BISMARCK (KFGO) – North Dakota is offering new grant money to help improve the health and well being of workers at rural hospitals.

North Dakota Health and Human Services has opened applications for the hospital wellness equipment program. The goal is to help hospitals create healthier workplaces and support employees’ physical and mental health.

“The healthcare professionals caring for our communities need support, too,” said HHS Commissioner Pat Traynor. “These frontline workers often put the needs of others ahead of their own. By creating opportunities for staff to stay healthy, manage stress and recharge, hospitals can build stronger teams, improve retention and ultimately provide better care for the patients who depend on them.”

About $500,000 in federal funding is available. The state expects to award around 10 grants of about $50,000 each to eligible rural hospitals.

The grants can be used to by wellness equipment like treadmills, exercise bikes and weight equipment.

State officials say healthcare workers continue to deal with staffing shortages and burnout, and hope the grants will improve employee wellness to keep hospital workers in rural communities.

A West Price Hill man is accused of punching an Ohio assistant attorney general after asking her for money, according to arrest documents and officials.

Jermaine Johnson, 50, is charged with misdemeanor assault after Cincinnati police say he punched Kathleen Fischer in the face July 1, according to court records.

Fischer was injured in the attack but was not hospitalized, arrest documents show.

Fischer is a senior assistant attorney general in the consumer protection section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. She spent more than a decade as an assistant prosecuting attorney in the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office before taking on her new role in 2025.

Fischer is also the daughter of Ohio Supreme Court Justice Pat Fischer, who hails from Fort Thomas.

Arrest documents list Fischer as the victim of the attack. An attorney general’s office spokesman and Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman also confirmed Fischer was the victim of the attack.

Fischer told police she was walking on Sycamore Street outside the prosecutor’s office around 4:30 p.m. when she ran into Johnson, arrest documents show. Johnson asked Fischer for money and as she continued to walk away, he punched her in the face, documents state.

A Cincinnati police officer then found Johnson two blocks away shortly after.

Johnson gave police a “conflicting statement” but told officers he may have accidentally hit her.

PIERRE, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota State Museum in Pierre reopened three rooms to the public on July 1st after three years of renovations.

The State Historical Society received funds to enhance the Cultural Heritage Center in 2022, aimed at improving the building and expanding collection storage.

The museum’s exhibits were redeveloped based on extensive public input and updated state social studies standards, ensuring they reflect South Dakota’s story for modern visitors.

The reopening of the three rooms is part of the America 250 celebration.

“Come to Pierre and experience South Dakota’s history! People of many backgrounds have aided the process, so come see the collective work,” said South Dakota State Museum Director David Grabitske.

The South Dakota State Museum is closed on Mondays, but is open from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm on Sundays.

Admission is free for all South Dakotans and children from anywhere.

The remainder of the museum gallery space will be reopened later this year.