BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Doug Burgum has appointed Pat Bertagnolli of Watford City to serve as executive director of Job Service North Dakota. Burgum cited his background in workforce recruitment in both the public and private sectors. Bertagnolli begins his new job on Feb. 21. He will be paid $160,000 annually. Bertagnolli replaces Workforce Safety & Insurance Director Bryan Klipfel, who has served as interim executive director since 2019. Klipfel will return to leading WSI full time. The agency administers unemployment benefits and workforce training programs. It has about 156 employees and an annual budget of about $65 million.

Update – AG Stenjehm dies Friday evening.  

Previously:  BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) ND Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem was hospitalized Friday. Bismarck police responded to a medical call at Stenehjem’s home around 8:27 a.m., and he was then taken to a local hospital. Stenehjem’s brother, Allan, says the attorney general was suffering from an inflamed ulcer. He says his brother is responsive and awaiting test results. Allan Stenehjem says his brother is in great health and doesn’t think it’s a dire situation. The 68-year-old Stenehjem is the longest-serving attorney general in state history. He announced last month he would not seek another term. Stenehjem first took office in 2001.

 

DATA CENTER-DEVELOPER

Gov. Doug Burgum aware of data center developer’s dark past

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum’s office says he was aware of the troubled past of a businessman involved in the construction of a $1.9 billion data center. Montana-based FX Solutions President Richard Tabish was convicted and then acquitted of killing a Las Vegas casino executive more than two decades ago. The Republican governor on Wednesday hailed the center being built in northwestern North Dakota by Tabish’s company and operated by Montana-based Atlas Power as one that will help diversify the economy in the Williston area. Burgum’s office says Tabish has has done business in North Dakota for over a decade without a known incident. Tabish, who lives in Missoula, Montana, did not immediately return an email message for comment on Friday.

CANADA-US BORDER DEATHS

Migrants in human smuggling case facing deportation hearings

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Seven Indian nationals accused of illegally entering the United States in an alleged human smuggling case that left four dead have been released pending deportation hearings in front of an immigration judge. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials said Thursday that six of the migrants were placed under supervision and one was released for humanitarian purposes. All of them have been ordered to report to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, at a later date. The seven migrants were part of a group of 11 people attempting to cross into the U.S. near the Minnesota-North Dakota border last week during a blizzard. The frozen bodies of four family members who became separated from the group were found just inside the Canadian border.

MISSING SIDNEY WOMAN-REMAINS FOUND

Human remains found in search for missing Sidney woman

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The search for an eastern Montana woman reported missing in late December was suspended after human remains were found near her residence. Richland County Sheriff John Dynneson says he can’t confirm that the body was that of 26-year-old Katelynn Jane Berry of Sidney. However, her family has run an obituary and scheduled memorial services for Friday. Dynneson says Berry was last seen on Dec. 21 and was reported missing 10 days later. The remains were found during a search for Berry on Jan. 20. Dynneson says officials are still waiting to learn the cause and manner of death. Berry’s mother is Carmell Mattison, a prosecutor in Grand Forks County, North Dakota.

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.