Law student. Former reporter. Learning my birds. Mom to a 🐈 named for a prairie cemetery. 4x North Dakotan.
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Articles by Amy Sisk
After centuries of courtroom battles, states breathe new life into undue influence claims | JD Supra
When a person manipulates someone into changing their will, what’s a family member who finds themselves cut out of an inheritance to do? The answer has played out in courtrooms for hundreds of years and increasingly in statehouse debates as lawmakers seek more options for people who find themselves wrongfully disinherited by another’s undue influence.
Home-cooked meals beckon ranchers to Kist Cafe
Inside the Kist Cafe, the scent of a ranch meets the aroma of home-cooked eggs — or roast beef, depending on the time of day. “Some wouldn’t eat here because of the smell,” employee Christie Neumiller said. “I don’t smell anything,” added Kim Barnhardt, the kitchen manager. Both laughed as Neumiller responded: “I don’t either.” The cattle odor doesn’t bother the ranchers down the hall attending Kist Livestock’s auctions. They pour into the cafe before and after each sale.
English language learners graduate from new program
Four young Bismarck students will start next week at a new school now that they have mastered the basics of English. "I'm going to go to Solheim, and I'm going to get new friends," said a beaming first-grader, Cristian Cordero, after he received his diploma from the English Language Learner Welcome Center. The first group of students graduated Friday from Bismarck Public Schools' new program for elementary students learning English.
GED students pass retroactively
A reduction in the score needed to pass the General Educational Development test means that 100 North Dakotans who previously did not succeed over the past two years will receive the credential. The change announced earlier this year applies to test takers nationwide who now need a score of 145 out of 200 on each of four exams to pass. Previously, a 150 was required to obtain the certificate of high school equivalency.
Researchers dig deep into North Dakota's coal seams for rare earth elements
Within North Dakota’s lignite coal seams lie a number of materials needed to produce touch screens used on cellphones, guidance systems for missiles, and motors and batteries for hybrid vehicles. Researchers know that rare earth elements such as neodymium and lanthanum exist in the state’s coal, but they want to figure out whether it is feasible to put them to use.
Newsroom Notebook: A tale of two Pittsburghs
I first learned about Pittsburgh, North Dakota, right before I moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The town -- if you could ever call it that -- is situated near the Red River in the northeastern corner of the state. It’s far from everything else. Even after I moved back from Pennsylvania three years ago, I never thought I’d have an excuse to visit.
Researchers dig deep into North Dakota's coal seams for rare earth elements
GRAND FORKS – Within North Dakota’s lignite coal seams lie a number of materials needed to produce touch screens used on cellphones, guidance systems for missiles, and motors and batteries for hybrid vehicles. Researchers know that rare earth elements such as neodymium and lanthanum exist in the state’s coal, but they want to figure out whether it is feasible to put them to use.
North Dakota's proposed haze plan comes under scrutiny
State environmental officials held a hearing Tuesday on North Dakota’s proposal for addressing regional haze, which requires the approval of federal officials who have already begun poking holes in the document. The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality proposes to maintain the status quo at the state’s coal-fired power plants and not require any to install new technology to better control emissions of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.
North Dakota's gasoline prices break record set 9 years ago
It has never cost more to fill up at the pump in North Dakota. The statewide average gasoline price reached a record Friday of $4.24 per gallon, according to data from AAA. The previous record was a cent per gallon less, set May 22, 2013. The price last year at this time was $2.84. “It was anticipated for the past several weeks that we would reach this point, particularly since the national average has been at a record high for some time now,” said Gene LaDoucer, AAA’s spokesman in North Dakota.
North Dakota's proposed haze plan comes under scrutiny
State environmental officials will hold a hearing Tuesday on North Dakota's proposal for addressing regional haze, which requires the approval of federal officials who have already begun poking holes in the document. The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality proposes to maintain the status quo at the state's coal-fired power plants and not require any to install new technology to better control emissions of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.
