General News

Democrats proposing 'Human Services Stabilization Fund'

By Dave Thompson • Jan 11, 2021

Legislative Democrats are again pushing for a “Human Services Stabilization Fund,” similar to the current Budget and K-12 stabilization funds.

That has been proposed before.

Those funds are “rainy day” funds, designed to be there if there is a funding shortfall in those programs.

93 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed

By Danielle Webster • Jan 10, 2021

93 new individuals from 19 counties have tested positive for COVID-19 in North Dakota, bringing the new statewide positive total to 94,716.

These results were from a pool of 3,352 tests for a daily positive rate of 3.16 percent.

78 of those positives were PCR tests, and 15 were antigen tests.

The cases broken down by county are:

· Adams County – 3

· Bowman County - 7

ND Health Dept: 125 new COVID-19 cases

By Danielle Webster • Jan 9, 2021

125 new individuals from 31 counties have tested positive for COVID-19 in North Dakota, bringing the new statewide positive total to 94,558.

These results were from a pool of 4,382 tests for a daily positive rate of 3.23 percent.

86 of those positives were PCR tests, and 39 were antigen tests.

The cases broken down by county are:

· Adams County - 6

· Barnes County – 3

Eleven deaths; 303 new COVID-19 cases

By Danielle Webster • Jan 8, 2021

The state health department has confirmed eleven more deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the statewide death toll to 1,352.

The patients were:

· Woman in her 80s from Barnes County.

· Woman in her 90s from Cass County.

· Woman in her 80s from Cass County.

· Woman in her 50s from Cass County.

· Man in his 70s from Grand Forks County.

Bill introduced to curb executive power and give the Legislature more say in emergencies

By Dave Thompson • Jan 8, 2021

A northeastern North Dakota lawmaker has introduced a bill to give the Legislature a seat at the table, when an emergency is declared, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sen. Janne Myrdal (R-Edinburg) intoduced it. The bill requires the Governor to call a special session, if a declared emergency extends beyond an initial 30-day period. The bill would allow that session to be held remotely, using technology.

"We felt there's holes in the Century Code," Myrdal said. "It doesn't allow legislators and local representativs to be a part of the decision-making process."

350 new COVID-19 cases, seven additional deaths confirmed

By Danielle Webster • Jan 7, 2021

The state health department has confirmed seven more deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the statewide death toll to 1,341.

The patients were:

· Man in his 70s from Grand Forks County.

· Man in his 30s from Kidder County.

· Man in his 90s from McLean County.

· Man in his 70s from Ramsey County.

· Woman in her 80s from Ramsey County.

GOP Legislators unveil $1.1 billion bonding bill

By Dave Thompson • Jan 7, 2021

Republican lawmakers have unveiled a $1.1 billion bonding bill, that uses profits from the state’s Legacy Fund to pay off the bonds.

The bill is aimed at funding infrastructure projects.

Gov. Doug Burgum has proposed a $1.25 billion bonding package. The difference between Burgum’s proposal and this one is the Legislative package does not contain a proposed $700 million revolving loan fund for local political subdivisions. The lawmakers’ bill offers those funds as grants.

PSC sets public input sessions on MDU, Xcel rate increases

By Dave Thompson • Jan 7, 2021

The Public Service Commission has scheduled public input sessions for rate increases being sought by two investor-owned utilities.

MDU is seeking a natural gas rate increase, while XCEL Energy has filed for higher electric rates.

MDU wants a rate increase of $6.26 for a normal household on their gas bill. XCEL has sought a 10.8% electric rate increase.

Armstrong shelters as extremists storm capitol building

By Todd McDonald • Jan 6, 2021

“This is rioting, this is not protesting and this needs to stop.”

That was the reaction to Wednesday’s events in Washington D.C. by Connor Swanson. Swanson is Communications Director for Congressman Kelly Armstrong and spoke for the Congressman as Armstrong took shelter as Pro-Trump supporters stormed the U-S Capitol building…

“He and his staff are safe at the capitol thanks to the capitol police who are trying to keep the situation under control. He (Armstrong) is really disappointed in seeing what’s going on.”

State confirms 341 new COVID-19 cases, five deaths

By Danielle Webster • Jan 6, 2021

The state health department has confirmed five more deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the statewide death toll to 1,334.

The patients were:

Man in his 90s from Benson County.
Woman in her 100s from Burleigh County.
Woman in her 60s from Cass County.
Woman in her 60s from Cass County.
Woman in her 80s from Morton County.

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