An inflation gauge closely tracked by the Federal Reserve jumped 6.6% in March compared with a year ago, the highest reading in four decades, further evidence that surging prices are pressuring household budgets and the health of the economy. Yet there were signs in the report from the Commerce Department that inflation might be slowing from its galloping pace and could be nearing a peak.
Average long-term mortgage rate edged down this week for the first time in two months following a swift rise to its highest level in more than a decade. After seven weeks of increases, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage inched down to 5.1% from 5.11% last week. The average rate was the highest since April of 2010.
Grand Forks sales tax collection continue to outpace year ago levels. The April check netted the city $1.96 million dollars. Collections for the year now total $9.47 million – up more than 15% over last year. The monthly check was the second consecutive month that collections dipped below the two-million mark. That hasn’t happened since May/June 2020.
The North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department (NDPRD) has selected 16 local Park District Facility Renovation applications for funding. The 67th Legislative Assembly Special Session established a $5 million local park district facility renovation grant utilizing federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The Grand Forks Park District was awarded $605,412 for Kraft Field grandstand renovations and $185,912 for tennis court repairs. The money covers roughly half the cost.
The Ralph Englestad Arena has secured a building permit from the City of Grand Forks to remodel a weight room. According to the permit the anticipated cost is $867,000. UND also filed a permit to the tune of $2.9 million dollars for a link between O’Kelley and Gillette Hall.
Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than a quarter-million Explorer SUVs in the U.S. because they can roll away unexpectedly while shifted into park. The recall covers certain 2020 through 2022 Explorers with 2.3-liter engines, as well as 3-liter and 3.3-liter hybrids and the 3-liter ST. Also included are 2020 and 2021 Explorer Police hybrids and those with 3.3-liter gas engines. Owners will be notified by mail starting June 6.
Apple reported strong quarterly results despite supply shortages, but warned that its growth slowdown is likely to deepen. The big issues: its struggle to get enough chips to meet demand and COVID-related shutdowns at factories in China that make iPhones and other products.
Visitor hits to NDtourism.com increased 25.6% in 2021 – or a record 2.15 million visits. Website visits are a top signal of intent-to-travel. The border closure and associated protocols last year resulted in .22 million fewer personal vehicle and bus passengers from Canada entered the state which resulted in an estimated $132 million in lost spending.
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health’s temporary statewide ban on poultry events is extended until June 1, 2022. The state and federal response to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Minnesota has been underway for more than a month since the virus was first confirmed on March 26th.
The North Dakota Department of Agriculture has released the Pride of Dakota market and showcase dates for 2022. The Grand Forks Holiday Showcase is set for November 4 & 5 – Friday 4pm-9pm; Saturday 9am-5pm. More than 500 North Dakota companies are Pride of Dakota members. Last year showcases statewide attracted more than 37,800 people.
Altru is pleased to announce Jeff Eickman, MD, has been awarded the Provider of the Quarter for Q1 of 2022. Dr. Eickman is a family medicine physician. The Provider of the Quarter recipient is selected after reviewing survey results submitted by patients. Altru started this award in the summer of 2021.
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is pleased to announce that Ross Hier of Crookston has been awarded the Northwest Artist of the Year Award. Originally from Jackson (MN) Hier’s love of nature from a very early age led him to a career as a wildlife biologist. His watercolors have been exhibited at numerous venues in both the Dakotas and Minnesota.
A new government watchdog report finds that while most Americans are eligible to file their taxes for free, only a fraction use the services provided through the government. Instead, many taxpayers utilized other methods, “which they may have paid to use,” according to a new U.S. Government Accountability Office study on the 2020 tax filing season. The GAO report found only 3% of taxpayers actually use the service.
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