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Gov. Doug Burgum signed an executive order declaring a statewide fire emergency and activating the State Emergency Operations Plan to preposition resources for a rapid wildfire response, given the high fire danger conditions that exist across parts of the state. Nearly 3,500 acres have burned in North Dakota in the last week alone across 67 reported fires.   

Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statement regarding Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel, which involved nearly 200 missiles being fired at the U.S. ally, the State Department reported.

BISMARCK, N.D. – Kendall Bergrud, a mathematics teacher at Wachter Middle School in Bismarck, is North Dakota’s Teacher of the Year for 2025, state School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler and Gov. Doug Burgum said in a joint announcement Friday.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller announced the 2024 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Public Service, recognizing team members across state government for their commitment to providing the highest levels of service to North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum and the North Dakota University System (NDUS) announced that the state of North Dakota has officially joined the Complete College America (CCA) Alliance, a national coalition of 53 states, systems, institutions of higher education and other organizations committed to increasing the number of students who successfully complete college and attain degrees or other postsecondary credentials. 

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement regarding his visit to Israel on a solidarity mission.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Attorney General Drew Wrigley applauded a U.S. District Court judge’s decision to temporarily block the U.S. Bureau of Land Management from enforcing a natural gas venting and flaring rule published in April 2024.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Wednesday, and encourages North Dakota residents to do the same at their homes and businesses, in remembrance of those who lost their lives 23 years ago in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum announced the state is protesting the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) updated Resource Management Plan (RMP) for North Dakota, warning that it would negatively impact electrical grid reliability and national security while raising energy costs for consumers.

WATFORD CITY, N.D. – The 2024 Main Street ND Summit kicked off its first full day with a keynote address from Gov. Doug Burgum, setting an enthusiastic tone for the 2½-day event. In his opening remarks, Burgum welcomed nearly 500 community leaders, business owners, city planners and economic development professionals who gathered to explore the theme of “Regional Prosperity.”

Gov. Doug Burgum has issued an executive order clarifying the membership, role and terms of the Olmstead Commission, whose goal is to move North Dakota forward toward greater integration and inclusion for persons with disabilities with respect to community services and supports, employment, education, health care, housing and transportation.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement regarding the passing of state Rep. Randy Schobinger of Minot, who died Tuesday, Aug. 13, at age 54 at his home in Delano, Tenn. Schobinger served in the North Dakota Senate from 1994 to 2006 and in the state House of Representatives from 2016 to 2024. He announced in January that he would not seek re-election.

Gov. Doug Burgum participated in a beam signing ceremony for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, marking a significant milestone in the construction of the nation’s 15^th presidential library.

Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum are inviting the general public to join them for Recovery Reinvented, an event dedicated to eliminating the shame and stigma of the disease of addiction, on Oct. 30 at the Bismarck Event Center. The event will also be livestreamed. 

Gov. Doug Burgum joined local, state and federal officials and community members for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new North Dakota Soybean Processors plant near Casselton, lauding the project as part of an ongoing shift toward processing more of North Dakota’s raw farm commodities in the state.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum welcomed the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) announcement that it has awarded Montana up to $700 million to enhance power grid capacity and reliability in Montana and North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum has issued an executive order declaring a summer storm disaster in central North Dakota following severe weather that caused significant flood-related damages to the region. The declaration comes in response to greater than average precipitation levels recorded in June and July, leading to extensive damage to both gravel and paved roadways.

Gov. Doug Burgum presented NASA astronaut James Buchli with the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the state’s highest commendation for its citizens, highlighting his significant impact on aerospace and his trailblazing career as the first North Dakotan to fly in space.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that NASA astronaut James Buchli will be presented with the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award during a ceremony July 30 at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.

Gov. Doug Burgum appointed Greg Hoffman to lead the North Dakota Information Technology (NDIT) department as chief information officer (CIO), effective immediately, citing his strong leadership experience and deep knowledge of the agency’s vital role in state government.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued the following statement today, July 4, in observance of the 248th anniversary of America’s independence.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Attorney General Drew Wrigley issued a joint statement applauding a U.S. Supreme Court opinion overturning the Chevron doctrine, which stemmed from a 1984 decision in Chevron vs. Natural Resources Defense Council that gave deference to federal agencies in interpreting laws passed by Congress and delegated to the agencies to administer.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that North Dakota Highway Patrol Col. Brandon Solberg plans to retire from law enforcement Nov. 30 after nearly 6½ years as superintendent of the Highway Patrol. Solberg has accepted another position in state government as director of the Facility Management Division in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), effective Dec. 1.

Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum addressed attendees at the sixth Strengthening Government to Government (G2G) Conference, outlining the significant progress made on state-tribal relations during the past eight years and urging tribal leaders, government agencies and other stakeholders to continue building on that progress with the five sovereign tribal nations with whom North Dakota shares geography.

Gov. Doug Burgum has selected Brig. Gen. Mitchell R. Johnson to serve as the next adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard and director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, effective Sept. 15. Johnson will succeed Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, who will retire after nearly nine years as adjutant general and more than 40 years of military service.

The agenda for the sixth Strengthening Government to Government (G2G) Conference on June 25-26 at the Bismarck Event Center has been finalized and registration remains open for the event. 

Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed human resources executive Donald “D.J.” Campbell of Mandan to a four-year term on the state Board of Higher Education starting July 1, and University of North Dakota student Maxwell Eriksrud to a one-year term as the board’s student member.

Gov. Doug Burgum kicked off the eighth annual Governor’s Summit on Innovative Education at the National Energy Center of Excellence at Bismarck State College, highlighting progress made during his administration to support and encourage innovative education practices and policies to improve student outcomes and prepare students to be choice-ready for college, careers or the military.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller joined federal, state and local officials in celebrating the grand opening of the new Innovation Shop at Grand Farm, highlighting how the facility will support innovation in autonomous and precision agriculture technology and help boost productivity for farmers. 

Gov. Doug Burgum joined 19 fellow Republican governors in sending a letter to President Biden urging his administration to unleash American energy and end the regulatory overreach that’s restricting domestic production. 

Local youth joined the North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department (NDPRD), Governor’s Office and others to celebrate a historic milestone today at the official groundbreaking ceremony for Pembina Gorge State Park. 

Gov. Doug Burgum issued an executive order rebranding the Task Force for Military Issues in North Dakota (TF MIND) as the North Dakota Military Commission. 

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement in observance of Memorial Day, expressing gratitude for the brave Americans who dedicated their lives to defending our country and our freedoms.

Registration is now open for the sixth Strengthening Government to Government (G2G) Conference June 25-26 at the Bismarck Event Center.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff from 12:01 a.m. to noon Monday, May 27, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in observance of Memorial Day.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced NASA astronaut James Buchli as the 49th recipient of the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the state’s highest commendation for its citizens.

Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed a North Dakota Housing Initiative Advisory Committee to lead the development of a comprehensive housing strategy for North Dakota. The governor also hosted listening sessions in Bismarck and Fargo to gather input from stakeholders on how to improve housing availability, affordability and stability across the state.

Gov. Doug Burgum thanked Chief Information Officer (CIO) Kuldip Mohanty for his service and leadership of the North Dakota Information Technology (NDIT) department after Mohanty submitted his resignation, effective May 31, citing family reasons. Burgum has appointed Deputy CIO Greg Hoffman to serve as interim CIO.

Gov. Doug Burgum, alongside state agency officials and partner organizations, announced the establishment of the North Dakota Office of Outdoor Recreation to grow North Dakota’s outdoor recreation economy by strengthening partnerships with the private sector and increasing collaboration among all stakeholders to seize the incredible natural and economic opportunities our great state has to offer.

Gov. Doug Burgum presented his strategic budget guidelines for the 2025-2027 biennium, emphasizing the need for agencies to continue finding efficiencies, containing costs and identifying opportunities for innovation and automation in state government as inflationary costs, formula-driven demands and other factors put pressure on the state budget.  

Gov. Doug Burgum has issued a proclamation declaring May 12-18 as Police Week in North Dakota and Wednesday, May 15, as Peace Officers Memorial Day. The governor directed government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Wednesday, May 15, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Sunday, May 5, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor of Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in North Dakota and the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

Gov. Doug Burgum thanked Governor’s Office General Counsel Ryan Norrell for his service to the state of North Dakota after Norrell announced he is resigning effective June 17 to return to the private sector. Burgum also announced state Labor Commissioner Nathan Svihovec will serve as interim general counsel while he continues to lead the Department of Labor and Human Rights.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that the West Fargo Sheyenne Sinfonia Orchestra and Grand Forks Central Chamber Choir have been selected as the 2024 Governor’s Official State Band and Choral Programs.

Gov. Doug Burgum has issued a proclamation this week declaring April 21-27 as Finish the FAFSA Week in North Dakota. Along with the North Dakota University System (NDUS), Bank of North Dakota (BND), North Dakota Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NDASFAA) and Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Burgum is urging all high school seniors and their families to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-25 academic year. 

Gov. Doug Burgum, alongside Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller and state agency officials, led the groundbreaking ceremony for the new North Dakota State Laboratory. The event marked a significant milestone in the state's commitment to advancing public health and preserving environmental quality in North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement regarding the passing of former North Dakota Lt. Gov. Lloyd Omdahl, who served as lieutenant governor from 1987 to 1992 with Gov. George Sinner, and as state tax commissioner from 1963 to 1966. Omdahl died Sunday, April 14, at age 93.

Gov. Doug Burgum joined 21 fellow governors in a letter urging U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan to pause implementation of a new EPA rule tightening limits on fine particles in the air until the states’ concerns can be addressed.

Gov. Doug Burgum conveyed his support for North Dakota joining a lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s unlawful attempt to sidestep Congress and cancel student loan debt at considerable expense to U.S. taxpayers.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced a keynote speaker for the eighth annual Governor’s Summit on Innovative Education on June 17 at Bismarck State College.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced the retirement of Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard and director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, effective Sept. 30, thanking him for his steadfast leadership and more than 40 years of military service.  

Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller highlighted recent progress made toward the goal of making North Dakota the most military-friendly state in the nation during an event with students at Memorial Middle School on Minot Air Force Base to celebrate April being proclaimed as “Month of the Military Child” in North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum was joined by leaders of 11 state agencies to kick off Financial Literacy Month in North Dakota and share a new resource available to all North Dakotans, SmartwithMyMoney.nd.gov, to improve financial literacy. 

Gov. Doug Burgum, Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation Chairman Mark Fox and State Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus signed a historic alcohol tax revenue sharing agreement – the first such agreement to be executed under a new law enacted last year.

Gov. Doug Burgum today released the following statement regarding the passing of former First Lady Grace Link, who died Tuesday at age 105. The wife of former Gov. Art Link, Grace Link served alongside her husband through his entire political career spanning terms in the North Dakota House of Representatives (1946-70) including serving as speaker of the House (1964-70), the U.S. House of Representatives (1971-73) and as the 27th governor of North Dakota (1973-81). Art Link died in 2010.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statement regarding President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address.   

Gov. Doug Burgum convened a meeting with Col. Robert J. Newbauer, commander and district engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Omaha District, stressing the need to keep restricting flows from Garrison Dam until the threat of ice jam flooding has diminished in Bismarck-Mandan and other areas downstream. 

Gov. Doug Burgum received a commitment from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reduce flows from Garrison Dam upstream of an ice jam causing minor flooding on the Missouri River in Bismarck-Mandan, as state agencies coordinated with local and federal partners on a whole-of-government response. 

Gov. Doug Burgum testified in the trial over North Dakota’s claim that the federal government owes the state $38 million in damages incurred in the state’s emergency response to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) protests. 

Gov. Doug Burgum is encouraging school, community and church bands, orchestras and choirs across North Dakota to apply to serve as the Governor’s Official State Band/Orchestra Program and Choral Program for the 2024-2025 school year. 

Gov. Doug Burgum will attend the National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting Thursday through Saturday in Washington, D.C. The governor will participate in a White House business session and attend sessions on workforce, housing and artificial intelligence, among other topics.

