The Oracle - May 3, 2023

PAINE DRIVES A HOLE IN ONE!

By Heidi Whitney

Grenora High School

senior Adam Paine had cause for celebration when he aced Sidney Country Club’s ninth hole on April 25.

Page 4

MONDAK THUNDER TRACK UPDATES

By Heidi Whitney

It would appear that spring has finally sprung, and the Thunder track teams have since begun competing with the following results.

Page 4

AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

By Alyssa Stromberg

April is Autism Awareness month and Medicine Lake school embraces it with great enthusiasm from grade school to high school.

Page 7

MARKETING CLASSES A SUCCESS: SUMMER WORKSHOPS ANNOUNCED

By Chelsy Weisz, Economic Development Director for the City of Tioga

Tioga Economic Development is excited to share with you the success of our recent marketing classes held in April.

Page 8

By Michelle Svangstu

Small town North Dakota is known for community, neighbors helping neighbors – and Wildrose, ND, is no exception. “We have a lot of community-minded people here, people who just want to give back,” says Ashley Baldwin. Baldwin,

who grew up in Wildrose, says it was that sentiment that kick-started the idea for a community garden. “Myself and our team at AOK (Acts of Kindness, a local non-profit that supports local events and people in need) were able to get the Great Plains Food Bank to come to Wildrose each month, and I could see how many people benefited from the distributions. And starting a garden – it just seemed like a win-win situation, a way to bring people together and provide homegrown food for their families.”

Ashley initially pitched her idea to city-council member Marlyn Vatne, and it didn’t take long for the entire city-council to approve a vacant lot on main street for the project. “The city also agreed to supply

the water for the project, so once we had those approvals in place, we started writing grants to purchase building supplies for the walkways and gardening boxes.”

In the summer of 2022, work on the project began with help from several volunteers. “We prepped the site and started building,” notes Baldwin. “Unfortunately, our little town was hit with a devastating storm that wrecked not only the garden site, but several of our residents had significant damage to their homes and yards. We realized that taking care of the immediate needs of our friends and neighbors was more important than the garden – so we decided to hold off and try again this year. We have a lot of prep work to do again, taking out the old walkways

(Story Continues on Page 6)

Wildrose Community Garden Volunteers; Photo Courtesy Ashley Baldwin

LOCAL EVENTS SPONSORED BY

FORTUNA

Every Tuesday- Range Night at Northwest Sportsman Club

RAY

Thursday May 4th - Varsity Golf at Watford City 10:00am

Thursday May 4th - Track & Field

NWC at Stanley 12:00pm

Thursday May 4th - Baseball vs. KBB 4:30pm (Home)

Thursday May 4th - Softball at New Town 4:30pm

Thursday May 4th - 5th and 6th grade Music Concert 6:30pm

Friday May 5th - Elementary Math Meet at Berthold

Friday May 5th - School Lunch Hero Day

Friday May 5th - Baseball vs Stanley at 4:30pm (Home)

Friday May 5th - Softball at Glenburn 4:30pm

Friday May 5th - Varsity Track & Field 5:00pm at Shiloh

Saturday May 6th - State Music

Sunday May 7th - FBLA Burgers & Bingo 1:00pm

Monday May 8th - Varsity Golf at DLB 10:00am

Monday May 8th - Varsity Track & Field at Underwood 3:00pm

Tuesday May 9th - Grade 4 field trip (Confluence/Ft Buford)

Tuesday May 9th - JH Golf at Mohall (NWC Meet) 10:00am

Tuesday May 9th - JH Track & Field at Parshall 2:00pm

Tuesday May 9th - Baseball vs. DLB 4:30pm (Home)

Tuesday May 9th - Soft Ball Renville Co. (Home) SENIOR NIGHT

Wednesday May 10 - 1st Grade

field trip Discovery Center in Minot

Wednesday May - AP Biology Test

CROSBY

Friday May 5th - Cards and Games at Crosby Senior Citizen Center 1:30-2:30pm

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR WHEAT COMMISSION

BISMARCK – The North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner is seeking nominations to submit to the North Dakota Wheat Commission Nominating Committee for the member-atlarge position on the North Dakota Wheat Commission.

The member at large must be a resident of North Dakota, a qualified elector and a producer who has not requested a refund under North Dakota Century Code 4.1-13-18 in the last 12 months. The four-year term begins July 1, 2023.

“We encourage interested groups and individuals

to submit nominations for consideration,” Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said. “The Nominating Committee will select three names to submit to the governor, who will appoint an individual to the Wheat Commission in the member-at-large position.”

Written nominations should be sent to the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, Attn: ND Wheat Commission Nominating Committee, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 602, Bismarck, ND 58505-0020 to arrive before the meeting June 13, 2023.

