America’s employers added 850,000 jobs in June, well above the average of the previous three months and a sign that companies may be having an easier time finding enough workers to fill open jobs. Friday’s report from the Labor Department was the latest sign that the reopening of the economy is propelling a powerful rebound from the pandemic recession. Restaurant traffic across the country is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, and more people are shopping, traveling and attending sports and entertainment events.
The U.S. trade deficit widened in May to $71.2 billion as a small increase in exports was offset by a bigger rise in imports. The Commerce Department reported Friday that the deficit rose 3.1% from the revised April deficit of $69.1 billion The U.S. trade deficit had hit a monthly record of $75 billion in March.
A new monthly survey of business leaders suggests the economy continues growing at a strong pace in nine Midwest and Plains states. The overall index for the region crept up to 73.5 in June from May’s already strong 72.3 reading. Any score above 50 suggests growth. The monthly survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
The May unemployment rate for Grand Forks County was 3.2%. North Dakota’s Not-seasonally adjusted jobless rate for the month was 3.5%. Job Service reported 391,271 employed individuals statewide.
U.S. consumers continued to spend wildly on new automobiles in the second quarter, pushing sales up 50.2% over last year despite tight dealer inventories and record high prices. Automakers sold about 4.43 million vehicles from April through June. But there were signs that sales were slowing toward the end of the quarter, mostly because dealers had few vehicles to sell. A global shortage of computer chips has forced most automakers to cut production.
Trooper Andrew Cashin was named the 2020 Trooper of the Year by the North Dakota Motor Carriers Association (NDMCA). Cashin serves the northeast region as a Traffic Enforcement Trooper and is stationed in Grand Forks. He has been a trooper since 2010 and has been stationed in Cavalier in addition to his current placement in Grand Forks. He holds a Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science degree from Bemidji State University.
The North Dakota Department of Transportation and North Dakota Department of Commerce unveiled the new state highway map. The updated map features a new design and integrates technology into the traditional road guide. The design incorporates QR codes to provide easy access to more information on our cities, state parks, historic sites and other points of interest in the state. The last state map was distributed in 2017.
The North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 12, regarding a proposal to construct a carbon dioxide pipeline in Mercer County. Dakota Gasification Company (DGC) is proposing to construct approximately 6.8 miles of carbon dioxide gas pipeline from DGC’s Great Plains Synfuels Plant to six carbon dioxide sequestration well locations. The estimated cost of the project is $25 million.
An environmental group wary about the sale of North Dakota’s largest coal-fired power plant by a nonprofit Minnesota electric cooperative wants officials in that state to review the deal. Bismarck-based Rainbow Energy Center LLC said it reached an agreement this week to acquire the Coal Creek Station in west-central North Dakota from Maple Grove, Minnesota-based Great River Energy. Great River supplies electricity to 28 rural Minnesota cooperatives.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has named David Andrews Jr., a volunteer ATV safety instructor in Grand Rapids, as the 2020 ATV instructor of the year. Andrews, a founding member of the Rapids Riders ATV Club, has been a volunteer ATV safety instructor and active in the DNR’s Volunteer Trail Ambassador program since 2007. During that time, he’s taught about 1,200 students as part of 40 classes.
UND’s new provost and vice president for academic affairs has arrived on campus. Eric Link arrived July 1st after serving as provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs at the University of Houston Downtown. Link succeeds Debbie Storrs, who was named interim provost and vice president for academic affairs last June.
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