President Joe Biden has approved Gov. Doug Burgum’s request for a presidential major disaster declaration for a severe winter ice storm and straight-line winds that caused more than $11.5 million in estimated damage over the Christmas holiday.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard, visited soldiers from the Jamestown-based 817^th Engineer Company at the U.S.-Mexico border, thanking them for supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) efforts to secure the border. 

Gov. Doug Burgum will visit 125 North Dakota National Guard soldiers serving at the U.S.-Mexico border in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Gov. Doug Burgum has requested a presidential major disaster declaration for a severe winter ice storm that caused more than $11.5 million in estimated damage over the Christmas holiday. The request follows an executive order Burgum issued Dec. 29 declaring a statewide emergency for infrastructure damage.

Gov. Doug Burgum applauded the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) for awarding a $15 million, two-year Regional Innovation Engine grant to the North Dakota Advanced Agriculture Technology Engine at North Dakota State University, with up to $160 million in funding possible over 10 years.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement regarding the Biden administration’s action to pause pending decisions on exports of liquified natural gas (LNG). The action comes after the administration in September 2023 banned the transport of LNG by rail, reversing the authorization provided under President Donald Trump in 2020.

Gov. Doug Burgum delivered his 2024 State of the State Address, announcing an initiative to develop a comprehensive housing strategy for North Dakota as well as the launch of a new Office of Community Development & Rural Prosperity to empower communities through efficient development, economic growth and enhanced quality of life. 

Gov. Doug Burgum announced he will not seek a third term as governor, highlighting the progress made during his two terms in office, which will conclude Dec. 14, 2024. 

Gov. Doug Burgum signed an executive order waiving hours of service requirements for drivers of commercial vehicles transporting propane.

Gov. Doug Burgum appointed Colby Braun to serve as director of the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR), effective immediately.

Gov. Doug Burgum today announced that 299 public and non-public elementary schools in North Dakota will have the opportunity to receive the All Kids Bike Learn-to-Ride Kindergarten PE (Physical Education) Program, giving a projected 9,000 students the opportunity to learn to ride a bicycle in the 2023-24 school year alone. The goal is to gain private sector partners to ensure every kindergarten class in the state has access to this exciting program, making North Dakota the first state to provide statewide programming.

Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed Brad Hawk to serve as executive director of the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission, effective immediately, citing his proven track record of leadership within the agency and his strong commitment to building state-tribal partnerships and relationships.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced the appointment of former Texas Health and Human Services executive Wayne Salter to lead the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), citing his more than 25 years of experience and leadership in human service programs, strategic planning and process improvement to better serve citizens. Salter will begin his role as HHS commissioner on Jan. 22.

Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed Grand Forks attorney Theodore “Ted” Sandberg to a judgeship in the Northeast Central Judicial District, which is comprised of Grand Forks and Nelson counties.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement regarding the passing of former state Sen. Dwight Cook of Mandan. Cook served in the Legislature from 1997 to 2020, representing District 34 and chairing the Senate Finance and Taxation Committee from 2009 to 2020.

Gov. Doug Burgum declared a statewide emergency for widespread utility infrastructure damage caused by a severe winter ice storm that left over 20,000 North Dakotans without electricity.

Gov. Doug Burgum appointed Colby Braun to serve as interim director of the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR), effective Jan. 1. Current DOCR Director Dave Krabbenhoft is retiring Dec. 31.

Gov. Doug Burgum today announced a record high population estimate for North Dakota this year, with the U.S. Census Bureau showing the state’s population reached a new all-time high of 783,926 residents as of July 1, 2023.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Tuesday, Dec. 19, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, as a mark of respect for the memory and longstanding service of Sandra Day O’Connor, retired Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, on the day of her interment. 

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller this week marked the completion of the Burgum administration’s seventh year, reflecting on a year of landmark legislation and milestones that included a record tax relief package, major investments in child care, workforce and infrastructure, and expanded support for law enforcement and the military. 

Gov. Doug Burgum applauded the U.S. Department of Energy’s decision to award a $350 million Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program grant to Minnkota Power Cooperative for its proposed carbon capture project at the Milton R. Young Station near Center.  

Gov. Doug Burgum led a contingent of North Dakota state officials and agencies in submitting over 200 pages of official comment and supporting materials explaining why the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should allow the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) to maintain its current route and continue to safely transport North Dakota crude oil as it has been doing for more than six years.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies across the state to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor of Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Martin, 53, of Beulah, who died in the line of duty Wednesday. Martin was an 18-year veteran with the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Thursday, Dec. 7, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in observance of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. 

Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed LaMoure County State’s Attorney James Shockman to a judgeship opening in the Southeast Judicial District.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, from Nov. 25 until sunset on the day of interment as a mark of respect for the memory of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 96.

Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum encourage the public to join them for music, carols and a holiday reading at the 42^nd annual North Dakota State Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, in Memorial Hall at the Capitol.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced he has been informed by NFI Group Inc. that it plans to keep its Motor Coach Industries (MCI) bus assembly plant in Pembina open.

Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller joined officials from ADM and Marathon Petroleum Corp. (MPC) at the Spiritwood Energy Park to celebrate the completion of the Green Bison Soy Processing plant, North Dakota’s first dedicated soybean processing plant, highlighting the project’s benefits to the state’s agriculture and energy sectors.  

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum released the a statement in observance of Veterans Day, honoring the more than 50,000 veterans in North Dakota and the more than 16 million veterans across the United States for their service.

Gov. Doug Burgum is petitioning the federal government to reconsider a rule restricting governors’ ability to waive hours of service regulations for commercial truck drivers, repeating his concerns that the change will hurt farmers, ranchers and fuel distributors and make it harder to meet the needs of citizens during weather-related emergencies.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller announced the location and exterior design have been selected for the new North Dakota State Laboratory to be built in the northeast area of the Capitol grounds. The facility will be shared by the laboratory services divisions of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed Brad Hawk to serve as interim executive director of the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission, effective Nov. 14.

The Governor’s Office and other North Dakota state officials urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to allow the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) to maintain its current route and continue to safely transport North Dakota crude oil as it’s been doing for more than six years.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced the members of the Task Force for Teacher Retention and Recruitment created through executive order in September to address the state’s chronic teacher shortage.

Five-time world champion Virgil Hill stepped into the Bismarck Event Center boxing ring one more time to receive the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award from Gov. Doug Burgum. Hill is the 48^th recipient of the Rough Rider Award, the state’s highest commendation for its citizens.

Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum will welcome Halloween trick-or-treaters on Tuesday, Oct. 31, at the Governor’s Residence, continuing a long-standing tradition.

Gov. Doug Burgum has accepted the resignation of North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission Executive Director Nathan Davis, effective Nov. 13, thanking him for his leadership in fostering state-tribal relations. Davis, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, indicated he is seeking a better fit for his family closer to home.

The Office of the First Lady invites artists and craftspeople to provide handmade ornaments for the North Dakota State Christmas Tree. The tree will be on display in Memorial Hall at the state Capitol.

In accordance with a proclamation issued by President Joe Biden, Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff until sunset Monday, Oct. 30, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, as a mark of respect for the victims of Wednesday’s shootings in Lewiston, Maine.

Gov. Doug Burgum has signed all 14 bills approved by the Legislature during its three-day special session that concluded today.

Gov. Doug Burgum expressed disappointment for the citizens of North Dakota after state Senate members rejected an income tax relief bill that would have saved taxpayers $46 million in tax year 2024 and effectively eliminated the state income tax for an additional 50,000 wage earners and small business owners filing as individuals.

The 2023 Main Street ND Summit scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 24-25, in Watford City, has been postponed because of inclement weather forecasted for the area, Gov. Doug Burgum announced.

Gov. Doug Burgum delivered his State of the State Address to a special session of the North Dakota Legislature, urging lawmakers to approve a $91 million income tax relief proposal and strategic investments in infrastructure and the economy.

Gov. Doug Burgum expressed his disappointment that the agenda for next week’s special session of the state Legislature does not include proposed income tax relief that would utilize part of the state’s $288 million in excess revenue from the 2021-2023 biennium, calling on lawmakers to reconsider the proposal.

Gov. Doug Burgum welcomes all North Dakotans to this year’s Main Street ND Summit Oct. 24-25 in Watford City, presenting an opportunity to connect, learn, get inspired and gain insight to build and grow communities for the future.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued an executive order convening a special session of the state Legislature on Oct. 23 to address the components of a budget bill that was recently voided as unconstitutional by the North Dakota Supreme Court.  

Gov. Doug Burgum applauded the U.S. Department of Energy’s announcement that it has selected the Heartland Hydrogen Hub for up to $925 million in funding to advance a regional clean energy project involving collaboration among the states of North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued the following statement after the North Dakota Supreme Court issued an opinion making its previous opinion in Board of Trustees of the ND Public Employees Retirement System v. ND Legislative Assembly effective immediately. The court declared Senate Bill 2015, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) appropriations bill, void immediately.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement regarding the passing of former North Dakota Lt. Gov. Rosemarie Myrdal, who represented District 11 in the North Dakota House from 1985 to 1992 and served as lieutenant governor from 1993 to 2000 with Gov. Ed Schafer. Myrdal died Wednesday at age 94.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced the retirement of North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR) Director Dave Krabbenhoft, effective Dec. 31, thanking him for his innovative leadership and his nearly four decades of dedicated service to the State of North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff from sunrise Wednesday, Oct. 11, until sunset Friday, Oct. 13, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, as a mark of respect for the victims of the attacks on Israel by Hamas terrorists. The Governor’s Residence also will be lit up in blue and white, the colors of the Israeli flag, to show support for the U.S. ally and its people.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statement regarding this weekend’s attacks on Israel by Hamas terrorists. Burgum also connected via phone with Father Phil Ackerman of Holy Cross Catholic Church in West Fargo who is among a group of 84 North Dakotans in Bethlehem awaiting flights back to the United States.

Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum hosted the seventh annual Recovery Reinvented at Minot State University, highlighting the state’s progress on addressing the shame and stigma of the disease of addiction and championing the benefits of recovery not only for individuals with addiction but also those around them.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard, released the following statements today regarding the deaths of state Sen. Doug Larsen of Mandan, his wife, Amy, and their two young sons, as a result of a plane crash Sunday in Utah. Larsen was a 29-year member of the North Dakota Army National Guard and had served in the state Senate since 2021, representing District 34.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that North Dakota Parks and Recreation has reached a tentative agreement with the National Park Service (NPS) to help keep Theodore Roosevelt National Park fully open in the near future in the event of a federal government shutdown, which could begin Oct. 1.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor and remembrance of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, who died Thursday at age 90.

Sheila Peterson, a physical education teacher and athletics coach at Wachter Middle School in Bismarck, has been named as North Dakota’s 2024 Teacher of the Year, state School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler and Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller said in a joint announcement.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statement after the North Dakota Supreme Court issued an opinion invalidating Senate Bill 2015, the Office of Management and Budget’s appropriations bill.

Public input is now being accepted for the second round of Gov. Doug Burgum’s Red Tape Reduction initiative aimed at eliminating unnecessary and outdated regulations, rules, policies and procedures to make government more efficient and effective and help lower costs for taxpayers, Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller announced today.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after the National Park Service (NPS) announced that the public comment period is now open on its draft environmental assessment related to the herds of wild horses and cattle within Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The public comment period closes Oct. 25.

Gov. Doug Burgum and North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI) announced a new program to help offset the costs of routine medical exams for paid, full-time firefighters and law enforcement officers.

Gov. Doug Burgum congratulated William S. Gussner Elementary School in Jamestown, Rugby High School in Rugby and Taylor-Richardton Elementary School in Taylor for being recognized by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023.

Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller announced that AGCO, a global leader in agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, will be an anchor tenant for the Grand Farm Innovation Campus near Casselton.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement on the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, honoring the nearly 3,000 individuals who died in the 9/11 attacks and the heroic actions of the police, firefighters and other first responders who bravely saved lives while risking their own,.

