Noonan, North Dakota may not be considered a tourist destination, but if you drive just a few miles down the road and off the beaten path, you’ll find yourself at one of the state’s most family friendly attractions – Hygge Hills.
“My husband and I lived in Denmark, where “hygge” [pronounced hooga] is just a way of life. It’s about taking time to enjoy
Continues on Page 6
SEEDS’ POISED TO TRANSFORM AGRICULTURE
By Mike Moen, Prairie News Service
In the future, the food you eat could be grown from seeds developed with gene editing tools.
Page 2
ACROBATICS IN THE SKY
By Alyssa StrombergAerial application, or what was formerly referred to as crop dusting, involves spraying crops with crop protection products from an agricultural aircraft.
Page 5
THE COMMUNITY CENTER: A HUB FOR ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
By Haley Felber, Tioga Community Center Director
The heart of any vibrant community lies in its ability to offer a diverse range of activities and events that bring people together.
FORTUNA
Every Tuesday- Range Night at Northwest Sportsman Club
RAY
July 12th - July 14th - Jimmy vb team camp at Ray High School Gym
July 17th - July 28th - Gym Floor
Finishing at Ray Public School
Monday July 17th - School Board Meeting 6:00-7:00pm at Ray Public School
CROSBY
Tuesday July 18th - Divide County Commission Meeting 8:00am11:00am
Tuesday July 18th - Upper Missouri District Health Unit-Monthly Vaccination
Clinic 9:00AM - 5:00PM at the Divide County Courthouse, 200 N Main St. Rm 2201
Tuesday July 18th - Divide County
Food Pantry at Concordia Lutheran
Church 10:00AM - 1:00PM at Concordia Lutheran Church, 301 Main St NW, Crosby
Friday July 21st - Planning & Zoning Commission 9:00AM - 11:00AM
Monday July 24th - Burger Night 5:307:30pm at Crosby Moose Lodge
Wednesdays: Storytime at the Divide County Library 10:00am - 10:45am
Fridays:
Cards & Games at Divide County Senior Citizens Center 1:30-2:30pm Movie at Dakota Theater 7:30pm
Saturdays: Movie at Dakota Theater 7:30pm
Sundays: Movie at Dakota Theater 7:30pm
GRENORA
Saturday July 15th - The Bash in Grenora Main Street
Thursday July 13th - Week 3 Summer
Nights On Main 2023 featuring Face For Radio 5-9p downtown Williston
July 13th & July 14th - 43rd Annual API
Golf Tournament at Eagle Ridge Golf Course & Links of North Dakota
Friday July 14th - Sunday July 16th - Christmas in July 9:00am - 8:00pm
Lewis & Clark State Park
Saturday July 15th - Pheasants Forever
Youth Fun Shoot at Painted Woods
Registration 9a Shooting Starts 10a at Painted Woods Sporting Range
July 16th - July 18th - Dakota Drum
Camp 2023 Registration Sunday at Williston Middle School
Sunday July 16 4:00pm-7:00pm,
Monday July 17 9:00am-6:00pm
Tuesday July 18 9:00am-12:00pm, 12:00pm-1:00pm Performance at Virgil Syverson Performance Center (Harmon
Park.) Open to the public!
Monday July 17th - July Draggin Main
Mondays Meet at 6pm in the parking lot
behind Bill’s Back 40 on the corner of 2nd St E & 2nd Ave E.
