76,000.

     PROFITS FROM BIGGER EVENTS IN THE FALL, SUCH AS UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA FOOTBALL GAMES, WILL HELP MAKE UP FOR EARLIER LOSSES. THE ALERUS ALSO GETS A $390,000 CITY SUBSIDY THAT IS INCLUDED AS PART OF THE YEAR-END CALCULATION OF PROFITS OR LOSSES.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A NORTH DAKOTA SKI RESORT AND A BISMARCK BUSINESS ON SATURDAY ARE HOPING TO SET A WORLD RECORD FOR THE LONGEST SLIP AND SLIDE.

     NIC CRUZ SAYS THE SLIDE AT HUFF HILLS WILL BE MORE THAN 1,100 FEET LONG, AND SLIDERS WILL USE THE SKI RESORT'S CHAIR LIFT TO GET TO THE TOP.  CRUZ SAYS HE WAS LOOKING TO HOST A FUN EVENT AND ASKED FOR SUGGESTIONS ON THE FACEBOOK SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE.

     HE SAYS THE CURRENT WORLD RECORD FOR A SLIP AND SLIDE IS 600 FEET LONG. OFFICIALS AT THE BISMARCK EVENT PLAN TO SHOOT VIDEO TO SUBMIT TO GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS.
    

 

 THURSDAY - 08/26/10 - NOON EDITION

     MINOT, N.D. (AP) - A MINOT MAN ACCUSED OF SHOOTING ANOTHER MAN IN THE BACK FOUR TIMES HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO MURDER.

     TWENTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD JEREMIAH TALLMAN IS ACCUSED OF KILLING 20-YEAR-OLD JOSEPH SANDERSON OF MINOT ON JULY 17. HE PLEADED NOT GUILTY ON WEDNESDAY, THE SAME DAY AUTHORITIES ADDED NEW CHARGES OF RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT AND BURGLARY.

     AUTHORITIES ALLEGE TALLMAN KILLED SANDERSON AFTER A THEFT DISPUTE INVOLVING SEVERAL PEOPLE.  TALLMAN COULD FACE LIFE IN PRISON IF CONVICTED ON THE MURDER CHARGE. HE EARLIER WAS ORDERED HELD WITHOUT BOND.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - THE NORTH DAKOTA SUPREME COURT SAYS NINE LAWYERS HAVE APPLIED FOR A VACANT DISTRICT JUDGESHIP IN NEW ROCKFORD.

     THE JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMITTEE WILL INTERVIEW THE APPLICANTS ON SEPT. 21 IN JAMESTOWN AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO GOV. JOHN HOEVEN. HOEVEN THEN WILL HAVE 30 DAYS TO APPOINT A JUDGE, ASK FOR NEW CANDIDATES OR CALL AN ELECTION.  THE VACANT SEAT ON THE SOUTHEAST DISTRICT BENCH WAS CREATED BY THE DEATH IN MAY OF JUDGE JAMES BEKKEN.

     THE APPLICANTS TO REPLACE HIM ARE: BLAKE HANKEY AND JAMES HOVEY OF GRAND FORKS; JAMES JOHNSON OF STANTON; ANN MAHONEY OF CENTER; PAUL MURPHY OF CARRINGTON; TRAVIS PETERSON OF NEW ROCKFORD; JAY SCHMITZ OF JAMESTOWN; KATHLEEN TROSEN OF FESSENDEN; AND JAMES WANG OF MINNEWAUKAN.
    
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     DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) - TWO NORTH DAKOTA TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES ARE GETTING FEDERAL MONEY FOR BROADBAND PROJECTS.

     CONSOLIDATED TELCOM IS RECEIVING ABOUT $11.6 MILLION IN GRANTS AND LOANS FOR WORK IN THE DICKINSON AND BELFIELD AREAS, AND SRT COMMUNICATIONS IS GETTING $4.4 MILLION FOR WORK IN THE LAKE METIGOSHE AREA.

     THE FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY TO IMPROVE BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE AND EXPAND SERVICE IS THROUGH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.     

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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A NORTH DAKOTA STATE PENITENTIARY INMATE MIGHT HAVE ESCAPED AND RETURNED.

     POLICE SGT. MARK BUSCHENA SAYS EMPLOYEES AT CASHMAN NURSERY NEAR THE PRISON GROUNDS REPORTED SEEING A CAR PULL INTO THEIR DRIVEWAY ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY, AND A MAN WOULD GET IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. BUSCHENA SAYS ON TUESDAY, EMPLOYEES ALSO WITNESSED THE MAN JUMP THE FENCE INTO THE PRISON.

     DISPATCHERS CONTACTED THE PRISON, AND GUARDS AND AN OFFICER LOCATED THE MAN. BUSCHENA SAYS THE MAN WAS IDENTIFIED AS AN INMATE WORKING IN THE PRISON'S SHEEP BARN. HE DID NOT HAVE THE INMATE'S NAME BECAUSE THE INVESTIGATION HAD BEEN TURNED OVER TO PRISON OFFICIALS.

     STATE CORRECTIONS SPOKESMAN TIM TAUSEND SAYS THE INCIDENT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND DETAILS WON'T BE RELEASED UNTIL THE PROBE IS COMPLETE. HE SAYS THERE WAS NO IMMINENT DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY.
    

 

 

 

     LAS VEGAS (AP) - ALLEGIANT AIR IS ADDING TO ITS NORTH DAKOTA SERVICE - TWICE-WEEKLY FLIGHTS BETWEEN LAS VEGAS AND MINOT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT STARTING IN OCTOBER.

     THE LAS VEGAS-BASED AIRLINE, WHICH SPECIALIZED IN LINKING SMALL  U.S. CITIES WITH RESORTS, ANNOUNCED THE ADDITIONAL DESTINATION ON WEDNESDAY. ALLEGIANT ALSO HAS ROUND TRIP SERVICE BETWEEN LAS VEGAS AND BISMARCK, FARGO AND GRAND FORKS.

     BEGINNING OCT. 22, 150 PASSENGER MD-80 FLIGHTS WILL LEAVE MCCARRAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ON MONDAYS AND FRIDAYS IN THE MORNING AND RETURN IN THE AFTERNOON. INTRODUCTORY ONE-WAY FARES ARE $70, WHICH DOESN'T INCLUDE TAXES AND OTHER FEES.
    
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     MINOT, N.D. (AP) - AUTHORITIES HAVE FILED MORE CHARGES AGAINST A MINOT MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER.

     TWENTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD JEREMIAH TALLMAN IS ACCUSED OF KILLING 20-YEAR-OLD JOSEPH SANDERSON OF MINOT ON JULY 17. ON WEDNESDAY, HE ALSO WAS CHARGED WITH FOUR COUNTS OF RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT AND ONE COUNT OF BURGLARY.

     POLICE DETECTIVE BOB BARNARD SAYS THE CHARGES STEM FROM TALLMAN'S ALLEGED ACTIONS LEADING UP TO AND INCLUDING THE DEATH OF SANDERSON. DEFENSE ATTORNEY CARL FLAGSTAD DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RETURN A TELEPHONE CALL SEEKING COMMENT.

     AUTHORITIES ALLEGE TALLMAN SHOT AND KILLED SANDERSON WHEN SANDERSON BROKE WINDOWS IN THE TALLMAN HOME AFTER SANDERSON HAD FOUND SOME ITEMS MISSING AT HIS OWN HOME.  TALLMAN COULD FACE LIFE IN PRISON IF CONVICTED ON THE MURDER CHARGE. HE EARLIER WAS ORDERED HELD WITHOUT BOND.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - SMOKING IN BISMARCK BARS WILL SOON BE ILLEGAL.  THE CITY COMMISSION LATE TUESDAY VOTED TO ENACT THE BAN ON NOV. 1.

     THE 4-1 VOTE CAME AFTER AN HOURLONG PUBLIC HEARING DURING WHICH SUPPORTERS AND OPPONENTS OF THE SMOKING BAN WERE EACH GIVEN A HALF HOUR TO MAKE THEIR CASE.  COMMISSIONER MIKE SEMINARY WAS THE LONE VOTE AGAINST THE BAN. HE SAYS IT IMPACTS PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

     SOME BAR OWNERS SAY THE BAN WILL PROMPT CUSTOMERS TO GO TO NEIGHBORING MANDAN, WHERE THEY CAN STILL LIGHT UP IN BARS.  BISMARCK DOCTOR STEVEN HAMAR SAID NUMEROUS STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THE DANGERS OF SECONDHAND SMOKE.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - PEOPLE CAUGHT JUMPING FROM BRIDGES IN BISMARCK'S CITY LIMITS MIGHT SOON HAVE TO DIVE DEEP INTO THEIR WALLETS.

     CITY COMMISSIONERS HAVE SCHEDULED A PUBLIC HEARING SEPT. 14 ON A BRIDGE JUMPING BAN. VIOLATORS WOULD FACE A FINE OF UP TO $500 FOR PLUNGING FROM A PUBLIC BRIDGE.

     DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF DAN DONLIN SAYS COMPLAINTS THIS SUMMER ABOUT JUMPERS PROMPTED THE PROPOSED ENFORCEMENT ORDINANCE. CITY ATTORNEY CHARLIE WHITMAN SAYS IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE AND A LIABILITY ISSUE FOR THE CITY.
    
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A SARGENT COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY FACES A CHARGE OF DISORDERLY CONDUCT STEMMING FROM AN INCIDENT IN FARGO.

     SARGENT COUNTY SHERIFF TRAVIS PAEPER SAYS DEPUTY DAVE KOZOK HAS BEEN PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE FOLLOWING AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION.  THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED EARLIER THIS , WEEK TO FARGO POLICE, BUT AUTHORITIES GAVE NO DETAILS.

     PAEPER SAYS SARGENT COUNTY WILL BE ASSISTED BY A NEIGHBORING AGENCY IN THE INVESTIGATION TO AVOID A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.  KOZOK HAS BEEN WITH THE SARGENT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR TWO YEARS. HE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RETURN A MESSAGE LEFT WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FOR HIM AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
    

 

 

 

     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA AND NORTH DAKOTA STATE TODAY BOTH REPORTED AN INCREASE IN FIRST-DAY ENROLLMENT.  NDSU OFFICIALS REPORTED AN INCREASE OVER THE YEAR OF 2 PERCENT, AND UND OFFICIALS REPORTED A 6.9 PERCENT RISE. THE FINAL ENROLLMENT COUNT WILL COME FOUR WEEKS INTO THE SEMESTER.

 

 

 

 

WEDNESDAY - 08/25/10 / MORNING EDITION    

 

 

 

TUESDAY - 08/24/10 - MORNING EDITION

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - FEDERAL HOUSING SECRETARY SHAUN DONOVAN VISITED WILLISTON ON MONDAY TO GET A FIRSTHAND LOOK AT WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA'S HOUSING SHORTAGE.

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - WHEN THE NORTH DAKOTA SUPREME COURT CONSIDERS WHETHER A PHARMACY INITIATIVE SHOULD GO ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT, ATTORNEY GENERAL WAYNE STENEHJEM PLANS TO ARGUE THE CASE HIMSELF.

     THE SUPREME COURT IS HEARING ARGUMENTS AT 9 A.M. ON SEPT. 1. STENEHJEM SAYS HE BELIEVES THE COURT IS ACTING QUICKLY BECAUSE SUPPORTERS OF THE PHARMACY MEASURE WANT TO PUT THE QUESTION TO VOTERS THIS FALL.

     THE MEASURE SEEKS TO REPEAL NORTH DAKOTA'S RESTRICTIONS ON PHARMACY OWNERSHIP. ITS SUPPORTERS SAY THE PROPOSAL WILL HELP LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES.

     SECRETARY OF STATE AL JAEGER SAYS THE INITIATIVE PETITION WAS IMPROPERLY CIRCULATED BECAUSE IT DIDN'T INCLUDE THE NAMES OF THE INITIATIVE'S SPONSORING COMMITTEE. SUPPORTERS OF THE INITIATIVE WANT THE SUPREME COURT TO OVERTURN JAEGER'S RULING.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - FEDERAL HOUSING SECRETARY SHAUN DONOVAN IS VISITING WILLISTON TO GET A FIRSTHAND LOOK AT WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA'S HOUSING SHORTAGE.

     WILLISTON AND OTHER WESTERN TOWNS DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PLACES TO LIVE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME IN TO WORK IN THE OIL FIELDS.  GOV. JOHN HOEVEN, SEN. KENT CONRAD AND REP. EARL POMEROY ARE ACCOMPANYING DONOVAN ON HIS TOUR LATE TODAY.