May 5th-7th - Movie at Dakota Theater 7:30pm

Monday May 8th - Mac-A-Bee’s Book Club 5:15pm at Crosby Self Serve

Wednesday May 10th - Divide County Jobs Development Authority Meeting 8:00am at Divide County Courthouse Conference Room

Wednesday May 10th - Story Time at the Divide County Library 10:00am

Friday May 12th - Cards and Games at Crosby Senior Citizen Center 1:30-2:30pm

May 12th-14th - Movie at Dakota Theater 7:30pm

LIGNITE

Thursday May 4th - Burke Spring Concert 7:00pm

Wednesday May 10th - Burke School Board Meeting 7:00pm

WILLISTON

May 5th-7th - WHS Presents Dis-

ney Frozen the Broadway Musical

7:00pm at Williston High School

4200 32nd St W

Saturday May 6th - 2023 Rocky

Mountain Elk Foundation Mondak

Chapter Banquet 5:00pm at Upper Missouri Valley Fairgrounds

Saturday May 6th - Boots & Brews

2023 5:30pm at Raymond Family

Community Center

Saturday May 6th - 1st Annual

Spay-ghetti and No Balls Dinner

Upper Missouri Valley Fairgrounds

Beer Garden Building

May 8th & 9th - 70th Annual Shrine Circus 4:00pm and 7:00pm at Raymond Family Community Center

Friday May 12th - Coyote Baseball

5k Glow in the Park 9:00pm at the concession area in Aafedt Stadium

TIOGA

May 5th-7th - Movie: Air 7:00pm at

Tioga Theater

Monday May 8th - Planning & Zoning Meeting 5:30pm at City Hall - 16 1st St NE, Tioga, ND 58852

Tuesday May 9th - Tioga Fund Meeting 6:00pm at City Hall - 16 1st St NE, Tioga, ND 58852

Thursday May 11th - Visitor Promotion Meeting 5:30pm at City Hall - 16 1st St NE, Tioga, ND 58852

Tioga Community Center Schedule

Mondays: Yoga Flow 9:30am10:30am

Wrestling practice 3pm6:30pm

Tuesdays: Wrestling practice 3-6:30pm

Pickleball 6pm-8pm

Wednesdays: Youth Group 6pm9pm

Thursdays: Wrestling practice 3pm6:30pm

Slow Flow 6pm-7pm

Earth Day, Every Day

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department encourages students to design Earth Day patches to bring greater awareness to the environment in the state and elsewhere.

Yet, like Earth Day, which began in 1970 and kicked-started the environmental movement, the concern for our outdoor places isn’t simply a once-a-yearthing, but ongoing.

Understanding this, the Game and Fish Department supports Earth Day, Every Day to promote continual awareness about the environment.

Anyone who partici-

pates in public land clean up and improvement projects will receive the 2023 Earth Day Patch to recognize their service and celebrate Earth Day. Projects that qualify include refuse removal on local, state or federal property, and landscaping

on public property such as planting trees, bushes and pollinator plants.

For more information, or to request patches for your group’s service project, contact Sherry Niesar, Earth Day coordinator, at 701-527-3714 or sniesar@ nd.gov.

Pandemic-era ND Rent Help program reaches goal early, providing housing stability to over 17,500 households; HHS announces program changes

North Dakota’s temporary, pandemic emergency rent and utility assistance program, ND Rent Help, has reached a utilization milestone one year earlier than projected, having provided housing stability to over 17,500 lower-income households.

Working with local community partners across the state, the federally funded program has also helped reconnect over 2,700 households experiencing homelessness to housing since the launch of its housing stability project in September 2021.

“I’m so grateful for the North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) team members and our community partners who worked so hard to meet unprecedented housing needs, which were amplified by the pandemic,” said Human Services Executive Director Jessica Thomasson. “Stable housing is the foundation of household well-being, and this program has helped tens of thousands of North

Dakotans stay housed and recover from the challenges they experienced over the last couple years.”

In addition to providing rent and utility relief to many of the lowest income households in the state, the ND Rent Help program has made it possible for thousands of adults and children experiencing homelessness to access housing and other supportive services, while also providing stability to the state’s rental housing market, Thomasson said.

North Dakota is one of a few states still operating a statewide emergency rental assistance program. Many states have already exhausted their federal emergency rental assistance funding and ended their programs.

As North Dakota continues to move beyond the pandemic, HHS is ramping down general rent assistance and transitioning to a more targeted housing stability program that prioritizes and serves households experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness. After Monday, May 1, HHS will only accept new or pending applications on the portal at hhs.nd.gov/applyforhelp/

rent-help from North Dakota households experiencing or facing imminent homelessness.

To date, ND Rent Help has provided over $112 million in direct rent and utility assistance, which has been paid to 2,362 housing providers and 146 utilities on behalf of qualifying participating renters in 52 of the state’s 53 counties.

HHS

Housing Stability

Director Nikki Aden said, “We have distributed these pandemic relief dollars to people living in communities across the state in small sums that have made a big difference in people’s lives.”

To date, the program has made more than 225,000 individual payments at an average amount of $682 per month for rent and $137 for utilities.

Thomasson said HHS still has approximately $40 million in direct assistance available to expend, much of which has already been obligated to more than 5,000 current program participants.

“We believe this program successfully put federal funding to work to keep

people adversely affected by the pandemic in their homes and prevented further crisis-related assistance needs,” she said.

ND Rent Help’s housing stabilization program, which primarily serves people experiencing homelessness, will continue beyond the sunset of ND Rent Help’s more broadly defined rent/utility assistance program.

HHS, the human service zones and other community partner agencies will continue to assist North Dakotans struggling to afford housing by connecting them to traditional financial assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, WIC, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, child care assistance and other local programs and resources such as traditional low-income housing resources. These include Housing Choice Vouchers, formerly known as Section 8, and Department of Housing and Urban Development and USDA Rural Housing Service project-based vouchers.

