Board considers applications for oil money grants

Oil-impacted states request money for emergency services, infrastructure
State officials gave preliminary approval Thursday to set aside $7 million to help fire departments, ambulances and other emergency services feeling the strain of the oil boom.

• Firefighters Tioga and Ray
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Members of North Dakota Tea Party Caucus resign

Emineth, Sand, Sorum involved in political campaigns
Three founding members of the North Dakota Tea Party Caucus have resigned. Gary Emineth, Duane Sand and Paul Sorum, all of whom are involved in political races this year, have stepped down from the tea party’s organizational committee.

• Duane Sand
• Paul Sorum
• Gary Emineth
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Grand Forks woman charged in injury accident

A Grand Forks woman who fled the scene of an injury accident Wednesday is facing two charges in Grand Forks County District Court with more possibly pending.

• Ebony Miles

Dry landscape is raising fears of a fiery spring

Dry weather outlook has officials concerned
ry foliage, dry soil, a dry atmosphere and a dry long-term weather outlook have fire officials in Minnesota bracing for what could be a dangerous fire season in the coming weeks.

• Fire
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Stocks close higher after debt deal in Greece

The stock market finally got a deal in Greece, but it didn’t produce much of a rally.

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Home furnishings boutique opens in Grand Forks

A new home furnishings and decor boutique is open for business in south Grand Forks, filling the last vacant space in the Columbia Junction strip mall that also houses T.J. Maxx.

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OUTDOORS REPORT

Researchers: Internet bear’s cubs male, female

Researchers believe a 3-year-old bear in Minnesota gave birth to a male cub and a female cub before an Internet audience last month.

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Minnesota DNR says state rules bill endangers hunting, fishing seasons

The Dayton administration fears a Senate Republican proposal to place a moratorium on state rule making could mean two years without hunting and fishing seasons.

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NORTH DAKOTA OUTDOORS: Mild winter does wonders for wildlife

Winter officially began in December, and except for a few days of normal cold, it didn’t even feel like winter through January.

• Doug Leier
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Legislative notebook: House OKs bill to ban union deductions

The Minnesota House approved a bill Thursday that would prevent the deduction of union dues or fees from state child care assistance funds. The bill passed 74-55, mostly on Republican support. Gov. Mark Dayton wants child care providers to be able to vote on whether they want to unionize. A court hearing on the constitutionality of his executive order is slated for Feb. 22.

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Grand Forks criminal defense attorney found dead in I-29 rest stop

Friends and colleagues remember Steven M. Light, 42
Light, found dead Wednesday night in a rest stop near Hillsboro, N.D., was a prominent criminal defense attorney in Grand Forks and Fargo. He was well known for defending Rodney Chisholm, who convicted of murdering his older brother Donald. He also defended a former psychologist who treated sex offenders at the state mental hospital against child pornography charges.

• Body found at rest stop near Hillsboro, N.D.
• Steven M. Light

Groups make case for conservation funding in N.D.

Initiated measure would dedicate 5 percent of oil tax revenues for natural resources
North Dakota’s energy boom presents an opportunity to use some of the revenue from oil and gas taxes to preserve the state’s natural resources before they’re gone.

• Clean Water, Lands and Outdoor Heritage Amendment
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Former teacher, legislator, School Board member McCaffrey dies

Joann McCaffrey remembered for outspokenness, work on behalf of minorities
She taught for many years in the Grand Forks school system and later part-time at UND, and she once served as a consultant to the governor on educational standards for teachers. She served one term in the North Dakota Legislature, 1977-79, and two terms on the Grand Forks School Board in the early 1990s, resigning about midway through her second term in 1994.

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Glassheim to step down from Grand Forks city council after 30 years

NYC native found a home and a cause in city, state government
Eliot Glassheim will run for another term to the North Dakota House of Representatives, where the Democrat first served a term in 1975. Voters returned him to the House in 1993, and he's been a state representative in District 18 since. But Glassheim, who turns 74 Friday, has decided his current City Council term is his last.

• Eliot Glassheim
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