     CONRAD SAID MOST OF THE NEW HOUSING IS GOING TO HAVE TO COME FROM PRIVATE DEVELOPERS, BUT HE SAYS THERE ARE SOME FEDERAL HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS THAT CAN HELP.  CONRAD SAYS PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN HOUSING HAS BEEN HELD BACK BY MEMORIES OF THE REGION'S OIL BUST IN THE EARLY 1980S. BUT CONRAD BELIEVES THE REGION'S MOST RECENT OIL BOOM HAS MORE STAYING POWER. <, br />     
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - TWO STUDIES HAVE CONCLUDED MOST NORTH DAKOTA STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE UNDERPAID, EXCEPT FOR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

     LT. GOV. JACK DALRYMPLE SAYS HE WONDERS WHETHER THE STUDIES ARE VALID. HE SAYS THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S DUTIES VARY GREATLY FROM STATE TO STATE, AND IT'S A PART-TIME JOB IN SEVERAL STATES.

     A RECENT STUDY SUGGESTED GIVING RAISES OF MORE THAN 16 PERCENT TO MOST NORTH DAKOTA STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS, TO PUT THEIR SALARIES IN LINE WITH THOSE IN 10 OTHER STATES IN THE REGION. THE STUDY ALSO SUGGESTED CUTTING THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S SALARY BY 3 PERCENT.  DALRYMPLE IS NOW PAID $85,615 ANNUALLY.

     IN 1999, A SALARY STUDY OF ELECTED OFFICIALS GAVE BIGGER RAISES TO EVERYONE EXCEPT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. HE GOT THE SAME PAY INCREASE THAT STATE WORKERS DID.
    
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     DONNYBROOK, N.D. (AP) - THE POST OFFICE IN THE NORTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA TOWN OF DONNYBROOK IS CLOSED INDEFINITELY.

     THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE SUSPENDED THE POST OFFICE OPERATIONS AUG. 14. SPOKESMAN PETE NOWACKI SAYS THERE WAS NO ONE TO RUN IT AFTER THE OFFICER IN CHARGE RESIGNED.  NOWACKI SAYS THE SEARCH WILL CONTINUE FOR A POSTMASTER. IN THE MEANTIME, THE 39 BOXHOLDERS ARE BEING SERVED BY A RURAL CARRIER OUT OF NEARBY CARPIO.
    
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     LINCOLN, NEB. (AP) - UNEMPLOYED WORKERS IN NEBRASKA, SOUTH DAKOTA AND NORTH DAKOTA CAN'T QUALIFY FOR BENEFITS BEYOND 60 WEEKS BECAUSE UNEMPLOYMENT RATES REMAIN SO LOW.  PAYMENTS TO WORKERS IN THOSE PLAINS STATES ARE ENDING SOONER BECAUSE THE BENEFITS CONGRESS APPROVED DELIVER MORE HELP IN AREAS WHERE UNEMPLOYMENT IS HIGHEST.

     NEBRASKA, SOUTH DAKOTA AND NORTH DAKOTA ARE THE ONLY STATES WITH UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAT AVERAGE BELOW 6 PERCENT, SO THOSE STATES QUALIFY FOR ONLY TWO OF THE FOUR TIERS OF EXTENDED BENEFITS.  STATE LABOR OFFICIALS SAY THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO CHANGE WHO IS ELIGIBLE.

     IN 31 STATES WHERE UNEMPLOYMENT HAS AVERAGED ABOVE 8.5 PERCENT OVER THREE MONTHS, SOME WORKERS WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE UP TO 99 WEEKS OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA'S GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT IS CRITICIZING A PLAN THAT LIKELY WILL DRAMATICALLY REDUCE THE MILES OF LITTLE MISSOURI NATIONAL GRASSLAND ROADS OPEN TO MOTORIZED TRAVEL BY THE PUBLIC.

     AMONG ROADS THAT LIKELY WILL BE CLOSED ARE MORE THAN 600 MILES OF UNAUTHORIZED ROADS, SUCH AS TRAILS CREATED BY HUNTERS THAT ARE NOT OFFICIALLY MAINTAINED.

     GAME AND FISH SPOKESMAN MIKE MCKENNA SAYS THAT WOULD CREATE CONFUSION BECAUSE CLOSED ROADS WON'T BE PHYSICALLY REMOVED OR GATED. HE SAYS THE DEPARTMENT WILL NOT SUPPORT THE PROPOSALS WITHOUT SERIOUS MODIFICATIONS.  MCKENNA SAYS GAME AND FISH HAS SUBMITTED A LIST OF 38 QUESTIONS ON THE PROPOSAL AND ALSO HAS REQUESTED AN EXTENSION ON THE COMMENT PERIOD, WHICH ENDS AUG. 27.
    

 

 

 

      MINOT, ND - NEAR RECORD HIGH HEAT INVADED NORTH DAKOTA YESTERDAY.  BISMARCK WAS THE HO, T SPOT WITH A HIGH TEMP OF 104-DEGREES, JUST TWO DEGREES SHY OF THE RECORD SET IN 1960.  MINOT TOPPED OUT AT 98, ONE DEGREE SHORT OF THE RECORD SET IN 1969. MUCH COOLER TEMPS ARE EXPECTED TODAY WITH HIGHS IN THE 70'S.

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     BEULAH, N.D. (AP) - AN AUTOPSY HAS CONFIRMED THAT A HAZEN MAN WHO DIED IN A BOATING ACCIDENT ON LAKE SAKAKAWEA HAD DROWNED.

     STATE FORENSIC EXAMINER WILLIAM MASSELLO ATTRIBUTED 30-YEAR-OLD PETE JENSEN'S DEATH LAST TUESDAY TO AN ACCIDENTAL DROWNING DUE TO SUBMERSION IN FRESH WATER.  JENSEN WAS IN A BOAT WITH THREE OTHER ADULTS AND TWO CHILDREN, AGES 6 MONTHS AND 9 MONTHS, WHEN IT CAPSIZED IN CHOPPY WATER.  JENSEN WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT A HAZEN HOSPITAL.

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     DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (AP) - AS DEVILS LAKE IN NORTH-CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA CONTINUES TO RISE, CONCERN IS GROWING ABOUT HOW TO PREVENT A SPILLOVER INTO THE SHEYENNE RIVER AND POTENTIALLY DEVASTATING FLOODING DOWNSTREAM.

     THE LAKE HAS RISEN MORE THAN 30 FEET DURING A WET CYCLE THAT BEGAN IN 1992 AND IS WITHIN 6 FEET OF ITS NATURAL OVERFLOW, AT WHICH POINT WATER WOULD RUN THROUGH A COULEE AND ACROSS LAND INTO THE SHEYENNE RIVER. THE SPILLOVER WOULD THREATEN DOWNSTREAM COMMUNITIES.  THE LAKE ROSE 3 1/2 FEET LAST YEAR, AND CONCERNS ABOUT A SPILLOVER ARE GROWING.

     CITY ENGINEER MIKE GRAFSGAARD SAYS THE COULEE IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO EROSION AND COULD GIVE WAY, SENDING A TORRENT OF WATER DOWNSTREAM. HE SUGGESTS A DAM SHOULD BE BUILT ON THE COULEE'S HIGH GROUND TO HELP REGULATE FLOWS INTO THE SHEYENNE.
  
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - STATE LAND DEPARTMENT RECORDS SHOW THAT NEARLY THREE-QUARTERS OF THE STATE'S 1.1 MILLION ACRES IS LEASED FOR DRILLING IN WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA'S 16 OIL-PRODUCING COUNTIES.

     LINDA FISHER, A LAND DEPARTMENT LEASING COORDINATOR, SAYS THE THREE QUARTERLY SALES THIS YEAR HAVE FETCHED A RECORD $269.2 MILLION FOR ABOUT 135,000 ACRES. THAT'S COMPARED WITH ABOUT $103 MILLION FOR 137,800 ACRES FOR ALL OF 2009.  MOST OF THE MONEY FROM THE AUCTIONS GOES TOWARD PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING.
    
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     GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - AN AIRPLANE PILOTED BY A UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA STUDENT RAN OFF THE RUNWAY AT THE GRAND FORKS AIRPORT DURING A TRAINING FLIGHT.

     UND SPOKESMAN JUAN PEDRAZA SAYS THE STUDENT WAS LANDING AFTER A SOLO FLIGHT WHEN THE PLANE WENT OFF THE RUNWAY ABOUT 6:30 P.M. SATURDAY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED, AND THE PLANE WASN'T DAMAGED.
    
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     GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - A FIGHTING SIOUX HOCKEY JERSEY AUTOGRAPHED BY FORMER ALASKA GOV. SARAH PALIN HAS BEEN PUT UP FOR AUCTION THROUGH EBAY.  THE NORTH DAKOTA REPUBLICAN PARTY LISTED THE JERSEY THURSDAY EVENING AS A POLITICAL FUNDRAISER.

     THE PARTY'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ADAM JONES, SAYS PALIN ISN'T NECESSARILY ENDORSING THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA, BUT SHE IS A HOCKEY FAN.

     BIDS FOR THE JERSEY STARTED AT $250. JUST BEFORE NOON SATURDAY, 20 BIDS HAD BEEN PLACED, PUTTING THE JERSEY AT $575. THE ONLINE AUCTION ENDS JUST AFTER 4 P.M. CT AUG. 29.
   

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - SEN. KENT CONRAD SAYS THE NEW FEDERAL HEALTH CARE LAW CARRIES $2 BILLION IN BENEFITS FOR NORTH DAKOTANS IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

     A NORTH DAKOTA LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE SAYS THE BILL MEANS $1.1 BILLION IN ADDED STATE EXPENSES OVER THE NEXT DECADE. THE ESTIMATE INCLUDES HIGHER INSURANCE COSTS AND ASSUMPTIONS THAT MORE NORTH DAKOTANS WILL APPLY FOR MEDICAID ASSISTANCE.

     CONRAD SAYS THE ESTIMATE DOESN'T CONSIDER THE BILL'S BENEFITS, AND HE SAYS THE INSURANCE COST ESTIMATES ARE EXAGGERATED.  HE SAYS THE FEDERAL BILL INCLUDES HEAL, TH INSURANCE TAX CREDITS AND LARGER PAYMENTS FOR NORTH DAKOTA DOCTORS AND HOSPITALS.

     A SPOKESWOMAN FOR BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NORTH DAKOTA SAYS THE COMPANY STANDS BY ITS COST ESTIMATES. A REPUBLICAN PARTY SPOKESMAN SAYS DEMOCRATS HAVE EXAGGERATED THE BILL'S BENEFITS.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA'S SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR ARGUMENTS ABOUT WHETHER A PROPOSAL TO END THE STATE'S PHARMACY OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS SHOULD GO ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.  THE COURT HAS SCHEDULED A 9 A.M. HEARING ON SEPT. 1.

     SECRETARY OF STATE AL JAEGER HAS REFUSED TO PUT THE VOTER INITIATIVE ON THE BALLOT. HE SAYS IT DOESN'T QUALIFY BECAUSE THE INITIATIVE PETITIONS DIDN'T HAVE A LIST OF THE MEASURE'S SPONSORS.

     THE COMMITTEE SUED JAEGER ON FRIDAY. ATTORNEYS FOR THE INITIATIVE SAY JAEGER IS BLOCKING THE RIGHT OF NORTH DAKOTANS TO DECIDE THE ISSUE THEMSELVES. THEY SAY THE PETITION DIDN'T NEED THE SPONSORS' NAMES, AND THE PROBLEM IS A "TECHNICAL VIOLATION."

     THE PROPOSAL'S BACKERS SAY IT WILL HELP LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES IN NORTH DAKOTA.
    
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     WASHINGTON (AP) - HALF A BILLION EGGS HAVE BEEN RECALLED IN THE NATIONWIDE INVESTIGATION OF A SALMONELLA OUTBREAK THAT HAS ALREADY SICKENED MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE.

     IOWA'S HILLANDALE FARMS SAID FRIDAY IT WAS RECALLING MORE THAN 170 MILLION EGGS AFTER LABORATORY TESTS CONFIRMED SALMONELLA. THE COMPANY DID NOT SAY IF IT IS CONNECTED TO WRIGHT COUNTY EGG, ANOTHER IOWA FARM THAT RECALLED 380 MILLION EGGS EARLIER THIS WEEK.

     AN FDA SPOKESWOMAN SAID THE TWO RECALLS ARE RELATED. THE STRAIN OF SALMONELLA POISONING IS THE SAME IN BOTH CASES.  THE EGGS RECALLED FRIDAY WERE DISTRIBUTED UNDER THE BRAND NAMES HILLANDALE FARMS, SUNNY FARMS, SUNNY MEADOW, WHOLESOME FARMS AND WEST CREEK. THE NEW RECALL APPLIES TO EGGS SOLD BETWEEN APRIL AND AUGUST.
    
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     HOUSTON (AP) - THE NUMBER OF RIGS ACTIVELY EXPLORING FOR OIL AND NATURAL GAS IN THE U.S. INCREASED BY 11 FOR THIS WEEK TO 1,651.

     HOUSTON-BASED DRILLING SYSTEMS PROVIDER BAKER HUGHES INC. SAID FRIDAY THAT 985 RIGS WERE EXPLORING FOR NATURAL GAS AND 655 FOR OIL. ELEVEN WERE LISTED AS MISCELLANEOUS. A YEAR AGO THIS WEEK, THE RIG COUNT STOOD AT 985.

