Strong storms bring rain, hail to southwest North Dakota

With half dollar-sized hail and washed out roads, this Memorial Day weekend got off to a wet start. Most of southwest North Dakota was hit with heavy rain and air-to-ground lightning Saturday, during the official unofficial first weekend of summer.

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Dust in the wind, Part II: No definitive answer on how dust might affect crops, livestock

Jonathan Ficek can’t open the windows to his house in the summer anymore, unless he wants to clean the whole thing when he gets home. “It’s almost like a fog in my yard,” the Manning-area farmer said.

• Dusty road
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Dickinson bypass location upsets landowners

Tom and Donna Dukart live just south of Interstate 94 on 116th Avenue Southwest, but that might change when the construction of Exit 56 begins next spring.

• Bypass area
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Grand Forks lawyer dismisses claims of torture at Gitmo

GRAND FORKS — Enemy combatants held at the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, were not subjected to torture or other maltreatment, according to a Grand Forks attorney who played key roles there.

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Dealing with the death penalty: Kathleen Wrigley has lived it as wife of prosecutor, sister of victim

FARGO — Many know her husband as the prosecutor of North Dakota’s only federal death penalty case, one of the most horrific crimes in this region’s history. What many don’t know is that while then-U.S. Attorney for North Dakota Drew Wrigley was prosecuting Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. for Dru Sjodin’s abduction and murder, Kathleen Wrigley was embroiled in her own very personal death penalty ordeal.

• Wrigley
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ND leads US in ratio of bars to residents

FARGO — North Dakotans’ boozy ways are fueled by the most bars per capita in the United States.

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Faces of the Boom: Williston cop back on the beat

WILLISTON - High wages in the oil industry lured Williston police officer Caleb Fry away from his calling. “Money got the better of me,” said Fry, who left the Williston Police Department to work in the oil field.

• Fry
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Rookie cops in Oil Patch get 'thrown into the mix'

WILLISTON — Cops in the Oil Patch say one year of experience there is what they’d see in five years elsewhere. As North Dakota’s oil boom brings a spike in police calls to growing communities, many of the officers on the front lines are rookies in their early to mid-20s.

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ND Oil Patch no Wild West, researcher says

WILLISTON — Police activity is busier in western North Dakota, but it’s not the Wild West, says a researcher studying the impact of the oil boom on law enforcement.

• Archbold
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In North Dakota oil fields, 'water is for fighting'

WATFORD CITY - In towns across North Dakota, the wellhead of the North American energy boom, the locals have taken to quoting the adage: “Whiskey is for drinking, and water is for fighting.”

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US State Dept. posts feedback on Keystone XL pipeline

WASHINGTON — The State Department says it is taking the unusual step of releasing publicly the feedback it has received about a controversial pipeline project after an “unprecedented” response to its draft environmental report.

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Beware of ticks: Carrier of Lyme disease thrives in lakes country

FARGO — Now that Memorial Day weekend has arrived and summer has unofficially begun, those taking to the woods should remember: Beware of ticks.

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After years of waiting, ND's new higher ed funding formula to kick in July 1

FARGO — A new formula to fund North Dakota’s public colleges and universities pulled off a “rare” achievement this spring, Sydney Hull said: earning the support of all 11 campuses for a change that he believes will lead to more transparency and efficiency in the system.

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Overcoming adversity:" DHS student Amber Braun completes studies, despite paralysis of arms and legs

Graduation day may be a stepping stone for most students; but for Dickinson High School senior Amber Braun, the day represents a major achievement.

• Amber Braun
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Keeping perfect attendance

When Christian Kulish from Killdeer sets a goal for himself, he takes it seriously — even if it’s 13 years in the making.

Trinity student recognized as servant leader

Trinity High School student Andi Lefor doesn’t hesitate to take on a service project, should it be it in school or the community.

• Andi Lefor
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Conquering champ

BISMARCK — Entering championship day, Beach senior Danny Skoglund had zero state titles to his name.

• Danny Skoglund
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• Ben Gordon
• Stephen Kristy

Dukart, Schroeder pace Midgets track

BISMARCK — On the opening day of the Class A state track and field meet, the Dickinson High boys team received a couple surprises.

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• Rachel Schroeder

Friendly fight for a title

There will be a few close races to get to the top of the points standings at the Dickinson High School Memorial Day Rodeo, which begins at 9 a.m.

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• Jake Benson

Dickinson High defeats Minot, heading back to state

JAMESTOWN — The Dickinson High softball team gave up just two runs in two games Saturday at the West Region Tournament at Hillcrest Softball Complex.

• Jess Priebe
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Mott-Regent’s Friez ends dynamite career titleless but proud

BISMARCK — Though she never won a state title, Mott-Regent senior Marah Friez has nothing to hang her head about after stepping off the track in her final Class B state track and field meet.

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Magstadt earns a runner-up finish, Hawks take 5th

MARION, Ind. — Behind 11 all-Americans, the Dickinson State men’s track and field team finished fifth in the nation Saturday at the NAIA outdoor national championships.

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Rain cancels West title game, Midgets settle for second

MANDAN — Dickinson High coach Pete Dobitz was relieved his baseball team clinched its spot in the Class A state tournament Friday.

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Sunday's track scoreboard

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