The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits plunged last week to the lowest level in 52 years, more evidence that the U.S. job market is recovering from last year’s coronavirus recession. The Labor Department says unemployment claims dropped by 43,000 to 184,000 last week, the lowest since September 1969.
The Labor Market Information Center has released the latest Online Job Openings Report (OJOR), a monthly summary of online job openings and active résumés from Job Service North Dakota’s labor exchange system. North Dakota had a total of 17,580 open and available online job openings in November 2021, a change of -4.3 percent (-796) from the prior month and +35.3 percent (+4,587) from the same month one year ago. Grand Forks County has 1,798 openings.
The average interest rate on a long-term mortgage in the U.S. held firm again this week. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reports that the average rate on the benchmark 30-year, fixed rate home loan ticked down this week to 3.10% from 3.11% last week. A year ago, the rate stood at 2.71%.
Home sales in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks held steady in November. The Grand Forks Board of Realtors reported 74 homes…townhomes…and condos were sold last month. That’s the same number of November 2021 and down slightly from the 90 two years ago. The average sales price was $260,122. June remains the top month for sales in 2021 with 146.
The Grand Forks JDA has approved a $30,000 Start-Up loan to Cole’s Detailing to fit-up space and purchase equipment for a site in the industrial park. The company is involved in auto, marine, and RV reconditioning services such as paint protection film application, ceramic coating, and vehicle wrapping.
America’s casinos have won more money this year than ever before, according to figures released from a national gambling trade association. The American Gaming Association says U.S. casinos have already broken the record for most money won in a single year at over $44 billion.
Altru’s Information Services team has created technology to quickly and accurately enter COVID-19 vaccination information into a patient’s record. Application Analyst Alex Shimek developed a system of barcodes to log vaccine data to a patient’s electronic medical record eliminating the possibility of mistakes. The CDC is looking to share this technology with other healthcare leaders nationwide.
The North Dakota Farm Bureau has announced the hiring of Megan Hanson as the Director of Member Relations. Hanson is based out of Northwood, North Dakota. Hanson’s primary focus will be NDFB member benefits, NDFB Foundation fundraising and county Farm Bureau member relations.
Kay LaCoe, a native of Bismarck, ND, has been named vice president of marketing and communications of the Lignite Energy Council as of January 1, 2022. She currently holds the title of director of membership marketing. She succeeds Steve Van Dyke, who will retire as of December 31, 2021.
Valley Senior Living on Columbia and Woodside Village join 16 other long term care facilities in North Dakota to achieve “High Performing” status from U.S. News & World Report in their most recent assessment of nursing homes. In addition, Valley Senior Living on Columbia was one of six nursing homes in North Dakota to receive the highest ranking possible for short term rehabilitation.
Vantis is looking for a few good drone operators. North Dakota’s UAS network has released an RFP seeking multiple aircraft systems to support operation testing of the beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights on the network. Operational testing involves repeating tests with a variety of UAS to ensure that these systems continue to perform across multiple UAS platforms and use cases. Proposals are due December 31st.
The North Dakota Air National Guard, known as the Happy Hooligans, has bid farewell to its senior enlisted leader. Chief Master Sgt. Duane “Dewey” Kangas retired during a ceremony at the base in Fargo. Brig. Gen. Darrin Anderson, North Dakota National Guard assistant adjutant general for air, presented the Meritorious Service Medal to Kangas during the ceremony.
California truck drivers will soon have to worry about pollution tickets along with speeding tickets. The California Air Resources Board on Thursday approved a new smog check program for heavy duty trucks. The board approved a ban on the sale of gas-powered lawn equipment starting in 2024.
Travelers love to hate airline fees, and several congressional Democrats say it’s time to regulate the extra charges for things like checking a bag. Several lawmakers say they will introduce legislation to require that airline fees are “reasonable” and relate to the airline’s cost of providing the service. Airlines say fees have kept fares lower for people who don’t want the services that are covered by the fees.
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