FARGO FIRE-TWO DEAD

Early morning house fire near downtown Fargo leaves 2 dead

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Authorities say two people are dead after a house fire near downtown Fargo. Firefighters responded shortly after 5 a.m. Wednesday to a report of smoke coming from the house. One person was taken from the house during the fire and died later at a local hospital. Later, while searching the house, firefighters found the body of another victim. Authorities say “content within the house” made it difficult for crews to battle the blaze. At one point two firefighters fell into a hole in the floor and were able to safely crawl out. The search was slowed by a partial collapse of the building. The cause of the fire and damage estimate were not immediately available. Officials say the investigation is ongoing.

$1.9 billion Data Center planned. 

Gov. Doug Burgum has announced construction of a $1.9 billion dollar data center located near Willison. Burgum hailed the facility to be built by Missoula, Montana-based FX Solutions Inc. as one of the biggest such centers in the world. Burgum says it will help diversify the economy in the region that has suffered oil boom-bust cycles for decades. Uses for data centers include the mining of bitcoin and other digital currencies. Officials say the project is scheduled for completion in two years and would will create more than 30 permanent jobs.

 

ADULT ENDANGERMENT

Bismarck man charged with endangering quadriplegic brother

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Prosecutors say a Bismarck man has been charged with endangering his disabled brother by leaving him dehydrated and hungry in a soiled bed. Thirty-three-year-old Dondarro Watts made an initial appearance in court Tuesday on a felony charge of adult endangerment, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison upon conviction. Court documents don’t list an attorney who could speak on his behalf. Bismarck police executed a search warrant at a residence rented by Tony Watts because they suspected Dondarro was dealing drugs there. He was arrested but failed to tell law enforcement officers his quadriplegic brother was unattended or needed care.

EMERGENCY MILK DISTRIBUTION

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.