North Dakota – Page 6 – TheMinotVoice.com

ND coal studying supply of valuable rare earth elements

by: Josh Wolsky | July 6, 2017

The same geological history that produced North Dakota’s coal history may hold additional value in the form of rare earth elements essential to the electronics and defense industries. Extracting those elements is the challenge, but investment from several government agencies is refining the processes to determine the viability long-term. Jessica Holdman with the Bismarck Tribune

Read & Share sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

Burgum appointees bring private sector experience to government jobs

by: Josh Wolsky | July 2, 2017

Governor Burgum ran his campaign for the office on the idea that his experience in the private sector and the software would position him well for implementing government reform. A few months removed from the close of the legislative session, we’re now getting a sense of the delivery approach that’s being taken through many of

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

North Dakota continues sampling for larval zebra mussels in Red River

by: Josh Wolsky | July 1, 2017

With people and boats moving around for the holiday weekend, here’s a reminder that we have some hard-to-see invaders that we’re trying to keep out of North Dakota waters. Zebra mussels are great hitchhikers, and the fact that there’s now worry and some evidence that they’ve migrated into the Red River drainage system is reason

Read & Share sourced from: InForum

Finland has a migration crisis, too: Smart, young professionals are moving out

by: Josh Wolsky | June 30, 2017

“They leave Finland because of poor employment opportunities and future prospects. This has been happening for a long time… The difference with today’s migrants is they are better educated and leaving a welfare state that ranks as one of the best places to live in the world according to most indices.” Sound familiar? Finland is

Read & Share sourced from: Quartz

Western governors back Endangered Species Act, with changes

by: Josh Wolsky | June 29, 2017

The Western Governors Association, an association of 22-western Governors, met in Montana recently. Among the topics of business, a discussion and ultimately a resolution in support of the Endangered Species Act with a few caveats. Some of the concerns are that states have a larger voice in the federal decisions that impact them and that

Read & Share sourced from: Associated Press

No raises for North Dakota college presidents, chancellor

by: Josh Wolsky | June 28, 2017

The tough budget times are being felt across all levels of government, and the Board of Higher Education has caught wind of the belt-tightening sentiment. At a meeting in Fargo on Tuesday, the Board voted to freeze wages for all the state’s university system executives and college presidents. A contract extension was also granted to

Read & Share sourced from: InForum

If you release fish, here are some tips on how to do it well!

by: Doug Leier | June 28, 2017

I’ve always preferred simple tackle for fishing – bobbers, jigs, spoons and hooks – though I’m not categorically against using the latest legal tools and technology. I call it low impact angling. Some call it bobbers and worms. Whatever you declare, it’s more about enjoying fish and less about trophy angling, no matter the cost.

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Burgum declares statewide fire, drought emergency

by: Josh Wolsky | June 27, 2017

Governor Burgum declared a statewide drought emergency; the action allows the National Guard to be activated if necessary. “These conditions present a serious threat to the health and safety of local area citizens and their personal property,” Burgum said in a statement. “Significant manpower and equipment will be required for response and recovery operations.”

Read & Share sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

Health Department warns of cyanotoxin in North Dakota waters, animal deaths reported

by: Josh Wolsky | June 24, 2017

The hotter-than-usual weather combined with little rain has sped up mother nature’s clock when it comes to creating ripe conditions for blue-green algae development. The blue-green algae release cyanotoxins into water sources that can be fatal if ingested. Several cattle deaths have already been reported. Kim Fundingsland with the Minot Daily News has the story.

Read & Share sourced from: Minot Daily News

The Strange Tale of North Dakota’s Midnight Rider: Serial Killer Eugene Butler

by: Josh Wolsky | June 24, 2017

From the macabre category and Troy Larson with the Ghosts of North Dakota comes, we rediscover the story of a North Dakota serial killer.

Read & Share sourced from: Ghosts of North Dakota

Africa is now the world’s testing ground for commercial drones

by: Josh Wolsky | June 24, 2017

North Dakota likes to think of itself as a leader in UAS investment. And in the U.S., we are. But on a global scale, strict U.S. regulations are dampening the industries ability to advance at the pace dictated by commercial demands and technical ability. In Africa, regulatory burdens aren’t a problem there we’re seeing drones

Read & Share sourced from: Quartz

Burgum opens applications for State Water Commission

by: Josh Wolsky | June 23, 2017

The State Water Commission is a hugely influential body, they’re responsible for directing the Water Commissions legislative appropriation which in recent bienniums numbered in the hundreds of millions of dollars. They’re also the organization informing many aspects of our local flood protection project. And at the conclusion of yesterday’s meeting, Governor Burgum announced that there

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

State Water Commission votes on drought, flood measures

by: Josh Wolsky | June 23, 2017

A State Water Commission appropriation following the 2011 flood that was originally committed to Ward County will be redirected to the City of Minot to help with acquisitions related to the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection project.

Read & Share sourced from: KMOT

North Dakota full legalization of marijuana ballot petition push to start in fall

by: Josh Wolsky | June 23, 2017

A citizen group in favor of the full legalization of marijuana in North Dakota has organized and is finalizing petition language before submitting it to the Secretary of State for approval. Once approved for circulation, petitioners have one year to gather the required signatures that would move the issue to a vote of the people.

Read & Share sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

Legislature Opts to Sue Governor Doug Burgum Over Vetoes

by: Josh Wolsky | June 22, 2017

Shortly after the close of the legislative session, Governor Burgum took out his red veto pen and added his own thoughts to some of the legislation. That left a few of our legislative leaders a bit ruffled, and now after a couple months of deliberation and an Attorney General’s opinion that stated the Governor did

Read & Share sourced from: Say Anything Blog.com

North Dakota to Join Group of 13 States Threatening to Sue California Over Coal Divestment Initiative

by: Josh Wolsky | June 22, 2017

Politics, policy, and activism all go hand in hand, and sometimes the best way to advance an agenda is through the back door. At least, that’s the what North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem suspects with regard to recently introduced policy by California’s Insurance Commissioner that would force insurance companies to disclose investments in fossil

Read & Share sourced from: Say Anything Blog.com