General News

By Tracy Fugere

Fargo, ND – North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan says our economy was a soft one going into the September eleventh attack.

Dorgan, along with Senator Kent Conrad, say a stimulus package needs to be enacted in the United States Congress.

Dorgan says there's two ways to lift the economy.

By Dave Thompson

Bismarck, ND – The North Dakota Highway Patrol says already, more people have died on state highways than lost their lives in crashes in all of last year.And the Patrol says if the trend continues, another 25 to 30 people may be killed between now and Christmas. Patrol Superintendent Colonel Jim Hughes says drinking and driving, and NOT buckling up, are main reasons why people get killed on the highway. Hughes says Patrol officers have already logged thousands of hours of overtime this year to help prevent fatalities.

By Tracy Fugere

Fargo, ND – North Dakota Senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad want an Aviation Security Bill pushed through the Senate to improve airport and airline safety.

Dorgan says the bill includes safety initiatives like--limiting access to ariplane cockpits, increased training for flight crews, increase in the number of federal marshalls on flights, increased security operations, and authorized background checks.

Dorgan says this is very important.

By Dave Thompson

Undated – North Dakota political leaders say the bombings in Afghanistan are justified.

Congressman Earl Pomeroy says it appears President Bush did his homework before launching the attack.

By Tracy Fugere

Fargo, ND – This is the last year "Stampede 2001", the annual conference of Microsoft Great Plains Business Solutions, will be held in Fargo.

Microsoft Senior Vice President Doug Burgum says there is no correlation whatsoever between the movement of the "Stampede" to any movement of Great Plains.

By Tracy Fugere

Fargo, ND – Those interested in getting some exposure to the different and newer cultures in communities around the state are welcome to attend the "Cultural Competency Workshop" today at Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Dieter Berninger is a faculty member of the Department of Humanities and Multi-Cultural Studies at MSUM. He says the workshop will feature several presenters.

By Dave Thompson

Bismarck, ND – Governor Hoeven has named state emergency manager Doug Friez as the director of ``homeland security.''

Friez's appointment follows the lead of the federal government, in setting up someone to coordinate security in the wake of last month's terrorist attacks. Hoeven says Friez will be working to coordinate preparedness and response to any possible security problems.

By Dave Thompson

Bismarck, ND – This month -- North Dakota will start accepting applications for two new financial aid packages for health care workers.

One is a new loan repayment program for dentists.

By Tracy Fugere

Fargo, ND – Over two hundred people marched into Moorhead Tuesday night for the "Take Back the Night" rally to end personal violence. The Rape and Abuse Crisis Center of Fargo-Moorhead sponsored the eleventh annual event.

Cass County State's Attorney Birch Burdick--whose office often deals with victim witness coordination, child support, and domestic violence--says there is no room in the community for domestic abuse.

By Stan Stelter

Watford City, ND – The issue of Montana-Dakota Utilities Company's franchise for providing electric service to the city of Watford City remains unresolved.