     OF THE MAJOR OIL- AND GAS-PRODUCING STATES, THE BIGGEST GAIN WAS IN OKLAHOMA WITH 16. COLORADO AND NEW MEXICO EACH GAINED ONE. TEXAS LOST FOUR RIGS, WYOMING LOST TWO AND PENNSYLVANIA LOST ONE. ALASKA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, LOUISIANA, NORTH DAKOTA AND WEST VIRGINIA REMAIN UNCHANGED.

     THE RIG TALLY PEAKED AT 4,530 IN 1981, DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE OIL BOOM. THE INDUSTRY POSTED A RECORD LOW OF 488 IN 1999.
    
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     MEDORA, N.D. (AP) - THE NORTH DAKOTA COWBOY HALL OF FAME IN MEDORA TODAY CELEBRATES NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE.

     THE EVENT FEATURES AMERICAN INDIANS FROM NORTH DAKOTA WHO ARE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR PRESERVATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE AND CULTURE.

     AMY MOSSETT IS KNOWN FOR HER WORK ON THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE MANDAN AND HIDATSA TRIBES, AND PARTICULARLY FOR HER KNOWLEDGE OF THE LEWIS AND CLARK GUIDE SAKAKAWEA.

     PHIL BAIRD IS THE ACADEMIC DEAN OF UNITED TRIBES TECHNICAL COLLEGE IN BISMARCK AND A RECOGNIZED SCHOLAR ON THE SPORT OF RODEO.

     WALLACE "BUTCH" THUNDERHAWK OF BISMARCK IS A RECOGNIZED SCHOLAR ON NATIVE AMERICAN ARTS AND TRADITIONS.
    

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - SUPPORTERS OF A PROPOSAL TO END NORTH DAKOTA'S PHARMACY OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS SAY THEY'RE GOING TO THE STATE SUPREME COURT.

     SECRETARY OF STATE AL JAEGER HAS REFUSED TO PUT THE VOTER INITIATIVE ON THE BALLOT. HE SAYS IT DOESN'T QUALIFY BECAUSE THE INITIATIVE PETITIONS WERE CIRCULATED WITHOUT A LIST OF THE MEASURE'S SPONSORING COMMITTEE.

     INITIATIVE SPOKESWOMAN TAMMY IBACH SAYS THE MEASURE'S BACKERS ARE FILING A LAWSUIT AGAINST JAEGER IN THE NORTH DAKOTA SUPREME COURT TO REVERSE HIS DECISION.  IBACH SAYS JAEGER'S REFUSAL TO PUT THE MEASURE ON THE BALLOT GETS IN
THE WAY OF "THE PEOPLE'S FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO INITIATE A MEASURE."

     THE PROPOSAL'S BACKERS SAY IT WILL HELP LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES IN NORTH DAKOTA.

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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - FARGO MAYOR DENNIS WALAKER SAYS A DELAY IN THE PROPOSED RED RIVER DIVERSION PROJECT IN THE FARGO-MOORHEAD AREA IS A "GOOD POSSIBILITY."  HE MADE THE COMMENT AFTER A CLOSED-DOOR MEETING WITH ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS OFFICIALS.

     THE CORPS IS CONSIDERING A DELAY BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF WRITTEN OPPOSITION TO THE PROJECT, WHICH WOULD PROVIDE LONG-TERM FLOOD CONTROL FOR THE METRO AREA. MUCH OF THE OPPOSITION COMES FROM PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IT MIGHT WORSEN FLOODING DOWNSTREAM.

     THE CORPS NEXT THURSDAY PLANS TO RELEASE A DECISION ON WHETHER TO SLOW THE PROCESS. THE CURRENT SCHEDULE CALLS FOR A FEASIBILITY STUDY TO BE READY BY DECEMBER FOR RECOMMENDATION TO CONGRESS.

     REPORTERS WERE NOT ALLOWED AT THURSDAY'S MEETING. WALAKER SAID NO MORE THAN TWO CITY COMMISSIONERS WERE PRESENT AND THEY WERE NOT ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE COMMISSION.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - DAKOTA CARRIER NETWORK IS GETTING $10.8 MILLION IN FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY TO EXPAND BROADBAND SERVICES IN NORTH DAKOTA.  THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS THE AWARD HAS MORE THAN $4.6 MILLION IN MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS AND WILL BENEFIT AS MANY AS 6,400 PEOPLE AND 600 BUSINESSES.  IT IS PART OF $1.8 BILLION BEING DOLED OUT TO NEARLY 100 PROJECTS IN 37 STATES.  DAKOTA CARRIER NETWORK WAS CREATED IN 1996 BY 15 INDEPENDENT RURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES.
    
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     GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - THE LARGEST HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IN THE GRAND FORKS REGION IS STARTING A RANDOM DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.  ALTRU HEALTH SYSTEM SAYS IT WILL IMPLEMENT THE POLICY SEPT. 1. IT WILL COVER ABOUT 4,000 WORKERS, INCLUDING NEARLY 200 PHYSICIANS.

     ALTRU CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER DAVE MOLMEN SAYS CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS IS A SERIOUS NATIONAL ISSUE. HE SAYS A RANDOM TESTING PROCESS WILL HELP REASSURE PATIENTS THAT ALTRU OFFERS A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.
   
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     FORMAN, N.D. (AP) - STUDENTS WHO ATTEND SCHOOL AT SARGENT CENTRAL ARE GETTING ANOTHER WEEK OF SUMMER VACATION.

     THE SCHOOL IN FORMAN WAS TO OPEN ITS DOORS MONDAY, BUT THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK A WEEK TO AUG. 30 SO WORKERS CAN FINISH A MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR REMODELING PROJECT.

     SUPERINTENDENT MIKE CAMPBELL SAYS WET WEATHER LAST FALL CAUSED CONSTRUCTION DELAYS. HE SAYS THE LOST WEEK OF CLASSES WILL HAVE TO BE MADE UP THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - MORE THAN 16,000 ANTLERLESS DEER GUN LICENSES ARE STILL AVAILABLE IN NORTH DAKOTA FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT'S LOTTERY DRAWING.

     THE LICENSES ARE BEING ISSUED ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS. THERE IS NO LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF LICENSES A HUNTER CAN RECEIVE. RESIDENTS AND NONRESIDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.

     GAME AND FISH SAYS ALL HUNTERS CAN APPLY ONLINE AT ITS WEBSITE, HTTP://WWW.GF.ND.GOV. PAPER APPLICATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY SEPT. 1 FROM GAME AND FISH OFFICES, COUNTY AUDITORS AND LICENSE VENDORS.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - THE NORTH DAKOTA STATE RAILROAD MUSEUM IS MARKING ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY.

     THE EVENT SUNDAY IS TO INCLUDE THE INDUCTION OF THREE PEOPLE INTO THE NORTH DAKOTA RAILROAD HALL OF FAME: RETIRED NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY CONDUCTORS WALTER UHLMAN AND FRED SMITH OF MANDAN AND RETIRED SOO LINE RAILROAD SECTION FOREMAN ANDY PIATZ OF MINOT. THE MUSEUM IS IN NORTH MANDAN.
    
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     JAMESTOWN, N.D. (AP) - A KULM COUPLE EXPECTING A BABY HAD SOME ANXIOUS MOMENTS WHEN THEY DIDN'T MAKE IT TO THE HOSPITAL IN JAMESTOWN ON TIME.  LEO GACKLE WAS BORN IN THE BACK SEAT OF HIS PARENTS' SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE ON U.S. HIGHWAY 281 ON TUESDAY.

     KEVIN ARTHAUD, CHIEF OF SECURITY AT THE JAMES RIVER CORREC, TIONAL CENTER, WAS IN THE AREA OF THE SUV STOPPED ON THE EDGE OF THE CITY AND CAME TO THE AID OF JORDAN AND SARAH GACKLE. JORDAN JUMPED IN THE BACK SEAT AND ARTHAUD DROVE THEM TO THE HOSPITAL, WITH A POLICE ESCORT.

     BORN 6 POUNDS, 14 OUNCES, BABY LEO IS HEALTHY.  THE COUPLE SAY THEY FEEL BLESSED ABOUT THE BIRTH AND DELIVERY, BUT THEY WOULDN'T RECOMMEND IT TO OTHERS.
    

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - SECRETARY OF STATE AL JAEGER SAYS A VOTER INITIATIVE TO REPEAL NORTH DAKOTA'S PHARMACY OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS WON'T GO ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

     JAEGER'S DECISION OPENS THE WAY FOR A POSSIBLE LEGAL CHALLENGE. SUPPORTERS OF THE PHARMACY PETITION CAN TAKE THEIR CASE DIRECTLY TO THE NORTH DAKOTA SUPREME COURT.  BACKERS OF THE MEASURE SAY IT WILL GIVE NORTH DAKOTANS BETTER ACCESS TO CHEAPER PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

     JAEGER FIRST REJECTED THE INITIATIVE PETITION TWO WEEKS AGO BECAUSE IT DIDN'T LIST THE 25 MEMBERS OF THE MEASURE'S SPONSORING COMMITTEE.  INITIATIVE SUPPORTERS ASKED JAEGER TO RECONSIDER, BUT HE SAID THURSDAY HIS DECISION STANDS.

     TAMMY IBACH, SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE MEASURE'S SUPPORTERS, SAYS JAEGER'S DECISION IS DISAPPOINTING, AND THE BACKERS ARE REVIEWING THEIR OPTIONS.
    
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     MEDORA, N.D. (AP) - THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HAS CHOSEN 240 VOLUNTEERS TO HELP THIN THE BLOATED ELK HERD AT THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK IN WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA.

     MORE THAN 5,200 PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY APPLIED, SOME FOR MORE THAN ONE SHOOTING SESSION, MAKING THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS MUCH HIGHER. PARK SUPERINTENDENT VALERIE NAYLOR SAYS THE RESPONSE WAS EXCELLENT.  THE VOLUNTEERS WERE CHOSEN AT RANDOM. EACH MUST PASS A BACKGROUND CHECK AND MARKSMANSHIP TEST. MOST ARE FROM NORTH DAKOTA AND MINNESOTA.

     MORE THAN 900 ELK ARE IN THE PARK'S SOUTH UNIT, MORE THAN TWICE WHAT PARK OFFICIALS WANT. SHOOTERS WILL WORK IN PARK SERVICE-LED TEAMS, THINNING THE HERD STARTING THIS WINTER.  OFFICIALS HAVE SAID IF THE IDEA WORKS IN NORTH DAKOTA, IT COULD BE USED ELSEWHERE.
    
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     OMAHA, NEB. (AP) - A SURVEY OF RURAL BANKERS IN 10 MIDWEST AND PLAINS STATES SHOWS A FURTHER DIP IN THE ECONOMY AFTER SIGNS OF A REBOUND EARLIER THIS YEAR.

     THE OVERALL INDEX FOR THE RURAL MAINSTREET ECONOMIC REPORT DROPPED TO 46.0 IN AUGUST, FROM 49.3 IN JULY AND 52.6 IN JUNE. THE INDEX RANGES BETWEEN ZERO AND 100. A SCORE BELOW 50 SUGGESTS THE ECONOMY WILL CONTRACT IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS; ABOVE 50 INDICATES THE ECONOMY WILL GROW.  THE INDEX HAD BEEN ABOVE 50 FROM APRIL TO JUNE AFTER A 26-MONTH STREAK BELOW THAT MARK.

     SURVEY ORGANIZERS SAY BANKERS ARE SEEING "SIGNIFICANT PULLBACKS IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY."

     BANKERS FROM COLORADO, ILLINOIS, IOWA, KANSAS, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA AND WYOMING WERE SURVEYED FOR THE REPORT.

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     CHEYENNE, WYO. (AP) - WYOMING NO LONGER IS THE NATION'S DEADLIEST PLACE TO WORK.  THE DUBIOUS DISTINCTION NOW BELONGS TO MONTANA IN WORKPLACE FATALITY FIGURES RELEASED THURSDAY BY THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

     THE NUMBER OF WORKERS KILLED ON THE JOB IN MONTANA INCREASED FROM 40 IN 2008 TO 50 IN 2009. THAT'S UP 25 , PERCENT FOR A RATE MORE THAN THREE-AND-A-HALF TIMES THE U.S. AVERAGE.  IN 2008, MONTANA RANKED FOURTH FOR WORKPLACE DEATHS PER CAPITA.

     NORTH DAKOTA MOVED UP FROM THIRD TO SECOND. ALASKA DROPPED FROM SECOND TO 10TH AND WYOMING FROM FIRST TO THIRD.

     THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE KILLED ON THE JOB IN WYOMING DECLINED FROM 33 IN 2008 TO 19 IN 2009. MANY OF WYOMING'S WORKPLACE DEATHS OCCUR IN THE MINERALS INDUSTRY, WHICH HAS SLOWED DOWN CONSIDERABLY SINCE 2008.
    