Thursday July 20th - Week 4 Summer
Nights On Main 2023 featuring Uptown
5-9p Downtown Williston
TIOGA
Thursday July 13th - Visitor Promotion
Meeting 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM at City Hall
- 16 1st St NE, Tioga, ND 58852
Friday July 14th - Blood Drive @ TMC
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM at Tioga Medical
Center Clinic Bottom Level
Wednesday July 19th - Slow Flow Yoga
7:00 - 8:00pm at the Tioga Community
Center
Monday July 17th - Commission Meet-
ing 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at City Hall - 16
1st St NE, Tioga, ND 58852
Tuesday July 18th - Park Board Meeting 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the Tioga Park Shop
Thursday July 20th - Tioga Historical Society Meeting 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM at the Tioga Museum
Thursday July 20th - Airport Authority Meeting 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM at 2237 Aviator Way Tioga, ND 58852
Tioga Community Center Schedule
Mondays: Yoga Flow 9:30am-10:30am Learn English Class 10:00am-11:00am
Tuesdays: Pickleball 5:00pm-8:00pm
Wednesdays: Storytime 10:30am11:00am
Thursdays: Slow Flow 6:00pm-7:00pm
In the future, the food you eat could be grown from seeds developed with gene editing tools.
As scientists tinker with crop DNA, North Dakota farmer advocates see opportunity while expressing caution. Certain companies are racing to perfect seed technology by establishing genome blueprints emphasizing specific traits, such as making a crop more resistant to drought.
Mark Watne, president of the North Dakota Farmers Union, said the topic has come up in recent global conferences he has attended. He thinks the products will be on the scene soon, adding they could bring stronger yields for farmers, along with healthier crops to sell.
"We could maybe turn
off the little sequence within the DNA that could maybe, some people that are gluten intolerant, could maybe eat wheat products," Watne suggested. "That could create a premium market for a
couple of farms that want to go and produce a specific wheat. "
There's also a type of tomato which can help reduce blood pressure. The seeds are different from genetical-
ly modified organisms, because there's no use of outside DNA sources. GMOs eventually became controversial amid negative public perception.
Watne urged regulators
to strike a balance fostering accessibility while deterring monopolies.
Watne argued there should also be strong "truth-in-labeling" policies so consumers know exactly what they are getting. He added a robust approach could help meet future demand for food.
"Maintaining an abundant food supply keeps the prices of food somewhat in check," Watne pointed out. "We never really thought about that until we saw empty shelves during COVID and have been living with food inflation."
He noted another benefit is providing more advantages to farmers in underdeveloped countries. The United States and the European Union face calls to develop more uniform regulatory structures as the products reach the market.
PRESS RELEASE: BISMARCK, N.D. – Recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) shows North Dakota leading the nation in the growth of earnings and gross domestic product (GDP), underscoring the state’s strong economy and policies working to drive investment, innovation and business expansion, Gov. Doug Burgum said.
North Dakota experienced the highest growth in real GDP among all 50 states in the first quarter of 2023, surging by 12.4% in the last year – more than six times higher than the nationwide increase of 2%, according to BEA estimates.
North Dakota also led the nation in earnings,
which increased at an annualized rate of 12.4% in the first quarter of 2023 – nearly triple the national growth
MARK YOU CALENDARS!
rate of 4.6%.
growth in 13 states, including the five states with the largest increases: North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas and Montana.
Increases in farm earnings also was the leading contributor to growth in personal income in four of the five fastest-growing states: Nebraska, North Dakota, Iowa and South Dakota. North Dakota’s increases in personal income and real GDP attributed to oil and gas extraction and mining also were the highest among all states.
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Personal income increased at an annualized rate of 11%, ranking North Dakota third behind Maine at 11.4% and Nebraska at 11.1%, according to the BEA report.
“North Dakota is wide open for business, and this data confirms that business is good,” Burgum said.
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ND GAME & FISH PRESS RELEASE.
While the effort to stop the introduction and transportation of aquatic nuisance species in North Dakota has been mostly successful, challenges remain as not all anglers, pleasure boaters and other water enthusiasts are abiding by the clean, drain, dry message.
“With our low taxes and laser focus on innovation over regulation, we can continue to strengthen and diversify our economy, grow our GDP and generate prosperity for all citizens.”
The BEA noted that agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting increased in 33 states and was the leading contributor to real GDP
“North Dakota has experienced explosive growth in new project investment, which has led to tremendous wage and new employee growth,” state Commerce Commissioner Josh Teigen said. “The state has also seen an influx of workers attracted by the higher-paying jobs, providing a case study for how economic development can drive workforce development.”
incidences, the zebra mussels were determined to be dead.
every use.
