Latest North Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment:

ABDUCTEE GRADUATES Former cult abductee graduates Valley City, N.D. (AP) Valley City State University graduate Erika Schumacher has a life story that reads like a movie script, but she didn't let her disadvantages get in the way of academic success.

Schumacher as a child was abducted along with her siblings by her anti-Semitic grandfather, Gordon Winrod, and taken to his Missouri compoUND. They were not allowed to watch TV, listen to the radio or attend school.

They eventually were rescued, and Winrod was sentenced to serve 30 years in prison.

Schumacher has made a normal life for herself in North Dakota, getting married and excelling in school. She earned cum laude honors with a triple major in health sciences, biology and chemistry, and is now headed to veterinary school at Iowa State University.

Schumacher says she never envisioned going to college, but she always knew she wanted to do something more than stay on her grandfather's compound.

(Information from: The Forum, http://www.in-forum.com) NORTH DAKOTA NICKNAME-ENGELSTAD Engelstad family blames board, UND president for end of logo Fargo, N.D. (AP) The family of the late University of North Dakota benefactor Ralph Engelstad isn't happy about the imminent demise of the school's Fighting Sioux nickname.

Engelstad's daughter, Kris Engelstad McGarry, says it's a sad day for North Dakota.

The state Board of Higher education has voted to drop the Fighting Sioux nickname and Indian head logo if a 30-year agreement with the state's two Sioux namesake tribes is not reached by Oct.

1. Tribes say such a deal is unlikely.

Engelstad McGarry calls the move a "lack of conviction" on the part of the Higher Ed board and UND President Robert Kelley.

UND spokesman Peter Johnson says the school is "very appreciative of the tremendous contributions" by the Engelstad family and its foundation, and respects the feelings of people on both sides of the nickname issue.

MIDWEST FLOODING-ASSISTANCE FEMA assistance expanded Bismarck, N.D. (AP) The Federal Emergency Management Agency says disaster assistance has been expanded to include homeowners, renters and businesses in seven more North Dakota counties.

They are Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, McLean, Pembina, Rolette and Wells.

Forty-one counties and three American Indian Reservations have now been approved for individual assistance.

The deadline to register for the aid has been extended an additional 60 days, to Aug. 10.

SPRING COMMENCEMENTS UND, NDSU hold graduation FARGO, N.D. (AP) North Dakota's two largest universities are holding spring commencement ceremonies.

About 1,600 students are eligible to graduate this spring at both the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and North Dakota State in Fargo.

For the first time in its history, NDSU split commencement into a graduate and professional ceremony on yesterday and the undergraduate ceremony today.

Ninety-five-year-old Bob Thomsen of Walla Walla, Wash., is being recognized at the UND ceremony. He's returning to campus 75 years after his graduation. Yesterday, he was honored at the commencement at the State College of Science in Wahpeton, which he attended for his first two years of college.

ZIP TO ZAP Zip to Zap remembered ZAP, N.D. (AP) Residents of the small Mercer County town of Zap are celebrating the 40th anniversary of one of North Dakota's most infamous parties.

The "Zip to Zap" college spring break event in 1969 ended when National Guard soldiers kicked more than 2,000 students out of town after they got a little wild. Celebrants set a bonfire on Main Street and caused thousands of dollars in damage before the crowd was dispersed.

Residents today plan a motorcycle ride, plastic duck races down a river, a pig roast and musical entertainment.

Organizer Keith Kasanke says the town of about 100 people expects about 1,000 visitors, unless there's bad weather. The forecast calls for mostly clear skies and temperatures in the 60s.

TRUCKER KILLED Fargo truck driver killed in rollover FARGO, N.D. (AP) A Fargo truck driver was killed in a rollover in Saskatchewan.

Authorities say strong winds and a snowstorm appeared to be contributing factors in the semitrailer rollover on Wednesday.

The crash happened on the four-lane Trans-Canada Highway west of Parkbeg, Saskatchewan, at about 1 p.m. Authorities have not yet identified the 60-year-old victim.

(Information from: The Forum, http://www.in-forum.com) PENCIL STABBING Dickinson woman hurt in pencil stabbing DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) Dickinson police say an 83-year-old woman was stabbed in the neck with a pencil several times at a local bowling alley.

Lt. Rod Banyai says the woman went to the police department and was treated for puncture wounds by an ambulance crew that was called. The woman did not require further medical attention.

Authorities aren't sure what provoked the attack Thursday night.

They believe it was done by a 29-year-old man who was traveling from Washington state to Minneapolis by bus. The bus stops at the bowling alley.

The man was not arrested. Stark County State's Attorney Tom Henning says he's reviewing the incident and considering charges.

(Information from: The Dickinson Press, http://www.thedickinsonpress.com) SEAT BELTS Law officers to focus on seat belts BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) North Dakota law enforcement officers the next few weeks will be cracking down on seat belt violations.

The state Transportation Department says the number of law enforcement agencies participating in this year's "Click It or Ticket" campaign has nearly doubled from last year.

Officials say there are 40 agencies, including the state Highway Patrol, city police departments and county sheriff's departments, taking part in the statewide effort.

Highway Patrol troopers will be assigned to work about 1,200 overtime hours during the two-week period.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 05-16-09 1100CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list