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     GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - A GRAND FORKS DOCTOR HAS BEEN DISCIPLINED BY THE STATE BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS FOR IMPROPERLY PRESCRIBING DRUGS.

     BOARD EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DUANE HOUDEK SAYS THE BOARD IN JULY ORDERED DR. EUGENE BYRON TO CEASE PRESCRIBING DRUGS LISTED AS CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.  HOUDEK ISN'T PROVIDING MORE DETAILS BUT SAYS THERE IS NO ALLEGATION THAT BYRON ACTED INTENTIONALLY, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IS NOT INVOLVED.

     HOUDEK SAYS THE RESTRICTION MIGHT BE LIFTED IF BYRON AGREES TO ADDITIONAL EDUCATION AND DEMONSTRATES THAT HE UNDERSTANDS THE MATERIAL.

     BYRON DECLINED COMMENT TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ON THURSDAY.
    

 

 

 

     BEULAH, N.D. (AP) - A 30-YEAR-OLD HAZEN MAN DIED IN A BOATING ACCIDENT ON LAKE SAKAKAWEA.  PETE JENSEN WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD TUESDAY EVENING AT A HAZEN HOSPITAL. AN AUTOPSY IS BEING CONDUCTED.  THREE OTHER ADULTS AND TWO BABIES ALSO WERE HOSPITALIZED BUT WERE REPORTED IN GOOD CONDITION WEDNESDAY.

     RESIDENTS IN THE BEULAH BAY AREA SAY THE PEOPLE WERE IN A BOAT THAT WAS CAPSIZED BY A GUST OF WIND. RESIDENTS AND A BEULAH POLICE OFFICER WERE ABLE TO HELP SAVE ALL OF THEM BUT JENSEN.
    
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A JUDGE IS ALLOWING CASS COUNTY PROSECUTORS TO RECORD AN INTERVIEW WITH THE OKLAHOMA MAN ACCUSED OF PAYING TO HAVE HIS FORMER SON-IN-LAW IN NORTH DAKOTA KILLED.  THE TESTIMONY COULD BE USED IN THE TRIAL OF THE ALLEGED HIT MAN IF THE JUDGE AGREES. THAT RULING WILL COME LATER.

     PROSECUTOR MARK BOENING (BAY'-NING) SAYS 63-YEAR-OLD GENE KIRKPATRICK HAS SAID HE WON'T INVOKE HIS RIGHTS AGAINST SELF-INCRIMINATION IN THE MICHAEL NAKVINDA CASE.

     KIRKPATRICK IS ACCUSED OF PAYING NAKVINDA $3,000 TO KILL FARGO DENTIST PHILIP GATTUSO. POLICE ALLEGE KIRKPATRICK WANTED TO GAIN CUSTODY OF GATTUSO'S YOUNG DAUGHTER AFTER GATTUSO'S WIFE DIED.  BOTH KIRKPATRICK AND NAKVINDA ARE SCHEDULED FOR TRIAL LATER THIS YEAR - KIRKPATRICK ON A MURDER CONSPIRACY CHARGE AND NAKVINDA ON MURDER AND OTHER CHARGES.

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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - THE CUSTODY OF A CHILD BELIEVED TO BE THE MOTIVATION FOR THE KILLING OF A FARGO MAN HAS BEEN SETTLED.

     ROY GATTUSO, BROTHER OF THE SLAIN PHILIP GATTUSO, HAS BEEN GRANTED PERMANENT CUSTODY OF 4-YEAR-OLD KENNEDY GATTUSO. THAT HAPPENED AFTER REGAN WILLIAMS, THE GIRL'S MATERNAL AUNT, WITHDREW A LAWSUIT FOR CUSTODY.  ROY GATTUSO SAYS THE GIRL WILL LIVE WITH HIS DAUGHTER, WHO HAS SHARED CUSTODY, AND HER HUSBAND IN NEW ORLEANS.

     WILLIAMS SAYS SHE DROPPED HER CASE BECA, USE SHE DIDN'T THINK SHE WOULD GET A FAIR TRIAL, AND SHE HOPES TO CONTINUE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHILD.  WILLIAMS IS THE DAUGHTER OF GENE KIRKPATRICK, THE OKLAHOMA MAN POLICE ALLEGE HIRED A HIT MAN TO KILL PHILIP GATTUSO, HIS FORMER SON-IN-LAW. AUTHORITIES SAY KIRKPATRICK WANTED CUSTODY OF GATTUSO'S DAUGHTER AFTER THE DEATH OF GATTUSO'S WIFE, WHO WAS WILLIAMS' SISTER.

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     WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) - ONE OF THE THREE PEOPLE IN THE WILLISTON POLICE DEPARTMENT'S DETECTIVE DIVISION IS HOSPITALIZED.  THIRTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD CORY COLLINGS IS IN A MINOT HOSPITAL BEING TREATED FOR INJURIES HE SUFFERED WHEN HIS MOTORCYCLE WAS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE THAT FAILED TO YIELD ON AUG. 8.

     POLICE CHIEF JIM LOKKEN DID NOT RELEASE COLLINGS' MEDICAL CONDITION. HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD KNOW MORE ABOUT THE DETECTIVE'S STATUS IN ABOUT A WEEK.  LOKKEN SAID IF COLLINGS IS GONE ONLY A SHORT WHILE THE DEPARTMENT MIGHT BE OK, BUT IF THE DETECTIVE ENDS UP BEING OUT OF WORK A LONG TIME, THE DEPARTMENT MIGHT HAVE TO FIND SOMEONE TO FILL IN.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA SEN. KENT CONRAD SAYS HE'S DISAPPOINTED BY A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT RULING THAT PEOPLE CAN'T BE PROSECUTED FOR LYING ABOUT MILITARY MEDALS.

     CONRAD WAS THE CHIEF SENATE SPONSOR OF THE "STOLEN VALOR ACT" THAT CONGRESS APPROVED IN 2006.  IT CARRIES PENALTIES IF SOMEONE FALSELY CLAIMS TO HAVE EARNED MILITARY DECORATIONS. SOMEONE WHO LIES ABOUT GETTING THE MEDAL OF HONOR OR THE PURPLE HEART COULD GET UP TO A YEAR IN PRISON.

     A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT IN CALIFORNIA RULED THIS WEEK THAT THE LAW IS AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL INFRINGEMENT ON FREE-SPEECH RIGHTS. THE DECISION SAYS THE GOVERNMENT SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO REGULATE SPEECH "SOLELY BECAUSE IT IS A LIE."

     CONRAD SAYS THE RULING "DISHONORS THOSE WHO FOUGHT BRAVELY FOR OUR COUNTRY."
    
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     MAYVILLE, N.D. (AP) - MAYVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY HAS ERASED A $1 MILLION DEFICIT.  THE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN CHIPPING AWAY AT THE DEBT THE PAST FOUR YEARS. THE COLLEGE NOW HAS NEARLY $800,000 IN RESERVES.

     THE DEBT WAS LARGELY CREATED BY UNANTICIPATED FUEL COSTS AND A DROP IN FULL-TIME STUDENTS. THE CAMPUS FOUNDATION ALSO WAS STRUGGLING AND MUCH OF THE DEFICIT WAS IN ATHLETIC PROGRAMS.

     FOUR YEARS AGO, A COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE NORTH DAKOTA UNIVERSITY SYSTEM CHANCELLOR ANALYZED THE SCHOOL'S DEFICIT AND OUTLINED A PLAN TO ELIMINATE IT. THE DEADLINE WAS THIS SUMMER.

     PRESIDENT GARY HAGEN SAYS THE CAMPUS CAN NOW FOCUS ON THE FUTURE.

 

 

 

 

     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS IS CONSIDERING WHETHER TO DELAY THE TIMELINE FOR THE PROPOSED RED RIVER DIVERSION PROJECT IN THE FARGO-MOORHEAD AREA BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF WRITTEN OPPOSITION TO THE PROJECT.  A DELAY LIKELY WOULD PUSH BACK FUNDING BY AT LEAST A YEAR FOR THE PROJECT AIMED AT PROVIDING LONG-TERM FLOOD CONTROL.

     PROJECT CO-MANAGER AARON SNYDER SAYS THE CORPS WILL REVIEW PUBLIC COMMENTS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION IN A FEASIBILITY STUDY AND DECIDE NEXT WEEK WHETHER TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT SCHEDULE. THE CURRENT TIMELINE CALLS FOR THE STUDY TO BE COMPLETED THIS FALL AND READY BY DECEMBER FOR RECOMMENDATION TO CONGRESS.

 , ;    OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED DIVERSION COMES MAINLY FROM PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IT WOULD WORSEN THE POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING DOWNSTREAM.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - ATTORNEYS FOR A SOUTH DAKOTA MAN ACCUSED OF PUNCHING ANOTHER MAN TO DEATH IN NORTH DAKOTA'S MCINTOSH COUNTY SAY HE WAS TOO FATIGUED, DRUNK AND TRAUMATIZED TO BE QUESTIONED BY INVESTIGATORS.

     NICHOLAS CASPERS' ATTORNEYS HAVE FILED A MOTION ASKING JUDGE BRUCE HASKELL TO SUPPRESS STATEMENTS MADE BY CASPERS EARLY IN THE MORNING AFTER PAUL VARNER'S DEATH ON FEB. 28.  PROSECUTOR TERRY ELHARD IS RESISTING THE MOTION. HASKELL HAS
ASKED COURT ADMINISTRATORS TO SCHEDULE A HEARING ON THAT AND OTHER MOTIONS.

     CASPERS HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO MURDER IN THE DEATH OF VARNER AND IS SCHEDULED FOR TRIAL BEGINNING NOV. 30.  AUTHORITIES ALLEGE THAT CASPERS WENT TO VARNER'S HOME IN WISHEK AND PUNCHED HIM, AND THAT BROKEN BONES IN VARNER'S FACE CAUSED HIM TO SUFFOCATE. CASPERS, AN AUCTIONEER WITH SOUTH DAKOTA-BASED MOBRIDGE LIVESTOCK MARKET, CLAIMS SELF-DEFENSE.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - BASIN ELECTRIC POWER COOPERATIVE IS STILL LOOKING FOR CUSTOMERS FOR CARBON DIOXIDE GAS.

     THE BISMARCK ELECTRIC POWER PRODUCER IS DEVELOPING A PROJECT TO RETAIN SOME OF THE CARBON DIOXIDE PRODUCED AT ITS ANTELOPE VALLEY POWER STATION NEAR BEULAH. PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING WORK SHOULD BE FINISHED NEXT MONTH.

     BASIN ELECTRIC LOBBYIST CURTIS JABS BRIEFED NORTH DAKOTA LAWMAKERS ABOUT THE PROJECT ON WEDNESDAY. HE SAID IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO MAKE IT WORK IF BASIN CAN'T SELL THE CAPTURED CARBON DIOXIDE, AND IT DOESN'T HAVE A BUYER YET.

     BASIN IS ALREADY A MAJOR CARBON DIOXIDE SUPPLIER FOR OIL PRODUCERS IN SOUTHERN SASKATCHEWAN. THE GAS COMES FROM THE GREAT PLAINS SYNFUELS PLANT NEAR BEULAH. IT'S GENERATED WHEN LIGNITE COAL IS PROCESSED TO MAKE NATURAL GAS.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER DOUG GOEHRING ON WEDNESDAY SAID HE WILL LEAD A FIVE-PERSON TRADE MISSION TO CUBA IN SEPTEMBER.

     HE SAYS THE EMPHASIS WILL BE ON SELLING DRY EDIBLE PEAS AND DRY BEANS, STAPLES OF THE CUBAN DIET, AS WELL AS DRIED DISTILLERS GRAINS FOR LIVESTOCK FEED.  GOEHRING SAYS OFFICIALS ALSO HOPE TO FINALIZE THE DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO SHIP NORTH DAKOTA POTATOES TO CUBA.

     THE GROUP LEAVES SEPT. 22 AND RETURNS THREE DAYS LATER. IT WILL BE THE EIGHTH TRADE MISSION ORGANIZED BY THE STATE AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT. PAST EXPORTS TO CUBA HAVE INCLUDED DRY BEANS, PASTA, DRY PEAS, SEMOLINA FLOUR AND WHEAT.
    

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A PAY PROPOSAL FOR NORTH DAKOTA'S STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS WOULD GIVE MOST OF THEM PAY RAISES - ALTHOUGH THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WOULD TAKE A SALARY CUT.

     LEGISLATORS ARE CONSIDERING A PLAN TO COMPARE NORTH DAKOTA OFFICIALS' PAY TO SALARIES FOR THE SAME JOBS IN 10 OTHER STATES. EVERY TWO YEARS, THE NORTH DAKOTA OFFICIALS' PAY WOULD BE SET IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 10-STATE RANKING.

     STATE HUMAN RESOURCES COMPENSATION MANAGER KEN PURDY SAYS LAST YEAR, THE SYSTEM WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR A 3 PERCENT PAY CUT. MOST OFFICIALS WOULD HAVE GOTTEN RAISES, RANGING FROM 5 PERCENT TO 43 PERCENT.  PURDY SAYS THE CHANGE WOULD PREVENT ELECTED OFFICIALS' SALARIES FROM LAGGING TOO FAR BEHIND.

