General News

Burgum: our efforts are working

By Danielle Webster • 2 hours ago

Governor Doug Burgum says actions taken in North Dakota to flatten the curve are working.

At his daily briefing this afternoon, Burgum says the record number of 835 tests taken yesterday did include numbers from the surveillance project over the weekend. But with only 14 positive results, the positive rate was only 1.6 percent. Burgum says this information is valuable going forward as work continues to "flatten the curve" and reserve medical care for those who will need it most.

14 new COVID-19 cases; 16 new recoveries

By Danielle Webster • 7 hours ago

Fourteen additional North Dakotans have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 251.

The state health department says with 98 recoveries, that leaves 149 active cases. There have been four deaths.

The new cases include:

Holmberg: If the state budget needs tightening, lawmakers rise to the occasion

By Dave Thompson • 10 hours ago

The current state budget uncertainties because of the COVID-19 pandemic and low oil prices hearkens back to 2015-2016.

Low oil prices and a weak farm economy meant a drop in tax collections – not only oil, but sales tax as well. And a revenue forecast issued on Feb. 1, 2016, predicted a $1 billion budget shortfall. So, agencies had to come up with budget cuts.

And state Legislators also had to weigh in.

"We had the luxury of no choice," said Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Ray Holmberg (R-Grand Forks). "We did not have money."

OMB Director: Budget guidelines for state agencies should be out later this month

By Dave Thompson • 13 hours ago

North Dakota’s Budget Director said the Burgum Administration is still planning to give state agencies budget guidelines by the end of April.

The agencies use those guidelines as they prepare their budgets for the 2021-2023 biennium. Those budget requests are sent to the Governor’s office.

State OMB director Joe Morrissette told the Legislature’s Budget Section state agencies have a statutory deadline for submitting their budget requests. That’s the middle of July.

Burgum: new, free app can help our contact tracing teams with virus

By Danielle Webster • Apr 7, 2020

At his daily briefing today, Governor Doug Burgum said he is pleased with North Dakota's testing rate for COVID-19. He says the state is getting into a good position to handle a surge of patients who fall ill with the novel cornavirus.

12 additional COVID-19 cases; 1 new death

By Danielle Webster • Apr 7, 2020

The North Dakota Department of Health has confirmed 12 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 237.

490 individuals were tested yesterday.

As Governor Doug Burgum said at his daily briefing yesterday, a fourth death due to the novel coronavirus was also confirmed. The patient was a man in his 70s from Emmons County, who had underlying health conditions.

The new positive cases include:

ND Racing Commission looking at televised races

By Dave Thompson • Apr 7, 2020

The executive director of the North Dakota Racing Commission is looking at televising the horse races from both Chippewa Downs in Belcourt, and the North Dakota Horse Park in Fargo.

Jack Schulz said he’s talking to cable television operators about the idea. He said it would be a way to generate more interest in the live races.

Schulz said a Nebraska track has started doing this.

"They have had real good success with viewership, and on-line betting," Schulz told the Commission.

The chairman of the Commission – Dave Piepkorn of Fargo – likes the idea.

Otter Tail Power files its "generation resource recovery" rate with ND PSC

By Dave Thompson • Apr 7, 2020

Otter Tail Power Company has filed its “Generation Resource Recovery” rate for its North Dakota customers.

It’s an annual filing with the North Dakota Public Service Commission.

PSC chairman Brian Kroshus said for a homeowner using 1000 kilowatt hours of electricity, the monthly bill would go up by $2.70. For commercial customers, using 400,000 kilowatt hours per month, the bill would be $675 higher.

Lenz picks former State Rep. Ben Vig for Lt. Governor

By Dave Thompson • Apr 7, 2020

Democratic Governor Candidate Shelley Lenz has chosen former State Rep. Ben Vig as her running mate.

Vig is from Sharon. He served in the North Dakota House in the 2007 and 2009 sessions.

"When I met Ben, I knew he was the perfect one," Lenz said. "He's a young family farmer, transitioning into the future."

Lenz said she was also impressed with his "deep knowledge" of the state.

"It's unmatched by even some of our fellows in the more golden years," Lenz said.

Vig said he was happy to be asked.

Burgum: one more death; anyone positive must quarantine

By Danielle Webster • Apr 6, 2020

At his daily COVID-19 briefing this afternoon, Governor Doug Burgum said tomorrow's test result numbers will include one more death related to the novel coronavirus.

Burgum says the death was a man in his 70s from Emmons County who acquired the virus by community spread. The statewide death total now stands at four.

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