North Dakota lawmak-

ers approved using federal pandemic relief funds, called ERA funds, in the final days of the 2021 legislative session to provide rent and utility relief to lower-income households that experienced the greatest financial impact from the pandemic. States received federal ERA funding in two installments, ERA1 and ERA2, and used funding to create or expand emergency rent assistance programs, including developing secure application portals and eligibility determination and reporting systems meeting federal Treasury Department requirements and spending targets and timelines.

A number of pandemic-era programs have already ended in North Dakota, such as federally backed unemployment benefits and emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program allotments. Medicaid continuous enrollment ended March 31; several child care-related initiatives will be sunsetting later in 2023 as well.

Governor Gianforte Recognizes Jewish American Heritage Month With 25 Governors

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today released a joint statement with 25 Republican governors recognizing May as Jewish American Heritage Month. The statement is as follows:

As public servants and governors, we support and recognize May as Jewish American Heritage Month—and call for observance to celebrate the historical, economic, and cultur-

al impact of the Jewish-American people who have strengthened our communities and emboldened our nation throughout history.

We’re proud of the United States being the first country to recognize the State of Israel. Since then, we’ve fostered an unbreakable bond between our two nations based upon shared values, ultimately leading to prosperous economic, educational,

and cultural partnerships.

We stand with our constituencies who oppose antisemitism, and we affirm the significance of Jewish-American contributions throughout U.S. history.

In addition to Governor Gianforte, signatories to the statement include Governors Kim Reynolds (IA), Bill Lee (TN), Kay Ivey (AL), Mike Dunleavy (AK), Sarah Sanders (AR), Ron

DeSantis (FL), Brian Kemp (GA), Brad Little (ID), Eric Holcomb (IN), Tate Reeves (MS), Mike Parson (MO), Jim Pillen (NE), Joe Lombardo (NV), Chris Sununu (NH), Doug Burgum (ND), Mike DeWine (OH), Kevin Stitt (OK), Henry McMaster (SC), Kristi Noem (SD), Greg Abbott (TX), Spencer Cox (UT), Phil Scott (VT), Glenn Youngkin (VA), Jim Justice (WV), and Mark Gordon (WY).

THE WESTBY WATCH

PAINE DRIVES A HOLE IN ONE!

Grenora High School

senior Adam Paine had cause for celebration when he aced Sidney Country Club’s ninth hole on April 25.

Paine explained that when he was considering what club to use before his big moment, he took into consideration the speed of the wind at his back and picked his 8 iron.

“I saw it hit the green so I tossed my club back in my bag and started walking,” said Paine. “Then I took my range finder and looked into it and I didn’t see it (the ball) anywhere.”

Paine’s next thought: “I was like, there is no way it happened.”

With what he described as a “wrenching” in his gut, Paine continued his walk towards the green.

As Paine got closer and

still couldn’t see the ball, his father, (as well as an assistant coach of the Thunder) Joe Paine, came out of the clubhouse to celebrate. In another stroke of luck, Joe had happened to be in the clubhouse at the time and witnessed his son’s incredible shot.

Paine noted that even as his dad came out obviously excitedly to greet him, “I still didn’t believe it.”

In recognition of Paine’s incredible shot, he was given the flag from the hole and a plaque will be put up in the clubhouse to commemorate the event. Paine will also receive a plaque recognizing his achievement.

Paine went on to finish first in the meet and is preparing for the upcoming divisional and state tournaments. He is the defending eastern C individual divisional champion and placed 9th at state in 2022. Paine and his teammates also placed 1st at divisional and 2nd in state last season. He is the only returning member of that team for the 2023 season.

MONDAK THUNDER TRACK UPDATES

As reported in a previous Westby Watch, the spring sports season for MonDak Thunder athletes has been off to a slow start due to several meets being canceled due to winter weather.

It would appear that spring has finally sprung, and the Thunder track teams have since begun competing with the following results.

April 25 in Glasgow:

Girls: Sayler Stewart -5th in 800m; Zoe Brandenburger-2nd in 200m and 6th in 100m; Katelynn Folvag-4th in 100m and 4th in 100m hurdles; Sydney Rudningen-4th in high jump; Bradenburger, Stewart, Folvag, and Erika Christian-6th

By Heidi Whitney

in girls 4x100 relay.

Boys: Elliot Rudningen-4th in discus.

April 26 at Richey/Lambert meet:

Girls:; Erika Christian-5th 800 m Katelynn

Folvag- 4th in 100m hurdles; Sayler Stewart-1st in 3200m; Sydney Rud-

ningen-5th in high jump; Brandenburger, Christian, Stewart, and Folvag- 4th in girls 4x100 relay and 3rd in 4x400 relay.

Boys: Graham Wright5th in 100m and 5th javelin; Thomas Arnson, Wright, Elliot Rudningen, and Andrew Petersen- 3rd in boys 4x400 relay

NORTHERN LIGHTS

Paine at Sidney Country Club’s 9th hole after his ace. Photo by Stephanie Paine.

The Northern Lights were out in full effect on April 23 in Westby. This

picture was captured by Kelsea Bakke in the New Century Ag yard.

Left to Right: Members of the 2023 girls track team: Erika Christian, Emma Smart, Katelynn Folvag, Zoe Brandenburger, Sayler Stewart, Olivia Christian, and Sydney Runingen. Photo by Sue Meyer.