     LEGISLATORS WILL DISCUSS THE INFORMATION NEXT MONTH.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS CONFIRMED A FOURTH HUMAN CASE OF WEST NILE VIRUS IN NORTH DAKOTA.  OFFICIALS SAY THE BURLEIGH COUNTY WOMAN WAS HOSPITALIZED.

     IT IS THE SECOND HUMAN CASE IN BURLEIGH COUNTY THIS YEAR. THERE ALSO HAVE BEEN HUMAN CASES IN WARD COUNTY AND BOTTINEAU COUNTY, AND A CASE IN A BURLEIGH COUNTY DOG.

     WEST NILE VIRUS WAS FIRST IDENTIFIED IN NORTH DAKOTA IN 2002. SINCE THEN, NEARLY 1,300 HUMAN CASES OF THE MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESS HAVE BEEN REPORTED, BUT ONLY ONE CASE WAS CONFIRMED LAST YEAR.
    
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - TRIAL HAS BEEN DELAYED FOR AN OKLAHOMA MAN ACCUSED OF HIRING A HIT MAN TO KILL HIS SON-IN-LAW IN NORTH DAKOTA.

     GENE KIRKPATRICK OF JONES, OKLA., HAD BEEN SCHEDULED FOR TRIAL IN OCTOBER ON A MURDER CONSPIRACY CHARGE. CASS COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY BIRCH BURDICK SAYS HE AND KIRKPATRICK'S ATTORNEY HAVE AGREED TO A DELAY UNTIL AFTER THE TRIAL FOR ALLEGED HIT MAN MICHAEL NAKVINDA.

     NAKVINDA'S TRIAL ON MURDER AND OTHER CHARGES ALSO WAS RECENTLY PUSHED BACK AND IS NOW SCHEDULED TO START NOV. 30. A NEW TRIAL DATE FOR KIRKPATRICK HAS NOT BEEN SET.

     KIRKPATRICK IS ACCUSED OF PAYING NAKVINDA $3,000 TO KILL PHILIP GATTUSO, A FARGO DENTIST WHO MARRIED KIRKPATRICK'S DAUGHTER. SHE DIED SEVEN MONTHS BEFORE GATTUSO WAS BEATEN TO DEATH IN HIS HOME LAST FALL. POLICE ALLEGE KIRKPATRICK WANTED TO GAIN CUSTODY OF GATTUSO'S YOUNG DAUGHTER.
    
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE SAYS A LAWSUIT OVER A TEN COMMANDMENTS MONUMENT IN DOWNTOWN FARGO SHOULD BE THROWN OUT OF FEDERAL COURT.

     THE LAWSUIT BY THE RED RIVER FREETHINKERS GROUP CLAIMS THE CITY GAVE THE MONUMENT A RELIGIOUS PURPOSE IN VOTING THREE YEARS AGO TO KEEP IT. THE CITY ARGUED THAT THE CASE SHOULD BE DISMISSED FOR LACK OF MERIT.

     U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE KAREN KLEIN SAYS THE FREETHINKERS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CHALLENGE THE CITY'S DECISION, WHICH REVERSED AN EARLIER VOTE TO MOVE THE MARKER.  U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE RALPH ERICKSON HAS NOT RULED ON KLEIN'S
RECOMMENDATION.

     THE MONUMENT WAS DONATED TO THE CITY IN 1958, TO COMMEMORATE AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT. IT WAS INSTALLED ON ITS CURRENT SITE NEAR THE FARGO CIVIC AUDITORIUM IN 1961.
    
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     MINNEWAUKAN, N.D. (AP) - MINNEWAUKAN OFFICIALS AND NORTH DAKOTA SEN. KENT CONRAD ARE MAKING A FORMAL PUSH FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO APPROVE AN EMERGENCY PROJECT TO MOVE PART OF THE BENSON COUNTY SEAT OF ABOUT 300 PEOPLE TO HIGHER GROUND.  THE HIGHER GROUND AWAY FROM THE THREATENING FLOODWATERS OF DEVILS LAKE IS ACROSS AN ALREADY RELOCATED U.S. HIGHWAY 281.

     MINNEWAUKAN IS ON DEVILS LAKE'S WESTERN EDGE AND HAS BEEN BATTLING FLOODWATERS FOR YEARS. THE SITUATION HAS STEADILY BECOME MORE DIRE, AND THE TOWN'S FUTURE HAS BECOME UNCERTAIN.  THIRTEEN HOMES WERE MOVED OR DEMOLISHED THIS SUMMER, AND FIVE MORE ARE IN THE WORKS.

     WITH A NEW SCHOOL YEAR ABOUT TO BEGIN MONDAY, A TEMPORARY 3-TO-5-FOOT EMBANKMENT IS BEING BUILT IN A SCHOOL PARKING LOT TO PROTECT THAT BUILDING.
    
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     GRAND FORKS, N.D. (A, P) - STUDENTS IN THE FIRST LAKE REGION STATE COLLEGE POLICE ACADEMY CONDUCTED IN GRAND FORKS ARE GRADUATING.

     THE 14-WEEK ACADEMY WAS RUN BY THE DEVILS LAKE SCHOOL'S PEACE OFFICER TRAINING PROGRAM IN COOPERATION WITH THE GRAND FORKS POLICE DEPARTMENT. IT STARTED IN MAY, AND 23 STUDENTS WERE GRADUATING TODAY.

     THE PEACE OFFICER TRAINING PROGRAM IS A ONE-SEMESTER BASIC POLICE ACADEMY. GRADUATES GET ALL THE TRAINING NECESSARY TO OBTAIN A PEACE OFFICER LICENSE IN NORTH DAKOTA, AND THEY CAN IMMEDIATELY BE HIRED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

     LAKE REGION STATE ALSO OFFERS ITS PEACE OFFICER TRAINING PROGRAM IN DEVILS LAKE EACH FALL AND SPRING. A SUMMER ACADEMY SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN GRAND FORKS HAS OPERATED IN FARGO SINCE 2002.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA STUDENT SCORES ON THE ACT TEST HELD STEADY AMONG HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS WHO GRADUATED LAST SPRING.

     A NEW REPORT SAYS NORTH DAKOTA STUDENTS HAD AN AVERAGE COMPOSITE ACT SCORE OF 21.5, THE SAME AVERAGE AS 2009. THE NATIONAL COMPOSITE AVERAGE WAS 21.

 NORTH DAKOTA SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION WAYNE SANSTEAD SAYS EDUCATORS IN THE STATE HAVE SOME WORK TO DO.

 TWO NORTH DAKOTA HIGH SCHOOLERS SCORED A PERFECT 36, OUT OF ALMOST 5,900 STUDENTS WHO TOOK THE TEST.

     IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THE AVERAGE COMPOSITE SCORE HAS RANGED FROM 21.4 TO 21.6.  THE ACT TEST MEASURES A STUDENT'S ABILITY TO HANDLE COLLEGE CLASSES IN ENGLISH, MATH, READING AND SCIENCE.

     TWENTY-FOUR PERCENT OF THE NORTH DAKOTA STUDENTS WHO TOOK THE TEST MET ALL FOUR OF ITS ACADEMIC BENCHMARKS. SEVENTY-ONE PERCENT WERE CONSIDERED COLLEGE-READY IN ENGLISH, WHILE 31 PERCENT WERE CONSIDERED READY IN SCIENCE.
    

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - SUPPORTERS OF A BALLOT MEASURE TO ABOLISH NORTH DAKOTA'S PHARMACY OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS ARE ASKING SECRETARY OF STATE AL JAEGER TO PUT THE PROPOSAL ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.  JAEGER REJECTED THE PETITION BECAUSE IT DIDN'T INCLUDE A LIST OF THE PROPOSAL'S 25 SPONSORS.

     THE CAMPAIGN'S CHAIRMAN IS BISMARCK DOCTOR ERIC THOMPSON. IN A LETTER TO JAEGER ON TUESDAY, THOMPSON WROTE THE PETITION SUBSTANTIALLY COMPILED WITH STATE REQUIREMENTS.  THOMPSON SAYS JAEGER'S REJECTION OF THE PETITION "EXALTS FORM OVER SUBSTANCE."

     JAEGER SAYS HE WON'T COMMENT ON THE LETTER UNTIL HE'S READ IT AND TALKED TO ATTORNEY GENERAL WAYNE STENEHJEM.

     THE MEASURE'S SUPPORTERS SAY IT WILL HELP BIG RETAILERS OFFER LOWER PRICES FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A CONSULTANT IS TELLING NORTH DAKOTA LEGISLATORS THAT THE STATE'S EMPLOYEE PAY SYSTEM NEEDS CHANGES, BUT ITS FOUNDATION IS GOOD.

     NEVILLE KENNING IS A VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE HAY GROUP FIRM. THE COMPANY'S BEEN HIRED TO EXAMINE THE PAY SYSTEM FOR NORTH DAKOTA GOVERNMENT. THE SURVEY INCLUDES LARGE AGENCIES SUCH AS THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

     KENNING SAYS THERE ARE WIDE PAY DIFFERENCES AMONG STATE AGENCIES FOR THE SAME JOB. THE STATE TRIES TO PUT ITS WAGES CLOSE TO THE PRIVATE MARKET, BUT KENNING SAYS THE STATE'S METHOD OF DETERMINING MARKET WAGES IS FLAWED.

     KENNING SAYS NORTH DAKOTA STATE EMPLOYEE PAY TRAILS MARKET RATES BY MORE THAN 10 PERCENT, ALTHOUGH THE HEALTH INSURANCE IS BETTER THAN WHAT'S USUALLY AVAILABLE IN PRIVATE BUSINESS.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A LONGTIME EMPLOYEE OF THE BELCOURT PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION HAS BEEN SENTENCED FOR STEALING FROM THE TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA AG, ENCY.

     ACTING U.S. ATTORNEY LYNN JORDHEIM SAYS 45-YEAR-OLD NANCY LADUCER WAS SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS OF PROBATION, INCLUDING 10 MONTHS OF HOME DETENTION WITH ELECTRONIC MONITORING. SHE ALSO WAS ORDERED TO PAY $35,000 IN RESTITUTION.

     LADUCER PLEADED GUILTY LAST MAY TO TAKING MONEY AND ALLOWING OTHERS TO TAKE MONEY WITHOUT PAYING IT BACK. JORDHEIM SAYS MISSING DEPOSITS TOTALED ALMOST $245,000.  LADUCER WAS EMPLOYED WITH THE TRIBAL AGENCY FOR 23 YEARS BEFORE BEING FIRED.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA REP. EARL POMEROY SAYS A MOSQUE SHOULDN'T BE BUILT NEAR THE SITE WHERE THE WORLD TRADE CENTER WAS DESTROYED IN A TERRORIST ATTACK.  A GROUP OF CONSERVATIVE ACTIVISTS DELIVERED A LETTER TO POMEROY'S BISMARCK OFFICE TUESDAY ASKING HIS OPINION ABOUT THE MOSQUE PROJECT.

     THE NORTH DAKOTA DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN SAYS NEW YORK CITY ZONING AUTHORITIES SHOULD CONSIDER THE SENSITIVITIES OF FAMILIES WHO LOST LOVED ONES IN THE ATTACKS ON SEPT. 11, 2001. THE FAMILIES HAVE OVERWHELMINGLY OPPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF A MOSQUE NEAR GROUND ZERO.

     POMEROY SAYS IF HE WERE ON THE LOCAL ZONING BOARD, HE WOULD NOT ALLOW THE PROJECT. HE SAYS DEVELOPERS HAVE A LEGAL RIGHT TO BUILD A MOSQUE NEAR THE WORLD TRADE CENTER SITE, BUT IT SHOULDN'T BE DONE.
    
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     HELENA, MONT. (AP) - GOV. BRIAN SCHWEITZER SAYS A RECENT RULING BY THE STATE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION MEANS MONTANA OIL COMPANIES HAVE A BETTER SHOT AT PUTTING THEIR OIL IN A PROPOSED PIPELINE FROM CANADA TO THE GULF OF MEXICO.

     TRANSCANADA IS SEEKING MULTISTATE APPROVAL FOR THE 1,980-MILE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE. UNDER POLITICAL PRESSURE, THE COMPANY HAS SAID IT IS CONSIDERING LETTING MONTANA AND NORTH DAKOTA CRUDE OIL INTO THE PIPELINE.  IN A RECENT RULING, THE MONTANA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION DECIDED IT HAS THE RIGHT TO INTERVENE IN CONNECTION DISPUTES.

     SCHWEITZER SAYS THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR MONTANA OIL PRODUCERS WHO WILL NOW HAVE THE WEIGHT OF THE PSC BEHIND THEM AS THEY TRY TO NEGOTIATE WITH TRANSCANADA.
    

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR NORTH DAKOTA'S PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION SAYS STRONGER STATE RULES ARE NEEDED TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF LANDOWNERS WHO LIVE NEAR WIND PROJECTS.

