CHICAGO, Illinois, March 26 -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on the county employment and wages in North Dakota for 3rd quarter 2019: Employment increased 1.5 percent in North Dakota's only large county, Cass, from September 2018 to September 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. (Large counties are those with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2018.) Assistant Commissi  more

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, North Dakota, March 27 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: On March 25, 2020, Secretary of the Air Force directed Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Charlie for all United States Air Force installations to further prevent the spread of COVID-19. In response, Minot AFB has implemented HPCON Charlie. A vast majority of these measures were already implemented but additional measures include limiting access to the installation for official business and instructs  more

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, North Dakota, March 27 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: Whether you drink espresso, americano, cappuccino, or frappuccino, getting a cup of coffee is one of the most common morning routines. On March 26, the Minot Air Force Base community, as part of the Minot Strong campaign, came together to give back to Airmen and their families by providing fresh coffee beans to those in need. "We came together to host the "Higher Grounds Coffee Rounds," said Maj. Jeff  more

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, North Dakota, March 27 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: Here are 35 things you can do if you find yourself stuck at home: * Go for a walk * Start spring cleaning * Work on a puzzle or crossword * Organize your closet * Download a language app & learn a new language * Treat yourself to an at-home spa day that you might not have had the time for during your typical week * Catch up on your favorite television shows * Read a new book * Use a video chat  more

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, North Dakota, March 27 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: During this time of uncertainty, many of us may be stuck indoors as schools, businesses, and restaurants close their doors. A review of the research on the psychological impacts of quarantine published in the February edition of the journal Lancet found that confinement, loss of usual routine, and reduced social and physical contact routinely cause boredom, frustration, and isolation, which many found   more

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, North Dakota, March 27 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: Step 1: Make a List of Feelings * Work together to come up with a list of feelings. Make it fun - pair facial expressions or emoji's with the list of emotions. * Write each feeling on a separate index card (e.g. happy, excited, content, grateful, loving, sad, disappointed, discouraged, lonely, grieving, scared, worried, overwhelmed, anxious, terrified, mad, furious, annoyed, irritated, frustrated, pr  more

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, North Dakota, March 27 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: First, it's important to actually acknowledge and validate that many are feeling worried, stressed, or any number of unpleasant emotions. This is normal, and denying it seems pointless and even unhelpful. It is normal to feel a variety of emotions in the face of uncertainty, and part of social resilience (and being a good human) involves acknowledging and validating our own feelings, as well as others'  more

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency issued the following news release: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced a new pilot program that enables farmers in the Prairie Pothole region to receive payments for planting perennial cover for conservation use for three to five years. The new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Soil Health and Income Protection Program (SHIPP) pilot is available to producers in Iowa, Min  more