Opinion: Down With Initiated Measures, Because All American Policymaking Should Be Subject to Checks and Balances

Rob Port makes the argument that no form of law making should be without some type of check and balance, and maybe our statewide initiated measure process is in need of some revision.

Read & Share   sourced from: Say Anything Blog.com

North Dakota again ranks 2nd in most hate crimes per capita

In the not-so-flattering department, we have this news from the Fargo Forum. North Dakota ranks second highest in the nation for the rate of hate crimes per capita. Quick commentary: Perhaps it’s a sign of changing times and the natural accompanying resistance, but we all have a responsibility to stand up against this behavior; we’ve

Read & Share   sourced from: InForum

UND Med School Consecutively Noted Among Top Five For Family Practice

The UND Medical School has received accolades for being on of the top five schools for training family physicians. Approximately 17% of UND’s med students specialize in family practice. KX News has more on the story.

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Forbes ranks North Dakota No. 8 on list of best states for business

Here’s the quote from Williston’s Economic Developer Director, Shawn Wenko, “It’s a fair assessment that North Dakota remains one of the top ten states to do business, contrary to outside reports, North Dakota is still doing very well.” Get the rest of the story from the Williston Herald.

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Lawmakers Should Make Regular Public Input a Requirement at Public Meetings

Rob Port makes the argument that North Dakota legislators would do well to put some intentional, explicit places for public input within the governing process. He doesn’t think it has to be all the time or at every meeting, but there should be opportunities codified in law.

Read & Share   sourced from: Say Anything Blog.com

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Fargo: Housing building permits remain strong

While much of the North Dakota economy is in the doldrums brought forth by low commodity prices, business and housing in Fargo is still trending up. Commentary: It would seem that Fargo has solved the resilient economy problem, and the rest of us in the state should probably be looking at them as an example.

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Dakota Access Pipeline decision unlikely until early 2017

Minnesota Public Radio picked up the Associated Press coverage of news that it will won’t be before early 2017 that a federal judge rules on the easement to drill under the Missouri River. It’s an opportunity to see outside coverage of the fracas and judge for yourself how the issue is being covered outside of

Read & Share   sourced from: Minnesota Public Radio

Lawmakers cancel judiciary, tribal addresses to 2017 Legislature

Some pomp and fanfare that typically accompanies the opening of the legislative session has been moved into private session in 2017 in part due to security concerns. Though not mandated, it has been tradition that one Native American tribe be given the opportunity to address a joint session of the legislature. That address has been

Read & Share   sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

ND oil production drops 1 percent, pipeline uncertainty may be a factor

North Dakota oil production is down below a million barrels a day, and the State’s Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms suspects uncertainty over the Dakota Access pipeline may be a factor. Getting North Dakota oil to market costs approximately $12-25 per barrel currently. When the pipeline comes online, that rate is expected to fall to

Read & Share   sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

NDSU President’s Contract Extended

NDSU President Dean Bresciani has earned the trust of the State Board of Higher Education. In not making the decision extend his contract earlier this summer, the board had put Mr. Bresciani on kind of a de facto probation — the hope was they would see progress towards him becoming more of a team player within

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White Cloud, North Dakota’s legendary albino bison, dies

White Cloud was a lesson for the odds makers and an indication of the sacred for the many indigenous peoples of North America. She was 19-years old and was visited by approximately 3 million people during her lifetime.

Read & Share   sourced from: InForum

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Close of Deer Season an Opportunity to Chase Other Game

When North Dakota’s regular deer gun season closes – this year on Sunday, Nov. 20 – it’s kind of a bittersweet end to the traditional hunting calendar for a lot of folks. But for some avid upland bird hunters, the end of deer gun season is a new beginning of sorts, as most of the

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Years of litigation will determine meaning of Marsy’s Law

Last Tuesday, voters passed Marsy’s law, a set victim’s rights clauses that will be added to the North Dakota Consitution. It wasn’t popular with professionals in the criminal justice field. Here’s the quote from Jack Lofgren, president of the ND Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers: “We’re going to start uncovering those scenarios where the rights

Read & Share   sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

Governor-Elect Burgum Appoints Forum Reporter as Communications Director

Long time Forum Communications Reporter Mike Nowatzki has been appointed to the administration of Governor-elect Doug Burgum as Communications Director. The full news release follows below. — Official News Release, Governor-elect Burgum — BISMARCK, November 14, 2016 – Today, Gov.-elect Doug Burgum announced Mike Nowatzki will join the administration as communications director. Nowatzki has worked

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Group looks for northeast North Dakota’s best tourist attractions

A group in the NE Region of the state has organized to figure out how to better attract tourists to the region. The example they’re using — Medora. The hope is they might be able to repeat that model, and they’re starting by gathering feedback and data.

Read & Share   sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

Hoeven outlines efforts for ND’s energy industry

— Official News Release, Senator John Hoeven — At the Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s annual meeting today, Senator John Hoeven stressed the important role coal and other traditional energy resources play in supporting the nation’s economy and outlined opportunities to ensure the future growth of North Dakota’s energy industry. “Our ability to provide low-cost, reliable

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