Gov. Doug Burgum rescinded an executive order he issued in January creating an Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, after legislation took effect Aug. 1 codifying the committee in state law to receive and distribute funds received under settlement agreements and recommend how they should be used by local governments.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) on the easement for the existing Dakota Access Pipeline crossing at Lake Oahe.

Gov. Doug Burgum has signed an executive order creating a Teacher Retention and Recruitment Task Force to address the state’s chronic teacher shortage.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller announced the 2023 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Public Service, recognizing team members across state government for their commitment to providing the highest levels of service to North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum are inviting the general public to join them for Recovery Reinvented, an event dedicated to eliminating the shame and stigma of the disease of addiction, on Oct. 5 in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall on the campus of Minot State University. The event will also be livestreamed.

Gov. Doug Burgum released the following statement regarding action taken Friday by the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to ban the transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail, reversing the authorization provided under President Donald Trump in 2020.

Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller, cabinet agency leaders and other state officials attended the grand opening of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation’s new administration headquarters at 4 Bears Park near New Town.

Gov. Doug Burgum expressed his gratitude for North Dakota National Guard soldiers as they returned home from a monthlong deployment to the U.S.-Mexico border. Approximately 100 members of the Wahpeton-based 188th Engineer Company served a 30-day mission in support of Operation Lone Star, a joint operation between the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Military Department.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced the resignation of North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Commissioner Chris Jones, thanking him for his six years of service to the citizens of North Dakota. Jones’ last day will be Sept. 15. 

Gov. Doug Burgum kicked off the seventh annual Governor’s Summit on Innovative Education at Cheney Middle School in West Fargo, highlighting how North Dakota is focusing on the Building Blocks for Success to improve outcomes for students.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced celebrated professional boxer Virgil Hill, a repeat world champion in both the light heavyweight and cruiserweight classes, as the 48^th recipient of the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the state’s highest commendation for its citizens.

Gov. Doug Burgum highlighted progress North Dakota is making in addressing the state’s workforce challenges during the National Governors Association’s (NGA) 2023 Summer Workforce Symposium in Fargo.

Gov. Doug Burgum granted a request from the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) for emergency rulemaking to provide school districts with additional flexibility that will temporarily allow expanded use of student teachers to help address the state’s teacher shortage. Burgum also announced the future formation of a task force to address challenges in recruiting and retaining teachers.

Gov. Doug Burgum and the North Dakota National Guard’s adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, visited North Dakota National Guard soldiers serving along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, thanking them for their work to support efforts by state and federal officials to secure the border, stop illegal immigration and interdict drug and human trafficking.

Gov. Doug Burgum will travel to Texas next week to visit North Dakota National Guard soldiers supporting efforts to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.

Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum are inviting the general public to join them for Recovery Reinvented, an event dedicated to eliminating the shame and stigma of the disease of addiction, on Oct. 5 at Ann Nicole Nelson Hall on the campus of Minot State University in Minot, N.D. The event will be free and open to the public.

Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed Southeast Judicial District Judge Cherie Clark and East Central Judicial District Judicial Referee Stephanie Hayden to two newly created judgeships in the East Central Judicial District, which is comprised of Cass, Steele and Traill counties.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statement after the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released proposed changes to how the U.S. government regulates onshore oil and gas leases on federal lands. The changes include increasing the minimum lease bond from $10,000 to $150,000, reducing the areas available for leasing, increasing the minimum bid amount from $2 to $10 per acre, and raising royalty rates.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies across the state to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, starting immediately today through sunset Saturday, July 22, in honor of Fargo Police Officer Jake Wallin, 23, who died in the line of duty Friday in a shooting incident that also seriously injured two fellow officers and a civilian. 

Gov. Doug Burgum released the following statement regarding Friday’s incident in Fargo in which a Fargo Police Department officer died and two fellow officers sustained injuries and were in critical condition. A civilian also sustained serious injuries, and the suspect died as a result of the shooting, police said.   

Gov. Doug Burgum announced two keynote speakers for the seventh annual Governor’s Summit on Innovative Education on Aug. 15 at Cheney Middle School in West Fargo.

Recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) shows North Dakota leading the nation in the growth of earnings and gross domestic product (GDP), underscoring the state’s strong economy and policies working to drive investment, innovation and business expansion, Gov. Doug Burgum said.

Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed Grand Forks attorney Kristi Venhuizen to a newly created judgeship in the Northeast Central Judicial District, which is comprised of Grand Forks and Nelson counties.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that President Joe Biden has approved the governor’s request for a presidential major disaster declaration for spring flooding estimated to have caused more than $5 million in damage to North Dakota roads and other public infrastructure. The request followed an executive order Burgum issued April 10 declaring a statewide flood emergency.

Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed Charles “Chas” Neff Jr. to a judgeship in the Northwest Judicial District.

Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum kicked off the fifth Strengthening Government to Government Partnerships and Relationships Conference, outlining progress made during the recent legislative session and beyond through collaboration between the state and the five sovereign tribal nations with whom North Dakota shares geography.

Gov. Doug Burgum today signed an executive order declaring an emergency and authorizing the North Dakota National Guard to help Texas secure the U.S.-Mexico border.

Gov. Doug Burgum welcomed news from U.S. Sen. John Hoeven that the U.S. Department of the Treasury has approved North Dakota’s application for $68 million in federal funding to help finance the construction of 13 career academies across the state where students can pursue high-demand careers in the trades, health care, technology and other sectors to help meet workforce needs.

Gov. Doug Burgum requested a presidential major disaster declaration for spring flooding estimated to have caused more than $5 million in damage to North Dakota roads and other public infrastructure. The request follows an executive order Burgum issued April 10 declaring a statewide flood emergency.

Gov. Doug Burgum is planning to deploy approximately 100 North Dakota National Guard members to Texas to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border in support of Operation Lone Star.

Gov. Doug Burgum has reappointed University of North Dakota student Sadie Hanson to a second one-year term as the student representative on the state Board of Higher Education.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff from 12:01 a.m. to noon Monday, May 29, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in observance of Memorial Day.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum applauded a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) used an overly broad interpretation of the Clean Water Act when establishing its new Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule.

The state of North Dakota has submitted official comment raising “serious concerns” about proposed changes to how the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administers public land in North Dakota.

The Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area (PGSRA) will be developed into North Dakota’s 14^th state park with funding secured by the North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department (NDPRD) during the 2023 legislative session, Gov. Doug Burgum announced.

Gov. Doug Burgum urged the Biden administration to secure the U.S.-Mexico border ahead of an expected influx of illegal border crossings with the expiration of Title 42.

Gov. Doug Burgum completed the signing of 45 bills that remained after the North Dakota Legislature adjourned its 2023 biennial regular session on April 30. Burgum had 15 business days to sign bills remaining in the governor’s possession when the assembly adjourned sine die. 

Gov. Doug Burgum appointed certified public accountant (CPA) Susan Sisk of Bismarck to serve as director of the state Office of Management and Budget (OMB), effective June 12, citing her extensive background in finance and leadership experience with large organizations in both the private and public sectors.

In accordance with a proclamation issued by President Joe Biden, Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff until sunset Thursday, May 11, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, as a mark of respect for the victims of Saturday’s shooting in Allen, Texas.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed an executive order granting a waiver of hours of service requirements for drivers of commercial vehicles transporting agricultural inputs including fertilizer, liquid fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia, pesticides and seed.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that the Washburn High School Band and Williston High School Chorale have been selected as the 2023 Governor’s Official State Band and Choral Programs.

North Dakota is providing more than half a billion dollars in tax relief to citizens while also cutting red tape and making historic investments in workforce, child care, infrastructure and other key priorities, Gov. Doug Burgum said today after the 68^th Legislative Assembly adjourned its regular session sine die.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed a major pension reform bill that protects the retirement benefits for existing public employees and retirees and also protects taxpayers in the long-term by addressing a $1.9 billion unfunded liability in the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System (NDPERS).

Gov. Doug Burgum signed House Bill 1540, which provides nearly $66 million to support child care services and help address a major barrier to workforce participation as North Dakota continues to face a severe workforce shortage.

Gov. Doug Burgum was joined by dozens of legislators, representatives of statewide farm commodity groups and state Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring for the signing of House Bill 1371, which modernizes North Dakota’s corporate farming law to encourage growth in the animal agriculture sector.

Gov. Doug Burgum, members of the 68^th Legislative Assembly and State Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus celebrated the signing of a major tax relief package that will provide a combined $515 million in savings for payers of state individual income tax and local property tax over the next two years.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed bipartisan legislation creating an Office of Legal Immigration within the North Dakota Department of Commerce to help businesses recruit and retain foreign labor and address the state’s workforce challenges.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed legislation that more than doubles funding for the state’s Agriculture Diversification and Development (ADD) Fund to provide grants for new or expanding value-added agriculture businesses as well as public infrastructure improvements to support such businesses.

The Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) is preparing to support statewide emergency response efforts following Gov. Doug Burgum’s emergency declaration for spring flooding.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed “Back the Blue” legislation enhancing retirement benefits for law enforcement and providing $3.5 million to help local agencies with workforce recruitment and retention, the latest in a string of bills designed to support active and retired peace officers in North Dakota and keep communities safe.

As part of ongoing efforts to address the state’s workforce challenges, Gov. Doug Burgum has signed legislation allowing state scholarship dollars for qualifying students to be used toward apprenticeship programs in North Dakota, along with two other bills aimed at supplying agricultural workers and helping formerly incarcerated individuals transition back into the workforce.

Gov. Doug Burgum on April 11 signed the last of five bills naming several bridges on North Dakota state highways in honor of military veterans. Signs will be placed along the highways designating the names of the bridges. The legislation allows the North Dakota Department of Transportation to accept any appropriate signs or funds donated to the department for the placement of signs.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statement after U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Hovland granted a preliminary injunction blocking the implementation or enforcement of the Biden administration’s new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued an executive order to restructure the membership of the Lignite Research Council, which was created to establish policies and practices related to lignite coal research.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued an executive order declaring a statewide emergency for spring flooding as soaring temperatures and heavy snowpack are expected to produce widespread flooding across the state this week and next week, especially in eastern North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum proclaimed April as “Month of the Military Child” and signed two bills related to child care and education that will make North Dakota a more military-friendly state for families, children and students.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed legislation that provides emergency grants to help cover extraordinary snow removal costs for local governments. The governor and other state leaders also highlighted how state agencies are collaborating with local entities and each other to prepare for and respond to this week’s major snowstorm and the high likelihood of spring flooding.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced he has appointed Curtis Biller of Fargo and reappointed Timothy Mihalick of Minot to four-year terms on the North Dakota Board of Higher Education.

Gov. Doug Burgum applauded a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Traynor ordering the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to resume quarterly sales of oil and gas leases on public lands in North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum has signed House Bill 1385, allowing the State Water Commission (SWC) to enter into agreements with federally recognized tribal nations, making them eligible sponsors under the North Dakota Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) Cost-Share Program.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff until sunset Friday, March 31, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, as a mark of respect for the victims of Monday’s shooting in Nashville, Tenn. The directive is in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Joe Biden.

As part of ongoing efforts to make North Dakota the most military-friendly state in the nation, Gov. Doug Burgum signed a bill that exempts military pay from state income tax for active duty, National Guard and Reserve members, building on legislation signed in 2019 that exempts military retirement pay.

Gov. Doug Burgum and North Dakota School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler celebrated the governor’s signing of HB1398, which requires the teaching of computer science and cybersecurity and the integration of these content standards into school coursework from kindergarten through 12^th grade. The superintendent said North Dakota is the first state in the nation to approve legislation requiring cybersecurity education.

In a “sweeping” change to state law, Gov. Doug Burgum signed Senate Bill 2229 designating curling as the official sport of North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum has signed 33 of the more than 50 bills introduced this legislative session to change or eliminate over 400 antiquated, unnecessary and burdensome regulations and other red tape that was identified through the Red Tape Reduction Working Group created by executive order last August.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued an executive order declaring a statewide winter storm disaster for central, northwestern and northeastern North Dakota related to severe fog and ice buildup on power lines in January that knocked down electrical infrastructure and caused thousands of power outages.