Oil spills into Mountrail County wetland
Oil spilled at a Mountrail County well site earlier this week and leaked into a wetland, according to state environmental officials. Whiting Oil and Gas reported the spill Monday, telling the state that a production line leaked oil into an area with rainwater and snowmelt to the east of the well pad. The incident occurred about 9 miles south of Stanley. The company estimated 22 barrels or 924 gallons of oil spilled.
North Dakota's gasoline prices break record set 9 years ago
It has never cost more to fill up at the pump in North Dakota. The statewide average gasoline price reached a record Friday of $4.24 per gallon, according to data from AAA. The previous record was a cent per gallon less, set May 22, 2013. The price last year at this time was $2.84. "It was anticipated for the past several weeks that we would reach this point, particularly since the national average has been at a record high for some time now," said Gene LaDoucer, AAA's spokesman in North Dakota.
2 tons of fertilizer spill into Heart River; no major environmental impacts expected
A vehicle incident caused 4,000 pounds of fertilizer to spill into the Heart River southeast of Glen Ullin on May 17, according to state environmental officials. The incident does not appear to pose an immediate threat to drinking water or aquatic life, as recent rainfall and snowfall mean the water level in the river is high and will dilute the 2 tons of fertilizer, said Bill Suess, spill investigation program manager with the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality.
Bismarck OKs rules allowing for data centers
The Bismarck City Commission has amended its zoning rules to allow for standalone data centers for cryptocurrency mining and other applications amid growing interest by developers. The commission voted 4-0 Tuesday to approve the measure, which places conditions on where data centers could go. They could be placed only in heavy industrial zones or light industrial zones, and the latter would require a public hearing.
Bismarck OKs rules allowing for data centers
The Bismarck City Commission has amended its zoning rules to allow for standalone data centers for cryptocurrency mining and other applications amid growing interest by developers. The commission voted 4-0 Tuesday to approve the measure, which places conditions on where data centers could go. They could be placed only in heavy industrial zones or light industrial zones, and the latter would require a public hearing.
Memorial Day weekend expected to kick off a busy summer travel season
When North Dakotans travel this weekend over the Memorial Day holiday, they will encounter high fuel prices and nearly as many people on the road and in the air as they did before the coronavirus pandemic hit. Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer travel season.
74-turbine Wind farm proposed near Wishek
The state Public Service Commission has scheduled a hearing in late June for Badger Wind, a project under development by Orsted Onshore North America. The commission is tasked with permitting wind farm locations. The wind farm would be built west of town and consist of 74 turbines for a capacity of 250 megawatts. Its output would be comparable to powering 70,000 homes, according to the company. The developer hopes to start construction in September and finish just over a year later in October 2023.
Carbon capture projects awarded loans in 2nd clean energy funding round
North Dakota's new clean energy board has doled out all of its loan funding and much of its grant money authorized by lawmakers, with the latest round of awards going to three carbon capture projects. The state Industrial Commission on Monday approved a $100 million loan for Minnkota Power Cooperative's Project Tundra and a $15 million loan for a project to capture and store emissions underground from Midwest AgEnergy Group's Blue Flint Ethanol plant.
Memorial Day weekend expected to kick off a busy summer travel season
When North Dakotans travel this weekend over the Memorial Day holiday, they will encounter high fuel prices and nearly as many people on the road and in the air as they did before the coronavirus pandemic hit. Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer travel season.
2 teens arrested after allegedly starting fires at Boys and Girls Ranch
Two teenage residents of the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in east Bismarck were arrested after allegedly setting fires inside the facility Sunday. No one was injured in the fires, according to Bismarck Police Sgt. Scott Betz. He was unsure of the extent of the damage caused by the blazes, but the facility did not burn down. The teens started multiple fires in a commons area, he said. Police arrested them and took them to the Youth Correctional Center in Mandan.
