Most North Dakota school districts fail to meet standards

More than two-thirds of North Dakota's public school districts failed to meet annual federal education standards, and one superintendent says it's bound to get worse.

Early sign of trouble at UND’s nursing school

A year before faculty at UND’s College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines raised concerns about the “climate of fear” created by Dean Denise Korniewicz, some school employees told university investigators that they feared the dean’s administrative officer, a close friend of the dean who lived with her at the time, according to documents obtained by the Herald.

• Denise Korniewicz

Oil Patch hospitals to get help in screening for bad debt risks

Medical centers in western North Dakota’s booming Oil Patch need help in diagnosing which patients requesting nonemergency services are bad debt risks.

Budget bills begin march to governor’s office

Minnesota legislators have taken baby steps in passing a $38 billion, two-year budget that must be finished by midnight Monday.

• Minnesota state Rep. Paul Marquart of Dilworth
• Rep. Denny McNamara of Hastings
• Rep. Mary Sawatzky of Willmar
• State Rep. Carly Melin of Hibbing

First lady to high school grads: Live your dreams

First lady Michelle Obama has some advice for some Tennessee high school graduates: Strike your own path in college and life and work to overcome inevitable failures with determination and grit.

• First lady Michelle Obama hugs Jenika Headley-Greene

Less abuse, but not all follow church audit

An annual report, sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, says an independent audit and study found 2012 had the biggest drop in allegations of sexual abuse by priests in a decade.

• Monsignor John Thomas Folda

Truck downs power line at River Cities Speedway

A semi truck carrying more than 40,000 pounds of fuel and alcohol caught a low-hanging power line Friday night at River City Speedway in Grand Forks, causing a loss of power for about 20 homes nearby.

Minnesota bonding bill in question

The future of a public works borrowing bill to fund state Capitol work, roads and bridges and other projects is in question after it failed in the Minnesota House. Representatives voted 76-56 Friday on a bill to sell bonds to fund public works projects, five votes short of the 81 needed to pass.

• Minnesota House bonding bill highlights
• Rep. Alice Hausman explains her public works financing bill

Ragtag band of firefighters jumps into action

Kelly Elsner found his second calling Tuesday night -- amateur firefighter. As fires closed in on his Hubbard County Road 111 home and well drilling business south of Park Rapids, Elsner called his employees back to work. “Come back as fast as you can,” were his instructions.

• Kelly Elsner stands near his water truck

Thief River Falls day care owner accused of striking boy

When James Sundstrom’s fiancée picked up their 4-year-old son at a Thief River Falls day care Tuesday afternoon, he said she found the boy waiting in the entry with tears and a bloody nose.

HOWARD KOSSOVER: Social Security numbers for baby

How do I get a Social Security number for my newborn?

• Social Security Q and A

BIZ BUZZ: Banks merge

Western State Bank of Devils Lake announced this week that it had purchased Central Arizona Bank in Scottsdale, Ariz., a bank with assets of $31 million.

• Biz Buzz

Shakira set to leave ‘The Voice’ after season

Pop singer Shakira will leave NBC’s television singing competition program “The Voice” after only one season as a judge in order to spend more time with her family.

• Shakira

CBS adds Robin Williams to fall TV lineup

Top-rated U.S. broadcast network CBS will bring comedian Robin Williams back to television next season to plug one of the few holes in its primetime schedule.

• Robin Williams

Oxbow upsets Orb in Preakness

Oxbow has won the Preakness, ruining Orb's bid to capture the Triple Crown.

• Oxbow (6), ridden by jockey Gary Stevens, wins the 138th Preakness Stakes horse race

Erichsen's surge gives him second men's Fargo Marathon title

There were times in the Fargo Marathon when James Kirwa was so far out in front that it got lonely in the streets of Fargo.

• Chris Erichsen wins the mens division of the Fargo Marathon

COUNTRY SCRIBE: Time warp

The latest crop of fresh-faced graduates is about to march up for their diplomas. I include college graduates in that crowd because I no longer can tell the difference between high school and college students.

• Eric Bergeson

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