Latest North Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment as of 11am July 2, 2015.
MURDER FOR HIRE-APPEAL

Supreme Court rejects appeal in Fargo murder-for-hire scheme

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The North Dakota Supreme Court has rejected another appeal by an Oklahoma man convicted of hiring a hit man to kill his son-in-law in North Dakota.

Gene Kirkpatrick is serving life in prison without parole for paying a man to kill Fargo dentist Philip Gattuso in October 2009 because Kirkpatrick thought Gattuso was a poor parent to his granddaughter.

Kirkpatrick has appealed three times. In his latest appeal he said his attorney was ineffective during discussions about a possible plea deal.

A district judge earlier ruled that Kirkpatrick misused the appeal process, and Supreme Court justices have affirmed that ruling.

Kirkpatrick unsuccessfully appealed to the Supreme Court earlier this year and in 2012.

He’s serving his sentence at the South Dakota State Penitentiary. His granddaughter lives with relatives in Louisiana.

WILLISTON HOMICIDE-APPEAL

Idaho man convicted in North Dakota slaying loses appeal

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The North Dakota Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of an Idaho man convicted of killing a man outside of a strip club in the western North Dakota oil patch hub of Williston.

Jonathan Horvath is serving life in prison without parole for the March 2013 shooting death of 28-year-old Derrick Spiegel of Williston. Horvath had moved to Williston from Sandpoint, Idaho, to find work in the oil patch.

Horvath appealed his convictions for murder, terrorizing and reckless endangerment. Supreme Court justices rejected his arguments of insufficient evidence and improper actions by a prosecutor.

TRIBAL SUMMIT

Tribal Leaders Summit to have separate youth conference

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – United Tribes Technical College is seeking to build youth involvement at its 19th annual Tribal Leaders Summit in Bismarck this fall with the addition of the first Great Plains Youth Summit.

The event Sept. 8-10 will be a separate conference during the Tribal Leader’s Summit. High school students from tribal schools will discuss the issues affecting their communities.

The Bismarck Tribune reports that on the last day of the summit, students will make presentations to the Tribal Leaders Summit detailing their positions on issues being discussed.

This year’s sessions will be on tribal governance, education, economic development and commerce, law and natural resources, housing, health and human services, gambling and food sovereignty. The keynote speaker will be Brian Cladoosby, president of the National Congress of American Indians.

GRAIN STOCKS

Wheat, soybean stocks up in North Dakota; corn stocks down

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – Stocks of wheat and soybeans are up in North Dakota, but corn stocks are down.

The Agriculture Department says in its latest report that wheat stored in all positions on June 1 totaled 103 million bushels, up 25 percent from a year ago. Soybean stocks stood at 16.6 million bushels, up 17 percent over the year.

Corn stocks in the state totaled 91.8 million bushels, down 30 percent.

Barley stocks were down 1 percent to 26.4 million bushels, and stocks of oats were up 20 percent to 2.5 million bushels.

HEITKAMP-HIP SURGERY

US Sen. Heitkamp to have hip replacement surgery next month

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp is scheduled for hip replacement surgery next month.

Staff for the North Dakota Democrat say she will undergo a right hip replacement on Aug. 17 in Bismarck.

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases says the average hospital stay for a hip replacement surgery is 3-5 days. Full recovery takes 3-6 months.

The 59-year-old Heitkamp survived breast cancer in the early 2000s.

HIGHWAY SAFETY GRANT

North Dakota gets $290K grant aimed at highway safety

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s congressional delegation says the state has received a federal grant of more than $291,000 aimed at improving highway safety.

The federal Transportation Department grant was awarded to North Dakota’s Transportation Department.

The delegation says the funding will be used to support impaired and distracted driving countermeasures, enhanced state traffic safety systems and help to improve occupant safety.

WILDLIFE AREAS-HOLIDAY

Fireworks prohibited on ND wildlife areas

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – State wildlife officials are reminding people that they can’t possess or use fireworks on state wildlife management areas.

The areas are set aside to enhance wildlife production and provide outdoors opportunities including hunting and fishing. North Dakota’s Game and Fish Department says they’re popular destinations for Fourth of July holiday celebrants, but fireworks can disrupt wildlife and cause wildfires.

A complete list of wildlife management area regulations can be found on the Game and Fish website.