2 tons of fertilizer spill into Heart River; no major environmental impacts expected
A vehicle incident caused 4,000 pounds of fertilizer to spill into the Heart River southeast of Glen Ullin on Tuesday, according to state environmental officials. The incident does not appear to pose an immediate threat to drinking water or aquatic life, as recent rainfall and snowfall mean the water level in the river is high and will dilute the 2 tons of fertilizer, said Bill Suess, spill investigation program manager with the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality.
Project Tundra, Blue Flint carbon capture get early funding endorsement
North Dakota officials have given an initial thumbs up to loan requests for two carbon capture projects, and they suggest regulators consider four other energy projects seeking state funding. Technical advisers for the state's new Clean Sustainable Energy Authority last week endorsed Minnkota Power Cooperative's request for a $150 million loan for Project Tundra, its effort to capture and bury carbon dioxide emissions from the coal-fired Milton R. Young Station power plant in Oliver County.
North Dakota's oil output almost back to normal after April blizzards
North Dakota's oil production is about 90% back online following back-to-back April blizzards that downed power lines and caused massive disruptions across the Bakken region. State Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms on Friday estimated that the state's oil production had rebounded to about 1 million barrels per day after falling as low as 300,000 barrels per day during the second blizzard in late April.
North Dakota's oil output almost back to normal after April blizzards
North Dakota's oil production is about 90% back online following back-to-back April blizzards that downed power lines and caused massive disruptions across the Bakken region. State Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms on Friday estimated that the state's oil production had rebounded to about 1 million barrels per day after falling as low as 300,000 barrels per day during the second blizzard in late April.
Mandan tribe settled vast villages at present-day Bismarck; remains part of community
All around the capital city lie signs of the people who knew Bismarck as home long before its official establishment 150 years ago. Visitors to Chief Looking's Village above Pioneer Park in northwest Bismarck take in views over the Missouri River just as the Mandan Indians who lived there did in the mid-1500s. A few miles north of the city is where one of the largest villages stood at what today is known as Double Ditch.
OSHA issues $450,000 fine after oil field blast that left workers with shrapnel injuries
Federal workplace safety investigators have fined an oil field service provider $454,000 after an explosion at a McKenzie County drilling site in November 2021 left a worker permanently disabled and injured two others.
Burleigh County opposes eminent domain for CO2 pipeline
Burleigh is the latest North Dakota county to oppose the potential use of eminent domain for a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline. The resolution passed by the County Commission last week is not binding, but landowners who pushed for it say it will help send a message to the North Dakota Public Service Commission, which regulates such projects. Eminent domain involves taking private property for public use, even if a landowner opposes such an action on their property.
Burleigh County opposes eminent domain for CO2 pipeline
Burleigh is the latest North Dakota county to oppose the potential use of eminent domain for a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline. The resolution passed by the County Commission last week is not binding, but landowners who pushed for it say it will help send a message to the North Dakota Public Service Commission, which regulates such projects. Eminent domain involves taking private property for public use, even if a landowner opposes such an action on their property.
North Dakota regulators ask pipeline operator to undergo audit on new project in wake of oil spill
The chair of North Dakota's Public Service Commission has asked a pipeline operator to voluntarily undergo an independent audit on a proposed project, days after the state and federal government sued over oil spills that contaminated waterways in two states.
North Dakota regulators OK water line for Heskett Station
North Dakota regulators have approved a water pipeline for Heskett Station north of Mandan and will soon hear a proposal for a natural gas pipeline meant to facilitate a pilot project in the Williams County oil patch. Those were two of several energy-related projects that came before the Public Service Commission on Wednesday. The three commissioners voted unanimously to permit a water pipeline for fire protection and evaporative cooling at Heskett, which is operated by Montana-Dakota Utilities.
Saltwater spill impacts Billings County creek
White Rock Oil and Gas has reported a saltwater leak from a pipeline in Billings County to state regulators. Some of the liquid reached a creek, according to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. White Rock estimated that 25 barrels or 1,050 gallons of saltwater spilled. Saltwater, also known as produced water or brine, comes up along with oil and gas in wells. It's typically injected back underground for permanent storage. The incident occurred about 7 miles northwest of Fairfield.
