News

The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced today that the Renaissance Zone Program for the city of Williston has been renewed for five additional years.

The North Dakota Department of Human Services has selected Kay Larson to lead the department’s new Early Childhood Division, which was created in July 2021 to align and focus programs and resources on a key department priority: early childhood experiences.

Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford, lawmakers, Team ND members, and early childhood service providers and advocates gathered at North Dakota’s Capitol in Bismarck today to raise awareness about why early childhood matters and to announce the launch of the North Dakota Department of Human Services’ Early Childhood Division. Speakers also announced several new developments supporting quality early childhood experiences for children ages zero to five.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford today applauded today’s vote by Great River Energy’s member cooperatives to approve the sale of Coal Creek Station near Underwood to Rainbow Energy Center LLC. The cooperatives also approved the sale of GRE’s high-voltage direct current system to Nexus Line LLC. Rainbow Energy Center and Next are both affiliates of Bismarck-based Rainbow Energy Marketing Corp.

Gov. Doug Burgum today released the following statement in response to the COVID-19 guidance released this week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding fully vaccinated individuals.

Housing instability is an issue that affects both rural and urban areas of North Dakota. Low- and moderate-income renters in North Dakota who are struggling to pay rent can now get help applying for the ND Rent Help program, which offers up to 12 months of help with past due, current and future rent to prevent evictions and promote stable housing, and which can also connect renters to other helpful resources.

Gov. Doug Burgum today appointed North Dakota Parks and Recreation Director Andrea Travnicek to lead the state’s Department of Water Resources, subject to approval by a majority of the members of the State Water Commission on Friday, July 30. The governor also appointed eight members to the State Water Commission with broad experience in water supply, flood protection, engineering and other water issues. 

Fort Stevenson State Park is pleased to host an evening of entertainment in the Garrison Bay Marina on Saturday, July 31. Since 1958, Club de Skinautique, out of Bottineau, has amazed spectators with their water show featuring trick skiing, pyramids, and jumps. Join us as we welcome these talented individuals to Lake Sakakawea. Following the water ski show, stay and listen to the music of the featured band Classic Rhythm! Wrap up your night with the lighted boat parade. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy. 

Gov. Doug Burgum today sent a joint letter with the governors of Montana and Idaho and the premiers of Saskatchewan and Alberta urging the federal governments of the United States and Canada to work together and reach an agreement to reopen the international border immediately.

North Dakota is still in drought status. When rainfall is sparse, salts and other naturally occurring chemicals become more concentrated and can even reach toxic levels. Therefore, the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality recommends livestock producers test their water sources and monitor them throughout the grazing period. Depending on those results, testing may be more frequent. The North Dakota State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab provides livestock water testing and microscopic identification of blue-green algae, salinity, nitrates, sodium, sulfate, bacteria, and a host of other parameters. Information on how to collect water samples and water quality laboratories is located at https://tinyurl.com/stockwatertesting.