Columbus, ND | (701)939-4532
For example, last week department game wardens and other department staff inspected over 1,200 watercrafts throughout the state. Unfortunately, these inspections found four watercraft that were transporting zebra mussels. Luckily, in all four
North Dakota waters remain relatively free of aquatic nuisance species. Besides common carp, most species – zebra mussels, Eurasian water milfoil, flowering rush, curly-leaf pondweed and three species of invasive carp – are only found in a handful of waters in the state.
To keep our waters clean of aquatic nuisance species, the Game and Fish Department reminds all anglers, pleasure boaters and water users to clean, drain and dry all equipment after
Clean and remove all plants and animals from watercraft or equipment prior to leaving any recreational area.
Drain all water from watercraft and equipment before leaving designated access points. Not draining water can be extremely hazardous and may cause negligent transportation of aquatic nuisance species to other locations.
Dry all equipment completely before using again.
For more information on aquatic nuisance species, visit the department’s website at gf.nd.gov.
Jody Lagerquist, board member of the Westby Development Corporation (WDC) estimated that 8090 people were entertained on July 9th at their 3rd annual cornhole tournament and free will offering barbeque. Proceeds from the event support the annual Westby Community Parade of Lights and Festival of Trees in December.
Winners of this year's tournament were Dylan and Haley MacLean of Westby. The pair battled it out against defending 2022
champions Katie Gieb and Esther Geib in the final round. Sixteen teams vied for the title and a great time was had judging from these pictures submitted by Sharla Adams.
By Heidi Whitney
Aerial application, or what was formerly referred to as crop dusting, involves spraying crops with crop protection products from an agricultural aircraft. Planting certain types of seed are also included in aerial application. The specific spreading of fertilizer is known as aerial topdressing in some countries.
The cost of an aerial application on average is competitive. The benefits of aerial application eliminate yield loss from trampling crops which means zero crop damage and soil compaction, which can cause up to a 5% loss in yield by ground application. Other benefits include timeliness of application and zero disease transfer.
Between Plentywood, Westby, and Scobey there are between four and five pilots who are aerial applicators. The spray planes are all yellow and have one seat in them. The pilot is the lone occupant.
Across the US there are approximately 77 million acres that are covered by 3,500 pilots. Being an aerial applicator is not for the faint of heart. While they are fun to watch, work crashes happen. Besides being pi-
lots, they become weather watchers, too. The wind, the temperature, fog and any other weather disturbance is taken into account when they are preparing to fly. The crops they have been hired to spray become their priority as well as anything that is neighboring the fields.
To become an aerial applicator, you must have a minimum of a commercial pilot certificate along with
tail wheel and high-perfor mance endorsements and approval from a chief pilot of operation, or have a 137-operating certificate from the FAA.
So next time you see one of those yellow planes buzzing around, rest assured they have the fields they are spraying in their best interest. If they see you waving, you just might get a tip of the wing.
A new government study estimates nearly half of the nation's tap water has at least one type of Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals," which may cause serious health issues.
That's leading to renewed calls to eliminate these substances.
The findings, issued this week by the U.S. Geological Survey, gathered samples from
nearly 700 locations across the country.
The North Dakota samples didn't detect these chemicals, but the agency warns current testing methods can't capture all types of PFAS. State-level efforts have found low levels in some drinking water systems.
No matter the amount, John Rumpler - clean water program director for the group Environment America - said all Americans should take these results seriously.
"It's highly alarming, because these chemicals are toxic to humans at very low levels," said Rumpler. "And it's time to turn off the toxic tap and stop using these chemicals."
There's been growing research on the topic, but the USGS says its study is the first to carry out large-scale testing of private and government-regulated public water supplies.
While the Environmental Protection Agency is proposing some actions to limit the
presence of PFAS in everyday products and water systems, some health and environmental groups say industries need to face more pressure to phase them out.
One of the EPA's recent responses is a proposed nationwide drinking water standard for selected forms of PFAS. Rumpler said this would help, but only scratches the surface.