State, feds sue pipeline operator after 2016 spill leaked 600,000 gallons of oil in Billings County
The state of North Dakota and the federal government are suing a pipeline operator over a 600,000-gallon oil spill that contaminated the Little Missouri River and a tributary in 2016. The federal lawsuit filed against Belle Fourche Pipeline this week also names Bridger Pipeline as a defendant and raises allegations related to a 2015 oil spill in eastern Montana that affected the Yellowstone River. Both businesses are part of Wyoming-based True Companies.
Attorney general sues Glasser Images; customer complaints total $1.4 million
The state of North Dakota is suing a Bismarck photography studio that abruptly shut down, refused to offer refunds to clients who had already paid for services, and prompted hundreds of customers to file complaints with the attorney general's office totaling more than $1.4 million. The lawsuit filed Tuesday in state court by the attorney general against Glasser Images paints a picture of a company that faced money woes for years before the coronavirus pandemic.
Completion of Coal Creek sale marks 'day of celebration' in McLean County
A new sign at the turnoff to Coal Creek Station greeted hundreds of people who drove to the facility Monday to hear about the closing of the sale of North Dakota's largest coal-fired power plant, a facility once slated for shutdown. The sign reads "Rainbow Energy Center" and "Nexus Line," the new owners of the plant and the transmission line that carries electricity 436 miles across North Dakota into Minnesota.
U-Mary grad-to-be overcomes house fire; college, high school commencements begin in region
When Sam Behm walks across the stage to graduate with a doctorate in physical therapy, she will wear a cap and gown borrowed from a University of Mary alumnus because she lost hers when her house caught fire a month and a half ago. She's acquired new study materials from past graduates, too, so she can prepare for her licensing exam this summer. Other students, alumni and local physical therapy clinics have contributed money to help her after most of her possessions were destroyed.
North Dakota's daily oil output tanked to 300,000 barrels amid latest blizzard
North Dakota's oil output briefly plummeted to just 300,000 barrels per day earlier this week as the second blizzard to hit the state in April pummeled the oil patch. That amounts to a 70% drop in production relative to the start of the month. State Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms provided updated production estimates to state regulators at Friday's Industrial Commission meeting. He said production has already rebounded to about 700,000 barrels per day in the week since the blizzard hit.
Project Tundra, carbon dioxide pipeline developer to partner on storage
The companies behind two carbon dioxide storage projects slated for west-central North Dakota have agreed to work together. Summit Carbon Solutions is developing a multistate pipeline to pick up carbon dioxide from Midwestern ethanol plants. Under a new agreement with Minnkota Power Cooperative, it will have access to the storage site the co-op is planning for its Milton R. Young Station near Center.
Proposed CO2 pipeline prompts big turnout, many questions at Farm Bureau event
So many central North Dakota landowners packed into a hotel event room in Bismarck this week that some had to peer in from the hallway to hear discussion over a carbon dioxide pipeline slated to pick up emissions from ethanol plants across the Upper Midwest. The crowded room was a sign of growing interest, confusion and concern over Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed Midwest Carbon Express.
Proposed CO2 pipeline prompts big turnout, many questions at Farm Bureau event
So many central North Dakota landowners packed into a hotel event room in Bismarck this week that some had to peer in from the hallway to hear discussion over a carbon dioxide pipeline slated to pick up emissions from ethanol plants across the Upper Midwest. The crowded room was a sign of growing interest, confusion and concern over Summit Carbon Solutions' proposed Midwest Carbon Express.
Damage From Blizzard ‘Unprecedented’ in North Dakota
(TNS) - A weekend blizzard that brought snow, rain, ice and strong winds to western North Dakota downed hundreds and possibly thousands of electrical poles, destruction that might be among the worst ever seen. "The damage we have assessed so far is unprecedented. It's the worst damage Montana-Dakota Utilities has had on its system," spokesman Mark Hanson said. "We have hundreds of cross arms broken and miles of poles down." MDU's history dates to 1924.
