News

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum today declared a statewide emergency for flooding and widespread utility infrastructure damage caused by a severe winter storm last weekend that has left thousands of North Dakotans without electricity. The governor also has declared a disaster for areas impacted by record snowfall during the historic blizzard April 12-14 based on local costs incurred for snow removal.

BISMARCK, N.D. – Representatives from several state agencies including the Governor’s Office, North Dakota Information Technology (NDIT) and the Department of Emergency Services gathered today to review the framework for responding to a potential major cybersecurity incident.

BISMARCK, N.D. – As hot weather and dry conditions have provided ample fuels for an active wildfire season, the North Dakota Forest Service and North Dakota Department of Emergency Services recently initiated a program to augment the state’s firefighting capabilities and resources.

BISMARCK, N.D. – Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has requested flexibility on failed acres from United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Acting Risk Management Agency (USDA-RMA) Administrator Richard Flournoy due to the drought.

According to data collected by the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services and North Dakota Forest Service, nearly 1,400 fires have scorched more than 100,000 acres across the state since January 2021.

BISMARCK, N.D. – Emergency grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres is open in most North Dakota counties. CRP participants in counties that are in a D3 or D4 drought status, or a D2 drought status of 8 weeks or greater, may request to perform emergency grazing during the primary nesting season.

BISMARCK – North Dakota’s farmers and ranchers who have sold, or are considering selling, livestock because of drought face the prospect of a higher income tax bill due to the unplanned sales. Special federal income tax rules are available to producers who find it necessary to sell more livestock than they normally would because of drought.

The Water Commission on Tuesday, June 8, approved an additional $2 million in funding for the Drought Disaster Livestock Water Supply Assistance Program (Program). In total, $4.1 million has been authorized through multiple approvals since the Program was reactivated in April 2021.

The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) is partnering with Taxi 9000 to provide free transportation to Bismarck and Mandan COVID-19 vaccination sites.

The North Dakota Department of Health  (NDDOH) released the following statement today regarding the new mask guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):