Gov. Doug Burgum has signed legislation allowing tribal nations to enter into agreements with the State of North Dakota to share revenue from alcohol taxes on tribal lands, resolving a longstanding issue.

The state Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a revised revenue forecast that continues to predict growth into the next biennium, keeping the state in a strong position to provide tax relief and invest in priority areas, Gov. Doug Burgum said.

Gov. Doug Burgum is encouraging school, community and church bands, orchestras and choirs across North Dakota to apply to serve as the Governor’s Official State Band/Orchestra Program and Choral Program for the 2023-2024 school year.

The oil and gas industry in North Dakota remains a powerhouse for the state’s economy, accounting for more than $42.6 billion in gross business volume, nearly 50,000 jobs and $3.8 billion in state and local tax revenues in 2021, according to two studies highlighted by Gov. Doug Burgum, researchers from North Dakota State University and industry officials.

Due to poor road conditions, the North Dakota Capitol and state offices in the Bismarck-Mandan area will open at 10 a.m. March 1. All committee meetings of the Legislative Assembly scheduled for the morning will be postponed. Legislative leaders anticipate hearings scheduled for Wednesday afternoon to be held as planned if weather conditions improve.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statement regarding a lawsuit filed in North Dakota challenging the Biden administration’s new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

Gov. Doug Burgum met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior Tommy Beaudreau and National Parks Service (NPS) Director Charles Sams to discuss a variety of North Dakota-related issues including the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, Painted Canyon, water supply project funding, oil and gas development on federal lands and the state’s recent offer to help the NPS manage the herd of wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement regarding President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address tonight.   

Gov. Doug Burgum signed House Bill 1279 to expand workers' compensation coverage for full-time firefighters and law enforcement officers, providing greater support and helping to address the state’s workforce shortage by making North Dakota more attractive for those considering relocating from other states.

President Joe Biden has approved Gov. Doug Burgum’s request for a presidential major disaster declaration for a severe winter storm in November that brought record-breaking snowfall to central North Dakota and ice accumulations in the southeast that impacted transportation and severely damaged electrical infrastructure, costing more than $1.7 million. 

Gov. Doug Burgum signed his first bill of the 2023 legislative session, providing a $68 million line of credit to help finance the construction of 13 planned career academies across the state where students can pursue high-demand careers in the trades, health care, technology and other sectors to help meet workforce needs. In his State of the State address on Jan. 3, Burgum called for this to be one of the first bills to reach his desk this session, and he expressed his gratitude for the decisive action by the 68^th Legislative Assembly that ensures career academy construction can begin this spring.

In a phone call, Gov. Doug Burgum urged National Park Service (NPS) Director Charles Sams to allow wild horses to remain at Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP), stressing their importance to the state’s tourism industry and their deep historical and cultural connections to the park and Roosevelt himself.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced the appointment of Kuldip Mohanty to lead the North Dakota Information Technology (NDIT) department as the state’s next chief information officer, effective Feb. 23.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statement in response to a letter from the U.S. Air Force citing a “significant threat to national security” from the proposed Fufeng Group corn milling project in Grand Forks. The letter, sent to U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, states the Air Force’s concerns about the project.

Gov. Doug Burgum submitted a letter urging the National Park Service (NPS) to maintain a herd of wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, noting their significance to tourism, the local economy and the history of the park and its namesake.

In accordance with a proclamation issued by President Joe Biden, Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff until sunset Thursday, Jan. 26, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, as a mark of respect for the victims of Saturday’s shooting in Monterey Park, Calif.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statement calling on the Biden administration to withdraw its final Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, warning that the rehashed Obama-era regulations would create confusion, add red tape and lead to higher consumer prices.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced the appointment of Judge Douglas Bahr to the North Dakota Supreme Court, effective Feb. 1.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued an executive order creating an Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee to receive and distribute funds received under settlement agreements and recommend how they should be used by local governments.

Gov. Doug Burgum delivered his 2023 State of the State Address, calling for significant infrastructure investment, highlighting opportunities to diversify and grow the economy in agriculture, energy and other sectors, and emphasizing the need to address the state’s workforce challenges and provide tax relief to North Dakotans hit by higher costs for food, fuel and other necessities. 

Gov. Doug Burgum welcomed the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau that show North Dakota’s population reached a new all-time high of 779,261 residents as of July 1, 2022.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced the appointment of Governor’s Office Chief Operating Officer Tammy Miller, former CEO of Border States, to succeed Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford as lieutenant governor of North Dakota. Miller begins her new role on Jan. 3.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced the resignation of Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford, thanking him for his six years of outstanding service to the citizens of North Dakota. Sanford’s last day in office will be Jan. 2.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed an executive order granting a waiver of hours of service requirements for drivers of commercial vehicles transporting propane, gasoline, diesel fuel and heating oil.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford marked the completion of their sixth year in office, reflecting on a year of addressing workforce challenges and other priorities, making progress on diversifying the economy and adding value to farm commodities, and supporting key developments in the state’s energy industry.

The North Dakota Capitol and other state facilities in the Bismarck area are closed Friday, Dec. 16, due to the ongoing blizzard and hazardous travel conditions. As of 6:30 a.m., no travel was advised across all of North Dakota, with road closures affecting several major highways.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed an executive order banning the social media app TikTok from state-owned devices issued by executive branch agencies, citing growing national security concerns.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued an executive order declaring a statewide winter storm disaster for central and southeast North Dakota related to a Nov. 9-11 storm that dropped record snowfall on parts of the state, shutting down schools, clogging roadways and knocking out power to thousands.

Gov. Doug Burgum delivered his 2023-25 Executive Budget Address to the 68^th Legislative Assembly, presenting a strategic budget that includes nearly $170 million to address the state’s workforce shortage, increased support for K-12 education and teacher salaries, and over $3 billion for roads, bridges, water projects and other critical infrastructure – all while cutting individual income taxes to save taxpayers an estimated $500 million over two years.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Wednesday, Dec. 7, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in observance of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

Gov. Doug Burgum and the chairpersons of the five tribal nations with whom North Dakota shares geography completed the signing of new tribal-state gaming compacts, which now go to the U.S. Department of the Interior for final approval.

Gov. Doug Burgum directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff until midnight Nov. 29, and encouraged North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor and remembrance of U.S. Rep. Donald McEachin of Virginia, who died Monday at age 61.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced the appointment of Bismarck attorney Nathan Svihovec to lead the North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights, citing his extensive experience representing both public and private employers and employees at the state and federal levels. Svihovec will begin his new role as state labor commissioner on Thursday, Dec. 1.

Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum encourage the public to join them for music, carols and a holiday reading at the 41^st annual North Dakota State Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, in Memorial Hall at the Capitol.

Gov. Doug Burgum unveiled the official portrait of International Music Camp founder Dr. Merton Utgaard, who was posthumously honored in July as the 47th recipient of the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the state’s highest commendation for its citizens.

North Dakota Supreme Court Justice Gerald W. VandeWalle, the longest serving justice in state history, informed Gov. Doug Burgum that he will retire Jan. 31, 2023, after more than six decades of service to the State of North Dakota, including 44 years on the Supreme Court and 27 years as chief justice.

The Office of the First Lady invites artists and craftspeople to provide handmade ornaments for the North Dakota State Christmas Tree. The tree will be on display in Memorial Hall at the state Capitol.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement in observance of Veterans Day, noting the United States continues to be a shining beacon of freedom for the world because of the service and sacrifice of military veterans and the families who support and serve alongside them.

The North Dakota Capitol and other state facilities in the Bismarck area are closed today due to deteriorating travel conditions as a winter storm bears down on the state. Nearly all of North Dakota remains in a blizzard warning or winter storm warning.

Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum hosted the sixth Recovery Reinvented, a daylong in-person and online event focused on reinventing recovery through eliminating the stigma of the disease of addiction.

Gov. Doug Burgum has submitted final drafts of new tribal-state gaming compacts for review, after months of negotiations with the five tribal nations with whom North Dakota shares geography.

Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum will welcome Halloween trick-or-treaters on Monday at the Governor’s Residence, continuing a long-standing tradition.

North Dakota law enforcement agencies participating in a joint detail as part of the American Governors’ Border Strike Force recently seized more than 50 pounds of illegal drugs, including enough fentanyl to kill hundreds of thousands of people.

Gov. Doug Burgum, Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford and members of North Dakota’s Workforce Development Council (WDC) released a package of proposals to address the state’s workforce challenges during a press conference on the final day of the 2022 Main Street ND Summit.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced proposed investments in community development to help cities attract and retain workforce as he kicked off the 2022 Main Street ND Summit with a keynote address at the Bismarck Event Center.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement regarding the passing of former North Dakota House Majority Leader Earl Strinden of Grand Forks, who died Tuesday at age 90. Strinden served in the Legislature from 1966 to 1988 and as CEO of the University of North Dakota Alumni Association from 1969 to 2000, establishing the UND Foundation in 1978 as the fundraising arm of the university.

Gov. Doug Burgum participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Grand Farm Innovation Facility near Casselton, highlighting how the new home of Grand Farm will foster innovation in autonomous agriculture technology.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after Talon Metals announced plans to build a facility in central North Dakota to process nickel and other minerals for batteries from raw ore mined in Minnesota, expanding domestic manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles and the electrical grid.

Gov. Doug Burgum appointed North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) Deputy Director of Engineering Ron Henke to lead the department, citing his deep knowledge of the state’s transportation infrastructure, long history of service to the state and leadership on many key NDDOT initiatives over the years.

Gov. Doug Burgum thanked North Dakota Chief Information Officer (CIO) Shawn Riley for his transformational leadership and service over the past nearly six years after Riley resigned his position effective Dec. 2 to join the private sector.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Sumitomo Corp. President and CEO Masayuki Hyodo celebrated the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the State of North Dakota and Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SCOA), creating a partnership to evaluate and develop businesses within the energy transition market with the intent to accelerate decarbonization in North Dakota and beyond.

Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed Art Thompson as director of North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI), effective Nov. 1, citing his leadership experience and background as both a team member and customer of WSI.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum announced today he has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the governors of Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin to develop a regional clean hydrogen hub to help meet the nation’s clean energy, transportation and agricultural needs.

Gov. Doug Burgum today led a delegation of North Dakota officials and business representatives on the first day of a weeklong trade and investment mission to Japan, highlighting the state’s many trade, investment and business opportunities in a presentation to the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and promoting the state during a reception with Japanese businesses at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Tokyo.

Gov. Doug Burgum joined Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and the premiers of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in a joint letter urging President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to restore pre-pandemic hours of operation at the U.S.-Canada land border ports.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that due to demand, the public input period for the recently announced Red Tape Reduction Working Group is being reopened and will accept ideas from citizens through Oct. 10, 2022.

Gov. Doug Burgum joined leaders from the North Dakota Tribal College System to announce a new apprenticeship program developed in partnership with Hess Corporation to improve educational and employment opportunities for Native Americans across the state.

Gov. Doug Burgum welcomed a decision by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to temporarily expand operating hours at three ports of entry on the U.S.-Canada border in North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that Kathy Kulesa, longtime human rights director for the North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights, will serve as interim state labor commissioner effective Oct. 1.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler announced that Ivona Todorovic, an English Language teacher at Red River High School in Grand Forks, has been named North Dakota’s 2023 Teacher of the Year.

Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Turtle Mountain Recovery Center (TMRC) in Belcourt, highlighting the critically important role of recovery services in addressing the disease of addiction.

Gov. Doug Burgum congratulated Roosevelt Elementary School in Bismarck, Larimore Elementary School in Larimore and Linton Public School in Linton for being recognized by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2022.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford announced the 2022 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Public Service, recognizing team members for making a positive difference in the lives of North Dakota citizens through their dedicated work in state government.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford were joined by state legislators at a press conference in Fargo to announce a framework for legislation to address the availability, affordability and quality of child care services in North Dakota, which continues to be a major barrier to workforce participation.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement on the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor and remembrance of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, who died Thursday, Sept. 8, at age 96.