The boys 4x400 relay team and coaches pictured left to right: Thomas Arnson, Elliot Rudningen, Sue Meyer, Kim Meyer, Graham Wright, and Andrew Petersen.

By Alyssa Stromberg

April is Autism Awareness month and Medicine

Lake school embraces it with great enthusiasm from grade school to high school.

But for Medicine Lake it is not just a month-long awareness, it is celebrated all year long.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental

disability. Children and adults with autism have differences with social communication/interaction and exhibit restrictive and/or repetitive patterns of behav-

ior. There is a wide range of abilities among people with autism. Some people with autism need significant levels of support to ensure their health and well-being while others do not. There is no known cause of autism and no singular form of assistance for autism.

April 26, Medicine

Lake facility, students and community converged on the front lawn of the school for the second annual Autism Awareness Walk. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day to walk in united support for our students and their families.

In the words of Dr. Suess “Why fit in when you were born to stand out!

WILDROSE FINDS “COMMON GROUND”

IN COMMUNITY GARDEN

and boxes that were ruined and rebuilding them, but I’m confident we’ll have it ready for planting when the time comes.”

The garden will boast a variety of produce, with the main focus this year being on “the basics,” shares Ashley. “We want to focus on your typical garden-variety veggies and maybe some fruit – squash, tomatoes, potatoes, corn - whatever people have. Hopefully, once the garden is established and flourishing, we can continue to grow and add new things in each year.”

To ensure the garden thrives, a team of volunteers and advocates has been assembled to ensure appropriate upkeep is provided. “We have at least six people who are determined to see this through and ensure the plants are taken care of,” notes Baldwin. “As soon as the weather is nice enough,

we will be planning a community day for anyone interested to come help build boxes, and once the garden is planted, we’ll designate one day each week for residents to come help with regular maintenance, like weeding.”

duce than the community can use at one time, we’ll be donating it to the food pantries in Ray and Crosby.”

The garden, which is slated to be called “Common Ground,” is already generating a renewed sense of community spirit, says Baldwin. “I didn’t realize how big of a need and want this was here – people have been randomly knocking on my door, asking how they can help.”

Once the harvest is ready, she says, residents will be welcome to come in and out as they need to fill their baskets with fresh produce. “People can come and pick their produce, and we plan to have some buckets with extra produce set out as well. If there is more pro-

As for the community, shares Ashley, “I really want people to know that this is for everybody – no one will be turned down, they are welcome to come and go and pick produce as they need to, to be part of this project in whatever way they are able. This is about finding ‘common ground’ and coming together as neighbors in one place – and we’re excited to see where it takes us.”

For more information call 701-572-4851 or email sales@vocella.com

3PM for

2PM for Display Ads.

Farm Bill Debate: More Breathing Room Sought for Conservation

By Mike Moen Prairie News Service

Funding for a longstanding food-assistance program is at the center of the Farm Bill reauthorization debate. But there also are calls to make it easier for farmers in North Dakota and elsewhere to access climate-linked programs. The Farm Bill is updated by Congress every five years, and like previous attempts, lawmakers are clashing over funding

Meet the T E A C H E R

levels for SNAP benefits, a key component of the policy. The bill also covers conservation programs, which offer incentives for farmers to adopt practices that make their land more resilient.

Michael Happ, program associate, Climate and Rural Communities at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policies said it is reasonable for some farm groups to want to make these programs stronger.

"A small farmer, stretched really thin, might not have time to fill out a 20 page application," Happ said. "We need to keep accountability in these programs, and we need to make sure they're not weakened. But it's not easy right now for farmers to access these programs."

Among its Farm Bill requests, the North Dakota Farmers Union wants Congress to increase flexibility for existing conservation programs and provide sufficient funding to meet demand, and Happ added accessibility issues at the state level. In North Dakota last year, fewer than 20% percent of regional farmers who applied for Conserva-

tion Stewardship Program funding were approved.

However, North Dakota fared better in applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Still, Happ continued because there is a long gap between each Farm Bill, lawmakers have a narrow window to make changes as agriculture faces pressure to do its part in addressing climate change.

"If it turns out that we're not dealing with any additional funds, that we're [just] using the funds that we have, I think we need to take a hard look at where the money is going and how it can be better spent," he said.

There are separate proposals in Congress to make improvements to specific conservation programs. As for the Farm Bill, Happ said there appears to be a bipartisan appetite for various upgrades. But some Republicans have signaled they would like to divert funding that falls under the conservation umbrella, such as extra support approved under last year's Inflation Reduction Act. The current Farm Bill expires this fall.

marketing classes a success: summer workshops announced

Chelsy Weisz, Economic Development Director for the City of Tioga

Hello, Tioga community, I am Chelsy Weisz, the Economic Development Director for the City of Tioga. I’m excited to share with you the success of our recent marketing classes held in April. We had the pleasure of welcoming nine individuals and seven local businesses to our workshop, and the level of engagement and discussion was fantastic. Attendees shared many great takeaways, leaving each participant with at least one strategy to implement in their marketing efforts immediately.

I’m thrilled to announce that we’ll continue our

workshops throughout the summer. Our upcoming workshops are designed to provide valuable insights and strategies for businesses to grow and succeed.

In May, we will focus on “Revolutionizing Your Content Creation: How AI Can Accelerate Your Marketing Efforts.” The work-

Recycling

“Content That Rules: How to Create a Killer Content Calendar That Works.” Join us on July 5th at 2 PM and July 25th at 7 PM.

