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The article reports on the federal cash for clunkers program offered to drivers to upgrade their vehicles to more fuel-efficient models in South Dakota and the six percent decline in the total number of employment in the construction sector in 2010 in the state.

The article reports on the inclusion of the state of Wisconsin in a report by the Pew Center on the States which lists the 10 states in the U.S. that emulate the worst traits of the state and the accomplishment of We Energies the task of preventing carbon dioxide emissions.

The article reports on the decrease in college enrollment rates and increase in the number of students who are choosing out-of-state schools in Minnesota and the delay of more than 128 million dollars in corporate tax refunds to 461 companies and 12 million dollars in sales taxes to 350 firms because of the cash flow issue in the state.

The article reports on the final approval of a proposed establishment of a renewable fuels plant that will be converting wood and agricultural biomass into a combustible cube in Marquette County, Michigan and the approval of the Michigan Tech University's proposed construction of a 49,000-square-foot building that will be housing the Great Lakes Research Center.

The article offers news briefs around the Upper Peninsula. Founded in 1896 by Finnish immigrants, Finlandia University plans to rehabilitate the building to expand enrollment in athletic programs and health sciences. In the Great Lakes, a progress report in September 2009 on cleanup of 43 areas of concern reveals that it would take 77 years to complete the work.

The article offers news briefs around Wisconsin. Wisconsin's exports, dropped 22 percent compared to the same period in 2008 and Wisconsin's biggest export, industrial machinery, dropped by 24 percent. The BadgerCare Plus health program made Wisconsin the state with one of the lowest uninsured people.

The article offers news briefs around Minnesota. Peter Bianco, Silicon Valley venture capitalist, pledged 1 billion U.S. dollars to convert an elk farm to a biosciences incubator in a 2,300-acre site in Pine Island in Minnesota. Minnesota's job market saw a decrease of 40 percent in unemployment rates in September 2009.

This section offers news briefs around North Dakota. The Bismarck manufacturing plant in North Dakota by Bobcat, the sole company in the Northern Plains Commerce Centre, is facing closure. A change in gambling regulation to streamline tax rates and regulations is being considered by North Dakota, where gamblers spent 144 million U.S. dollars on the paper-pulling game.

This section offers news briefs in South Dakota. A report by the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute shows that South Dakota experienced a 3.8 percent reduction in gambling revenues. A number of national surveys show that South Dakota residents belong to the best in complying with financial obligations.

The article discusses the ongoing fight between environmentalists and the U.S. government over federal protection for gray wolves, also known as timber wolves, in the western Great Lakes region, where the current policy is no-kill except in case of human attack. Though receiving backing from environment groups, popular support for the wolves has diminished as the wolf population are projected to increase to 1,700 wolves in the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin by 2012.

The article reports on the housing market in South Dakota as of the end of 2008. The market has reportedly declined after the boom years of 2006 but not as steep as the downward path of the national market. Overall, the market was reportedly better than California and Florida, with average home prices rising by 3.6 percent in 2008 and with foreclosure rate the third lowest in the U.S.

The article reports on unemployment in the Upper Peninsula. It registered an increase in unemployment rate from 6.8 percent in November 2007 to 9.4 percent in November 2008. This trend allegedly followed the pattern across Michigan which posted unemployment at 10.6 percent in December 2008, from 7.4 percent in 2007. All except five of 83 counties of Michigan, including all U.P. counties, had increased unemployment rates.

The article reports on the inclusion of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.), Michigan as one of the wilderness areas under government protection from development and resource extraction. The proposal is part of the omnibus bill approved by the U.S. Senate in January 2009. Two other sites in the U.P. are targeted for support in the legislation, namely, the Keweenaw National Historical Park and the North Country National Scenic Trail.

The article reports on the budget deficit of Wisconsin estimated at $5.7 billion that allegedly needs to be filled up by the end of June 2009. Aside from the $2 billion expected from the federal stimulus package, Governor Jim Doyle reportedly proposed a 10 percent reduction in state job vacancies to close the deficit. Elected officials are also looking into sales tax exemptions.

