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Fargo Flood TAX Fargo mayor 'ecstatic' after voters OK flood tax FARGO, N.D. (AP) It wasn't even close.

Fargo voters have overwhelmingly approved a half-cent sales tax increase to help pay for flood protection.

Just over 90 percent of about 12,700 voters said "yes" to the proposal.

Cass County auditor Mike Montplaiser (mont-PLAY'-sur) is a veteran of dozens of elections. He says he's never seen such a lopsided outcome.

In two precincts, more than 95 percent of the voters gave their OK.

Mayor Dennis Walaker (WAL'ah-kur) says he's ecstatic. He says the margin of victory will go a long way toward helping him decide whether to run for a second term but he says he'll make that decision in the fall.

The flood protection system for the area has not yet been decided. Dikes, diversion and buyouts are being discussed.

Information from: Don Haney, Paul Jurgens, KFGO-AM, http://kfgo.com CITY POPULATION ND cities growing Bismarck, N.D. (AP) North Dakota's major cities are growing, as are the communities around them.

New census figures show Fargo with 93,531 people last year, up from 92,513 in 2007. Bismarck followed with 60,389 people, up from 59,483 in 2007.

Grand Forks reported 51,313 people in 2008 and Minot reported 35,419, both up slightly from the previous year.

State Data Center Director Richard Rathge says the big trend is the suburban growth. He says the community of Lincoln, outside Bismarck went from about 1,700 people in 2000 to about 2,700 people last year and Harwood, near Fargo, has added 100 people since 2000.

In the western part of the state, Dickinson's 2008 population is estimated at 16,035, up from 15,894 in 2007. Williston is estimated at 12,641, up from 12,418.

Rathge says the full impact of energy development has not yet shown. He says that by 2010, "we'll really see some growth in most of the western cities." AUDUBON VISITOR CENTER Interior announces $6M for Audubon refuge COLEHARBOR, N.D. (AP) The Interior Department says the North Dakota's Audubon National Wildlife Refuge is getting $6 million in federal stimulus money for an energy-efficient visitor center and administrative office.

A statement from the office of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says the new center will be finished by November 2010, and its builders will strive to use solar energy, vertical axis wind generation, geothermal heating and cooling and recycled material.

Refuge manager Lloyd Jones says the visitor center will focus on the importance of wetlands and grasslands to wildlife. An exhibit hall will have dioramas, murals and other features.

Officials say the refuge draws 29,000 visitors each year and has more than 300 species of wildlife.

NORTH DAKOTA CROP REPORT Planted acres on ND main crops down 9 percent; economist says no big hit BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) A North Dakota State University economist says he does not expect the state's economy to take a huge hit from a projected drop in planted farm acres this year.

Andy Swenson says farmers have crop insurance, and they'll still get income on land they can't plant.

The federal Agriculture says North Dakota had the biggest decline among the states in planted acres of all principal crops.

The report, based on June plantings, says North Dakota's main crops dropped 2 million acres, or 9 percent, from last year.

Record flooding across North Dakota this spring made for a tough planting season for farmers. Corn appears to have taken the biggest hit with acres falling 25 percent. That was the biggest drop in the nation.

Larimore farmer Jay Nissen is president of the North Dakota Corn Growers Association. He thinks the prediction is accurate. He says the fields just did not dry out.

INCORPORATE IN ND Rail car maker moves corporate home to ND BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) A rail car manufacturer has filed the paperwork needed to move its corporate home to North Dakota and take advantage of a state law that gives more power to company shareholders.

Secretary of State Al Jaeger says American Railcar Industries Inc. finished the move Tuesday. The company's shareholders approved the change on June 10.

American Railcar is based in St. Charles, Mo. The company had been incorporated in Delaware. Billionaire investor Carl Icahn controls the company, and he supports the North Dakota law passed two years ago.

Shareholders in at least 18 companies have voted this year on whether to move their corporate homes to North Dakota. Only American Railcar has approved the idea.

OBIT-GORDON OLSON Former Minot State pres dies MINOT, N.D. (AP) Minot State University says its longest-serving president, Gordon B. Olson, has died. He was 84.

A funeral home notice said Olson died Tuesday at a Minot nursing home.

The statement from the school said Olson was Minot State's sixth president and held that job for 25 years, from 1967 to 1992. He led the school's effort to gain university status, which it achieved in 1987, and the campus library is named for him.

Olson earlier was a dean and vice president at Dickinson State, where he earned a bachelor's degree. He earned graduate degrees at the University of North Dakota.

Olson graduated from Almont High School and taught in Almont and Belfield.

Minot State said Olson his survived by his wife, Carley, and three children. Funeral arrangements are pending.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-01-09 0200CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list