That is Up and Down, the place we give a quick thumbs up or thumbs down on the problems from the previous week.
Up
If anybody nonetheless had doubts that North Dakota’s elections are safe, they’ll put their fears to relaxation. The state auditor’s workplace carried out an examination in response to voter considerations, and concluded that the state’s system is “extremely safe.” There have been quite a few false claims nationally of election fraud following the 2020 presidential election. It isn’t the case nationally, and it is not the case in North Dakota. State Auditor Josh Gallion says officers appeared for any potential weaknesses within the state’s election system that could possibly be exploited by somebody with nefarious intent — and located none.
Down
The announcement by Minnesota-based Talon Metals that it plans to construct a $433 million minerals processing facility in central North Dakota was hailed by Gov. Doug Burgum and Mercer County officers as nice financial information. However there is a draw back. The plant is to course of nickel mined in northern Minnesota to be used in electrical car batteries. However the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe opposes the proposed mine. The tribe says mining poses dangers to the “atmosphere, surrounding communities, and our band’s cultural practices.” Talon’s venture is getting $114 million in federal cash, and will probably be topic to state and federal environmental evaluations and allowing. The corporate and U.S. Vitality Division even have mentioned there will probably be “consultations with tribal sovereign governments.” Let’s hope the corporate and tribe can come to an amicable settlement on proceed.
Individuals are additionally studying…
Up
A UPS driver from Bismarck was just lately acknowledged for his fast actions after he got here to the rescue of two individuals who crashed their car in rural Morton County. Ken Oakes, an Military veteran with medical coaching, was making deliveries when he encountered a crashed automobile on a bridge east of Almont. Oakes supplied assist to a person and lady till paramedics arrived. An emergency medical technician mentioned Oakes was “amazingly useful.”
Down
North Dakota scholar scores on a standardized take a look at often called the “nation’s report card” declined this 12 months, mirroring a nationwide pattern attributed to COVID-19 disruptions. Math and studying scores each dropped. State College Superintendent Kirsten Baesler says state training officers anticipated that, however she additionally says it is disappointing provided that face-to-face instruction wasn’t stopped in North Dakota for practically so long as it was in another states. Baesler says the falling scores level to the necessity to use federal and state pandemic assist to strengthen training. She says, “It is a time to focus not simply on restoration however on progress.” That is a worthy aim.
/static.texastribune.org/media/files/5e5395400eb1f412fb6d97a439483caf/SpaceX%20Brownsville%20MGO%2005.jpeg "Cards Against Humanity says in new lawsuit that SpaceX has destroyed some of its South Texas property")