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This Hour: Latest North Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment

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CROP REPORT

Warmer, drier weather helps N. Dakota farmers

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Warmer and drier weather across North Dakota last week allowed farmers to get the last of their crops planted.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in its weekly crop report that there were 5 days suitable for fieldwork on average last week.

Spring wheat seeding is rated just 86% complete, trailing last year's 100% average. Spring wheat is 74% emerged, behind last year at 100% and the 92% average.

Durum wheat seeding is also behind at 88% complete. The crop is 76% emerged, behind last year at 100% and the average of 92%.

Pasture and range conditions are rated 0% very poor, 2% poor, 11% fair, 60% good and 27% excellent.

EMBATTLED NUKE BASE

Joint Chiefs chairman visits embattled nuke base

MINOT, N.D. (AP) - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says he's convinced missteps involving nuclear weapons at a North Dakota Air Force base will be corrected.

Army General Martin Dempsey's trip Monday to Minot Air Force Base came just days after the commander in charge of training and proficiency at the base's 91st Missile Wing was ousted due to "a loss of confidence."

The base has suffered a rash of nuclear-related blunders for several years. It scored an equivalent of a "D'' grade for its mastery of missile launch operations during a test in March.

Dempsey told airmen that he wasn't interested in talking about "failures of leadership" at the base. The general says he wants "to reinforce the importance of good leadership."

FLOODED HIGHWAYS

Floodwater recedes from ND 14 south of Towner

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota's Transportation Department says floodwaters have receded form state Highway 14 south of Towner, and traffic speeds have returned to normal.

Traffic speeds still are reduced on the highway north of Towner due to water on the shoulders.

Traffic speeds also are reduced on U.S. 83 north of Max, and on N.D. 200 both west and east of Hurdsfield.

ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE

2 men accused in stabbing, beating of Bismarck man

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Two men have been charged with attempted murder in a stabbing and beating last week in Bismarck.

The Bismarck Tribune reports that 33-year-old Jose Osorio and 19-year-old Kelvin Oviedo were charged Friday with the felony.

Osorio and Oviedo are accused of stabbing and beating 25-year-old Rafael Angel Diaz Zayas on June 11th or 12th at a Bismarck apartment. Zayas was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Authorities say Zayas was beaten with three 35 pound dumb bells and had been stabbed nine times with a knife.

INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER SENTENCE

ND woman gets prison for involuntary manslaughter

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A North Dakota woman has been sentenced to eight years in prison for driving while drunk and killing two passengers.

U.S. Attorney Timothy Purdon announced Monday that 28-year-old Barbara Iron Hawk of Cannonball was sentenced to four years in prison for two counts of involuntary manslaughter. The sentences will run consecutively, for a total of 8 years. She also must pay more than $130,000 in restitution.

Iron Hawk earlier pleaded guilty to the charges.

Prosecutors say Iron Hawk, who had 20 prior criminal violations involving alcohol, was driving on Highway 24 in November while intoxicated. While attempting to over-correct, Iron Hawk flipped the car multiple times. Two passengers died from injuries sustained in the crash.

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