State and national addiction experts will share their insight into how to turn ”Advocacy into Action” at the sixth annual Recovery Reinvented, an event dedicated to ending the shame and stigma surrounding the disease of addiction. Registration is now open for the event Nov. 3 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks. The experience will be hosted by Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum and is free for both in-person attendees and online via livestream broadcast at recoveryreinvented.com.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that state Labor Commissioner Erica Thunder has resigned from the role, effective Sept. 30, to accept the newly created position of Director of Diversity and Cultural Competency at the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR).

Gov. Doug Burgum appointed Josh Teigen, director of the Economic Development and Finance Division at the North Dakota Department of Commerce, to serve as the state’s next commerce commissioner, citing his experience as an entrepreneur and private sector leader and his leadership of Commerce’s largest division.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that the integration of North Dakota’s Department of Health and Department of Human Services into one Health and Human Services (HHS) agency is effective Sept. 1, 2022.

Gov. Doug Burgum and North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission Executive Director Nathan Davis released statements regarding the University of North Dakota’s efforts to repatriate Native American remains and artifacts to their tribes of origin.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer shared their concerns with the governor and local leaders related to the proposed Fufeng Group corn milling project in Grand Forks. Last month, Burgum sent a letter asking the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to expedite its review of Fufeng Group’s recent purchase of land in Grand Forks for the project.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement regarding President Biden’s student loan debt cancellation plan.

Gov. Doug Burgum, State Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus, House Tax Committee chairman Rep. Craig Headland and fellow legislators announced a landmark tax relief plan that would replace the state’s individual income tax rates with a single, lower flat tax, saving North Dakota taxpayers an estimated $250 million annually and eliminating the individual income tax burden altogether for nearly 60 percent of the state’s taxpayers.

Gov. Doug Burgum joined local, state and federal officials and community members to help break ground on a state-of-the-art soybean processing plant being developed near Casselton by North Dakota Soybean Processors LLC, highlighting the project as an example of ongoing efforts to shift processing of North Dakota’s raw farm commodities to within the state.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued an executive order creating a Red Tape Reduction Working Group to bolster ongoing efforts to identify antiquated, unnecessary and burdensome regulations, rules and policies that could be changed or eliminated to reduce burdens and lower costs for North Dakota citizens and the private sector and make state government more efficient, effective and nimble.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement calling for the Pledge of Allegiance to be administered in public schools and at meetings of elected governing bodies. The Governor's Office is working with state lawmakers to craft legislation for the 2023 session.

Gov. Doug Burgum thanked North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) Director Bill Panos for his impactful service to the state after Panos submitted his resignation effective Sept. 9, citing family obligations in his home state of California. Burgum announced NDDOT Deputy Director of Engineering Ron Henke will serve as interim director.

Gov. Doug Burgum today highlighted the benefits of the FM Area Diversion for the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo metro area and the entire state of North Dakota during a groundbreaking ceremony for the 30-mile diversion channel, a key piece of the comprehensive flood protection project.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff until midnight Thursday, Aug. 4, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor and remembrance of U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski of Indiana. Walorski, 58, and two of her staff members died as a result of a head-on collision Wednesday, as did the driver of the other vehicle, according to the Elkhart County (Ind.) Sheriff’s Office.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced the late Dr. Merton Utgaard, award-winning musician, educator, and founder and long-time director of the International Music Camp, as the 47^th recipient of the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the state’s highest commendation for its citizens.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced the retirement of Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI) Director Bryan Klipfel effective Dec. 31, thanking him for his more than 13 years of exceptional leadership of the agency and nearly 46 years of dedicated service to the State of North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asking that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) conduct an expedited review of Fufeng Group’s recent purchase of land in Grand Forks for a wet corn milling plant.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that the Cavalier County Job Development Authority (CCJDA) has executed binding agreements for international data center developer Bitzero Blockchain Inc. to acquire and redevelop the historic Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex at Nekoma, N.D., commonly known as “The Pyramid.”

Gov. Doug Burgum announced an expanded partnership with the Cisco Networking Academy skills-to-job program called Skills for All that will be available to all residents in North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford applauded the start of carbon storage operations at the Red Trail Energy LLC ethanol facility near Richardton, made possible by North Dakota being the first state in the nation to obtain regulatory authority from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over Class VI underground storage wells in 2018.

Gov. Doug Burgum was elected to the National Governors Association’s Executive Committee during the NGA Summer Meeting in Portland, Maine – the first summertime gathering of the nation’s governors since 2019.

Gov. Doug Burgum welcomed news that President Joe Biden has granted a presidential major disaster declaration for severe spring storms and subsequent flooding that broke precipitation records, knocked out power to more than 10,000 residents and caused more than $57 million in damage across the state.

Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum are inviting the public to join them for Recovery Reinvented, an event dedicated to eliminating the shame and stigma of the disease of addiction, on Nov. 3, 2022, at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks. The event will be free and open to the public.

Gov. Doug Burgum is again calling on the federal government to restore pre-pandemic hours of operation at several ports of entry on the U.S.-Canada border where hours were reduced in April 2020.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff until sunset Sunday, July 10, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor and remembrance of former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated today.

Gov. Doug Burgum released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced a notice of proposed rulemaking requiring states and municipalities to establish and enforce targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff until sunset Saturday, July 9, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor and remembrance of the victims of yesterday’s shooting in Highland Park, Illinois.

Gov. Doug Burgum thanked Joe Morrissette, North Dakota Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director, for his more than four years of exceptional leadership of the agency, and nearly 30 years of dedicated service to the state of North Dakota, after Morrissette announced his retirement effective Aug. 31.

Gov. Doug Burgum released the following statement regarding the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court affirming the State’s role as an equal partner to the federal government in regulating greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants.  

Gov. Doug Burgum released the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court opinion issued today that effectively overturns Roe v. Wade and allows states to set their own laws related to abortion.  

Gov. Doug Burgum requested a presidential major disaster declaration for severe spring storms and subsequent flooding that broke precipitation records, knocked out power to more than 10,000 residents and caused more than $57 million in damage across the state.

Gov. Doug Burgum, Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford and Department of Human Services (DHS) Executive Director Chris Jones held roundtable meetings with child care providers and business leaders from across the state to discuss the impacts of North Dakota’s child care shortage and explore ways to increase access to child care to support caregivers, employers and economic growth.

Gov. Doug Burgum appointed entrepreneur Kevin Black of Minot and reappointed business consultant Danita Bye of Stanley to the North Dakota Board of Higher Education.

Gov. Doug Burgum participated in the grand opening of the new Mission and Network Operations Center (MNOC) for Vantis, the first-of-its-kind statewide network that supports unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations in North Dakota beyond visual line of sight.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that North Dakota Commerce Commissioner James Leiman has resigned from the position effective June 30 but will continue working for Commerce on a part-time basis to drive economic development projects in the state. Burgum has appointed Deputy Commerce Commissioner Shawn Kessel to serve as interim commissioner until a replacement for Leiman can be appointed.

Gov. Doug Burgum welcomed tribal members and other attendees to the fourth Strengthening Government to Government Partnerships and Relationships Conference, highlighting progress made through collaboration between the state and North Dakota’s tribal nations over the last two years and outlining challenges and opportunities to address in the upcoming legislative session and beyond.

Gov. Doug Burgum, cabinet leaders and representatives from the Governor’s Office met with Spirit Lake Nation Chairman Doug Yankton, Devils Lake Mayor Dick Johnson and U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer to discuss health care access, the rising elevation of Devils Lake and other issues important to the tribe and community.

Gov. Doug Burgum and fellow speakers at the sixth annual Governor’s Summit on Innovative Education emphasized the importance of equipping students with the essential skills for life and learning and ensuring that graduates are choice-ready for college, career or the military.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford joined officials from ADM and Marathon Petroleum Corp. (MPC) at the Spiritwood Energy Park to help break ground on the Green Bison Soy Processing plant, North Dakota’s first dedicated soybean processing plant, highlighting the project as an example of how partnerships between agriculture and energy are growing both sectors in North Dakota.

In a video conference call requested by Gov. Doug Burgum, the governor urged U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Chris Magnus to restore pre-pandemic hours of operation at several ports of entry on the U.S.-Canada border where hours were reduced in April 2020.

Gov. Doug Burgum along with Bitzero Strategic Investor Kevin O’Leary, Bitzero CEO Akbar Shamji, and Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation Chairman Mark Fox announced North Dakota as Bitzero’s headquarters and hub for all North American operations.

At the urging of Gov. Doug Burgum, Sanford Health President and CEO Bill Gassen indicated a willingness to gift the Good Samaritan Society building in Mott to the city instead of selling the skilled nursing facility, and to remove a deed restriction that would have prohibited the facility from being used for health care purposes.

Gov. Doug Burgum released the following statement honoring our nation’s fallen military heroes today in observance of Memorial Day.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff until sunset Saturday, May 28, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor and remembrance of the victims of today’s shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

Gov. Doug Burgum appointed University of North Dakota student Sadie Hanson to a one-year term as the student representative on the state Board of Higher Education. 

Gov. Doug Burgum and National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils (NFGFC) Chairman Jake “Body by Jake” Steinfeld announced the three North Dakota schools that were selected to each receive a state-of-the-art $100,000 DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center.

Gov. Doug Burgum congratulated the City of Bismarck on its 150-year history and directed the lights of the Capitol to display the number 150 tonight to mark the capital city’s sesquicentennial year, which officially begins Saturday, May 14.

In accordance with a proclamation issued by President Joe Biden, Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff from Friday, May 13, until sunset Monday, May 16, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, as a mark of respect and remembrance of the 1 million American lives lost to COVID-19.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded $1 million to the North Dakota Department of Commerce through the EDA’s Statewide Planning program.  

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that the Bismarck Century High School Wind Ensemble and Jamestown High School Choir have been selected as the 2022-2023 Governor’s Official State Band and Choral Programs.

Gov. Doug Burgum has issued a proclamation declaring May 11-17 as Police Week in North Dakota and Thursday, May 12, as Peace Officers Memorial Day. The governor directed government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Thursday, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed an executive order granting a waiver of hours of service requirements for drivers of commercial motor vehicles transporting all agricultural inputs, including dry fertilizer, liquid fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia, pesticides and seed, to assist producers in North Dakota who are facing a delayed spring and limited timeframe for planting and treating fields.

Gov. Doug Burgum surveyed flooding in northeast North Dakota, meeting with local leaders on flood response and recovery, including efforts to stabilize the Bourbanis Dam upstream of Cavalier.

Gov. Doug Burgum joined local, state and federal officials in Minot for a tour and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of Phase MI-1, the Fourth Avenue North floodwall phase of the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Project (MREFPP), highlighting the state’s significant investment in the project.  

Gov. Doug Burgum presented his strategic budget guidelines for the 2023-2025 biennium, highlighting the need for continued innovation, cost containment and efficiencies in state government as well as additional investment in employee compensation to address a highly competitive workforce environment and the highest inflation in more than 40 years.  

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that help is available through the North Dakota Department of Human Services for qualifying renters and homeowners impacted by the extended power outage in northwest North Dakota following the April 22-23 blizzard and ice storm.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford highlighted the benefits of reliable, affordable baseload coal power and innovative technologies such as carbon capture as they joined officials and workers at Coal Creek Station to celebrate the finalized sale of the coal-fired power plant and a related high-voltage transmission line.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement regarding the passing of North Dakota poet laureate Larry Woiwode, a 1992 recipient of the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the state’s highest citizen honor.

Gov. Doug Burgum today signed an executive order granting a waiver of hours of service requirements to ensure carriers, contractors and rural electric cooperative workers to enter North Dakota to assist with the restoration of power to the affected areas in the State.

Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed Interim U.S. Attorney Nick Chase of Fargo to a judgeship in the East Central Judicial District.

After another round of severe weather brought blizzard conditions, heavy snow and ice to western North Dakota this past weekend, the state has enlisted unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) technologies to help restore services to residents and assist recovery efforts, Gov. Doug Burgum announced today in a joint release with the Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) in Grand Forks.