     BRAD CRABTREE SAYS SOME NEIGHBORING PROPERTY OWNERS DESERVE COMPENSATION THEMSELVES EVEN IF THEY DON'T HAVE WIND TOWERS ON THEIR LAND.  CRABTREE SAYS THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION HAS IGNORED THE PROBLEM, AND THAT RISKS A BACKLASH AGAINST WIND DEVELOPMENT.

     INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER KEVIN CRAMER SAYS THE PSC HAS DONE WELL IN SITING WIND PROJECTS.  CRAMER QUESTIONS WHETHER LANDOWNERS SHOULD BE PAID MONEY FROM NEARBY WIND PROJECTS IF THEY DON'T HAVE TURBINES ON THEIR LAND. HE SAYS IT'S LIKE ASKING A SUGAR BEET FARMER TO SPLIT HIS CHECKS WITH HIS NEIGHBOR.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA IS GETTING $1 MILLION TO HELP CRACK DOWN ON UNREASONABLE HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUM INCREASES.  HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY KATHLEEN SEBELIUS ON MONDAY ANNOUNCED THE GRANTS THROUGH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

     THE ACT IS PROVIDING STATES WITH $250 MILLION IN GRANTS OVER FIVE YEARS. THE GOVERNMENT SAYS THE GOAL IS TO HELP IMPROVE HOW STATES REVIEW PROPOSED HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUM HIKES AND HOLD INSURANCE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR UNJUSTIFIED INCREASES.
    
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     WEST FARGO, N.D. (AP) - OFFICIALS IN THE FARGO AREA SAY THEY'RE WILLING TO HELP WITH FLOOD CONTROL IN DEVILS LAKE BUT WOULD NEED TO UPGRADE WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES.

     NORTH DAKOTA SEN. KENT CONRAD HELD A SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE HEARING IN WEST FARGO ON MONDAY TO DISCUSS THE EFFECTS OF DEVILS LAKE FLOODING ON DOWNSTREAM COMMUNITIES. THE LAKE HAS RISEN MORE THAN 30 FEET SINCE 1992 AND REACHED A RECORD LEVEL THIS SUMMER.

     FARGO MAYOR DENNIS WALAKER AND WEST FARGO MAYOR RICH MATTERN TESTIFIED THAT THEIR CITIES WOULD NEED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IF MORE WATER IS PUMPED FROM DEVILS LAKE.  MATTERN SAID RESIDENTS HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT INCREASED FLOWS FROM THE LAKE BUT THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT "INSURMOUNTABLE."
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA HAS APPROVED ITS FIRST EXPLORATORY DRILLING PERMIT IN MORE THAN THREE DECADES FOR POTASH, A FORM OF SALT USED FOR FERTILIZER.

     THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF MINERAL RESOURCES ISSUED THE PERMIT ON FRIDAY TO DENVER-BASED DAKOTA SALTS LLC FOR ONE TEST WELL NEAR LIGNITE IN BURKE COUNTY.  DAKOTA SALTS IS A SUBSIDIARY OF LONDON-BASED SIRIUS EXPLORATION PLC, WHICH HAS MINING INTERESTS IN CHINA, AUSTRALIA AND MACEDONIA. THE COMPANY SAYS IT HAS LEASED MORE THAN 6,000 ACRES IN NORTHWESTERN NORTH DAKOTA FOR SALT AND POTASH MINING.

     TOBY HALL, A SIRIUS EXPLORATION SPOKESMAN IN LONDON, SAYS THE 8,900-FOOT-DEEP TEST WELL WILL BE DRILLED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
    
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     GREAT BEND, N.D. (AP) - FIREFIGHTERS IN THE SOUTHEAST NORTH DAKOTA TOWN OF GREAT BEND HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR RETIREMENT FUNDS TO HELP PAY FOR A NEW FIRE TRUCK.

     FIRE CHIEF TIM FENSKE SAYS THE DEPARTMENT'S 40-YEAR-OLD FIRE TRUCK WAS SLOW AND UNRELIABLE. FIREFIGHTERS IN THE TOWN OF 100 PEOPLE DECIDED TO DISSOLVE THEIR $30,000 PENSION FUND TO HELP PAY FOR A NEW, $90,000 TRUCK.

     ALMOST ALL OF THE DEPARTMENT'S 30 MEMBERS GAVE UP THEIR RETIREMENT MONEY. THE DEPARTMENT ALSO USED GAMBLING REVENUE FROM TWO AREA BARS AND MONEY RAISED THROUGH ITS ANNUAL FISH FRY.

 

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TODAY OFFICIALLY CLASSIFIED A DEADLY TORNADO IN NORTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA AS AN EF3 ON THE ENHANCED FUJITA SCALE.

     THE SCALE RANGES FROM EF0 TO EF5. EF3 TWISTERS HAVE WIND SPEEDS UP TO 165 MPH, AND THE WEATHER SERVICE SAYS IT BELIEVES LAST THURSDAY'S TORNADO HAD WIND SPEEDS "IN THE UPPER RANGE."  THE TORNADO WAS RATED AFTER A WEATHER SERVICE TEAM SURVEYED DAMAGE IN THE BOWBELLS AREA.

     THE WEATHER SERVICE SAYS THE TORNADO THAT STRUCK THURSDAY NIGHT CUT AN INTERMITTENT PATH 14 MILES LONG. DAMAGE WAS REPORTED FROM EASTERN BURKE COUNTY INTO NORTHERN WARD COUNTY.  A CANADIAN MAN WAS KILLED AND ANOTHER HURT WHEN THEIR CAR CRASHED INTO A DITCH ON U.S. HIGHWAY 52 AND WAS TOPPLED BY THE TORNADO. THE MINOT DAILY NEWS REPORTED THAT THE INJURED MAN HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL.
    
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     MINOT, N.D. (AP) - A FORMER TEACHER AT TURTLE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE SAYS HE WILL PLEAD GUILTY TO STEALING LAPTOP COMPUTERS FROM THE SCHOOL.

     MARTIN HENRY IS CHARGED IN FEDERAL COURT WITH LARCENY.  AUTHORITIES SAY HE STOLE 17 LAPTOPS AND COMPUTER REPAIR KITS WHILE WORKING IN THE COLLEGE'S TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT.  THE THEFTS ALLEGEDLY OCCURRED BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND JULY 2009.  PROSECUTORS SAY THE EQUIPMENT WAS SOLD OR PAWNED AT VARIOUS SHOPS.

     HENRY FACES A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF FIVE YEARS IN PRISON. A PLEA HEARING HAS NOT BEEN SCHEDULED.
    
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     POWER LAKE, N.D. (AP) - THE NORTH DAKOTA HIGHWAY PATROL HAS IDENTIFIED THE MOTORCYCLIST KILLED IN A CRASH WEST OF POWERS LAKE.  HE'S 36-YEAR-OLD CHRISTOPHER BLOMQUIST OF KENMARE.

     THE PATROL SAYS BLOMQUIST MISSED A CURVE IN THE ROAD AND HIS MOTORCYCLE WENT INTO A DITCH ABOUT A MILE. THE CRASH HAPPENED ABOUT 9:45 SATURDAY NIGHT, AS BLOMQUIST WAS EN ROUTE FROM BATTLEVIEW TO POWERS LAKE.

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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR NORTH DAKOTA'S PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION SAYS STRONGER STATE RULES ARE NEEDED TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF LANDOWNERS WHO LIVE NEAR WIND PROJECTS.

     BRAD CRABTREE SAYS IN SOME CASES, NEIGHBORING PROPERTY OWNERS DESERVE COMPENSATION THEMSELVES EVEN IF THEY DON'T HAVE WIND TOWERS ON THEIR PROPERTY. CRABTREE SAYS NEARBY WIND TOWERS CAN MAKE IT IMPRACTICAL FOR NEIGHBORING LANDOWNERS TO PUT UP TURBINES OF THEIR OWN.

     CRABTREE SAYS THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND THE LEGISLATURE HAVE IGNORED THE PROBLEM, AND HE SAYS THAT RISKS A BACKLASH AGAINST WIND DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL NORTH DAKOTA.

     CRABTREE IS RUNNING AGAINST INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN KEVIN CRAMER. THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION REGULATES THE PLACEMENT OF LARGE WIND FARMS IN NORTH DAKOTA.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA'S WORKERS COMPENSATION DIRECTOR SAYS OUTSIDE REVIEWS OF HIS AGENCY ARE TOO FREQUENT AND EXPENSIVE.

     NORTH DAKOTA LAW SAYS THE PERFORMANCE REVIEWS OF WORKFORCE SAFETY AND INSURANCE MUST BE DONE EVERY TWO YEARS. AUDITORS CONCENTRATE ON SPECIFIC ISSUES AND WRITE REPORTS FOR STATE LEGISLATORS TO REVIEW.

     WSI DIRECTOR BRYAN KLIPFEL SAYS IT WOULD BE BETTER TO HAVE REVIEWS EVERY THREE OR FOUR YEARS. HE SAYS SOMETIMES THE AGENCY BARELY HAS TIME TO DIGEST ONE SET OF RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN IT HAS TO START PREPARING FOR ANOTHER.

     KLIPFEL SAYS THIS YEAR'S REVIEW BY THE SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES FIRM WAS GENERALLY POSITIVE AND CONFIRMED THAT WSI WAS MANAGING INJURY CLAIMS CORRECTLY. IT COST ABOUT $230,000, AND KLIPFEL SAYS IT TOOK A LOT OF STAFF TIME.
    
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     WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) - A TOP FEDERAL HOUSING OFFICIAL IS COMING TO NORTH DAKOTA TO GET A FIRSTHAND LOOK AT THE HOUSING CRUNCH IN WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA'S BOOMING OIL PATCH.

     SEN. KENT CONRAD SAYS HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY SHAUN DONOVAN IS TO TRAVEL TO WILLISTON NEXT MONDAY.  DONOVAN WILL TAKE A TOUR OF THE AREA AND THEN MEET WITH COMMUNITY OFFICIALS.  REP. EARL POMEROY ALSO PLANS TO ATTEND.
    
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     MINOT, N.D. (AP) - MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY IS REOPENING A KEY EDUCATION BUILDING ON CAMPUS AFTER A RENOVATION PROJECT.  A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY AT SWAIN HALL IS SET FOR TOMORROW MORNING.

     THE BUILDING WAS GUTTED AND RENOVATED OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS TO PROVIDE FOR THE NEEDS OF 21ST CENTURY STUDENTS. THE RENOVATED BUILDING WILL BE HOME FOR TEACHER EDUCATION, HUMAN PERFORMANCE AND ATHLETIC TRAINING PROGRAMS.  THE PROJECT COST ABOUT $13 MILLION. FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDING COVERED ABOUT $5 MILLION.
    
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     WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) - WILLISTON STATE COLLEGE IS ABOUT TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION ON A NEW RESIDENCE HALL. GROUNDBREAKING FOR THE $9.3 MILLION DORMITORY IS SCHEDULED FOR AUG. 26.

     PRESIDENT RAYMOND NADOLNY SAYS A 40-YEAR-OLD BUILDING PROVIDES HALF OF THE COLLEGE'S 113 BEDS, AND IT IS DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE FOR STUDENTS TO FIND OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING. THE OIL BOOM IN WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA HAS LED TO A HOUSING CRUNCH.  THE NEW DORM WILL HAVE 171 BEDS IN SUITE-STYLE ROOMS.
    
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     GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - NEW UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATORS WILL BE GETTING A FIRSTHAND LOOK AT PART OF THE STATE.

     UND PRESIDENT ROBERT KELLEY IS LEADING A THREE-DAY BUS TOUR ACROSS SOUTHERN NORTH DAKOTA STARTING MONDAY. ABOUT THREE DOZEN UND OFFICIALS WILL TAKE PART.

     THIS IS THE 20TH YEAR FOR THE BUS TOUR, WHICH WAS STARTED IN 1990 BY THEN-PRESIDENT THOMAS CLIFFORD. THE ROUTE ALTERNATES BETWEEN NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN NORTH DAKOTA.
    

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUES TO ASSESS TORNADO DAMAGE IN NORTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA, BUT SAYS INITIAL REPORTS SHOW THE STORM MAY HAVE HAD WINDS GREATER THAN 165 MPH.

     THE WEATHER SERVICE'S OFFICE IN BISMARCK SAYS TORNADOES BELIEVED TO BE RATED HIGHER THAN AN EF3 - SUCH AS THE ONE THAT HIT THURSDAY NIGHT - GET EXTRA SCRUTINY. STAFF HAVE BEEN WORKING OVER THE WEEKEND TO CONFIRM ITS SIZE.

     THE WEATHER SERVICE SAYS THE TORNADO STRUCK THE BOWBELLS AREA BETWEEN 9:30 AND 9:50 P.M. THURSDAY, CUTTING AN INTERMITTENT PATH 14 MILES LONG. DAMAGE WAS REPORTED FROM EASTERN BURKE COUNTY INTO NORTHERN WARD.

