Burgum signs order to help recruit truckers to deliver milk

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has signed an emergency order meant to ease a shortage of truck drivers to deliver milk to schools, businesses and other customers. The edict waives hours of service requirements for drivers for 30 days, which follows a decision by the state’s milk marketing board to waive enforcement of certain licensing requirements until April 1. The measures come after a major milk distributor in North Dakota went out of business, due in part to a lack of certified drivers. More than 50 school districts were at risk of losing milk deliveries. Burgum and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring are spearheading an effort to recruit truckers who have allowed their commercial driver’s licenses to expire. The state has lost 3,000 certified drivers since 2017.

NORTH DAKOTA-ECONOMY

Report: North Dakota’s economy showing signs of recovery

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A new analysis says North Dakota’s economy is showing signs of recovery and growth. The quarterly outlook report done by North Dakota State University is predicting growth for wages and salaries, as well as a growing labor force, decreasing unemployment and strong total tax collections. The previous quarterly report, which was released last August, said the state economy was showing signs of stagnation and a slowing recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. The analysis says total wages and salaries have been growing about 2% per quarter, a trend that is expected to continue and even pick up in the third quarter.

SOUTH DAKOTA-GOP

South Dakota GOP hires North Dakota native as new director

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The new executive director of the South Dakota Republican Party says one of his top goals to achieve 100% GOP membership in the state Legislature. North Dakota native Terin Lucero was most recently the director of data analytics for newly elected Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who upset Democrat Terry McAuliffe in the last election. South Dakota Republicans control 32 of the 35 seats in the Senate and 62 of the 70 slots in the House. Lucero, a Williston, North Dakota native and graduate of North Dakota State University, is the first new executive director for the South Dakota GOP in five years.

SUPREME COURT-MANSLAUGHTER

ND Supreme Court rejects manslaughter, arson appeal

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Supreme Court has turned down an appeal by a Mandan man who claims undisclosed DNA evidence would clear him of manslaughter. Fifty-six-year-old Rodney Friesz was convicted of manslaughter and arson in 2016, but acquitted of murder in the death of Eugene Jassmann. Friesz claimed he shot the 62-year-old victim in self-defense. Friesz shot Jassmann in 2014 and set fire to his brother’s mobile home to conceal evidence. In May 2020, Friesz appealed his conviction citing insufficient evidence, ineffective counsel, failure of the court to suppress certain evidence, and the prosecution’s failure to disclose DNA evidence.

SUV-TRAIN COLLISION

Man suffers minor injuries when SUV slides into train

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Authorities say a man escaped with minor injuries Tuesday when an SUV he was driving slid into a train traveling through Bismarck. Bismarck police said the roads were slick when the crash happened. KX News reports that the vehicle was dragged about 700 feet. The man was taken to a local hospital.

CANADA-US-BORDER DEATHS

Human smuggling suspect from Florida released without bond

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A Florida man arrested for human smuggling after the bodies of four people were found near the Canada and U.S. border during a blizzard has been released from jail without having to pay bond. Steve Shand is charged with transport or attempted transport of illegal immigrants, after the four bodies were discovered in Canada and seven Indian nationals were found in the U.S. He is not charged in the deaths. Federal Magistrate Judge Hildy Bowbeer of Minnesota didn’t order bond Monday, but said Shand must obey several release conditions. Shand had to surrender his passport. He is only allowed to travel to Florida and Minnesota, where court proceedings will take place.