"There are literally thousands of these PFAS forever chemicals," said Rumpler, "and EPA is only proposing
drinking water limits for a handful of them."
These chemicals have captured more attention because of emerging research on the health effects. The EPA notes that exposure could lead to increased cancer risks.
Beyond detection in water systems, PFAS chemicals have been found in a range of products - including the linings of fast-food boxes and fire-fighting foam.
the simple things in life, be less rushed, and enjoy your family and friends,” says owner Lucy (Brodal) Frandsen. “We had always talked about doing something there, but plans changed and we moved back here in 2015. But the idea was still there, and we just thought, ‘Why not?’ The fall of 2016 was our first year and we had nothing but a pumpkin patch – but people came out and had a good time, so we started expanding – boutique, crafting, private parties, and in 2020 we added the café. We’ve tried to add something everyone can enjoy, and if we don’t have it but someone asks for it, we try to make it happen. We’re constantly looking for new things to add – we’ve talked about grain bin accommodation rentals, laser-tag –the possibilities are endless, and we’re just taking it one day, one season at a time.”
Building up a rural destination and café isn’t easy,
however. Says Lucy, “My husband Hank (originally from Denmark), has literally built this place almost from the ground up. This started out as just an old quonset with holes in the walls, originally belonging
to my godfather, my dad’s cousin. We applied for a grant to update the flooring, and Hank did all the work to make it look like it does now, including the kitchen and corn play place additions. The train that takes customers on rides across the grounds was also 100% his handiwork – he built the frame to go around his loader tractor as well as all the cars that go behind it. He is really an important part of what we have here –when he needs to be gone, or he’s out farming, the train doesn’t run, because he’s also the engineer.”
One of the most exciting kid-friendly additions is the “play park” located on the Hygge Hills grounds. “We have three kids of our own, so we wanted this to be a very ‘kid-friendly’ place to be.” Children can burn off
some extra energy climbing the tire wall, jumping on the in-ground trampoline, testing their balance on the balance beam and flying through the air on an exciting zip-line. Smaller children can also enjoy the indoor corn-filled play place or have some quieter play using the free coloring books and markers. Frandsen also has painting projects available for a nominal cost. “People often comment about the mess of paint and crafts – I tell them, ‘Just bring them out here and let them make the mess here!’ We love kids and I think it’s important for kids to be able to be creative and make messes sometimes, it’s all part of learning and having a fun, no-screen experience.”
In addition to kid’s projects, Hygge Hills has a va-
riety of adult painting projects and crafts to choose from. “People can come pick from what I have here and just spend some time here to finish it, or they can take it home. I also try to accommodate groups, so if someone wants to have a painting or crafting party either here, their home or a specific venue, they can contact me and we can figure out what type of project works best for their interests and budget - it’s a great time to be with friends and have some of that ‘hygge’ time together.” Hygge Hills has hosted a variety of groups in the past, including the Lignite Summer School group, the Flaxton Senior Citizens and most recently a blanket making class. Hygge Hills also boasts a unique shopping experience in their boutique, which is full of home décor, crafts, books, shirts and more – “a little something for everyone,” says Lucy.
Frandsen and her family also host a variety of events throughout the year, including a 4th of July water balloon fight for the kids, and the Sons of Norway Midsummer Event, complete with music, yard games and a Scandinavian scavenger hunt complete with prizes. In August, kids can have some extra fun at the Sons of Norway kid’s camp, where they will be doing a Scandinavian craft focused on the ‘Moomins,’ cartoon characters from Finland. “They’re based on a series of books by Finnish author Tove Jansson,” notes Lucy. “They kind of look like white hippos, live in the forest and have all sorts of fun adventures.” Frandsen also hopes to host a back-toschool color war, similar to the one she hosted last fall. “For a small cost, each child or adult gets a box of “paintballs” that are safe to throw
at others. It went over really well last year – everyone had a good time, and some of the adults even got in on the fun.”