The article reports on the approval of a certificate of need for two transmission lines in Minnesota in January 2009. The lines will run from the coal-fired Big Stone II power plant. This approval from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will allow cooperative firms owning the Big Stone II power plant to construct and upgrade transmission lines in the state.

The article reports on how the economy of North Dakota is booming despite the nationwide financial crisis. The growth is attributed to a fast-growing oil industry which led to an economic upturn in the first quarter of 2008. Indicators showed an increase of 60% in tax revenues from the oil and mining industries, followed by the wholesale trade with an increase of 30%, and 20% from the manufacturing industry.

The article reports on how a state law exempting commercial wind projects from property taxes in South Dakota has triggered the development of the state's capacity to produce energy. A major project which will boost the state's wind industry is the development of a 1,550-megawatt wind farm by Clipper Windpower and an additional 3,500 megawatts as a result of a joint venture with BP Alternative Energy. It is mentioned that this project would be the world's largest wind project when completed.

The article announces the plan of Renewafuel to build a production plant outside Marquette in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. The plant will make briquette cubes out of natural materials like wood, grass, and corn, in an effort to develop alternative sources to fossil fuel. The Marquette County's Board of Light and Power intends to buy 60,000 tons of the biomass fuel for use in one of its power plants. It is mentioned that the production of the cubes will make the Upper Peninsula the largest producer of blended biomass fuel in the U.S.

The article reports on how citizens of Wisconsin are trooping to the casinos to cope with the problems of a tight economy. According to the article, gaming revenues at the estate's 27 tribal casinos have risen by 7%. It is mentioned that the increase in gaming activities helped Ho-Chunk Nation, a large casino operator, to repay the $60 million it owed the state government. The casino acquired a new 25-year contract to operate in the state.

This section offers news briefs in North Dakota as of September 2008. FPL Energy unveiled a $300 million, 150-megawatt project in Dickey County in 2009 as an addition to the $2 billion, 1,000-megawatt project it proposed in June 2008. Governor John Hoeven proposed the dumping of 2007 property tax relief plan to be replaced by a $200 million plan that achieves property tax relief by an increase in aid for schools in a buydown of local property taxes.

This section offers news briefs in South Dakota as of September 2008. A United Van Lines survey said South Dakota tops the net migration with 57.4 inbound shipments and 42.6 percent outbound shipments. Proposal of $10 billion oil refinery in the rural fields of Union County is almost approved paving the way for the start of construction by 2010.

This section offers news briefs in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan. Cleveland-Cliffs announced the expansion of its mining operations from 10 million tons of ore in 2008 to 13 million tons in 2009. Cellulosic ethanol plant is being built in the Cheppewa County that will facilitate the conversion of wood chips and tree fibers into ethanol.

This section offers news briefs in Minnesota as of September 2008. Minnesota Gambling Control Board announced that smoking ban in the state affected the operations of charitable gaming industry. Charitable gaming fell 13 percent or $40 million in the last three months of 2007 when the ban commenced. The merging of Northwest Airlines with Delta Airlines in September 2008 is seen to affect 31,000 employees due to job transfer and laying-off.

This section offers news briefs in Wisconsin as of September 2008. National Resources Board of Wisconsin approved the requirement for coal-burning plants to cut mercury emissions by 90 percent through 2015 that is expected to increase residential power bills by $5 to $12 and an increase of $36 to $85 for commercial businesses. Governor's Task Force on Global Warming released its report regarding the reduction of greenhouse-gas emission and the proposal to increase electricity generation from renewables by 2013.

The article explores the financial implications of the rising level of the Devils Lake in North Dakota for the U.S. government at all levels. It relates that the lake has risen 25 feet over the past decade and a half. Local, state and federal governments have spent more than $500 million for the repair of roads, for relocating homes and other infrastructure to protect the city of Devils Lake in line with possible flood problems. It describes the additional spending essential for flood protection in the area.

