Some help may be on the way for ranchers who need to bring hay to their drought-stricken ranches.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring have announced the "Emergency Hay Transportation Assistance Program."

"The program is designed to help defray some of the costs of bringing hay to the ranchers that need it," Goehring said.

"You've got to go a long way to get hay back to your cattle," Gov. Burgum said. "Those transportation costs go up."

The company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline has filed a federal lawsuit against Greenpeace and other groups it claims conspired against the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Energy Transfer Partners says these groups spread false information about the company and pipeline project to raise donations. The pipeline developer claims they planted and funded "eco-terrorists."

Gov. Doug Burgum continues to talk about expanding North Dakota’s technology sector and his “Mainstreet Initiative.”

But Legislative leaders say they’re waiting for more policy specifics from Burgum.

The Governor outlined those issues in his talk to the Greater North Dakota Chamber’s Policy Summit in Bismarck.  Burgum talked about the state stepping up its game in technology, and discussed how the state needs to attract and keep workers. He said one way to do that is to make the cities more livable.

Canada, Mexico and the United States have begun NAFTA negotiations.

Corn farmers in the Plains and Midwest are lobbying for the status quo.

Mexico, in particular, has become a big customer of American corn, but the Trump administration is looking to modify NAFTA to aid the manufacturing industry. Jon Doggett of the National Corn Growers Association said that puts everything up for discussion.

The Public Service Commission has set a new date for an “investigative hearing” on what could be a violation of the siting approval issued to the Dakota Access Pipeline.

A third party construction inspector says the pipeline’s builders removed more trees and shrubs than they should have, under the terms of the siting permit. A hearing was to be held Thursday. But the company asked for some time to work out a settlement with PSC staffers –and the Commission earlier voted 2-1 to grant an extension.

The president of Dickinson State University had a message for faculty, staff and students.

"We're in good shape," said Dr. Thomas Mitzel. "I think we're in very good shape."

Mitzel gave his “State of the University” address Tuesday. In an interview prior to that speech, Mitzel said there are challenges. One is the recent reduction in state support – which will mean a $4.9 million drop in state funding over the next two years. Mitzel said he’s been talking with faculty and staff on how to make up those dollars.

On a 2 to 1 vote, the Public Service Commission has agreed to postpone Thursday’s hearing with the owners of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

A construction consultant says Energy Transfer Partners cleared more trees and brush than allowed in the pipeline’s siting permit. The Thursday hearing was billed as an “investigative” hearing, to look further into the matter and see if a complaint needed to be issued.

The company sent a letter to the Commission, saying it would be willing to work on a resolution of the case before it would get to a formal hearings. And the PSC agreed.

More than 70 people turned out at Bismarck’s Custer Park for what organizers called a “Stand with Charlottesville” event.

They were there to protest racism – and remember the woman who was killed during Saturday’s protests in Charlottesville.

"We're coming together in peace and unity," said Kevin Tangesdahl, one of the rally's organizers. "We want to share support for persons of all colors across the country, and especially here in North Dakota."