FARGO, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota attorney general Drew Wrigley says doctors who perform abortions should be able to disclose the patient’s personal health information as part of their defense to avoid prosecution. North Dakota’s abortion ban, which is currently on hold because of a lawsuit, makes the procedure illegal except in cases of rape or incest or when the life of the mother is in danger. Doctors would have to prove those exceptions in court in order to be cleared of a Class C felony. The attorney general said he couldn’t find any cases that address the scenario and it would not violate the privacy rule.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Newly elected Attorney General Drew Wrigley says he will ask the North Dakota Legislature to boost his agency’s budget to expand the state crime lab and hire more officers to work with federal law enforcement on American Indian reservations. Though he refused to give a dollar amount, Wrigley says he wants significantly more than the agency’s current two-year budget of $96.4 million. He says the crime lab in Bismarck is among the top priorities for his office. The facility would be expanded and additional personnel hired to help clear backlogs of evidence processing.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Two large health care systems in Minnesota and the Dakotas are negotiating a merger that its leaders say would improve patient care and help them deal with economic challenges. Combining Sanford, based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Fairview, headquartered in Minneapolis, would create one of the largest health care providers in the Upper Midwest. The merged system would be based in Sioux Falls and include 78,000 employees and more than 50 hospitals, including the University of Minnesota Medical Center. Sanford and Fairview must still convince regulators and state lawmakers that the merger is a good idea. The two systems are hoping to reach a deal in 2023.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Led by Luke Avdalovic’s 19 points, the Pacific Tigers defeated the North Dakota Fightin’ Hawks 93-63 on Tuesday night. The Tigers improved to 2-1 with the win and the Fightin’ Hawks fell to 1-2.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — New House and Senate leaders have been elected by Republican majorities in the North Dakota Legislature. Sen. David Hogue, a Minot lawyer, and Rep. Mike Lefor, a Dickinson businessman, were chosen Monday night by members their respective chambers. The new leaders replace Sen. Rich Wardner and Rep. Chet Pollert, both of whom are retiring. Republicans emerged from last week’s election adding to their already strong supermajorities in the North Dakota House and Senate. Democrats have just four seats in the Senate and 11 in the House. House and Senate Democrats will elect their leaders Tuesday.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Marijuana advocates are looking toward their next states to target after experiencing some mixed results in the recent elections. Cannabis legalization measures for adults passed in Maryland and Missouri but failed in Arkansas, North Dakota and South Dakota. Supporters already are looking toward a March legalization vote in Oklahoma. Ohio also could hold a vote next year. Supporters are hoping for legislative success in 2023 in Hawaii and Minnesota while also lining up more states for initiatives in 2024. Meanwhile, it could take several months before Missouri and Maryland residents legally can buy marijuana.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Led by Tyler Beard’s 21 points, the Pacific (CA) Tigers defeated the North Dakota State Bison 91-86 on Sunday night. The Tigers are now 1-1 on the season, while the Bison moved to 0-3.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Tommy Schuster threw three straight touchdown passes to propel North Dakota to a 28-19 win over South Dakota in a Missouri Valley Conference battle. Shuster hit Bo Belquist from two-yards out with 10 seconds left in the first half to give the Fighting Hawks the lead, 14-13, at intermission, then went back to Belquist for a 3-yard touchdown and found Isaiah Smith on an 11-yard strike to take a 28-13 lead after three quarters.

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — Cam Miller and TaMerik Williams each ran for a touchdown in the fourth quarter as North Dakota State beat Southern Illinois 21-18. North Dakota State (8-2, 6-1 Missouri Valley Football Conference), ranked fourth in the FCS coaches poll, heads into its season finale against rival North Dakota riding a three-game win streak. Nic Baker threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to D’Ante’ Cox with 39 seconds left for Southern Illinois (5-5, 4-3), which has lost three straight.