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Shopping Malls Close, Businesses Take Precautionary Steps

By Steve Wennblom

Fargo, ND – Shopping malls in three Major North Dakota cities closed this morning, following the lead of other across the country.

Fargo's West Acres mall, the state's largest, closed just after 11 a.m. The Columbia Mall in Grand Forks also closed, as did Bismarck's Kirkwood Mall. In Minot, officials of Dakota Square Mall said they were leaving the decision up to individual stores. Employees there are also being allowed to go home if they want to.

The attacks on Washington, D.C. and New York also means tighter security at regional energy facilities. Montana-Dakota Utilities spokesperson Steve VanDyke says his company is taking precautions similar to those taken during the Gulf War nearly a decade ago.

Basin Electric Power Cooperative has power plants and transmission lines in states in the upper Midwest. Spokesman Floyd Robb says there are concerns and steps are being taken similar to those during the Gulf War nearly a decade ago.

The Internal Revenue Service announced its offices in North Dakota have been closed for the day.