An exciting addition to the Hygge Hills offerings are “Tee-Pee Parties.”
Frandsen has a number of “tee-pees” with inflatable twin beds and décor that can be set-up at your location for a birthday party or gathering of friends. “We are also going to start offering a visit from Queen Elsa,” notes Frandsen, “but if someone has another princess in mind, they can contact me and I’ll do what I can to try and accommodate that request.”
Fall is one of Hygge Hills’ busiest seasons, as their fall festival comes to fruition. “We’ll have the pumpkin patch, corn maze and Halloween trail ready again this year, as well as the hay bale obstacle course, in addition to all our regular offerings,” notes Lucy.
Hygge Hills is open four days a week, and on special occasions. For more information on hours and café offerings, to inquire about scheduling an event, party or class, customers can visit the Hygge Hills Facebook page or contact Lucy directly at 701-641-7601.
The heart of any vibrant community lies in its ability to offer a diverse range of activities and events that bring people together. In our town, the Community Center stands tall as a versatile venue, accommodating a multitude of gatherings and fostering a sense of togetherness among residents. Whether you're looking for a place to engage in physical activities, celebrate a special occasion, or attend community events, the Community Center has you covered.
For those seeking ev-
eryday physical activity, the center provides various options to suit different interests. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy games of basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and even golf. For those who prefer a more leisurely pace, the center offers spacious areas for walking and other low-impact exercises. Staying active has never been easier with such a wide range of options available.
But the Community Center is not just limited to physical activities. It serves
as a versatile venue for an array of events, both big and small. Whether you're planning a wedding, a birthday party, or a company meeting, the center's flexible spaces can be tailored to suit your needs.
Booking a space at the Community Center is a breeze. Whether you prefer to call or email, the friendly staff is available to assist you in securing the perfect space for your event. Just dial 701-664-3192 or send an email to communitycen-
ter@cityoftioga.com, and they will guide you through the process, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
As we recently celebrated the 4th of July holiday, the Community Center would like to extend its warmest wishes to everyone in the community. We hope that you enjoyed a day filled with festivities, fireworks, and cherished moments with family and friends. The center remains committed to providing a platform for such joyous occasions, and we encourage you to share your ideas for future events and activities. Your input is invaluable in shaping the center's offerings and ensuring that it continues to meet the evolving needs and interests of our community.
So whether you're looking to break a sweat, celebrate a milestone, or simply connect with your neighbors, the Community Center is the place to be. It is a hub of diverse activities, welcoming to all and eager to embrace new ideas. Visit us today and discover the possibilities that await you at the heart of our community.
James (“Jim”) Michael Prather (62) passed away July 9, 2023 at his home in Tioga, ND. Visitation will be from 2-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 13 at Fulkerson-Stevenson Funeral home in Tioga. A family and friends celebration of Jim’s life will be held at Tioga Theater from 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will be Friday, July 14 at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Tioga, with graveside service to follow at United Cemetery in Tioga.
Jim was born on November 16, 1960 in Williston, ND, to Edward H. and Orpha (Solwold) Prather and was the youngest of four children. He graduated from Tioga High School in 1979. His outstanding radio broadcasting career began at KTGO in Tioga while he was still in high school in 1976. Then he worked across the country and across several genres under his alias Big Jim Davis, in classic rock, top 40, light rock, adult contemporary, country, satellite radio, and a radio shopping network, before going back to his original announcing roots at KTGO in 2019. He coined his daily morning show at KTGO “Talk of the Town,” where he updated the audi-
ence with local events and happenings across the listening region.
Jim married Donna (Vetsch) Prather in 1981 in New Rockford, ND, and they raised four children together. Upon returning to Tioga, he was very active in the community by serving on various community boards. Jim had an upbeat nature and a gift of recognizing and identifying the positive aspects in people. He enjoyed conversations and playing games with family and friends, hang-
ing out with his fur babies Husker and Lucky (who also joined him on air), and cozying up with them by the fire. He was a talented drummer and enjoyed having jam sessions with his friends. There is now one more great drummer in Heaven’s band.