The article focuses on the outlook on the performance of the tourism industry in the state of Michigan for 2008. A report by Michigan State University researchers expects tourism revenue in the Upper Peninsula to decline by five percent, while a two percent drop is predicted for Michigan. Some of the factors that may drive the growth of tourism in Upper Peninsula and all of Michigan include affordability of attractions and the advantage of a strong Canadian dollar.

The article explores the impact of high farmland and crop prices on livestock farmers in the U.S. It relates the increase in feed costs being incurred by livestock producers, according to Lisa Heggedahl who owns the cow-calf operation Adah Oaks Angus in Hayfield, Minnesota. Information is presented on the losses being incurred by hog farmers due to high crop prices. It describes the implications of high and rising land costs for future farmers and ranchers.

The article focuses on crop insurance and forward contracting, two financial tools designed to help farmers in the U.S. mitigate risk. It relates the increase in the use of crop insurance by farmers. The reasons for the increase include high commodity prices and high input costs. Information is presented on the increase in value of agricultural production covered by forward contracts, according to a report by James MacDonald of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service.

The article explores the gap between the rising farmland prices and the declining farm rental rates in the U.S. It offers an explanation for the price appreciation gap between farmlands and farm rent. It relates that net farmland rent has increased by 11 to 17 percent in 2007 and 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Actively farmed lands in Wisconsin offer greatly reduced rent to avoid paying higher real estate taxes.

This article presents information on the budget deficit of Wisconsin. The state's Legislative Fiscal Bureau is forecasting a shortfall of $650 million for its two-year budget which runs through mid-2009. Two court rulings involving the state may affect the state's deficit. The deficit has been used by the state's Governor Jim Doyle to resurrect a previous proposal to tax hospitals. Also, he proposed a transfer of $243 million from the state transportation fund.

This article reports on the plans of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the Bay Mills Indian Community to open off-reservation casinos in Romulus and Port Huron, Michigan. Both tribes are willing to settle claims for 110 acres of land around Charlotte Beach in exchange for off-reservation sites for the new casinos. These plans has been criticized by Detroit, Michigan Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

The article reports on the opening of a nickel mine by Kennecott Minerals in Michigan in 2009. The mine is expected to produce 16,000 tons of nickel as well as copper, cobalt, platinum and palladium. The article says environmentalists are opposing the plan due to the possible ecological harm when the mine bores beneath the Salmon Trout River which is the habitat of the rare coaster brook trout. The project is also scheduled for review by the state Department of Natural Resources because the mining site and buildings are supposed to be on state land.

The article describes the poor economic performance of Minnesota in 2007. According to a study released by a faculty member at the University of St. Thomas in January 2008, median sale prices of homes declined to more than 2 percent while foreclosures doubled in 2007 compared with 2006. Unemployment rate in the state, however, increased from 4.4 per cent to 4.9 per cent in December 2007.

The article describes the growing demand for veterinarians in the fields of medical devices, biomedicine and pharmaceuticals. Veterinarians, the author says, have the necessary background for doing pre-clinical animal studies and clinical research. According to veterinary professor Mike Murphy, each of these fields deals with human health and has simple connections to veterinarians. Some firms said that they hire veterinarians because they offer an equally qualified but cheaper labor alternative to doctors trained in human health care.

The article offers updates on issues and events in South Dakota. A report by DakotaRoots.com, a Web-based recruiting tool launched in October 2007 by Governor Mike Rounds, said the state government has had some success in recruiting native residents back home and helping them find jobs in the state. A report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office revealed that the federal Conservation Reserve program is failing to save native grasslands from conversion to cropland, particularly in South Dakota.

The article presents updates on issues and events in Wisconsin. A study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that the state has seen persistent net losses in college graduates ages 22 to 29, who migrated to other places such as Chicago and the Twin Cities in search of jobs. State lawmakers have been attempting to pass a biennium budget since the Legislature first went into session in January 2008. Among proposals in the state budget include a new tax on oil companies, as well as a tax on hospitals to attract more federal Medicaid funding.

The article offers updates on issues and events in Minnesota. In its recent job report on unfilled jobs statewide, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reports that unfilled jobs numbered about 60,000, up slightly compared with six months ago, but down more than 6 percent from a year ago. Governor Tim Pawlenty has announced a new program, called the Strategic Entrepreneurial Economic Development (SEED), which aims to provide financial help to small businesses in rural Minnesota.