     A CANADIAN MAN WAS KILLED AND ANOTHER HURT WHEN THEIR CAR CRASHED INTO A DITCH AND WAS TOPPLED BY THE TORNADO.
    
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     POWER LAKE, N.D. (AP) - A KENMARE MAN HAS DIED AFTER CRASHING HIS MOTORCYCLE WHILE EN ROUTE FROM BATTLEVIEW TO POWERS LAKE.

     THE NORTH DAKOTA HIGHWAY PATROL SAYS THE 36-YEAR-OLD MAN MISSED A CURVE IN THE ROAD AND HIS MOTORCYCLE WENT INTO A DITCH ABOUT A MILE WEST OF POWERS LAKE. THE CRASH HAPPENED ABOUT 9:45 SATURDAY NIGHT.  THE VICTIM'S NAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED.
    
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     MINOT, N.D. (AP) - MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY AND DAKOTA COLLEGE AT BOTTINEAU ARE LAUNCHING A PILOT PROGRAM THIS FALL FOR STUDENTS WHO DON'T QUALIFY FOR ADMISSION TO A FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY BUT STILL WANT TO PURSUE A COLLEGE EDUCATION.

     STUDENTS WILL TAKE 24 COLLEGE CREDITS FROM BOTH THE BOTTINEAU SCHOOL AND MINOT STATE, WHILE STAYING IN MINOT. BY DOING SO THEY WILL EARN A CERTIFICATE IN COLLEGE STUDIES AND CAN BEGIN CLASSES THE NEXT YEAR AS A MINOT STATE STUDENT.  MSU ADMISSIONS DEAN KEVIN HARMON SAYS THE PASSPORT PROGRAM WILL ADMIT 25 STUDENTS THE FIRST YEAR.

     OTHER COLLEGES IN THE STATE HAVE SIMILAR PROGRAMS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA HAS AN ARRANGEMENT WITH LAKE REGION STATE COLLEGE IN DEVILS LAKE, AND NORTH DAKOTA STATE WITH THE STATE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AT WAHPETON.

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     NEW TOWN, N.D. (AP) - THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE THREE TRIBES MUSEUM SAYS VISITATION IS DOWN ABOUT 25 PERCENT THIS YEAR.

     MARILYN HUDSON SAYS INCREASED TRAFFIC IN WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA'S OIL PATCH IS A REASON. SHE SAYS SOME SCHOOLS AREN'T VISITING THE MUSEUM BECAUSE OF THE RISKS ON THE HIGHWAY.

     THE MUSEUM WEST OF NEW TOWN OPENS FOR THE SEASON ON MAY 1 AND CLOSES ON OCT. 31. HUDSON SAYS IN A TYPICAL YEAR, ABOUT 5,000 PEOPLE VISIT.

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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NEW LABOR COMMISSIONER TONY WEILER WAS QUESTIONED BY NORTH DAKOTA'S BUREAU OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION FOR USING OFFICE TELEPHONES FOR PERSONAL CALLS WHEN HE WORKED AT THE LABOR DEPARTMENT IN THE 1990S.

     THE ASSOCIATED PRESS OBTAINED RECORDS OF THE PROBE. GOV. JOHN HOEVEN APPOINTED WEILER AS LABOR COMMISSIONER LAST WEEK.  HOEVEN'S STAFF ATTORNEY SAYS WEILER SHOULD HAVE DISCLOSED THE PROBLEM. WEILER SAYS HE LEARNED FROM THE INCIDENT.

     THE 1995 INVESTIGATION FOCUSED ON THEN-LABOR COMMISSIONER CRAIG HAGEN'S TELEPHONE AND TRAVEL RECORDS. WEILER AND HAGEN'S SECRETARY WERE ALSO INTERVIEWED ABOUT MAKING PERSONAL CALLS ON STATE PHONES. WEILER SAYS HE REIMBURSED THE STATE FOR LONG-DISTANCE COSTS FOR HIS PERSONAL CALLS.

     NO CHARGES WERE FILED BUT THE BURLEIGH COUNTY PROSECUTOR SAYS THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED "EXTREMELY UNPROFESSIONAL" CONDUCT.
    
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     GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - A BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS POLICE OFFICER FOR THE SPIRIT LAKE NATION HAS BEEN CHARGED FOR ALLEGEDLY STABBING HIS WIFE IN THE CHEST WITH A KITCHEN KNIFE.

     COURT DOCUMENTS SAY 41-YEAR-OLD DUANE GUNVILLE STABBED HIS WIFE DURING AN ARGUMENT LAST WEEKEND AT THEIR DEVILS LAKE HOME. SHE WAS TREATED AT A HOSPITAL AND RELEASED.

     GUNVILLE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. BOND WAS SET AT $50,000, AND AS OF SATURDAY, GUNVILLE WAS NO LONGER BEING HELD. GUNVILLE FACE UP TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON IF CONVICTED. NO NUMBER WAS LISTED FOR HIM.

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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A NORTH DAKOTA HIGHWAY PATROL TROOPER ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING HIS WIFE AS SHE HELD THEIR INFANT SON HAS BEEN FIRED.  PATROL LT. ELDON MEHRER SAYS MICHAEL POLOMNY WILL APPEAL HIS DISMISSAL TO AN INTERNAL REVIEW BOARD.

     POLOMNY WAS ARRESTED IN JUNE AT THE COUPLE'S HOME IN MOORHEAD, MINN. HE'S ACCUSED OF PUSHING, KICKING AND PUNCHING HIS WIFE WHILE SHE HELD THEIR 3-MONTH-OLD SON. ONLINE COURT RECORDS DON'T SHOW CHARGES IN THE CASE.

     POLOMNY IS A SEVEN-YEAR VETERAN OF THE PATROL AND HAD BEEN BASED IN FARGO.

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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A MANDAN BUSINESSMAN HEADING TO TRIAL OVER NEW RESTRICTIONS ON THE SALE OF CHEMICALS THAT MIMIC THE EFFECTS OF DRUGS NOW FACES MORE CHARGES.

     WILLIAM NICKEL HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF DRUGS AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. COURT DOCUMENTS SAY THE CHARGES STEM FROM SEARCHES OF NICKEL'S HOME AND BUSINESS AFTER HIS MAY ARREST.

     NICKEL IS A CO-OWNER OF BIG WILLIES, WHICH HAD SOLD PRODUCTS KNOWN AS STARDUST AND SPARK BEFORE THE STATE BOARD OF PHARMACY BANNED THEIR SALE IN FEBRUARY. AUTHORITIES ALLEGE NICKEL STARTED AN UNDERGROUND OPERATION TO CONTINUE SELLING THEM.

     NICKEL FACES A SEPT. 14 TRIAL ON THREE FELONY DRUG CHARGES IN THAT CASE. HE'S PLEADED NOT GUILTY.  COURT HEARINGS HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED FOR AUG. 24 AND SEPT. 7 ON THE LATEST CHARGES.

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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A JUDGE HAS REJECTED AN APPEAL BY A MAN WHO WAS CONVICTED IN WHAT IS BELIEVED TO BE THE LARGEST FEDERAL DRUG CASE IN NORTH DAKOTA HISTORY.

     TIMOTHY BAUMAN IS ONE OF ABOUT 60 PEOPLE INDICTED IN THE CASE DUBBED OPERATION SPEED RACER. HE WAS SENTENCED TO SERVE SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON ON A DRUG TRAFFICKING CHARGE AND FOUR YEARS ON AN OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE CHARGE, FOR A TOTAL OF 11 YEARS.

     BAUMAN ARGUED IN HIS APPEAL THAT HIS LAWYER DID A POOR JOB REPRESENTING HIM AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE AGGRESSIVE IN PURSUING A SHORTER SENTENCE.  U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE RALPH ERICKSON SAYS BAUMAN'S CLAIMS ARE NOT SUPPORTED BY COURT RECORDS.
    

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - AUTHORITIES SAY A CANADIAN MAN KILLED IN A STORM-RELATED CRASH IN NORTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA WAS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR, NOT THE DRIVER.

     INFORMATION RELEASED FRIDAY EVENING BY THE NORTH DAKOTA HIGHWAY PATROL SHOWS 19-YEAR-OLD TROY BULMER, OF ST. BRIEUX, SASKATCHEWAN, WAS DRIVING THE CAR THAT ENDED UP ON ITS ROOF NEAR BOWBELLS ABOUT 10:30 P.M. THURSDAY.  THE PATROL SAYS BULMER'S PASSENGER, 51-YEAR-OLD ROGER BULMER, ALSO OF ST. BRIEUX, SASKATCHEWAN, WAS KILLED.

     IT WAS UNCLEAR WHETHER THE CAR WAS TOSSED BY A TWISTER OR WAS TOPPLED BY STRONG WINDS. THE PATROL'S MIKE MCCLOUD SAYS A TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN IN THE AREA ABOUT THE SAME TIME.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF RECLAMATION HAS SCHEDULED PUBLIC MEETINGS IN NORTH DAKOTA REGARDING THE NORTHWEST AREA WATER SUPPLY PROJECT.

     NAWS IS TO BRING MISSOURI RIVER WATER TO NORTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA, BUT IT'S OPPOSED BY THE CANADIAN PROVINCE OF MANITOBA AND THE STATE OF MISSOURI. A FEDERAL JUDGE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., HAS ORDERED MORE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY.  THE PUBLIC CAN COMMENT UNTIL OCT. 12.  MEETINGS ARE SET SEPT. 13 IN BOTTINEAU, SEPT. 14 IN MINOT, SEPT. 15 IN NEW TOWN AND SEPT. 16 IN BISMARCK.

     CONGRESS FIRST AUTHORIZED NAWS MORE THAN TWO DECADES AGO. CONSTRUCTION BEGAN IN 2002, BUT THE JUDGE IS ALLOWING CONSTRUCTION ONLY OF PIPELINE AND NOT OF TREATMENT FACILITIES UNTIL ALL CONCERNS ARE ADDRESSED.

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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - ATTORNEY GENERAL WAYNE STENEHJEM HAS ORDERED A FLORIDA OPERATION THAT SELLS WHAT IT SAYS ARE HEALTH AND DIET PRODUCTS OVER THE INTERNET TO STOP DOING BUSINESS IN NORTH DAKOTA.

     STENEHJEM SAYS XM BRANDS INC. AND KENNETH JACOBI, OF HOLLYWOOD, FLA., HAVE VIOLATED NORTH DAKOTA CONSUMER FRAUD LAW.  STENEHJEM SAYS HIS OFFICE HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT XM BRANDS, AND MANY THOUSANDS HAVE BEEN LODGED ACROSS THE COU, NTRY.

     TELEPHONE LISTINGS FOR XM BRANDS AND JACOBI COULD NOT IMMEDIATELY BE FOUND.
    
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     NEW TOWN, N.D. (AP) - SIXTEEN PEOPLE HAVE FILED TO RUN FOR CHAIRMAN OF THE THREE AFFILIATED TRIBES.

     THE CANDIDATES INCLUDE INCUMBENT MARCUS LEVINGS AND FORMER TWO-TERM CHAIRMAN TEX HALL.  LEVINGS BEAT HALL BY MORE THAN 200 VOTES IN 2006, BUT THE CONTEST DRAGGED ON FOR MONTHS WHILE HALL UNSUCCESSFULLY APPEALED HIS LOSS TO THE NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION AND TRIBAL COURTS.

     THE TRIBE WITH 12,000 ENROLLED MEMBERS WILL HOLD ITS PRIMARY ELECTION SEPT. 21. THE TOP TWO VOTE-GETTERS WILL MOVE ON TO THE GENERAL ELECTION NOV. 2.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A REVIEW OF NORTH DAKOTA'S WORKERS COMPENSATION AGENCY SAYS ITS NUMBER OF DENIED BENEFIT CLAIMS HAS RISEN STEADILY SINCE 2005.

     WORKFORCE SAFETY AND INSURANCE DIRECTOR BRYAN KLIPFEL SAYS THE NUMBERS ARE INFLATED BECAUSE THEY INCLUDE INCIDENTS WHEN A WORKER DIDN'T LOSE JOB TIME OR NEED MEDICAL TREATMENT. KLIPFEL SAYS SOME DENIALS WERE REVERSED LATER WHEN NEW INFORMATION BECAME KNOWN.

     KLIPFEL SPOKE FRIDAY TO STATE LEGISLATORS ABOUT A NEW PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION AGENCY. HE SAYS WSI ACCEPTS 92 PERCENT OF INJURY CLAIMS.

     DICKINSON REP. FRANK WALD SAYS IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO SAY A CLAIM WAS DENIED WHEN A WORKER DOESN'T LOSE JOB TIME OR NEED TREATMENT. HE SAYS EMPLOYERS SOMETIMES FILE CLAIMS QUICKLY BECAUSE THERE'S A FINANCIAL INCENTIVE TO DO SO, EVEN IF THERE'S NO INJURY.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - FEWER SHARP-TAILED GROUSE AND HUNGARIAN PARTRIDGE WERE KILLED IN NORTH DAKOTA LAST YEAR.  THE STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT ATTRIBUTES THE DROPS TO FEWER HUNTERS.