He is survived by his wife, sister and brothers, his children, eight nieces and nephews, and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, and three beloved pets.
Written by Jim Prather, June 8, 2023“I came back to Tioga to live; I didn’t come back to die.”
- I lived by being able to attend the first Patriots baseball game in the new Patriots field in Tioga and watching them have a couple of really good victories
- I lived when I got to enjoy eating apple crisp, drinking coffee, and watching television with a dear friend
- I lived when I got to go downtown Tioga and have coffee and talks with several dear friends
- I lived knowing that prayers continued to come in from everywhere
- I lived having my family near me
- I lived by sharing my friends and life in Tioga with Donna
- I lived having my boys Husker and Lucky a part of my life
- I lived when I got to enjoy a fire with my family and Grandson “Champ”
Aiden
- I lived feeling well rested and at peace
- I lived knowing God is always there for me
- I lived by being a part of serving on Tioga community boards, including Tioga Walk board
- I lived by being able to see the positive and wonderful aspects in everyone
- I lived by being an honorary member of the American Legion Post 139 and receiving the Patriot Award
- I lived by knowing I had the best care provided by Dr. Bob and Mayo Clinic
- I lived knowing I had the support of the entire community and beyond
- I lived because I am the wealthiest man in Tioga gained from the love of my family and friends!
PRESS RELEASE. Bismarck, N.D. — For the first time in four decades, a newly conserved portrait of Medora von Hoffman (the future Marquise de Morès) is on exhibit at the Chateau de Morès State Historic Site. The painting will be on view through Labor Day weekend at the Chateau’s Interpretive Center in Medora.
Charles François Jalabert’s 1874 portrait of von Hoffman, a wealthy debutante from a prominent New York family, recently underwent conservation work in Minneapolis. In addition to being cleaned and revarnished,
a tear was repaired and the canvas stretcher reinforced. The painting also received a new custom gilt frame.
While residing in Cannes with her parents, von Hoffman met and in 1882 married the Marquis de Morès, a French aristocrat. The following year, he founded the town of Medora, which he named for her. A talented musician, sharpshooter, and watercolorist who spoke seven languages, she spent three summers in the 26-room hunting lodge the couple built on the edge of the Badlands where her husband also estab-
lished a short-lived meatpacking operation.
The conservation revealed fresh details about the portrait,
including that her dress is pale blue rather than green as previously thought and that she is holding a parasol handle. The handle had long been believed to be a riding crop given von Hoffman’s reputation as an accomplished equestrian.
“This is a unique opportunity for visitors to see the Medora portrait at the Chateau de Morès State Historic Site,” said David Newell, exhibitions manager. “Traditionally most of the emphasis has been focused on the Marquis and his business ventures. But this portrait highlights her strength of per-
sonality and situates her as an equal presence in their Western story.”
The Chateau de Morès is a state historic site managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota. The Chateau de Morès and Interpretive Center are open daily, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. MT, through Labor Day. For more information, contact Exhibitions Manager David Newell at 701.328.2102 or dlnewell@nd.gov. Find a calendar of upcoming State Historical Society events at history. nd.gov/events.
PRESS RELEASE. North
Dakota Game and Fish.
North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries personnel encourage anglers to keep fish caught from depths of more than 25 feet, rather than practice catch-and-release.
Scott Gangl, Game and Fish fisheries management section leader, said with the exceptional fish bite at Lake Sakakawea this summer, anglers should know fish reeled in from this depth will likely die if released.
“As water warms during summer, fish tend to move to deeper, cooler water,” Gangl said. “This is particu-
larly true for walleye in the big lake, where they follow
their primary forage of rainbow smelt to deeper depths as summer progresses. Now fish are being caught at
depths where barotrauma is a concern.”
Change in water pressure will cause the swim
bladder to expand, Gangl said, which means fish can no longer control balance. In addition, he said other internal injuries are likely, such as ruptured blood vessels or damaged internal organs. Because of these other internal injuries, biologists discourage fizzing, the practice of deflating the swim bladder.