And in August, we’ll wrap up our summer workshop series with “SEO for Beginners: How to Boost Your Online Visibility with Simple Strategies.” This workshop will be held on August 8th at 2 PM and August 29th at 7 PM.

all business owners to take advantage of these valuable resources and join us for these informative and engaging sessions. You can find more information on these workshops by visiting www.cityoftioga.com/ marketing-classes or scanning the QR code with your phone.

Thank you and I hope to see you all there.

shop will be held on May 9th at 2 PM and May 23rd at 7 PM.

In June, we’ll cover “Mastering Brand Design: A Strong and Memorable Identity with Canva.” This workshop will occur on June 6th at 2 PM and June 15th at 7 PM.

In July, we’ll discuss

Renewables:

Giving New Life to Wind, Solar Energy Parts

By Mike Moen Prairie News Service

As Earth Month wraps up, more attention is being given to how to make use of wind and solar components at the end of their useful lives - and it includes emerging research in North Dakota.

Wind turbines and solar farms are viewed as vital parts of the world's transition to renewable energy, but folks with North Dakota's Energy & Environmental Research Center have said the region will eventually have to make plans for more than 1,500 turbines using 4,500 blades, as these systems are upgraded or retired.

Josh Strege, the center's assistant director of energy systems, has been leading research into this area, and said these blades are made

up of a lot of different materials.

"Our focus," he said, "has largely been on, 'Is there a way we can separate material A from material B?'"

His team suggested it would be more optimal to do that separation at the wind-turbine site, so large blades don't have to be transported and left to sit in a landfill. Strege said more research funding is needed to lay out an efficient process that would allow more of these blade parts to be reused, recycled or repurposed.

And it isn't just wind at the center of this movement.

Karen Drozdiak, global director of ESG and sustainability at First Solar, the nation's largest solar panel maker, said her company has been at the leading edge

of establishing a global recycling program within the industry.

"We focus not just on recovering the glass and frame materials, but we've also achieved closed-loop recovery of the semiconductor material in our solar panels," she said, "and that's being used to manufacture new solar panels."

Her company has its own in-house recycling facilities, but Drozdiak suggested broader investments within the sector are needed to keep more solar-panel materials in circulation after their first run. The International Renewable Energy Agency estimated that end-of-life solar panels could provide a recoverable value of $15 billion by 2050. Most wind and solar systems have a life span of about a quarter-century.

All workshops are free of charge and will be held at City Hall. I encourage

Best, Chelsy Weisz, Economic Development Director for the City of Tioga

Chelsy Weisz, Economic Development Director for the City of Tioga

Burgum signs $66M child care package, addressing major barrier to workforce participation

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum today signed House Bill 1540, which provides nearly $66 million to support child care services and help address a major barrier to workforce participation as North Dakota continues to face a severe workforce shortage.

“This is a historic day for North Dakota children, parents and employers. House Bill 1540 will have a positive impact on thousands of families and help our state build and sustain a workforce to support economic growth and reach its full potential,” Burgum said. “Expanding access to affordable, quality child care will make it easier for parents and guardians to engage in work, provide for their families and strengthen local businesses and their communities. We’re deeply grateful to the bill’s supporters and all the business leaders, child care providers, chambers of commerce, Workforce Development Council members, Department of Health and Human Services team members, industry groups and legislators who spent 14 months developing the framework for this landmark legislation and moved it across the finish line.”

Last September, Burgum and lawmakers proposed a $76 million comprehensive package to address the availability, affordability and quality of child care as a barrier to workforce par-

ticipation. The nearly $66 million in HB 1540 funds many of those proposals, including:

$22 million to expand the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), increasing the number of families with children ages 0 to 3 who receive help paying for child care from 4,660 to 6,460 by the end of the 2023-2025 biennium.

$15 million to incentivize more providers to deliver child care for infants and toddlers by increasing the CCAP rates for child care centers and group/family child care settings, plus $3 million to increase monthly payments to providers who are quality rated;

$5 million for an additional 500 families to participate in a pilot project where private employers contribute money to help cover their employees’ child care expenses;

$2 million in stipends for child care workers pursuing additional training.

$3 million to increase support to providers who want to become quality-rated or increase their current quality rating.

Overall, the bill’s far-reaching impact means an estimated 2,200 extremely low-income working families will no longer have a co-pay requirement for child care; at least 1,800 additional children will receive CCAP support each month; 3,500 child care spots will receive increased

CCAP payments for quality and infant/toddler care; 1,200 to 1,800 child care workers will receive training stipends; over 800 providers will receive grants or shared service supports; and over 9,000 child care-related background checks will be completed more quickly and efficiently.

“House Bill 1540 addresses the current needs of our child care system: access, affordability and quality,” Rep. Emily O’Brien of Grand Forks, the bill’s prime sponsor, said during today’s signing ceremony at the Missouri Family YMCA child care center in Bismarck. “This ($65.6) million package supports low-income families, employers, providers, state employees, quality-based programs and outcomes.”

Co-sponsoring the bill were House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan, Reps. Alisa Mitskog, Jon Nelson, Greg Stemen, Don Vigessa and Robin Weisz and Sens. Curt Kreun and

Judy Lee.

Lefor thanked O’Brien, Burgum, Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller, Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, House Minority Leader Josh Boschee, Hogan and others for their work on the bill.