Gov. Doug Burgum met with local officials, residents and ranchers in Crosby and other parts of Divide County in far northwest North Dakota to survey infrastructure damage from last weekend’s severe spring storm and discuss how the state can help the area recover from widespread power outages.

Gov. Doug Burgum is urging U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to restore pre-pandemic hours of operation at several ports of entry where hours were reduced in April 2020.

Gov. Doug Burgum has declared a statewide emergency for flooding and widespread utility infrastructure damage caused by a severe winter storm last weekend that has left thousands of North Dakotans without electricity. The governor also has declared a disaster for areas impacted by record snowfall during the historic blizzard April 12-14 based on local costs incurred for snow removal.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced retired Air Force Gen. Craig McKinley as a keynote speaker for this year’s Summit on Innovative Education on June 9 at Dickinson Middle School.   

North Dakota First Lady Kathryn Burgum will share her personal journey from addiction to long-term recovery and her platform for eliminating the shame and stigma surrounding the disease of addiction at the 2022 Rx and Illicit Drug Summit in Atlanta.

Gov. Doug Burgum has signed a memorandum of understanding with 25 fellow governors to create the American Governors’ Border Strike Force to better address the humanitarian crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border and the negative effects of increased illegal immigration on public safety and crime in states including North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed the Capitol and other state facilities in the Bismarck area to remain closed through Thursday as a snow emergency remains in effect in the city of Bismarck and ongoing blizzard conditions continue to make roads impassable in areas throughout the city.  

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed the Capitol and other state facilities in the Bismarck area to remain closed through Wednesday after the City of Bismarck declared a snow emergency effective 7 p.m. today due to ongoing blizzard conditions.

Representatives from several state agencies including the Governor’s Office, North Dakota Information Technology (NDIT) and the Department of Emergency Services gathered to review the framework for responding to a potential major cybersecurity incident.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that the Pembina Gorge Foundation has been awarded a nearly $2.2 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for a snowmaking infrastructure improvement and expansion project at Frost Fire Park.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after President Joe Biden announced plans to release more than 180 million barrels of oil from the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve over the next six months.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff until sunset Sunday, March 27, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, as a mark of respect for former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who passed away Wednesday, March 23, at age 84.

Gov. Doug Burgum along with North Dakota Department of Commerce Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howe and Job Service North Dakota Executive Director Pat Bertagnolli announced that $15 million is available to address the state’s workforce needs through the newly created North Dakota Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP). 

Gov. Doug Burgum sent a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Labour Seamus O’Regan asking them to take all action necessary to help prevent a work stoppage on Canadian Pacific Railway and protect the supply chain for North Dakota farmers and businesses.

Gov. Doug Burgum thanked the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Board for revising its strategic plan to clarify that the agency won’t be discouraging or micromanaging local credit unions for lending activities related to the agriculture or fossil fuel industries.

Western Governors University (WGU) and the five community colleges within the North Dakota University System have signed a memorandum of understanding that will provide their graduates and staff with an affordable pathway to earning their bachelor’s or master’s degrees from WGU.

Gov. Doug Burgum is encouraging school, community and church bands, orchestras and choirs across North Dakota to apply to serve as the Governor’s Official State Band/Orchestra Program and Choral Program for the 2022-2023 school year.

As COVID-19 trends continue to improve and the second anniversary of the first recorded case in North Dakota approaches, Gov. Doug Burgum announced that the State of North Dakota is preparing for a shift toward an endemic status in the future.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after President Joe Biden announced a ban on the import of Russian oil, liquified natural gas and coal to the United States.

Gov. Doug Burgum reaffirmed North Dakota’s support for the Ukrainian people in a phone call with Serhiy Koledov, consul general of Ukraine in Chicago.

Gov. Doug Burgum joined 24 fellow Republican governors in calling on President Biden to unleash U.S. oil and gas production and restore American energy independence to protect U.S. consumers and help U.S. allies.

The State Investment Board (SIB) voted to divest of investments in Russian entities or securities issued by Russian entities, as board members learned that Russian investment exposure already has been reduced by more than one-third since Monday.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts highlighted the importance of carbon capture and storage to U.S. energy security as Summit Carbon Solutions announced that Continental Resources Inc. will commit $250 million over the next two years to help fund the development and construction of Summit’s $4.5 billion carbon capture and sequestration project.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued a proclamation declaring March 2, 2022, a day of prayer for the people of Ukraine as they continue to defend against attacks by Russian armed forces.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement regarding President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union address.   

Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford, who chairs the State Investment Board (SIB) on behalf of Gov. Doug Burgum, has called a special meeting of the SIB to discuss Legacy Fund investments in Russia in light of the country’s continuing attacks on Ukraine.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement regarding Russia’s military attacks on Ukraine.

The North Dakota Board of University and School Lands (Land Board) voted to offer the position of Commissioner of the Department of Trust Lands to Bismarck attorney and investment manager Joseph Heringer.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC) has selected the state of North Dakota for its 2022 DON’T QUIT! Campaign.

Gov. Doug Burgum delivered his 2022 State of the State Address, highlighting the state’s efforts to address North Dakota’s workforce challenges and grow and diversify the economy.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that the North Dakota Department of Commerce has selected the Grand Farm Education and Research Initiative for a $10 million matching grant to advance autonomous agriculture technology in North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum joined officials at North Dakota State University to announce that the university’s six-year “In Our Hands” fundraising campaign raised a grand total of $586.7 million. The governor joined NDSU President Dean Bresciani, NDSU Foundation President John Glover, campaign co-chairs Robert and Sheila Challey and Steve and Mary Anne Swiontek, and others at the event.

Gov. Doug Burgum appointed Capital Electric Cooperative Inc. board chairwoman Sheri Haugen-Hoffart of Bismarck to an open seat on the three-member North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC), effective immediately.

Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed former U.S. attorney and lieutenant governor Drew Wrigley to serve out the remainder of Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem’s term after his sudden passing on Jan. 28. The four-year term ends Dec. 31. Wrigley plans to take the oath of office at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Capitol.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after testing positive for COVID-19. The governor is fully vaccinated and has received his booster shot. 

Gov. Doug Burgum has signed an executive order extending for 30 days a waiver of hours of service requirements for drivers of commercial vehicles transporting propane.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to continue flying the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff until sunset Thursday, Feb. 3, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor of Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and his more than four decades of service to the state.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement regarding the passing of longtime North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. Stenehjem was the longest-serving attorney general in North Dakota history, having held the position for 21 years.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced he has appointed Pat Bertagnolli of Watford City to serve as executive director of Job Service North Dakota, effective Feb. 21, citing his extensive background in workforce recruitment, his experience in both the public and private sectors and his service on the state’s Workforce Development Council.

Gov. Doug Burgum will attend the National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting Friday through Monday in Washington, D.C., as the bipartisan gathering of the nation’s governors takes place in person for the first time in two years.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced the construction of one of the largest data centers in the world near Williston as North Dakota continues to emerge as a hub for high-performance computing, including cryptocurrency mining.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring announced emergency measures designed to ease a shortage of truck drivers in the milk distribution industry that has affected schools, businesses and other customers.

Gov. Doug Burgum is urging the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) to remove language from its proposed 2022-2026 strategic plan that discourages credit unions from lending to farmers and ranchers.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that he will deliver his rescheduled 2022 State of the State Address at 10 a.m. Feb. 16 at the Fargo Theatre in Fargo.

Gov. Doug Burgum has postponed his 2022 State of the State Address scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 19, in Fargo.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Biden administration did not have authority to impose a vaccine mandate on private businesses with 100 or more employees.   

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that Mandan attorney Ryan Norrell will serve as the next general counsel for the Governor’s Office, effective Feb. 28, citing his broad experience in both the private and public sectors, including as legal counsel for the North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) and as state’s attorney for LaMoure County.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff Thursday, Jan. 13, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor of former U.S. Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada on the day of his interment.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after North Dakota House Majority Leader Chet Pollert of Carrington announced he will retire from the Legislature when his current term expires later this year. Pollert has served in the House of Representatives since 1999 and was selected as House majority leader in November 2018.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after the North Dakota State University Bison football team earned a 38-10 victory over Montana State University to capture the national title for a ninth time in the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte have staked a friendly wager on Saturday’s NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) title game between the Montana State University Bobcats and the North Dakota State University Bison, who are vying for their ninth national title since 2011.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after the sale of Coal Creek Station to Rainbow Energy Center LLC cleared its final regulatory hurdle. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved the transfer of Coal Creek Station’s high-voltage direct current transmission line from Great River Energy (GRE) to Nexus Line LLC, a subsidiary of Rainbow Energy Center LLC. 

Gov. Doug Burgum signed an executive order granting a waiver of hours of service requirements for drivers of commercial vehicles transporting propane.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement regarding the passing of state Rep. George Keiser of Bismarck. A U.S. Army veteran and owner of Quality Printing Service, Keiser had represented District 47 in Bismarck since 1993 and served as a Bismarck city commissioner from 1988 to 1992.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statement regarding the announcement that North Dakota Soybean Processors LLC plans to construct a state-of-the-art soybean processing plant near Casselton.

Gov. Doug Burgum appointed Brian Kroshus to serve as North Dakota’s next tax commissioner, citing his experience as a business leader and his background in defending the public interest as a member of the state’s Public Service Commission (PSC) for approximately five years.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem’s announced he will not seek re-election in 2022. Stenehjem is the longest-serving attorney general in North Dakota history, having held the position for 21 years. 

Gov. Doug Burgum and the North Dakota National Guard’s adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, visited the 125 soldiers from the Bismarck-based 957^th Engineer Company serving along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, getting a first-hand look at their border mission and thanking them for their service in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Gov. Doug Burgum today released the following statement in response to North Dakota Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner announcing his retirement next year after 30 years in the Legislature.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford marked the fifth anniversary of being sworn into office, reflecting on a year filled with historic progress on infrastructure, workforce, economic development and other priorities, as well as major challenges including extreme drought conditions and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Doug Burgum is advocating for North Dakota interests and priorities in meetings with top leaders from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) during the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) winter meeting in California.

In accordance with an amended proclamation  from President Joe Biden, Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to continue flying the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff through Saturday, Dec. 11, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor and remembrance of World War II veteran and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, who died Sunday.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced he will travel to Texas next week to visit 125 North Dakota National Guard soldiers serving at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statement in observance of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day as Americans mark 80 years since the attacks in Hawaii that drew the United States into World War II.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff until sunset Thursday, Dec. 9, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor and remembrance of World War II veteran and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, who died Sunday, Dec. 5, at age 98.

Gov. Doug Burgum joined Bismarck State College President Doug Jensen, state legislators, business leaders and others in highlighting the critical importance of BSC’s future Polytechnic Education Center in meeting the state’s significant workforce needs.

Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum encourage the public to join them for holiday readings, music and carols at the 40^th annual North Dakota State Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6, in Memorial Hall at the Capitol. The theme of this year’s Christmas tree is “Share Your Story,” inspired by the first lady’s platform of encouraging people to share their experiences of how addiction and recovery has impacted their lives, but also broadly applies to the notion that every person has a story worth sharing.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has granted his request for another extension of the hours of service waiver for drivers of commercial vehicles transporting water and livestock feed to help North Dakota livestock producers affected by continuing drought conditions.

Gov. Doug Burgum released the following statement today after President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. Department of Energy will make available releases of 50 million barrels of oil from the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve to address high gas prices and supply-demand imbalance.

Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s top water official to abandon the Biden administration’s proposal to revive the Obama-era Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule.

Gov. Doug Burgum congratulated North Dakota State University and members of the Peltier family on the naming of NDSU’s future state-of-the-art Agricultural Products Development Center (APDC) as the Peltier Complex.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement on the passing of retired North Dakota Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Al Palmer, who served on the governor’s Task Force for Veterans Affairs created in 2018. Palmer died Tuesday at age 69.

