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

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NORTH DAKOTA VS MINNESOTA

ND billboards meant to attract Minnesota consumers

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota is promoting its business climate at Minnesota's expense, and some politicians are not happy about it.

The Greater North Dakota Chamber has created billboards that mock proposals in the Minnesota Legislature, including bills that would raise certain taxes.

The first billboard went up Thursday along Interstate 94 in Moorhead, Minn., which is across the Red River from Fargo. It reads "NORTH DAKOTA" on the top line and "OPEN FOR BUSINESS" on the bottom.

Moorhead City Council member Mark Hintermeyer says he considers the message unproductive and confrontational and wants the sign taken down immediately.

North Dakota Chamber President Andy Peterson says 1 of the objectives of the campaign is to help Minnesota improve its business environment. He says that would benefit the entire region.

FRACKING RULE-NORTH DAKOTA

ND delegation opposes proposed fracking rule

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota's congressional delegation doesn't like a proposed new rule that would require energy companies on federal lands to publicly disclose chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing.

Fracking involves pumping water, sand and chemicals underground to break open rocks and allow oil and gas to flow. Critics fear it causes environmental harm.

Senator John Hoeven says the proposed rule will add "a new layer of regulation and bureaucracy." He says a better approach is to let states regulate energy development within their borders.

Senator Heidi Heitkamp also believes the rule will cause delays and frustrations in permitting and drilling on federal lands, though she says it's a step in the right direction.

Representative Kevin Cramer says the federal government can't create a fracking standard without interfering with state and local laws.

WAHPETON ARMED ROBBERY

Suspects arrested in ND convenience store robbery

WAHPETON, N.D. (AP) - Police in Wahpeton say they have arrested two men in connection with an armed robbery of a convenience store.

Police say the two suspects were wearing masks and carrying handguns when they entered a Tesoro station just after 2 a.m. Friday and forced the clerk to open two cash registers.

The suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. The clerk was shaken up but not hurt.

The men have not been charged.

BEER BURGLAR

ND beer burglar gets away with 4 cases of suds

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Police say someone broke into a Bismarck bar and stole beer.

Authorities say someone broke a glass door and a nearby window at the Main Bar in downtown Bismarck. Damage was estimated at $100.

The burglar stole four cases of beer, valued at $100.

Police tell the Bismarck Tribune that the burglary happened between 1 a.m. and 6:19 a.m. Thursday.

COPPER THEFT

West Fargo man sentenced to prison in copper theft

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A West Fargo man has been sentenced to two years in prison for his role in a copper theft.

A jury found Soran Kaka guilty of burglary and theft of property after authorities say he and two other men stole more than $50,000 worth of copper wire from a Burleigh County electric shop.

Joel Lumbreras and Jerry Dean pleaded guilty in the case. Lumbreras was sentenced to 18 months and Dean one year in prison.

The Bismarck Tribune reports that Kaka also faces a criminal conspiracy charge in Cass County for stealing $72,000 worth of copper from a Fargo electric store.

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