General News

North Dakota is in the top 25 percent of states in both new lung cancer cases and lung cancer survival rates.

This according to the first ever "State of Lung Cancer" report done by the American Lung Association of North Dakota. Reba Mathern-Jacobson is director of tobacco control for the Lung Association in North Dakota. She says this report looks at rates of incidents of lung cancer, survival rates, rates of early diagnosis, surgery, and access to screening centers. She says the report helps North Dakota know where it stands.

The North Dakota Racing Commission has finalized race dates for the North Dakota Horse Park this summer.

Manager Mike Schmitz says the last three weekends in July were chosen - Saturday July 14 and Sunday the 15th, Saturday the 21st and Sunday the 22nd, and Friday July 27th and Saturday July 28th. Schmitz says the final weekend was chosen to be Friday-Saturday versus Saturday-Sunday to accommodate the Fargo Air Show. Schmitz says it's an affordable family summer activity.

Exactly how "sinful" is North Dakota?

According a survey by Wallet Hub, North Dakota is the 2nd least sinful state in the country. Jill Gonzales is an analyst for Wallet Hub, which is a personal finance website. She says the survey measured each state across several scientific metrics in regard to the "seven deadly sins."

North Dakota's capital city is ranked 5th in the country on a list of best state capitals to live in.

North Dakota is one step closer to implementing medical marijuana: the state has awarded a contract for a medical marijuana tracking system.

The system is called BioTrackTHC, which includes a seed-to-sale tracking system, as well as a registration system. Medical Marijuana Division Director Jason Wahl says this will help the state effectively monitor all activities of manufacturing and dispensing facilities.

When Minnesota legislators return for the 2018 session next week, they're going to be working on a bonding bill - and Minnesota State University Moorhead is hoping they'll be included.

Larry Pogemiller is Higher Education Commissioner at the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. He spent Wednesday afternoon taking a tour of buildings on the MSUM campus in need of renovations. Four buildings need general upkeep, such as new doors, windows, HVAC and other improvements. But one building, Weld Hall, is in need of much more. Pogemiller says the building needs major updates.

A Minnesota man who was turned away at a voting booth in 2010 is part of a case headed to the US Supreme Court at the end of the month.

The case, Minnesota Voters Alliance vs. Mansky, challenges Minnesota's law on what clothes can be worn to the polls.

Andy Cilek is the man at the center of the case. "The thing I want from this lawsuit is the same thing I wanted on Election Day in 2010: and that is, simply, to wear what I want when I vote, and to vote peacefully."

Tax season is usually a busy time for scammers - and this year is no exception.

Captain Tory Jacobson of the Moorhead Police Department says many calls have come in over the last couple of weeks to report scams and fraud. He says many people report tax scams, but they aren't the only ones going around. He says romance scams, grandparent scams and even scams about past due bills are being circulated.