Gov. Doug Burgum thanked Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger for his service to the State of North Dakota after Rauschenberger notified the governor of his intention to resign his position effective Jan. 3, 2022.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed the final bills of the Legislature’s special session, approving strategic investments of federal dollars into infrastructure, workforce, economic development and other priorities.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed legislation to provide an estimated $211 million in income tax relief over the next two years by eliminating the state income tax bill for approximately 300,000 North Dakota taxpayers and providing partial relief to another 200,000 taxpayers. The tax relief fulfills a major piece of the governor’s Accelerate ND plan for the Legislature’s special session, which adjourned today.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after signing House Bill 1504, the legislative redistricting bill that was overwhelmingly approved by the state Legislature. The North Dakota Constitution requires the Legislative Assembly to redistrict itself after each federal decennial census.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum released the following statement in observance of Veterans Day. Burgum will address the Veterans Day ceremony at 10 a.m. today in the Russell Reid Auditorium at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck.

Gov. Doug Burgum joined Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem in announcing that North Dakota has joined nine other states in a lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s mandate that employers who receive funding through Medicare or Medicaid programs must require their employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Gov. Doug Burgum delivered his State of the State address to a special session of the 67^th Legislative Assembly, calling for investment of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars and the state’s excess ending fund balance into infrastructure, tax relief, workforce, economic development and other priorities to move North Dakota forward.

Gov. Doug Burgum expressed his strong support for North Dakota’s legal challenge to the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate on private businesses with 100 or more employees.  

The Office of the First Lady invites artists and craftspeople to provide handmade ornaments for the North Dakota State Christmas Tree. The tree will be on display in Memorial Hall at the state Capitol.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after the Biden administration announced plans to impose redundant regulations on oil and gas producers to address methane emissions, following a similar Obama administration proposal that was removed under the Trump administration.

Seeking to minimize economic losses from this year’s historic drought, Gov. Doug Burgum has asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help maintain access at boat ramps on Lake Sakakawea as the lake’s elevation is predicted to remain lower next spring due to this year’s historic drought.

The National Governors Association announced that North Dakota and five other states were selected for the second phase of NGA’s Workforce Innovation Network (NGA WIN), in which states will deploy cross-agency teams to identify and implement strategies that advance digital skill development and more equitable economic participation.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement regarding the passing of Lynn Aas of Minot, a former state legislator and decorated World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

Gov. Doug Burgum stressed his support for a legal challenge filed today on behalf of North Dakota and nine other states to the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate on federal contractors.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued an executive order convening a special session of the North Dakota Legislature on Nov. 8 to address legislative redistricting, tax relief and strategic investments in infrastructure, workforce, economic development and other priorities.

Halloween trick-or-treaters will be welcomed at the Governor’s Residence on Sunday afternoon, continuing a long-standing tradition.

Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum hosted the fifth Recovery Reinvented, a daylong in-person and online event focused on reinventing recovery through eliminating the stigma of addiction.

Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum shared the results from the North Dakota Addressing Addiction survey at Recovery Reinvented.

Gov. Doug Burgum welcomed home about 70 members of Company C of the North Dakota National Guard’s 2-285^th Aviation Regiment who recently returned home from a nine-month deployment to the National Capital Region during a ceremony at the Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has granted his request to extend an hours of service waiver for drivers of commercial vehicles transporting water and livestock feed to help North Dakota livestock producers affected by continuing drought conditions.

Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum will host the fifth Recovery Reinvented online Monday, Oct. 25, at the Bismarck Event Center and online at recoveryreinvented.com. The day will focus on sharing addiction and recovery stories, creating recovery-friendly cultures in the workplace and community and eliminating the stigma surrounding the disease of addiction.

Gov. Doug Burgum has signed an executive order granting an hours of service waiver for drivers of commercial vehicles transporting anhydrous ammonia and other fertilizers.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff until sunset Friday, Oct. 22, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, as a mark of respect for retired Gen. Colin Powell, who passed away Monday, Oct. 18, at age 84.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Saturday, Oct. 16, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor of the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service and to pay tribute to law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty and their families.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced the state will launch a search for a new executive director for Job Service North Dakota (JSND). The governor expressed his gratitude to North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI) Director Bryan Klipfel, who has served as interim executive director of JSND since 2019 and will return to leading WSI full time.

Gov. Doug Burgum presented the Governor’s Choice Economic Development Awards during the Economic Development Association of North Dakota (EDND) Fall Conference on Oct. 13 in West Fargo.  

Gov. Doug Burgum and the North Dakota Department of Commerce announced that the North Dakota Development Fund has approved initial support for Cerilon Inc. to develop a major gas-to-liquids (GTL) complex in North Dakota, with the initial phase estimated at $2.8 billion.

Gov. Doug Burgum hosted U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm in Grand Forks with U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, stressing the importance of North Dakota’s all-of-the-above energy policy to meeting the nation’s energy needs and highlighting the innovation happening in North Dakota to address and capitalize on carbon constraints in the energy sector.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after the Biden administration announced it will begin lifting restrictions at the U.S.-Canada border in November to allow nonessential travelers who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to enter the United States via land and ferry. 

Gov. Doug Burgum delivered opening remarks to kick off the 2021 Main Street ND Summit, emphasizing the importance of building smart, efficient infrastructure that allows communities to differentiate themselves so they can attract and retain a 21^st century workforce and attract new investment. 

Gov. Doug Burgum repeated his call for the Biden administration to address the humanitarian and security crisis at the U.S. southern border as he prepares to help send off 125 members of the North Dakota National Guard’s 957^th Engineer Company on Friday to a mission along the border.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Sunday, Oct. 3, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service and Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum and chief medical officers and physicians from several of the state’s largest hospitals warned that hospital capacity in North Dakota is reaching critical levels and urged the public to help reduce the need for hospitalization.

Gov. Doug Burgum unveiled his “Accelerate ND” plan containing his executive recommendations to the state Legislature for strategically investing federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). As part of the plan, the governor also proposed using a portion of the state’s near-record ending fund balance from the 2019-21 budget to provide an estimated $207 million of income tax relief over two years, support economic development and provide long-term cost savings to North Dakota taxpayers, all without raising taxes.

Gov. Doug Burgum and State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler announced that Bret Dockter, a sixth-grade teacher at B.M. Hanson Elementary School in Harvey, has been named North Dakota’s 2022 Teacher of the Year.

Gov. Doug Burgum has signed an executive order waiving hours of service, weight, width and height restrictions and fees for drivers of commercial vehicles transporting hay, water and livestock to help North Dakota livestock producers affected by continuing drought conditions.

Gov. Doug Burgum congratulated Valley-Edinburg Elementary School in Crystal, Roosevelt Elementary School in Mandan and Wyndmere Public School for being recognized by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after the Biden administration announced it is extending restrictions on nonessential travel at the U.S.-Canada border for another month, until Oct. 21. Canada reopened its border to vaccinated U.S. citizens for nonessential travel on Aug. 9.

Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed Cody Schulz to lead the North Dakota Department of Parks and Recreation, citing his extensive record of public service and strong leadership at the state and county levels, including through some of the most challenging periods in recent state history.

Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford highlighted the state of North Dakota’s continued support for the development and commercialization of autonomous technology as he joined officials at the Autonomous Nation conference in announcing that Chicago-based robotics company Sabanto has donated a tractor utilizing its autonomous platform to the Grand Farm project near Fargo.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statement as he joined North Dakota National Guard members and local residents to pay tribute to 9/11 victims and to honor the U.S. military members from North Dakota who have died in the Global War on Terrorism on the 20^th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Saturday, and encourages North Dakota residents to do the same at their homes and businesses, in remembrance of those who perished 20 years ago in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement in response to President Joe Biden’s plan released Thursday to address the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Gov. Doug Burgum announced the 2021 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Public Service, recognizing team members for their dedicated work in state government and making a positive difference in the lives of North Dakota citizens during an extremely challenging year.

Several North Dakotans will share their personal testimonies of battling addiction, finding recovery, providing support to a loved one and their experiences with shame and stigma at the fifth annual “Recovery Reinvented.” Registration is open for the event on Oct. 25 at the Bismarck Event Center. The experience will be hosted by Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum and will be free for both in-person attendees and online via livestream broadcast on recoveryreinvented.com.

President Joe Biden has approved Gov. Doug Burgum’s request for a presidential major disaster declaration for a series of storms in early June that caused overland flooding and produced damaging winds and hail, resulting in more than $2.3 million in damage to roads and other infrastructure. 

Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed judicial referee Lindsey Nieuwsma of Bismarck to a judgeship in the South Central Judicial District, effective Tuesday, Sept. 7.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford met with members of a Japanese business delegation to discuss opportunities for partnership and investment in North Dakota’s economy and advancing North Dakota’s carbon neutrality goal.

The Manitoba government has provided $7.5 million as its share of a capital infrastructure and facilities redevelopment plan at the International Peace Gardens (IPG) near Boissevain, matching funds provided by North Dakota’s government, Premier Brian Pallister and Gov. Doug Burgum announced.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff until sunset Monday, Aug. 30, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor and remembrance of the U.S. servicemembers and other victims killed in the terrorist attack on Thursday, Aug. 26, in Kabul, Afghanistan.  

Gov. Doug Burgum and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring announced that the North Dakota Emergency Commission has approved $2.5 million to reactivate the Emergency Feed Transportation Assistance Program to help reimburse a portion of hay transportation expenses for eligible livestock producers who have lost feed supplies due to drought.

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approving the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19 for ages 16 and up. The vaccine continues to be available under emergency use authorization for those ages 12 to 15.

Gov. Doug Burgum appointed Wildlife Division Chief Jeb Williams to serve as the next director of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, effective Aug. 24, citing his broad experience and leadership during his 22-year career with the agency.  

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is extending restrictions on nonessential travel at the U.S.-Canada border for another month, until Sept. 21. Canada reopened its border to vaccinated U.S. citizens for nonessential travel on Aug. 9.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford congratulated former Gov. Jack Dalrymple during a ceremony at North Dakota State University to rename the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Research Greenhouse Complex as the Jack Dalrymple Agricultural Research Complex.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued the following statement after Marathon Petroleum Corp. and ADM announced that Marathon will invest in ADM’s recently announced $350 million soybean processing plant at Spiritwood, N.D. The soybean crushing plant will provide soybean oil exclusively to Marathon’s renewable diesel facility in Dickinson.

Gov. Doug Burgum thanked General Counsel Leslie Bakken Oliver for her service to the Governor’s Office and the State of North Dakota after she announced her retirement pending the transition to a new general counsel.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statement in response to the Biden administration’s statement suggesting OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) increase oil production to offset high fuel prices.

Gov. Doug Burgum has requested a presidential major disaster declaration for a series of storms in early June that caused overland flooding and produced damaging winds and hail, resulting in more than $2.3 million in damage to roads and other infrastructure. 

Gov. Doug Burgum signed an executive order waiving hours of service restrictions for drivers of commercial vehicles transporting hay, water and livestock to help livestock producers battling extreme drought conditions across North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum are inviting the public to share their thoughts on the current state of addiction and recovery by participating in the “North Dakota Addressing Addiction” survey.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring announced that the State Water Commission has approved two new water supply programs and allocated an additional $2 million to the Drought Disaster Livestock Water Supply Project Assistance Program to help farmers and ranchers battling North Dakota’s worst drought conditions in at least 30 years.

 Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford applauded a vote by Great River Energy's member cooperatives to approve the sale of Coal Creek Station near Underwood to Rainbow Energy Center LLC. The cooperatives also approved the sale of GRE’s high-voltage direct current system to Nexus Line LLC. Rainbow Energy Center and Next are both affiliates of Bismarck-based Rainbow Energy Marketing Corp.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement in response to the COVID-19 guidance released this week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding fully vaccinated individuals.

Gov. Doug Burgum appointed North Dakota Parks and Recreation Director Andrea Travnicek to lead the state’s Department of Water Resources, subject to approval by a majority of the members of the State Water Commission on Friday, July 30. The governor also appointed eight members to the State Water Commission with broad experience in water supply, flood protection, engineering and other water issues.  