“This bill provides a foundation for a child care system that is high quality, affordable and accessible for all North Dakota families,” Lefor said. “This package provides the most effective vehicles for the Legislature to continue building on our progress and stabilize the child care workforce that our state’s economy so heavily relies upon.”

The House approved the final bill by a vote of 72-20,

and the Senate passed it 415.

Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Chris Jones praised the bill, noting the importance of quality child care to the brain development of young children.

“We are so excited to see what impact it’s going to make over the next two years and really help the workforce of today, but also the workforce of tomorrow,” Jones said.

North Dakota Governor, Doug Burgum

Place a Classified in the Oracle for $7 up to 25 words. Place it in the Community Shopper, also, for $10 total.

Burgum signs bill modernizing state law to encourage growth in animal agriculture in North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum today was joined by dozens of legislators, representatives of statewide farm commodity groups and state Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring for the signing of House Bill 1371, which modernizes North Dakota’s corporate farming law to encourage growth in the animal agriculture sector.

“These narrowly defined changes in state law will take the handcuffs off our farmers and ranchers and allow capital investment to flow into our state, growing animal agriculture, adding value to crops, creating opportunities for the next generation, and helping rural communities and

schools to thrive in North Dakota once again,” Burgum said. “With House Bill 1371, we can level the playing field with other states and expand animal agriculture with environmental stewardship. We’re grateful to the bill’s prime sponsor, Rep. Paul Thomas of Velva, Commissioner Goehring and all of the bill sponsors, commodity groups and other supporters for their collaboration on this groundbreaking legislation.”

Goehring noted that in neighboring states, 40% to 50% of agricultural receipts come from livestock, compared with only 16% to 18% in North Dakota.

“This will add so much more (value) to every bush-

el of grain. It’ll help offset expenses because we’re going to be able to utilize the manure, something that’s more natural, more balanced more beneficial, and improves soil health. And then it turns around and it creates more value in our backyard, with swine, with dairy, maybe some more feedlots, also opportunities maybe to get into the poultry business,” Goehring said. “Now, I believe we have the environment to support our farmers, to support our rural communities and to support animal agriculture.”

In his State of the State address on Jan. 3, Burgum urged the Legislature to modernize the corporate farming law with the goal of growing the state’s dairy, livestock, feedlot, swine and poultry production and adding value to North Dakota crops.

Lawmakers delivered with HB 1371, which al-

lows an authorized livestock farm corporation or limited liability company (LLC) to own or lease farmland or ranchland if the entity has no more than 10 shareholders or members. For corporations, shareholders holding 75% or more of the shares must be actively engaged in farming or ranching; for an LLC, the percentage is 51%. Shareholders must be U.S. citizens, and no corporation or LLC may own, lease or have an interest in more than 160 acres of farmland or ranchland.

“(House Bill 1371) brings a modernization of the capital that’s needed to support animal agriculture amongst our family farms and ranchers. This bill provides that important tool,” Thomas said. “These animal agriculture facilities are not only going to drive animal ag numbers, they’re going to add value to the feed grains that we’ve worked to

develop in this state through soybean processing plants, corn ethanol production facilities, the canola crush plant in my local community. We’re exporting value out of this state, but with these animal ag operations coming into the state, we’re going to add that value back into our local communities."

The bill has an emergency clause, so it will take effect immediately, allowing potential projects to begin construction this spring.

Co-sponsoring the bill were House Majority Leader Mike Lefor and Reps. Dick Anderson, Jay Fisher, Jared Hagert, Craig Headland, and Senate Majority Leader David Hogue and Sens. Cole Conley, Larry Luick and Terry Wanzek. The House approved the final bill by a vote of 72-20, and the Senate passed it 415.

Burgum: 2023 session provides historic tax relief and invests in key priorities including workforce, child care and infrastructure

BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota is providing more than half a billion dollars in tax relief to citizens while also cutting red tape and making historic investments in workforce, child care, infrastructure and other key priorities, Gov. Doug Burgum said today after the 68th Legislative Assembly adjourned its regular session sine die.

“This session, major achievements were accomplished – resolving many longstanding, seemingly intractable issues – that will now help North Dakota reach our fullest potential,” Burgum said. “From major investments in child care, education, workforce and infrastructure to cutting mountains of red tape, to pension reform, strong support for law enforcement and our active military and veterans, strengthening tribal engagement, and growing animal agriculture and value-added energy – each of these important areas saw tremendous progress.

“With these and other challenges being met headon, and a historic $515 million income and property tax relief package that will allow North Dakota residents to keep more of their hard-earned money, our state is well-positioned to grow our economy, strengthen our communities and create a brighter future for all,” Burgum continued. “We’re grateful for the incredible work and collaboration by our Team ND members who serve citizens across North Dakota every single day, and to the members of the 68th Legislative

Assembly whose hard work and passion this session supports what we strive to do in state government, which is empower people, improve lives and inspire success.”

The landmark tax relief package will provide $358 million in individual income tax relief by zeroing out the state’s bottom tax bracket and combining the top four brackets into two brackets with reduced tax rates of 1.95% or 2.5%. The remaining $157 million in the package will be available to homeowners by claiming a $500 property tax credit on their primary residence and through expanded eligibility in the state’s Homestead Property Tax Credit program for homeowners ages 65 and older.