Blizzard damage 'unprecedented,' Montana-Dakota Utilities says
A weekend blizzard that brought snow, rain, ice and strong winds to western North Dakota downed hundreds and possibly thousands of electrical poles, destruction that might be among the worst ever seen. "The damage we have assessed so far is unprecedented. It’s the worst damage Montana-Dakota Utilities has had on its system," spokesman Mark Hanson said. "We have hundreds of crossarms broken and miles of poles down." MDU's history dates to 1924.
Oil pipeline project moving forward after pandemic slowed plans; North Dakota regulators set hearing
Plans for a $122 million pipeline slated to carry Bakken oil toward a Wyoming hub are moving forward after the coronavirus pandemic stalled the project. Bridger Pipeline is building the 145-mile South Bend Pipeline from Johnsons Corner in McKenzie County to one of the company's pipeline facilities in eastern Montana. The pipeline is expected to transport up to 105,000 barrels per day, with the potential to expand up to 250,000 barrels per day in the future.
Power out for dozens in Mandan after car strikes utility pole
Police arrested a man Sunday for driving under the influence in southeast Mandan, where they say his vehicle hit a utility pole and knocked out power to businesses and residents in the area. Mandan officers responded to a call just after 5 a.m. about a traffic light was not working at 46th Avenue and The Strip, Patrol Sgt. Dan Poppe said. They found that the utility pole had been struck by a vehicle, and they arrested the man, whose identity was not immediately released.
USDA to invest $35 million in North Dakota infrastructure
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $35 million in loans and grants to support solar projects, rural electric cooperatives, and infrastructure hit by severe weather in North Dakota. USDA Rural Development State Director Erin Oban announced the recipients of the funding assistance Friday. A $10,000 grant will go to Jamie Zins of McKenzie, who owns a woodworking shop and will install solar panels to support the business.
Signatures for constitutional amendment measure submitted to state
A group that seeks to raise the percentage of votes required to amend North Dakota's constitution has submitted more than 33,000 signatures to Secretary of State Al Jaeger in an effort to place the matter on November's general election ballot. Jaeger's office will next begin the process of validating the signatures, with a deadline of May 27. The proposed constitutional initiated measure requires 31,164 valid signatures to make it onto the ballot.
State OKs marijuana legalization petition format, paving way for signature gathering effort
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State OKs marijuana legalization petition format, paving way for signature gathering effort
North Dakota Secretary of State Al Jaeger has approved the formatting of a petition for a proposed ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. The sponsoring committee behind the petition must obtain 15,582 valid signatures by July 11 for the measure to be placed on November's ballot. That figure amounts to 2% of North Dakota's population.
Williston business owner mixes passion for oil industry, music in new video
Alma Cook sat in a hotel room five years ago, ukulele in hand, strumming as she wrote lyrics inspired by the natural gas flares that light up the Bakken oil patch. Those words turned into the song "5000 Candles," which she recently released with a music video that features North Dakota oil workers, some of whom she's come to know while running an oil field compliance company.
Court upholds ruling dismissing suit that could have led to more roads in Badlands
A panel of federal appellate judges has upheld a ruling dismissing a lawsuit brought by the state of North Dakota and several western counties that could have resulted in new roads built through parts of the Badlands. Conservationists welcomed the decision, saying it protects some of the most pristine parts of the Badlands from traffic and, potentially, oil development. Badlands Conservation Alliance President Connie Triplett said she was "quite delighted" by the ruling.
Blizzard prompts slowdown in North Dakota's oil patch
Last week's blizzard caused North Dakota's daily oil output to drop by 25%, according to an estimate from state officials. The storm also resulted in at least one significant spill and fire in the oil fields. More winter weather expected this weekend could prolong the production slowdown, North Dakota Pipeline Authority Director Justin Kringstad said.
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