Barotrauma can happen in any deep water body such as Devils Lake, Lake Oahe and Lake Sakakawea, Gangl said, but it is especially noteworthy for this time of year in the big lake.
Prior to fishing at least 25 feet deep, anglers should make the decision to keep what they catch.
Senators in Washington, D.C. want to see a $50 billion infusion into America's rural areas - with the Rebuild Rural America Act.
The legislation is written to address rural America's unique challenges and would make it easier for smaller towns and counties to access federal grant money for desperately needed projects - from upgrading roads and bridges, to fixing schools and providing broadband internet.
Annie Contractor - associate manager of Government Affairs for the nonprofit RuralOrganizing.org - said this funding would ignite an economic comeback in parts
of the country that often have a hard time competing for federal funds.
"Rural communities tend to have smaller populations. They tend to have less philanthropic presence," said Contractor. "So, the block grant funding, which would deliver funding directly to rural communities, is really important for an equitable distribution of those tax-funded programs that are meant to help communities thrive."
Some 44% of Montana residents live in rural areas, and could potentially benefit from the legislation - but no one in the Montana delegation has signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill.
RuralOrganizing.org
says eight out of ten distressed communities are rural, and 60% of residents in those areas are people of color.
Contractor said local flexibility is a crucial piece of the proposal, which would allow town and county leaders to design programs they know will help their specific communities.
"Anything from child care systems or subsidization, to infrastructure - like water, or roads," said Contractor, "to workforce development programs or training. A variety of things could be invested in to really help communities thrive. And that's really important, because every rural community is different."
She added that the Rebuild Rural America measure would build on investments the Biden administration has already made in rural parts of the country with the Inflation Reduction Act.
The bill hasn't yet been assigned to a committee.
On July 7, 2023, the United States of America destroyed the last of their chemical weapons at the Bluegrass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant in Kentucky. It is the last of eight countries to destroy their declared stock of chemical weapons. This was brought about by the Chemical Weapons Convention which is an international treaty signed by 200 nations to ban possession, production, and use of chemical weapons on the battlefield.
Friday, July 7th, an Oklahoma Judge, Caroline Wall, dismissed with prejudice the lawsuit seeking reparations for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The case was brought forward by three of the survivors who are all over 100 years now who wished to see justice in their lifetime for the deadliest racial rampage. Greenwood was the most prosperous Black community in the United States but was destroyed when a white mob started killing, looting, and burning it to the ground. Besides those who were killed, thousands were left homeless. According to the lawsuit, the
city and insurance companies never compensated victims for their losses, and the massacre resulted in racial and economic disparities. Judge Wall wrote in a brief that she was tossing the case based on arguments from the city, regional chamber of commerce, and other state and local agencies. An attorney for the Chamber of Commerce had previously said that while the massacre was horrible, the nuisance it caused is not ongoing.
A solar storm on Thursday, July 13th is expected to offer 17 American states the chance to witness the Northern Lights. The states that’ll be able to see the lights include Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Indiana, Maine, and Maryland. People hoping to experience the Northern Lights should get away from city lights for best viewing between 10:00 pm and 2:00 am local time.
Brazil’s government announced two weeks ago that deforestation is down 34% in the first six months of this
year in comparison to the first six months of last year. The drop coincided with the new administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva who took office in January. He vowed to protect the rainforest and reverse ballooning deforestation. Just two years ago in 2021, Brazil recorded its 5,100 square miles of rainforest had been lost. This was the highest annual rate of deforestation in 15 years.
Malaria is one of Africa’s deadliest diseases that kills nearly half a million children under the age of 5 each year. After being given to 1.7 million children in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi since 2019, the vaccine has finally been declared “safe and effective”. The African countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone, and Uganda will receive the first 18 million doses of the vaccine. The vaccines are expected to arrive in these countries in the final quarter of this year. Another 16 countries have already requested access to the vaccine. After production has been scaled up, these countries will hopefully be getting the supplies they need.
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