Latest North Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment:

DAY CARE PROVIDER-TRIAL Trial starts for woman charged with child abuse RUGBY, N.D. (AP) A day care provider in north central North Dakota is on trial on charges of physically abusing children.

Jury selection in the trial of Lori Voeller began Monday in Northeast District Court in Rugby.

The 48-year-old Voeller is charged with eight counts of felony child abuse. Authorities allege she physically abused eight children at her day care in Rugby. Court documents say the children were between the ages of 4 months and 5 years.

Voeller's trial is slated for 10 days. She has pleaded not guilty.

Each count of criminal child abuse is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

MALL OWNER SUED Bismarck mall owner sued in ND, California BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) The owner of a Bismarck mall who is being sued by former store owners also faces lawsuits in California.

Court documents filed by insurers in California accuse Raymond Arjmand of insurance fraud, racketeering and bilking tenants. The lawsuits involve malls in Woodland and Lancaster.

In Bismarck, former tenants in the Gateway Fashion Mall accuse Arjmand of fraud, racketeering and misuse of funds.

Arjmand's attorney in Bismarck, Steven Latham, says the allegations against his client are false and aimed at defeating Arjmand's legitimate claims against insurers.

Information from: Bismarck Tribune, http://www.bismarcktribune.com WARM Grand Forks Grand Forks might set record for warmth GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) It's been a cool summer, but September might break a record for warmth in Grand Forks.

National Weather Service meteorologist Vince Goden says the average daily temperature so far in the city has been about 67 degrees, or 7 degrees above normal. He says the two-week forecast calls for continued above-average temperatures.

Goden says the warmest September on record in Grand Forks was 1948, when the average daily temperature was about 63 degrees.

The change in weather has made a big difference for farmers in the region. Crops that were planted late last spring because of wet weather and grew slower than normal because of the cool growing season have leaped in maturity this month, helping with harvest.

Information from: Grand Forks Herald, http://www.grandforksherald.com FLOOD BUYOUTS Fargo officials to consider more buyout money FARGO, N.D. (AP) The Fargo City Commission is to consider $28 million in bonds to provide more money for a flood buyout program and other flood protection projects.

Commissioners who meet Monday night already have authorized $10 million in sales tax revenue bonds to fund the buyout program, which came about after record spring flooding.

The city's Finance Committee is recommending raising the amount to provide more money for the buyout program next year.

The bonds would be paid off with revenue from a voter-approved 1 percent sales tax for infrastructure.

In addition to the buyouts, City Engineer Mark Bittner says the money would help pay for drain, levee, storm sewer and lift station work.

Information from: The Forum, http://www.in-forum.com NOODLE THROWING ARREST Police say man threw boiling noodles on girlfriend MANDAN, N.D. (AP) A man is accused of throwing a pot of boiling noodles on his girlfriend at a Mandan apartment.

Mandan police say the 30-year-old suspect was arrested Sunday.

He's facing a felony aggravated assault charge.

Police say the 43-year-old woman suffered burns and blisters on her back from the hot noodles, and marks on her neck where the suspect allegedly tried to bite her.

Information from: Bismarck Tribune, http://www.bismarcktribune.com SAFETY TRAINING ND Safety Council gets federal training grant BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) The North Dakota Safety Council is among 30 groups nationwide sharing in $6.8 million in workplace safety and health training grants from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The Safety Council was awarded $126,204 for five types of training courses for road construction workers throughout the state over a two-year period.

Courses will deal with such things as traffic control and preparing for work zone emergencies.

Williston ST-LOGO Williston State seeks new logo ideas WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) Williston State College is seeking ideas from the public for a new logo.

College Webmaster Kim Wenko says the contest is open to anyone, and will run until Oct. 23.

The winning artist will get a $1,000 scholarship, or a $500 prize if the person does not plan to attend the school.

Wenko says the current logo was created 10 years ago when the school changed its name from the University of North Dakota-Williston. She says the college is looking for a simpler design that works better for marketing, publicity and merchandising.

Judging is to be done by the college's Executive Cabinet, which consists of President Ray Nadolny and several department heads.

Wenko says the winning design likely will be chosen by the end of the semester.

Information from: Williston Herald, http://www.willistonherald.com (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 09-21-09 1057CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list