“North Dakota can now claim the lowest income tax rates in the nation among states that have individual income tax, helping us to recruit and retain workers to address our workforce challenges,” Burgum said. “We’re grateful to our legislative partners whose thoughtful work allows North Dakotans to save more than half a billion dollars over the next two years and moves us further down the path toward becoming a zero-income tax state.”

In December, Burgum recommended a 2023-25 budget with general fund expenditures of nearly $5.9 billion and a total budget of $18.4 billion, which included a huge influx of federal and special funds, formula-driven increases and historic inflationary costs.

The legislatively approved budget contains

general fund expenditures of $6.1 billion and a total budget of $19.6 billion.The record general fund budget is $6.8 billion in 2013-15, and the previous record total budget, including federal aid, was $17.8 billion for the current biennium.

Burgum had signed 538 bills through Saturday, with 45 bills awaiting action. He has 15 business days – until May 19 – to act on the remaining bills.

To view the full text of this extensive press release and the many bills & executive orders it covers, scan the code below with your smartphone, OR visit https://www. governor.nd.gov/news/ burgum-2023-session-provides-historic-tax-relief-and-invests-key-priorities-including

GOVERNOR GIANFORTE SIGNS PRO-FREEDOM, PRO-FREE ENTERPRISE BILLS INTO LAW

BELGRADE, Mont. – At a firearms manufacturer in Gallatin County, Governor Greg Gianforte today signed two bills into law to protect Montanans’ retirement security from Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing and Montana’s firearms industry from discrimination.

“Activist, woke capitalism through ESG investing is trending on Wall Street. It won’t fly in Montana, and neither will efforts by woke banks to discriminate against gun manufacturers,” Gov. Gianforte said.

He continued, “Our right to keep and bear arms is part of our state and nation’s rich heritage. Law-abiding gun owners should not be targeted by financial institutions, like the big banks who adhere to ESG principles, just for exercising their Second Amendment rights.”

ESG investing prioritizes environmental, social, and governance investment principles over traditional investment principles designed to maximize shareholder returns. ESG investing discriminates against many industries, including the firearms industry.

Taking on ESG investing, the governor in January announced the State of Montana reaffirmed its commitment to maximizing shareholder returns on the

over $26 billion in investments of the state’s financial assets.

“On my watch, we will never undermine taxpayers’ returns on investment in favor of activist, woke capitalism through ESG investing,” the governor said, before signing House Bill 228 into law.

Sponsored by Rep. Terry Moore, R-Billings, HB 228 prohibits consideration of nonpecuniary factors for public investments.

The governor also signed into law House Bill 356, carried by Rep. Brandon Ler, R-Savage, which establishes firearms indus-

try nondiscrimination.

“The firearms and ammunition industries are a part of the fabric of our communities and way of life. HB 356 will help protect businesses like Noreen Firearms, preventing government entities from contracting with companies that discriminate against the firearms industry,” Gov. Gianforte said.

Erin Noreen with Noreen Firearms added, “I want to thank the governor and lawmakers for fighting for our Second Amendment rights. Without them, businesses like ours couldn’t survive.”

Brian Gosch with the National Rifle Association and Nephi Cole with the National Shooting Sports Foundation also joined the governor for the bill signing.

“Whether during his time in Congress or as governor, Governor Gianforte has been a true leader for the Second Amendment and supporter of Second Amendment rights,” Gosch said.

Cole added, “In the last few years, woke, corporate activists have sought to unfairly deny basic access to critical business infrastructure all because they sup-

port an industry they don’t agree with. It takes enormous courage to stand up to big business. It takes courage to push back. I appreciate Governor Gianforte’s leadership in doing both.”

Gov. Gianforte highlighted three other pro-freedom, pro-free enterprise bills on their way to his desk.

SB 359, sponsored by Sen. Terry Vermeire, R-Anaconda, prohibits unjust tracking of firearms sales by financial institutions.

SB 400, sponsored by Sen. John Fuller, R-Kalispell, increases the length of time a concealed weapons permit is valid – from four years to five.

HB 674, brought by Rep. Kerri Seekins-Crowe, R-Billings, creates the option of an enhanced carry permit and allows Montanans to exercise their right to carry throughout the country.

“As I continue leading our great state, we’ll keep doing what’s right for Montana,” Gov. Gianforte concluded. “We’ll keep Montana a sanctuary for freedom and free enterprise. And above all, we’ll always protect the freedoms that make our state the Last Best Place to live, work, raise a family, and achieve the American dream.”

Gov. Gianforte discussing protecting Second Amendment rights with, from left to right, Phil and Erin Noreen (Noreen Firearms), Nephi Cole (NSSF), and Brian Gosch (NRA)

Mule Deer Survey Completed

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department completed its annual mule deer survey, and results indicate western North Dakota’s mule deer population is 29% lower than last year and 5% below the long-term average.

Biologists counted 1,994 mule deer in 286.3 square miles during this year’s survey. The overall mule deer density in the badlands was 7.0 deer per square mile.

Big game management supervisor Bruce Stillings said declines are due to effects from extreme winter conditions this year and historic blizzards from the previous spring that produced approximately 40 inches of snow with high winds and low temperatures.

Biologists had concerns with mule deer numbers heading into this winter based on results from the fall survey. The fall survey is conducted to assess demographics of mule deer

in the badlands. Buck:doe ratio and fawn production expressed as fawn:doe ratio are determined to evaluate population status and productivity of mule deer.

