The number of Americans applying for unemployment aid fell last week to 547,000, a new low since the pandemic struck. It’s the latest indication that layoffs are slowing on the strength of an improving job market.
North Dakota’s March 2021 not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.8 percent. The jobless rate in Grand Forks County came in last month at an even 4%. Sargent County had the low at 2.6%. Rolette County had the highest rate at 13.1%.
Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell in March for the second straight month as buyers grappled with a stubbornly low inventory of available properties and fierce competition pushed prices to new highs. The National Association of Realtors says existing home sales fell 3.7% last month from February to a seasonally-adjusted rate of 6.01 million annualized units.
Farmland values across North Dakota increased 1.74% in 2021. The two largest percentage changes of cash rents in any direction were in the northeast region, showing 3.56% growth, and the northern Red River Valley, showing 2.65% growth. The numbers compiled by the North Dakota Department of Trust Lands Survey.
UND has picked up a $500,000 award to further research into the decomposition of substances in soil environments. The grant by the National Science Foundation ws announced by U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer’s office. PFAS chemicals have been detected in the blood of more than 95% of the US population. Soil largely contributes to the quality of groundwater and crops, which are potential human exposure pathways for these chemicals.
A new rental assistance program has opened for low and moderate income renters to get caught up on overdue rent and utilities dating back to March 2020. With federal funding through the stimulus bill Minnesota received $375 million for RentHelpMN – $289 million coming to the state and $85 million for the Twin Cities metro area.
Circle of Friends Humane Society has opened a retail and adoption store in the Grand Cities Mall. Zoning restrictions in East Grand Forks prompted a shift in location across the river. CEO Laura Lee Tupa says they hope to open a second site within the mall that will have a focus on pet education.
The North Dakota Department of Human Services announced today the retirement of Randy Slavens, regional director of Northeast Human Service Center in Grand Forks. Slavens joined the department in 1997 as an assistant regional supervisor for child welfare services. The department operates eight regional human service centers and three satellite clinics in North Dakota.
Those wanting to grow, process, breed, or research hemp in Minnesota in 2021 must apply for a license with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) by April 30. To date, over 370 people have applied for an MDA license. This is the sixth year of the state’s Industrial Hemp Program. Last year over 5,800 acres and 1.46 million indoor square feet were planted in Minnesota.
The Grand Forks Senior Center will be reopening to the Public May 3rd. The building has been closed for the past 14 months due to the pandemic. . When moving through the building masks are required.
Casey’s General Stores, Inc. has announced that Paul Suarez has joined the company as chief information security officer. This is a newly created role that will lead the cybersecurity team at the fourth largest convenience retailer.
Topless dancers can shed coronavirus restrictions beginning next weekend in Las Vegas and get face-to-face with patrons again. But masks will still be required for adult entertainment employees. The rules will allow strip club entertainers to get closer than 3 feet to patrons if the entertainer has received at least a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine at least 14 days earlier or if the dancer tests negative in a weekly virus test.
Tickets are now on sale for both rounds of Gerdau Recycling Northern Tour for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks.
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