     LAST FALL'S SHARPTAIL HARVEST WAS 85,700, DOWN 29 PERCENT FROM 2008. THE NUMBER OF HUNTERS WAS DOWN 25 PERCENT TO 26,600.

     LAST SEASON'S PARTRIDGE HARVEST WAS 64,000, DOWN 35 PERCENT FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE NUMBER OF HUNTERS WAS DOWN 26 PERCENT TO 21,200.  STATISTICS ARE BASED ON A SURVEY OF RESIDENT AND NONRESIDENT HUNTERS.

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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA'S FALL CROW HUNTING SEASON OPENS STATEWIDE TODAY.  THE STATE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT SAYS THIS YEAR'S SEASON WILL RUN THROUGH OCT. 24.  SHOOTING HOURS ARE HALF AN HOUR BEFORE SUNRISE TO SUNSET. THERE IS NO DAILY OR POSSESSION LIMIT ON CROWS.

 

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A TORNADO THAT TOUCHED DOWN IN NORTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA KILLED A MOTORIST FROM CANADA.

     THE HIGHWAY PATROL SAYS THE 51-YEAR-OLD MAN FROM ST. BRIEUX, SASKATCHEWAN, WAS TRAVELING ON U.S. HIGHWAY 52 ABOUT SIX MILES EAST OF BOWBELLS WHEN THE CAR WAS TOSSED ABOUT ONE-FOURTH OF A MILE INTO A NEARBY FIELD. THE FOUR-DOOR SEDAN CAME TO REST ON ITS ROOF ABOUT 10:30 P.M. THURSDAY.

     THE DRIVER WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT A KENMARE HOSPITAL. A 19-YEAR-OLD ST. BRIEUX MAN WHO WAS A PASSENGER WAS TAKEN TO A MINOT HOSPITAL WITH WHAT WERE DESCRIBED AS SEVERE INJURIES.

     THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS THE TORNADO ALSO DESTROYED A HOME AND DAMAGED ANOTHER. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.

     A TORNADO ALSO TOUCHED DOWN , IN SOUTHEAST NORTH DAKOTA'S RICHLAND COUNTY THURSDAY NIGHT. THE WEATHER SERVICE HAD NO IMMEDIATE REPORTS OF DAMAGE.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA'S DEMOCRATIC U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE SAYS THE SOCIAL SECURITY TAX SHOULD BE PAID ON ALL WAGE INCOME.  TRACY POTTER SAYS THE CHANGE WOULD SOLVE SOCIAL SECURITY'S FINANCIAL WOES AND HELP CUT ITS TAX RATE.

     THE SOCIAL SECURITY TAX NOW APPLIES TO UP TO $106,800 OF A PERSON'S ANNUAL INCOME. THE RATE IS 12.4 PERCENT AND IS SPLIT BETWEEN WORKER AND EMPLOYER.  POTTER SAYS UNDER HIS PROPOSAL, HIGHER EARNERS WOULD PAY MUCH MORE SOCIAL SECURITY TAX WITHOUT GETTING LARGER BENEFITS.  BUT POTTER SAYS THE EXTRA INCOME COULD ALLOW FOR CUTTING THE TAX RATE, AND HE SAYS THAT WOULD HELP CREATE JOBS.

     REPUBLICAN SENATE CANDIDATE JOHN HOEVEN SAYS ABOLISHING THE CAPAND CUTTING RATES WOULDN'T WORK AND WOULD PUT THE SYSTEM AT RISK. HE SAYS IT WOULD STIFLE JOB CREATION.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A NEW REPORT SUGGESTS IMPROVING WORKERS COMPENSATION BENEFITS FOR SOME NORTH DAKOTA EMPLOYEES WHO ARE INJURED ON THE JOB.  NORTH DAKOTA LAWMAKERS ARE REVIEWING THE PERFORMANCE AUDIT ON FRIDAY. THE WORKFORCE SAFETY AND INSURANCE AGENCY HAS THE REVIEW DONE EVERY TWO YEARS.

     UNDER CURRENT LAW A WORKER MAY GET A REDUCED BENEFIT IF HIS JOB INJURY WORSENS A MEDICAL PROBLEM THE WORKER ALREADY HAS. IT IS CALLED THE "AGGRAVATION" LAW. THE CONSULTANTS' REPORT SAYS IT SHOULD BE REPEALED, AND WORKERS SHOULD GET FULL BENEFITS IN THOSE CASES. WSI ESTIMATES THE AGENCY WOULD HAVE TO RAISE INSURANCE RATES BY ABOUT 2.7 PERCENT TO COVER THE EXTRA $4.8 MILLION COST.

     THE REPORT SAYS ONE REASON FOR DUMPING THE AGGRAVATION LAW IS THAT IT'S HARD FOR WSI ANALYSTS TO APPLY IT CONSISTENTLY.
    
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     MINOT, N.D. (AP) - WORK IS UNDER WAY ON TWO BUILDING PROJECTS AT THE QUENTIN N. BURDICK JOB CORPS CENTER IN MINOT.  THE PROJECTS BEING FUNDED WITH FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY WILL COST ABOUT $850,000. THEY ARE SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN DECEMBER OR JANUARY.

     DEPUTY CENTER DIRECTOR WAYDE SICK SAYS THE PROJECTS INCLUDE AN ENLARGEMENT OF THE CULINARY ARTS AND DINING AREA AND AN EXTENSION TO THE ACADEMIC WING OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. THE EXTENSION WILL ADD A MULTIPURPOSE ROOM AND A GED TESTING CENTER.

     THE JOB CORPS CENTER OPENED IN 1994 TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE GET THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO SUCCEED IN THE WORK FORCE.
    
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     BILLINGS, MONT. (AP) - FEDERAL OFFICIALS WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH OIL AND GAS LEASES ON MORE THAN 160,0000 ACRES IN MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTH DAKOTA THAT HAVE BEEN HELD UP OVER CLIMATE CHANGE CONCERNS.

     THE GOVERNMENT HAD AGREED IN MARCH TO RE-EXAMINE ITS LEASING PROGRAM. THAT CAME AFTER ENVIRONMENTALISTS FILED A LAWSUIT SEEKING REDUCTIONS IN GREENHOUSE GASES RELEASED BY COMPANIES DURING DRILLING.  BUT IN A SERIES OF STUDIES RELEASED THURSDAY, THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT SAID EMISSIONS FROM OIL AND GAS DRILLING WERE NEGLIGIBLE COMPARED TO OTHER SOURCES.

     THE AGENCY IS RECOMMENDING THAT DRILLING BE ALLOWED TO PROCEED ON ABOUT 36,000 ACRES OF LEASES THAT WERE SOLD BUT LATER SUSPENDED. LEASE SALES WOULD BE HELD IN DECEMBER ON 130,000 ACRES THAT WERE DEFERRED.
    
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - THE NORTH DAKOTA AIR NATIONAL GUARD IS WELCOMING HOME AN AIRMAN WHO SERVED SEVEN MONTHS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES.

     CAPT. JENNIFER SILBERNAGEL WITH THE 119TH WING WAS RETURNING TO FARGO THIS AFTERNOON.  SHE HELPED WITH THE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE AND CARGO AT A BASE IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. SILBERNAGEL ALSO WORKED WITH SEVERAL U.S. MILITARY BRANCHES AS WELL AS WITH CONTRACTORS AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL.
    
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     MINOT, N.D. (AP) - AN AVIATOR, AN ACTRESS, A COACH AND A PUBLIC SERVANT ARE THIS YEAR'S INDUCTEES TO THE SCANDINAVIAN-AMERICAN HALL OF FAME.  THEY WILL BE HONORED AT , THE HALL'S 27TH ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET SEPT. 29 AT THE HOLIDAY INN RIVERSIDE IN MINOT. THE EVENT IS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NORSK HOSTFEST SCANDINAVIAN HERITAG, E FESTIVAL.

     THIS YEAR'S INDUCTEES ARE THE LATE JOHN D. ODEGARD, WHO FOUNDED AVIATION TRAINING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA; ACTRESS TIPPI HEDREN, WHO WORKED WITH DIRECTORS ALFRED HITCHCOCK AND CHARLIE CHAPLIN; LEGENDARY COLLEGE BASKETBALL COACH LUTE OLSON; AND FORMER NORTH DAKOTA LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR LLOYD OMDAHL.
    

 

 

 

      MINOT, ND - IT WAS A PACKED ROOM AT THE WARD COUNTY COURTHOUSE LAST NIGHT AS THE WARD COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION HELD A PUBLIC HEARING ON A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO TURN THE FORMER SPEEDWAY RESTAURANT INTO A RESTAURANT, BAR AND GENTLEMEN'S CLUB.

      THE APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED BY KERRY FERNHOLZ WHO OWNS NORTHERN, A GENTLEMEN'S CLUB IN FARGO.  FOR OVER AN HOUR TESTIMONY WAS HEARD WITH ONLY FERNHOLZ, THE CURRENT OWNER OF THE SPEEDWAY BUILDING AND ONE OTHER RESIDENT SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSED BUSINESS. 

      MANY RESIDENTS VOICED CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROPOSED BAR AND STRIP CLUB AND IT'S POTENTIAL EFFECTS ON THE COMMUNITY.  OPPONENTS OF THE IDEA ALSO PRESENTED THE COMMISSION WITH OVER 200 LETTERS SIGNED BY RESIDENTS URGING DENIAL OF THE PERMIT.

      IN THE END THE PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO DENY THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT.  THAT RECOMMENDATION WILL NOW GO TO THE FULL WARD COUNTY COMMISSION FOR CONSIDERATION.

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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - SECRETARY OF STATE AL JAEGER SAYS HIS OFFICE'S OVERTIME EXPENSES ARE UP BECAUSE THERE'S MORE DEMAND FOR SERVICES.

     JAEGER SAYS BUSINESS REGISTRATIONS AND CONTRACTOR LICENSING REQUESTS ARE UP SHARPLY. HE SAYS SOME OVERTIME EXPENSE IS ALSO NEEDED TO OVERSEE ELECTIONS AND REGULATE WEEKEND FIGHTING MATCHES. THE SECRETARY OF STATE ALSO SERVES AS NORTH DAKOTA ATHLETIC COMMISSIONER.

     THE REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT IS RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION THIS FALL AND DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER COREY MOCK IS QUESTIONING HIS OFFICE'S SPENDING ON OVERTIME.

     MOCK SAYS THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF OVERTIME PER EMPLOYEE IN JAEGER'S OFFICE IS ALMOST DOUBLE THE AVERAGE IN OTHER AGENCIES. MOCK SAYS JAEGER'S POLICIES ARE WASTEFUL AND HE SHOULD LOOK INTO ADDING EMPLOYEES OR USING TEMPORARY WORKERS.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - GOV. JOHN HOEVEN HAS APPOINTED TONY WEILER AS NORTH DAKOTA'S NEW LABOR COMMISSIONER.  WEILER WILL SUCCEED INCUMBENT LISA FAIR MCEVERS. MCEVERS IS BEING SWORN IN NEXT MONTH AS A STATE DISTRICT JUDGE IN FARGO.

     WEILER IS A BISMARCK ATTORNEY. IN THE EARLY 1990S, HE WORKED AS A STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT STANDARDS INSPECTOR BEFORE LEAVING TO GO TO LAW SCHOOL.  THE 40-YEAR-OLD WEILER SAYS THE LABOR DEPARTMENT SERVES AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HEARING GRIEVANCES FROM WORKERS AND THEIR EMPLOYERS.

     NORTH DAKOTA'S LABOR COMMISSIONER SETS THE STATE'S MINIMUM WAGE AND ENFORCES STATE LAWS ON WAGES AND WORK HOURS. THE OFFICE ALSO HANDLES DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS ON HOUSING, CREDIT, LENDING AND PUBLIC SERVICES.  THE LABOR DEPARTMENT HAS A DOZEN EMPLOYEES AND A TWO-YEAR BUDGET OF $1.8 MILLION.
    
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - THE STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA HAS A NEW KITCHEN - ON WHEELS.

     AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER DOUG GOEHRING UNVEILED THE MOBILE FOOD PROCESSING UNIT THURSDAY IN FARGO. HE SAYS THE 24-FOOT TRAILER COULD BE USED BY SCHOOLS, FOOD BANKS AND FARMERS MARKETS TO HELP PROMOTE NORTH DAKOTA FOODS.

     THE UNIT HAS A CONVECTION OVEN, FRYER, GRIDDLE, FREEZER, REFRIGERATOR AND FOUR STAINLESS STEEL SINKS. THERE ARE PLANS TO INCLUDE EQUIPMENT FOR FLASH FREEZING, DEHYDRATION AND PACKAGING.

     GOEHRING SAYS SEVERAL GROUPS HELPED RAISE MORE THAN $65,000 FOR THE PROJECT.