Gov. Doug Burgum sent a joint letter with the governors of Montana and Idaho and the premiers of Saskatchewan and Alberta urging the federal governments of the United States and Canada to work together and reach an agreement to reopen the international border immediately.

Gov. Doug Burgum welcomed positive news regarding the state’s two-year budget cycle that ended June 30. Preliminarily figures indicate a positive balance of more than $1 billion in the general fund for only the second time in state history.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after the Biden administration extended restrictions on nonessential travel at the U.S.-Canada border for at least a month, until Aug. 21. The decision comes two days after Canada announced it would reopen its border to vaccinated U.S. citizens for nonessential travel on Aug. 9.

Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed North Dakota Game and Fish Department Deputy Director Scott Peterson to serve as interim director of the department until a new director is named. Current Game and Fish Director Terry Steinwand is retiring July 31 after more than 15 years as director and nearly 40 years with the department.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum today presented North Dakota’s highest citizen honor to the state’s first Olympic gold medal winners, officially inducting twin sisters and hockey world champions Monique Lamoureux-Morando and Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson into the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Hall of Fame. 

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum will present the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award to Olympic gold medalists and advocates Monique Lamoureux-Morando and Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson on Wednesday, July 14, in Grand Forks, N.D., where the Lamoureux twins grew up, played for the University of North Dakota women’s hockey team and live today.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statement in support of Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem’s legal challenge to a federal ban on new oil and natural gas leasing on public lands. Stenehjem filed the lawsuit Wednesday against the federal government, including the Department of the Interior and its Bureau of Land Management.

The Essential Worker Cross-Border Vaccination Initiative has reached a new milestone, with more than 2,500 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine given to Manitoba truck drivers in North Dakota, Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum announced. The program has been extended through July.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statement in observance of the 245th anniversary of America’s independence.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford today applauded the sale of Coal Creek Station to Rainbow Energy Center LLC as a landmark moment for the future of energy production in North Dakota and the culmination of more than a year of determined efforts by the administration and others to save the state’s largest power plant, preserving critical baseload power and hundreds of jobs.

Gov. Doug Burgum today signed an executive order expanding the membership of the Northern Plains Unmanned Systems Authority to include members with technology and transportation expertise to support operations of the state’s beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) network.

Gov. Doug Burgum joined local, state and federal officials in Fargo to celebrate the signing of a $569 million federal Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan for the FM Area Diversion Project, as well as the selection of the Red River Alliance as the Public-Private Partnership (P3) developer for the project.

North Dakota will observe Juneteenth under a new state law Saturday, after the Legislature passed and Gov. Doug Burgum signed legislation in April designating June 19 as Juneteenth in North Dakota.

In a video call today, Gov. Doug Burgum urged U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to provide additional flexibility with Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for North Dakota ranchers who are dealing with reduced feed availability due to extreme drought conditions across North Dakota.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring will host town hall meetings Wednesday and Thursday with farmers, ranchers and other area residents in the Washburn, Rugby and Medora areas to discuss the challenges created by extreme drought conditions, review the state’s response and answer questions. More than two-thirds of North Dakota is in extreme or exceptional drought, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum met with representatives of agricultural groups in Fargo to highlight economic opportunities for farmers related to carbon capture, utilization and storage, and to discuss the state’s ongoing drought situation.

Gov. Doug Burgum will present the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award to Olympic gold medalists and advocates Monique Lamoureux-Morando and Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson on Wednesday, July 14, in Grand Forks, N.D., where the Lamoureux twins grew up, played for the University of North Dakota women’s hockey team and live today.

Gov. Doug Burgum thanked members of the State Water Commission for their service and announced the eight appointed Commission positions are now open for applications.

Gov. Doug Burgum kicked off the fifth annual Governor’s Summit on Innovative Education, highlighting recently passed legislation that paves the way for personalized learning and thanking educators for their work through the pandemic.

Gov. Doug Burgum appointed Nathan A. Davis of Belcourt, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and descendant of the Spirit Lake Nation, to serve as executive director of the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission.

Gov. Doug Burgum is seeking applicants to serve on North Dakota’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Board, after the state Legislature changed the makeup of the board with the passage of House Bill 1359, effective Aug. 1, 2021.

Gov. Doug Burgum will welcome teachers, students, school administrators and community leaders to the fifth annual Governor’s Summit on Innovative Education on Monday, June 7, at the Bismarck Event Center and virtually.

Gov. Doug Burgum urged U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan to support federal investment in research and innovation – including carbon capture, storage and utilization in the coal, oil and gas, and ethanol industries – as the path forward for meeting America’s carbon management goals.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford joined officials from Bakken Energy LLC and Mitsubishi Power Americas Inc. as they announced a strategic partnership agreement to establish a world-class clean hydrogen hub in North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Monday, May 31, until noon, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in observance of Memorial Day.

In accordance with a proclamation issued by President Joe Biden, Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff until sunset Sunday, May 30, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor and remembrance of the victims of Wednesday’s shooting in San Jose, Calif.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Wednesday, May 26, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, as a mark of respect for West Fargo Police Department Lt. Adam Gustafson, who died while on duty May 18 at the age of 40. 

Gov. Doug Burgum today thanked Terry Steinwand Director North Dakota Game and Fish Department for his more than 15 years of transformational leadership of the agency, after Steinwand announced his retirement effective July 31.

Gov. Doug Burgum today appointed University of North Dakota student Gracie Lian to a one-year term as the student representative on the state Board of Higher Education.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed the United States and North Dakota flags to remain at full staff on Saturday, May 15, Peace Officers Memorial Day, in accordance with an updated proclamation today from President Joe Biden. An earlier presidential proclamation had ordered the flags at half-staff.  

Gov. Doug Burgum issued a proclamation declaring May 9-15 as Police Week in North Dakota and Saturday, May 15, as Peace Officers Memorial Day. The governor directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Saturday, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Gov. Doug Burgum today announced that the Bismarck Legacy High School Wind Ensemble and Larimore High School Senior Choir have been selected as the 2021 Governor’s Official State Band and Choral Programs.

In a phone call with U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Gov. Doug Burgum highlighted opportunities to help meet the nation’s energy needs in a sustainable way through research and development of carbon capture, storage and utilization (CCUS) technology by the oil and gas, coal and biofuel industries.

Gov. Doug Burgum addressed attendees at the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference, thanking oil and gas operators for their positive impact and resiliency through the COVID-19 pandemic and challenging the industry to help make North Dakota a carbon-neutral state by the end of the decade.

North Dakota will terminate its participation in the federal government’s pandemic-related unemployment assistance programs, effective June 19, to help address the ongoing workforce shortage across the state, Gov. Doug Burgum announced.

Gov. Doug Burgum has signed the remaining bills from the recently adjourned 2021 legislative session, signing the last five bills.

Gov. Doug Burgum joined ADM in announcing plans to build North Dakota’s first dedicated soybean crushing plant and refinery in Spiritwood, N.D. The $350 million crush and refining complex will create 70 permanent jobs and have the capacity to process up to 150,000 bushels of soybeans per day. It’s expected to be completed prior to the 2023 harvest, according to ADM. 

Gov. Doug Burgum announced that positions on the State Health Council are open for applications after the governor accepted the resignations of the council’s current members, thanking them for their service and contributions to the health and well-being of North Dakotans.

Gov. Doug Burgum has signed an executive order granting an hours of service waiver for drivers of commercial vehicles transporting anhydrous ammonia and other fertilizers.

Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed State Labor Commissioner Erica Thunder to serve as interim executive director of the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission.

Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum are inviting the general public to join them for Recovery Reinvented on Oct. 25, 2021, at the Bismarck Event Center. The event will be free and open to the public. A robust, online experience also will be available to all.

North Dakota is funding infrastructure, education and other priorities, putting the Legacy Fund to work for current and future generations, and maintaining healthy reserves without raising taxes, Gov. Doug Burgum said after the 67^th Legislative Assembly adjourned its regular session sine die.

Representatives of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation, state legislators and other elected officials joined Gov. Doug Burgum for the signing of Senate Bill 2319, which provides a framework for the state and MHA Nation to share tax revenue from oil wells that straddle the boundary of the Fort Berthold Reservation.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed Senate Bill 2144, making North Dakota the first state in the nation to allow electronic posting of private land and giving landowners another option for posting their private property.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after signing House Bill 1247, which directs the state Department of Health and Department of Human Services to unite into the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, effective Sept. 1, 2022.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to vaccinate essential workers who are transporting goods across the United States and Canadian border. Approximately 2,000 Saskatchewan residents will be eligible for the program.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to resume flying the United States and North Dakota flags at full staff. Flags have been flying at half-staff since April 20 in honor and remembrance of former Vice President Walter Mondale.

Gov. Doug Burgum welcomed figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau showing that North Dakota’s population hit a record high of 779,094 residents on April 1, 2020, and the state had the fourth-highest growth rate in the nation by percentage, growing by 15.8% from 2010 to 2020.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed a proclamation designating North Dakota as a “Second Amendment Sanctuary State,” reinforcing the state’s support for the constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed legislation creating a Clean Sustainable Energy Fund to support low-emission technology projects and help provide a long-term, viable path forward for the state’s critical energy industry.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed legislation that creates common-sense liability protections to shield health care providers, businesses and others from frivolous claims related to exposure to COVID-19.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed legislation that provides tax relief for the state’s lignite coal industry as it continues to innovate for the future and supply reliable, low-cost electricity for residents and businesses in North Dakota and beyond.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced he will lift North Dakota’s COVID-19 emergency declaration on April 30 as the state continues to shift the focus of its pandemic response efforts to increasing vaccination rates.                                                    

Gov. Doug Burgum signed House Bill 1431, praising the $680 million bonding package as an economically sound tool to support infrastructure upgrades across North Dakota including flood control, roads, bridges, water projects and an agricultural facility – all with using Legacy Fund earnings and without raising taxes.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, as a mark of respect for the service of former Vice President Walter Mondale, who died Monday at age 93.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister announced the Essential Worker Cross-Border Vaccination Initiative, where North Dakota will administer COVID-19 vaccinations to Manitoba-based truck drivers transporting goods to and from the United States. This is the first such program between a Canadian and American jurisdiction.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed House Bill 1435, which will cover the cost of health insurance for surviving spouses and dependents of emergency responders who die in the line of duty.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff until sunset Tuesday, April 20, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor and remembrance of the victims of Thursday’s shooting in Indianapolis.

Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ decision to allow the Dakota Access Pipeline to continue operations while an environmental impact statement (EIS) review is conducted.

Gov. Doug Burgum applauded an announcement by U.S. Sen. John Hoeven that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is awarding a nearly $67 million contract to West Fargo-based Industrial Builders Inc. for the Interstate 29 grade raise portion of the Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion Project.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statement regarding President Biden’s executive action on guns, saying he stands united with the state's congressional delegation in opposition to actions that threaten the Second Amendment rights of North Dakotans.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring announced that the State Water Commission has reactivated the Drought Disaster Livestock Water Supply Project Assistance Program, as the governor declared a statewide drought disaster for extremely dry conditions across North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed House Bill 1425, which sets targets for investing a greater portion of the Legacy Fund principal in North Dakota and requires that the State Investment Board (SIB) give preference to qualified investment firms with a presence in the state.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff until midnight Wednesday, April 7, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor and remembrance of U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida, who died April 6 at age 84.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff until sunset Tuesday, April 6, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, as a sign of respect for the service and sacrifice of the victims of today’s attack at the U.S. Capitol.

Gov. Doug Burgum visited Billings County to survey areas damaged by a wildfire that broke out Thursday, thanking the firefighters and emergency services personnel from more than 20 agencies who fought the blaze and successfully kept it from reaching the city of Medora, which had been evacuated as a precaution.  

Gov. Doug Burgum declared a statewide wildfire emergency, enabling the North Dakota National Guard to deploy two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to help fight a Billings County wildfire that has prompted the evacuation of the city of Medora.