Biologists counted 1,116 mule deer in the aerial survey in October, which was 31% lower than in 2021. The ratio of 69 fawns per 100 does was higher than 2021 (60/100) but well below the long-term average (87/100), while 40 bucks per 100 does was similar to 2021 (38/100) and the longterm (43/100).

The spring mule deer survey is used to assess

mule deer abundance in the badlands. It is conducted after snow melt and before trees begin to leaf out, providing the best conditions for aerial observation of deer. Biologists have completed aerial surveys of the same 24 study areas since the 1950s.

The fall aerial survey, conducted specifically to study demographics, covers 24 study areas and 306.3 square miles in western North Dakota. Biologists also survey the same study areas in spring of each year to determine deer abundance.

Did You Know?

Pollinators, including birds, bats, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, wasps, small mammals, and most importantly, bees help American farmers grow more than 100 crops. The added revenue to crop production from pollinators is valued at $18 billion.

North Dakota is the top producer of honey in the United States.

In Reading the Higher Education Room, ND Lawmakers Boost Support

By Mike Moen Prairie News Service

More college students in the U.S. are "stopping out" and not re-enrolling, according to a new report. In North Dakota, state lawmakers hope their efforts can keep regional campuses from looking emptier. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center said the "some college, no credential" population - students who paused their academic career without earning a credential - is up 3.6% percent.

With fewer of them coming back, there's lingering uncertainty about returning to healthier enroll-

ment numbers, researchers said.

Rep. Karla Rose Hanson, D-Fargo, said state lawmakers were conscious of these challenges in their just-completed session.

"As surrounding states freeze their tuition rates, we knew that we had to also freeze our tuition to remain competitive," she said.

She added the new higher education budget, which has a baseline level of nearly $800 million, also includes extra funds for scholarship and grant programs to reduce the student loan debt burden. There is also added support for behavioral health services. College enrollment issues have not been as severe in North

Dakota, but the state's most recent "stop-out" rate was in line with national numbers, the report said.

Hanson also highlighted investments in K-12 education, acknowledging that stronger support for younger students helps establish better outcomes for what ever path they choose after high school.

"We want kids to be choice ready, and so if they choose to go into higher education, if they choose to go into a two-year collegetech ed - whatever path they choose, strong investments in K through 12 will help them be more successful," she said.

The Legislature boosted the per-pupil funding formula by 4% each year over the next biennium while expanding access to no-cost school meals. Hanson added these moves will help students stay focused in the classroom and give districts more opportunities to raise teacher salaries.

NATIONAL & WORLD HEADLINES

SHAKY CEASEFIRE IN SUDAN

Sudan’s Army and the rival paramilitary groups have agreed to extend a 72 hour ceasefire but that has not stopped violence in Khartoum, the capital city, as thousands flee the fires and bullets. Those who have been unable to leave the conflict are running low on water and food and all foreign citizens have begun evacuating the country. Businesses and homes are being burglarized by armed gangs causing many to want to leave the capital city. The only land route out of Sudan into Egypt is inaccessible to many due to the lack of fuel for transportation and Khartoum is 1272 miles from the border entry across a dangerous desert. Locals who are stranded are calling for leaders of the rival groups to find a solution quickly before more innocent lives are destroyed. All imports have halted to supply stores and looting cases are expected to increase.

SCHOOLGIRLS POISONED IN IRAN

Families of severely ill schoolchildren are accusing the Iranian Government

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK:

The saying goes that April Showers bring May flowers, but we all know that tends to be for the warmer climates than ours. Nonetheless, spring is finally upon us. As the days grow warmer and the earth begins to green, remember to spend time enjoying nature. Breathe the fresh air, listen to the birds chirping. It’s good for your soul.

of failing to halt a series of poisonings happening in schools. Over 300 schools have been targeted and over 13,000 cases of toxic gas inhalation from gas bombs have been reported so far. These attacks have been suggested to be retaliation for the civil rights demonstrations beginning in Iran in November of 2022. Amnesty International is raising the alarm bells on war crimes against children as many disturbing videos of young schoolgirls gagging and vomiting from gas inhalation circulate the internet. Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran’s supreme leader, has condemned the attacks on the children as “an unforgivable crime” but months earlier, was heard speaking of the schoolgirls need to “be punished, but not badly” for not wearing the traditional body coverings and taking down decorations in reference to the supreme leader. The poison attacks have happened almost every school day since the first attack in November in various places within Iran and some schools have been attacked multiple times. Schools in Iran are separated by gender and

men are not allowed in girls schools. It should be noted that businesses like malls and restaurants have strict female-only times and places where traditional body coverings are not required.

NEW RUSSIAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT OPENS IN TÜRKIYE

Türkiye’s president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recovered from an illness in time to help open a Russian built nuclear power plant in the country. Erdoğan and Vladimir Putin both video called in to virtually cut the ribbon on the new plant that is expected to eventually supply 10% of Türkiye’s power needs. This is the first time anyone has heard from Erdoğan since he fell ill and he is severely behind in the polls as he runs for a third term in office. Erdoğan apologized for being over 20 minutes late to the opening then canceled all his campaign events immediately following the event. The President of Türkiye had 2 operations for undisclosed stomach issues in 2011 and 2012 and this recent appearance has supporters now questioning his health and ability to run for reelection.

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