North Dakota
Freezing rain, snow headed into eastern North Dakota, northwest Minnesota
GRAND FORKS — A two-pronged weather system will bring rain, sleet and snow to portions of eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota, according to WDAY and the National Weather Service.
On Monday, Dec. 8, the NWS predicts a “weak system” will produce a trace to 2 inches of snow in the region, according to a statement sent to the media. A stronger system will come on the heels of the first one, “bringing a wide range of potential winter impacts, from accumulating snow and mixed precipitation to high winds.”
In other words, it appears it’s time for some typical winter weather on the Northern Plains.
“Slight changes in the track of the system could change snow amounts and the possibility of any freezing rain,” the National Weather Service said in its media packet. “Winds will increase Tuesday night as a strong cold front moves into the area. However, it will be after the main batch of snow and it is uncertain how much warmer temperatures and rain/freezing rain earlier in the day will affect blowing snow.”
Considering the possibilities, a winter storm watch is in effect for northeastern North Dakota and parts of western Minnesota. The watch is for counties essentially from Langdon to Fargo in North Dakota, down to Fergus Falls and up to Roseau in Minnesota.
The system likely will be more impactful in the northern Red River Valley and northwestern Minnesota. On Monday, snowfall will be between a trace to 2 inches. It’ll likely be less snow and possibly more rain in Fargo, while places like Jamestown and Bismarck could see rain, but perhaps won’t see much snow .
On Tuesday, the best chances for 2 inches or more of snow are in the Devils Lake basin, across the northern Red River Valley and into central Minnesota. Some rain and freezing rain could move into southeastern North Dakota, but the impacts “are uncertain at this point,” the NWS said.
“Tuesday, that is the mess that is going to create a lot of problems on the road,” Jesse Ritka, WDAY’s chief meteorologist, said during a Sunday broadcast. The potential exists for rain, sleet and ice pellets, she said, and winds could reach 30 mph.
Temperatures over the weekend were in the single digits, but Monday will see temperatures rise into the higher teens to nearly 30 in the southern part of the region. On Tuesday, it’ll likely be in the 20s in places like Devils Lake, Grand Forks and Bemidji, according to WDAY, but likely in the 30s in Jamestown, Wahpeton, Fargo and Fergus Falls.
Monday will start off “snow free,” Ritka said during her forecast Sunday. “By the middle of the day, we’ll track the snow pushing through the Red River Valley. By the middle of the afternoon (it will be) out of here by about 5 or 6 o’clock.”
Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.
North Dakota
Armstrong applauds federal funding for upgrading coal infrastructure, including Antelope Valley Station
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Kelly Armstrong today applauded President Donald Trump’s announcement of his plan to address the nation’s energy emergency with funding under the Defense Production Act, including up to $425 million for the U.S. Department of Energy for 12 projects selected to expand and reinvigorate America’s coal fleet and up to $75 million for a coal export facility.
The funding includes over $27.4 million to help pay for a $70 million proposed project to modernize two coal-fired units at North Dakota’s Antelope Valley Station, operated by Basin Electric Power Cooperative near Beulah in Mercer County. According to the DOE, the upgrades will mitigate unplanned outages, improve efficiency and increase generation capacity. The project is designed to ensure continued affordable and reliable electricity while also supporting local employment at Antelope Valley Station and Freedom Mine, the DOE said.
“North Dakota enjoys the lowest electricity rates in the nation, and investments like this will ensure our fleet of coal plants can produce clean, reliable and affordable power for decades to come,” Armstrong said. “We appreciate the continued support by President Trump and his administration for policies that support U.S. energy dominance and a more stable electric grid to serve our citizens, grow our economy and strengthen our national security. Coal country, and our entire state, will emerge even stronger from this action today.”
Prison Life in North Dakota
Every time we cross the Expressway overpass in Bismarck, you get a quick glimpse into prison life in North Dakota. Occasionally, you will see inmates in the yard doing various forms of outdoor recreation. The barbed wire that surrounds the North Dakota State Penitentiary is a sobering reminder that this is not where any sane person would ever want to spend any part of their life.
I met one of our listeners recently who works at the State Pen in Bismarck, and I got a chance to ask her some questions I’ve always wondered, mostly what life is like behind bars. “Is it like prison life in the movies?” She didn’t have a bright picture to paint, and that’s probably the way it should be, to help steer individuals away from a life of crime.
Oskari-Kauko Värä
I was surprised to find out that at least some of the inmates have tablets and are allowed to go online; their online experience is very controlled. I was also told prisoners are allowed to listen to the radio, something I already knew, as I have received calls from convicts making requests before. You kind of feel the pressure behind those requests, “play it or else”. Ha!
I plan to request a tour in the future using my media credentials and give you more insight into what it’s like behind bars at the North Dakota State Penitentiary.
Marina Nezhinkay
The 20 Worst Prisions in America
Did the North Dakota State Pen make the list? Nope. According to MoneyInc, these are the worst prisons that even the most hardened criminal would want to avoid.
20. Ely State Prison – Ely, Nevada
19. Folson State Prison – Folson, California
18. Penitentiary of New Mexico – Santa Fe, New Mexico
17. William C. Holman Correctional Facility – Atmore, Alabama
16. Sing Sing Correctional Facility – Ossining, New York
15. San Quentin State Prison – San Rafael, California
14. Louisiana State Pen – Angola, Louisiana
13. Rikers Island – New York, New York
12. Reeves County Detention Complex – Pecos, Texas
11. Julia Tutwiler Prison – Wetumpka, Alabama
10. Pelican Bay State Prison – Crescent City, California
9. United States Pen Marrion – Marion, Illinois
8. Idaho Correctional Center – Kuna, Idaho
7. United States Penitentiary Tucson – Tucson, Arizona
6. Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary – Leavenworth, Kansas
5. Orleans Parish Prison – New Orleans, Louisiana
4. Men’s Central Jail & Twin Towers Correctional Facility – Los Angeles, California
3. Tent City Jail – Phoenix, Arizona
2. Allan B. Polungky Unit – Livingtonston, Texas
1. US Penitentiary Administrative Maximum – Florence, Colorado
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Gallery Credit: Stacker
The 15 BEST Small-Town Cafes In North Dakota
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