News

The extensive wet pattern in North Dakota, topped with an early snowstorm, is creating a great deal of anxiety for farmers and ranchers. The state is exploring all possible means of assistance and encouraging those in emotional distress to reach out for help, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Gov. Doug Burgum said today in a joint statement.

“We recognize the challenges our producers are experiencing,” Goehring said. “The wet weather has caused much disease in cereal crops and has created an inability to harvest remaining cereal grains and row crops, as well as potatoes and sugarbeets.”

The Legacy Investment for Technology (LIFT) Committee held its first strategic planning last week on Oct. 2.  

Consisting of seven appointed members, the LIFT Committee is responsible for the application evaluations of the loan program supporting technology advancement for North Dakota businesses through the commercialization of intellectual property. 

The K-20W Initiative, a statewide, comprehensive approach to cybersecurity education and workforce training, has been named a CSO50 Award winner. Code named “K-20W” to reflect every student from kindergarten through PhD and workforce, the K-20W coalition is comprised of more than 40 public and private sector participants who share a goal of  “Every Student. Every School. Cyber Educated.“ The Initiative was also the recipient of a Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service and was a Center for Digital Government Government Experience Award Finalist.

Gov. Doug Burgum today joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler in announcing that the Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion Project has been invited to apply for a $561 million EPA loan – clearing a major hurdle for a crucial piece of financing for the flood control project. Burgum and Wheeler also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) renewing the commitment to collaboration between the EPA and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC), which Burgum chairs.

Shane Hitch, a sophomore at Valley City State University majoring in software engineering, has been awarded a $22,000 scholarship to the Applied Cybersecurity certificate program operated by SANS Technology Institute. Hitch, one of only 100 students nationwide to receive the scholarship, was a finalist in the SANS Cyber FastTrack challenge, a free online cybersecurity program for college students and graduates designed to help improve the quality and preparation of cybersecurity professionals in this growing, global career field.

Gov. Doug Burgum today will join President Donald Trump, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Japanese Ambassador Shinsuke Sugiyama, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and others for the signing of the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement and the U.S.-Japan Digital Trade Agreement. The signing will take place at 2:30 p.m. CT at the White House.

Gov. Doug Burgum today joined President Donald Trump, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Japanese Ambassador Shinsuke Sugiyama, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and others for the signing of the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement and the U.S.-Japan Digital Trade Agreement at the White House.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Sunday, Oct. 6, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

Gov. Doug Burgum today joined local, state and federal officials in celebrating the completion of the new Williston Basin International Airport, calling it vital to the region’s growing population and economy.

Gov. Doug Burgum released the following statement today after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new agreement on the Renewable Fuel Standard, addressing the volume of biofuels that must be blended into the nation’s fuel supply.