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SANFORD-MeritCare Sanford wants to offer insurance in ND Bismarck, N.D. (AP) As Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health prepares to merge with Fargo, N.D.-based MeritCare, it also is seeking to offer health insurance in North Dakota.

Sanford has requested permission from the state Insurance Department. Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm says a review of the application will take two to three months.

He says there are a host of issues to look at, from what type of service would be offered to whether the company seeking permission has adequate staff.

Hamm says he wants to see North Dakota's insurance market become more competitive. But he says he also wants the right type of companies in the state those that will provide good service and will be around "for the long haul." Information from: KCND-FM, http://www.prairiepublic.org CONRAD-health care Conrad holds meeting on health care MILNOR, N.D. (AP) Sen. Kent Conrad got a friendly response from the crowd during a town hall meeting in Milnor today on health care reform.

He also gave everyone an opportunity to speak, offering the chance one by one to each of the approximately 50 people in the crowd. None of them were there to protest.

It was Conrad's 21st meeting to discuss the health care options being debated in Congress.

The North Dakota Democrat has been a leading advocate for consumer-owned nonprofit cooperatives that would sell insurance in competition with private industry, not unlike the way electric and Agriculture co-ops operate.

Conrad says a cooperative health system could attract as many as 12 million members and would provide "meaningful competition" to insurance companies.

DAY CARE-ABUSE GF day care provider charged with abuse Grand Forks, N.D. (AP) A Grand Forks day care provider is accused of shaking a 4-month-old boy, causing head injuries.

Police say 27-year-old Marsha Brouillet told an officer she shook the boy without supporting his head during a moment of frustration last March, and that the boy suffered a seizure the next day. The boy's father took him to the hospital later that day.

State's Attorney Peter Welte says he can't comment on the baby's long-term diagnosis.

Brouillet faces a felony child abuse charge that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. She has posted $2,500 bail and been released from custody. Her preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 16.

Information from: Grand Forks Herald, http://www.grandforksherald.com Dickinson DEATHS Man in possible murder-suicide had bond reduced DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) A man involved in what might be a murder-suicide in Dickinson had bond reduced earlier this summer on terrorizing and aggravated assault charges, after he allegedly cut his wife's throat.

Stark County State's Attorney Tom Henning says he did not anticipate the judge would set bond so low when he made the decision not to charge Jamie Osborn with attempted murder in that case.

Police say the body of the 41-year-old Osborn was found by passers-by in a wooded area in Miles City, Mont., on Sunday afternoon. They say he died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The body of Osborn's 43-year-old wife, Tracey, was found Monday morning inside a vehicle in Dunn County, about 50 miles north of Dickinson. Police say they believe she was the victim of a homicide. An autopsy was scheduled.

In the earlier case, Southwest District Judge Zane Anderson reduced Jamie Osborn's bond from $10,000 to $1,500. Anderson did not immediately return a call Wednesday seeking comment.

Information from: The Dickinson Press, http://www.thedickinsonpress.com FIRE CLAIM Appeals court upholds award in fire case BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a $2.3 million jury award in a Walsh County fire case.

Timothy and Sylvia Moore sued American Family Insurance after fire destroyed a vacant duplex they owned, saying the insurance company had wrongly blamed them.

A jury last year awarded the Moores $1.15 million for bad faith on the part of the insurance company in failing to settle the claim as well as $1.15 million in punitive damages and more than $48,000 for breach of contract.

American Family appealed on several grounds, including that it was not liable for bad faith and that there was juror misconduct.

The appeals panel rejected the arguments.

DUI CRACKDOWN Officers plan DUI crackdown in ND BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) Law enforcement agencies in North Dakota are getting ready to kick off a two-week campaign to crack down on drunken driving.

About 40 agencies statewide will be involved in the effort Friday through Sept. 7, the end of Labor Day weekend.

First lady Mikey Hoeven says that last year, there were 48 alcohol-related fatal crashes in North Dakota. She says it's a serious issue for the state.

Transportation Department Director Francis Ziegler says the agency is dedicating $75,000 to the crackdown effort to pay for officer overtime.

TAX VOTES Wahpeton, Hankinson say yes to tax hikes WAHPETON, N.D. (AP) Residents of Wahpeton and Hankinson have overwhelmingly approved tax hikes in separate votes in the southeastern North Dakota communities.

By a 416-63 margin, Wahpeton voters approved a half-percent increase. The extra revenue will go toward flood mitigation and infrastructure.

Wahpeton Finance Director Darcie Huwe says the increase is expected to generate $436,000 a year.

Hankinson residents voted 239-25 to raise their sales tax by 1 percent to help pay for a new community center. Mayor Joseph O'Meara says the increase will raise $400,000 over 20 years enough to pay half of the center's cost.

Information from: The Forum, http://www.in-forum.com BOYS RANCH-FARGO Boys Ranch abandons Fargo rezoning request FARGO, N.D. (AP) The Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch has withdrawn a request to get 40 acres in south Fargo rezoned so the agency could build a consolidated youth treatment facility.

Planning Director Jim Gilmour says the rezoning plan was subject to a protest by owners of neighboring land. He says that means the rezoning would have required a supermajority vote of city commissioners, at least 4-1 in favor. Gilmour says that was unlikely.

The ranch wanted to rezone its land that recently was annexed by the city from Agricultural to a mix of multifamily, single-family and institutional.

Debate over the issue has been ongoing for a year and a half.

Information from: The Forum, http://www.in-forum.com (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 08-19-09 1600CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list