Dakota Beacon

DON’T ALWAYS OBEY YOUR GPS  A Minnesota truck driver punched a Jamestown destination into a GPS and away he went across the ND prairie with 42 tons of beans.  That is, until he attempted to cross a small bridge near Northwood.  The 114-year-old bridge had a weight limit of 14 tons and collapsed into the Goose River trapping the truck.  The owner was fined $11,400, but has forgiven his driver.  It could cost up to $1 million to replace the historic bridge located on a lightly traveled road — it’s unlikely to be replaced.

POLITICS  “Gov. Doug Burgum will be the Republican candidate but the sacrificial Democrat has yet to be found.” — Columnist Lloyd Omdahl regarding 2020 ND elections.  Another quote: “It’s a tough call. On balance, though, we think keeping them in Washington is best for U.S. agriculture at this time.” — The Agweek (A Forum publication) Editorial Board in reference to a proposal to move certain USDA departments from Washington, D.C. to Kansas City.

WALLETHUB studied student debt using 12 key measures to rank states.  SD was No. 1, the nation’s worst student debt situation, Iowa was No. 5 and MN No. 6.  MT was No. 25, ND was No. 28 and WY No. 48, nearly the best.

THE LATEST ON OMAR  Yesterday, the Star Tribune published an article from PolitiFact, a nonprofit that fact checks political statements.  For anyone interested in the unresolved controversy surrounding U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, this is compelling reading.  The otherwise neutral article had the unintended effect of increasing demands for investigation of Omar for possible income tax and immigration fraud. 

“BORN PRETTY, Barb stayed that way all the years of her life.  She was always the brightest blossom in the bunch!” — From the obituary of Barbara Diamond of Minneapolis.  Most women would love to hear those comments.

DAKTOIDS:  ND spends over $50 million annually to maintain an Extension Service that has an agent in every county — several counties have less than 2,000 residents . . . ND hemp production is on the rise — the state has 64 licensed growers planting 4,000 acres . . . Not a good idea — a Grand Forks father let his 11-year-old daughter drive his SUV — the vehicle jumped the curb hitting two trees and a house.