The article reports on the rise of corn production in North Dakota. The state agriculture department has estimated an 80 percent increase in corn crop in 2007. Combined with increases in corn prices, the state's total revenue from the estimated corn crop of 280 million bushels will rise from just over $200 million to somewhere north of $850 million.

The article offers updates on issues and events in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Mining firm Cleveland-Cliffs has announced a new iron nugget production facility at its Empire Mine in the Upper Peninsula. Sawyer International Airport has shuttled more than 40,000 passenger during the three-month period, an increase of 5 percent over the same period in 2006 and a 68 percent increase over the summer of 1999.

The article examines FRANdata statistics on franchising in various U.S. states. It discusses the relationship of population and the number of franchises. It states that frachisors tend to concentrate in larger regions and cities. It cites the study of the College of Charleston which states that there's a relationship between state population and the concentration of franchise headquarters.

This section offers news briefs from North Dakota as of September 2007. More than 1,800 workers are needed by oil companies to manage their business by 2010 according to a combined study of the office of the governor, state agencies and the Williston State College. The power generation of North Dakota will be doubled by business plans implementation of the Minnkota Power Cooperative and Otter Tail Power and the Basin Electric Power Cooperative.

The author assesses the value of real estate in the Minneapolis, Minnesota metropolitan area. The ratio of active listings to each buyer increased by about 50% in 2006, with a third of the more than 150 communities monitored by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors saw median sales decrease. Home sales also decreased to about 10% from February to May 2007. According to RealtyTrac, there were 2,468 foreclosures or 95%of all foreclosures in the state.

The article reports on information technology (IT) investments of health care providers in the U.S. The increasing complexity of health care and the sophistication of software applications are making IT a must-have for health care organizations. The estimated IT spending by hospitals in 2006 is mentioned. Two obstacles are encountered by health care providers contemplating IT investments.

The author reflects on the importance of education in preventing poverty. He discusses the situation of U.S. citizens who were not able to graduate from high school. Thirteen percent of the group of 25 years old and older who are in poverty are those who have not attained high school diplomas. Table is presented indicating the poverty rates in the country by educational attainment.

The author reflects on the relationship between poverty and age. He discusses the causes of poverty rates among different age levels and age groups. Poverty rate are high for young and school children and young adults, who are working in jobs with low wages. For individuals in 25-34 and 45-54 age group, rate is decreased due to educational degree, training and working hours. For 55 years old and above, rate increase again due to retirement or decrease in income.

The article looks at the gender gap in poverty rates in the U.S. It discusses how the poverty rates among women have been increasing through the years. The poverty rates of women are 2 to 4 percent higher than those of men, both in district states and in the country. Shouldering of family responsibilities and being a single parent contributes to the growing poverty rates among women. Details on the situation of women, particularly working women, in states are offered.

This article offers news briefs in Upper Peninsula, Michigan. Owing to worldwide demand for steel, the total iron ore production and profits at Cleveland-Cliffs have rebounded strongly, with more than 13 million tons by 2005. Escanaba officials together with Wisconsin Public Power Inc. plans to construct a new plant to power the city.

This article offers news briefs in South Dakota. A proposal to increase the state cigarette tax is one of the state ballot initiatives included in the November polls. According to figures released by the Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Oahe is only four feet short of its record low with just 11 million acre-feet.

This article offers news briefs in Minnesota. The state's unemployment rate in the April-to-June quarter is close to its lowest rate in more than five years, with the addition of some 32,000 jobs. Iron ore plants, nickel-copper mines, a coal-gasification plant, wood-fired power plants and a major paper mill expansion are among the proposed facilities in the state, which will create good-paying jobs.

The article offers news briefs in North Dakota. A Measure 2 referendum were passed by North Dakota residents, which eliminates 11 sections of Article 12 in the state's constitution. Two angel investor groups, which were organized through RAIN Source Capital, were established in the state to expand the number of investors, as well as the amount of investment capital.