Adam Willis
Grand Forks Herald
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Past articles by Adam:
Longtime scientist talks effects of farms, dams and warming on Dakotas' changing landscape
W. Carter Johnson first began studying the ecology of the Dakotas as a graduate student at North Dakota State University in the 1960s and early '70s. His new book offers a survey of the region's natural history and the many ways in which humans have altered the land. → Read More
April blizzard knocked off one-fourth of North Dakota oil production, regulators estimate
A week since the storm's start, North Dakota's top industry regulator said the state has recovered about half of that production gap but may still be pumping fewer than a million barrels a day. → Read More
North Dakota aims to draw Bitcoin miners with promise of world's 'cleanest crypto'
Miners of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Etherium have turned attention to North Dakota in the last year, and some state leaders see the booming sector as one pathway for diversifying an economy dependent on oil and agriculture. → Read More
Auditor: Rural North Dakota fire department spent thousands on alcohol, groceries and golf outings
The Gwinner Rural Fire Protection District spent more than $28,000 on alcohol, groceries and golf expenses for staff and volunteers, according to new findings from the Office of the State Auditor. → Read More
High prices could trigger tax hike on North Dakota oil industry
The prospect has prompted the oil industry and some North Dakota leaders to criticize the tax requirement in recent weeks, as many advocates have responded to U.S. sanctions on Russian output with calls for a friendlier environment for domestic production. → Read More
New COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations drop in North Dakota
The pace of COVID-19 transmission continued to decline in North Dakota over the last week, though specifics on the virus' prevalence in the state are thinner since the Department of Health scaled back its updates. → Read More
With cost upped to $1.45B, Project Tundra seeks funds from North Dakota energy board
The carbon capture venture's application to the recently formed Clean Sustainable Energy Authority estimates a substantially higher project cost then previously released figures. → Read More
North Dakota utility fined $40K for unpermitted routing of transmission line
An investigation by Public Service Commission staff found that a portion of the 1.5 mile line was rerouted without a permit and partly within the legally-required 500 foot buffer of rural residences. Landowners have complained that the line interrupts the view from their homes. → Read More
North Dakota Attorney General Wrigley replacing chief deputy
Wrigley said it is "customary" for a new attorney general to appoint his own second-in-command. → Read More
Eastern European market emerges as hub for Ukraine support in Bismarck
When the Punga family opened Little Odessa market in downtown Bismarck last fall, it was to fulfill a dream of dinner table conversations. But since Russia's invasion of Ukraine last month, the store has become the center of a local humanitarian support effort. → Read More
Russian holdings by North Dakota investment board down more than 80% since Ukraine invasion
The State Investment Board has seen its Russia-tied investments cut to $2.7 million from almost $16 million just prior to Russia's attack on Ukraine. → Read More
North Dakota governor announces $15M workforce grant initiative using federal COVID-19 aid
The program draws on previously appropriated funds from North Dakota's $1.1 billion in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. → Read More
A rusting battery in Minnesota could unlock the electric grid of the future
A pilot project between Minnesota's second largest supplier of electricity, Great River Energy, and a Massachusetts start-up claims to have a breakthrough in battery technology that would allow for vast expansions of renewable energy on the power grid. → Read More
Landowner concerns spreading over CO2 pipeline; North Dakota county opposes eminent domain
Skepticism about the $4.5 billion Midwest Carbon Express has grown among landowners in recent months as pipeline developers have sought land deals in North Dakota and other states. → Read More
Pace of fracking picks up in North Dakota as oil producers look to capitalize on high prices
North Dakota's top oil industry regulator predicted Tuesday that state production could climb by 100,000 barrels a day by year's end, largely a result of companies completing already drilled wells and bringing idled ones back online. → Read More
Republicans' lawsuit alleges "racial gerrymandering" in North Dakota political map
The lawsuit, filed by attorneys for District 4 GOP Chairman Chuck Walen, whose district encompasses the Fort Berthold Reservation, and Paul Henderson, who is considering a run for GOP chair in District 9, which includes the Turtle Mountain Reservation, is the second legal challenge to the new North Dakota political lines in as many weeks. → Read More
Xcel seeks over 10% rate hike for natural gas delivery in North Dakota
The Fargo and Grand Forks utility's request comes as heating costs have soared recently due to high natural gas prices and the hangover from last year's Texas freeze. If approved, it will be the company's first rate hike in North Dakota in 15 years. → Read More
2021 was North Dakota's 5th warmest year on record
North Dakota's average temperature in 2021 was 4.1 degrees above the state's historical average, making last year one of the warmest the state has seen since the start of reliable records in 1895. → Read More
Large-scale crypto mining data center planned for western North Dakota oil patch
Two Montana cryptocurrency companies debuted plans to develop a massive data center west of Williston, with aims of achieving a 700-megawatt scale within two years. → Read More
North Dakota pilot program for extra-long trucks stalls, struggles to find industry partners
The Department of Transportation was considering canceling a study into the multi-trailer truck platoons sometimes called "road trains" after struggling to attract trucking industry participants. → Read More