10 stories you might have missed over the weekend
Mar. 1—At least for a day, UND steps out of NDSU's football shadow
Herald Sports Editor Wayne Nelson writes that UND is beginning to forge its own identity in its new home — the powerful Missouri Valley Football Conference. Saturday, the Fighting Hawks upended No. 3 South Dakota State 28-17 in one of the program's biggest wins in the Alerus Center.
Grand Forks County ahead of state vaccination rates
Grand Forks County is among the most-vaccinated, per capita, of any of the state's biggest urban centers. The Herald's Sam Easter reports that about 10.7% of Grand Forks County residents were totally vaccinated — with two shots — according to Health Department data as of Feb. 24.
After cool pandemic season, Grand Forks restarts its push for economic development
A period of businesses exercising cautious spending due to COVID-19 is over and has been for a while, some business leaders say. The Herald's Sam Easter reported that the quest for business expansion is starting up again both locally and nationwide, and that there are changes in the works that could pivot Grand Forks to a more business-friendly future.
Grand Forks educators assess pandemic's toll on academic progress of young students
Mask-wearing — required in Grand Forks public schools — coupled with the sudden pandemic-imposed shift to distance learning last spring and in December, has resulted in declines in some students' academic progress. The Herald's Pamela Knudson and Hannah Shirley report that the loss of months of face-to-face learning especially impacts kindergarten and first-grade students, who are building foundational skills.
On 'Grand Forks Day,' city leaders hit Bismarck for pivotal, face-to-face lobbying
Leaders from City Hall, UND and the business community will meet with legislators this week for the biennial lobbying and hand-shaking extravaganza "Grand Forks Day." Herald correspondent Sam Easter reports that this year, a top priority is the state's bonding bill, a potentially enormous pot of cheap credit and infrastructure funding that could kick-start major infrastructure projects back home.
What to watch for in the second half of North Dakota's legislative session
Forum correspondents Jeremy Turley and Adam Willis preview the second half of the North Dakota legislative session, which begins March 3. They report on legalizing marijuana, curtailing the governor's executive powers and boosting the coal industry.
Unity Medical Center in Grafton opens multi-million-dollar addition to hospital
A $20 million construction project at Unity Medical Center has added 36,000 square feet to the 65-year-old Grafton hospital. The Herald's Ann Bailey reports that construction on the project, which began in August 2019, has been completed, except for the emergency room.
For Northrop Grumman, Engineers Week is all about mousetrap cars and inspiration
Dozens of students at Nathan Twining Elementary and Middle School celebrated Engineers Week by participating in a home-built mini car race with staff at Northrop Grumman. The Herald's Adam Kurtz reports that 38 middle school students took part through video conferencing to watch their self-engineered cars, powered by mousetraps, race through the company's hangar.
Grand Forks artist Koriko receives federal grant to translate Togolese play
Hamzat Koriko, the executive director of the African Arts Arena, is in line for a $12,500 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which he'll use to translate "Catharsis," a play by Gustave Akakpo. The Herald's Joe Bowen reports that it will be the first-ever English translation of a play about the African condition.
Drew Wrigley said he was focused on making an impact as US attorney, not stacking up bodies in prison
After serving two stints as North Dakota's lead federal prosecutor, U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley officially stepped down over the weekend after President Joe Biden asked for his resignation. InForum's April Baumgarten reports that Wrigley is still considering his next steps.
