A look back at ‘08

2008 has been quite a year for the history books in andamp lt a href andamp quot http www kxnet com t north-dakotaandamp quot class andamp quot kxInlineLinkandamp quot andamp gt North Dakotaandamp lt aandamp gt But what will people still be talking about 50 years from now On this New Yearandamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 8482 s Eve here is a look back at the stories that will impact the state for years to come This yearandamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 8482 s top story is also one of the top stories in North Dakota s 119 year history andamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 339 If there is something that stands out about North Dakota history in 2008 it s the andamp lt a href andamp quot http www kxnet com t oilandamp quot class andamp quot kxInlineLinkandamp quot andamp gt oilandamp lt aandamp gt boom the andamp lt a href andamp quot http www kxnet com t bakken-oil-formationandamp quot class andamp quot kxInlineLinkandamp quot andamp gt Bakkenandamp lt aandamp gt andamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 157 said Mark Halvorson of the State Historical Society of North Dakota andamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 339 The 2008 oil boom if you incorporate it with the 1950 s and 1970 s it becomes one of the top 10 in North Dakota history andamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 157 Halvorson said It seems everywhere you look in western North Dakota you see the signsfrom the rigs to the tank cars moving the oil The second big story involves mistakes handling nuclear weapons that made national headlines andamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 339 Not only the flying of nuclear weapons from andamp lt a href andamp quot http www kxnet com t minot-air-force-baseandamp quot class andamp quot kxInlineLinkandamp quot andamp gt Minot Air Force Baseandamp lt aandamp gt to Louisiana but also the subsequent mishandling of a rocket propulsion unit that was left by the side of the road andamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 157 said Halvorson andamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 339 These are emblematic of our heightened concern for national security since 9 11 andamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 339 The 5th bomb wing fails its security inspection but is rectified in handling nuclear weapons after the errors Corruption headlines our third story Halvorson andamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 339 The whole story with the prosecution of andamp lt a href andamp quot http www kxnet com t sandy-bluntandamp quot class andamp quot kxInlineLinkandamp quot andamp gt Sandy Bluntandamp lt aandamp gt and WSI brings to mind the whole period of 34 35 andamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 157 Blunt is convicted on one of two felony charges andamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 339 It s those types of things those allegations of corruption North Dakotan s are very proud of our transparency in government andamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 157 Halvorson said andamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 339 We were the first state in the nation to recall a governor Lynn Frazier the initiated measure the recall the referendum these are parts of North Dakotans wanting to have responsible government andamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 339 Next on the listpolitics and a first for North Dakota andamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 339 The election of andamp lt a href andamp quot http www kxnet com t john-hoevenandamp quot class andamp quot kxInlineLinkandamp quot andamp gt John Hoevenandamp lt aandamp gt for a third four year term is unprecedented in North Dakota history andamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 157 Halvorson said andamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 339 Now Art Link in 1980 ran against Alan Olson and was defeated he was seeking a third fourth year term Now Bill Guy was elected andamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 157 Finallyon a whiter notethis winter will be talked about for years to come It s already one for the record books And weandamp 226 andamp 8364 andamp 8482 re not even into 2009 Some of the other top stories include our budget surplus crop values and financial difficulties of the State Mill andamp amp Elevator