News

Housing instability is an issue that affects both rural and urban areas of North Dakota. Low- and moderate-income renters in North Dakota who are struggling to pay rent can now get help applying for the ND Rent Help program, which offers up to 12 months of help with past due, current and future rent to prevent evictions and promote stable housing, and which can also connect renters to other helpful resources.

Gov. Doug Burgum today appointed North Dakota Parks and Recreation Director Andrea Travnicek to lead the state’s Department of Water Resources, subject to approval by a majority of the members of the State Water Commission on Friday, July 30. The governor also appointed eight members to the State Water Commission with broad experience in water supply, flood protection, engineering and other water issues. 

Fort Stevenson State Park is pleased to host an evening of entertainment in the Garrison Bay Marina on Saturday, July 31. Since 1958, Club de Skinautique, out of Bottineau, has amazed spectators with their water show featuring trick skiing, pyramids, and jumps. Join us as we welcome these talented individuals to Lake Sakakawea. Following the water ski show, stay and listen to the music of the featured band Classic Rhythm! Wrap up your night with the lighted boat parade. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy. 

Gov. Doug Burgum today sent a joint letter with the governors of Montana and Idaho and the premiers of Saskatchewan and Alberta urging the federal governments of the United States and Canada to work together and reach an agreement to reopen the international border immediately.

North Dakota is still in drought status. When rainfall is sparse, salts and other naturally occurring chemicals become more concentrated and can even reach toxic levels. Therefore, the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality recommends livestock producers test their water sources and monitor them throughout the grazing period. Depending on those results, testing may be more frequent. The North Dakota State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab provides livestock water testing and microscopic identification of blue-green algae, salinity, nitrates, sodium, sulfate, bacteria, and a host of other parameters. Information on how to collect water samples and water quality laboratories is located at https://tinyurl.com/stockwatertesting.

Gov. Doug Burgum today welcomed positive news regarding the state’s two-year budget cycle that ended June 30. Preliminarily figures indicate a positive balance of more than $1 billion in the general fund for only the second time in state history.

The North Dakota Department of Commerce today announced that Bowman County Development Corporation has been selected for the 2021 Artists on Main Street Program. 

Gov. Doug Burgum released the following statement today after the Biden administration extended restrictions on nonessential travel at the U.S.-Canada border for at least a month, until Aug. 21. The decision comes two days after Canada announced it would reopen its border to vaccinated U.S. citizens for nonessential travel on Aug. 9.

Gov. Doug Burgum today appointed North Dakota Game and Fish Department Deputy Director Scott Peterson to serve as interim director of the department until a new director is named. Current Game and Fish Director Terry Steinwand is retiring July 31 after more than 15 years as director and nearly 40 years with the department.

The North Dakota Department of Commerce today announced five projects totaling $731,044, were awarded AmeriCorps funding. 

"AmeriCorps is dedicated to helping with community needs across North Dakota,” Commerce Workforce Division Director Katie Ralston said. “I’m proud to announce new funding that will elevate this work by AmeriCorps members across North Dakota. I appreciate all our AmeriCorps members – past, present, and future – for their dedication.”