http://www.minotdailynews.comTop Headlinesen-usWed, 7 Jan 2009 08:09:24 EDTWed, 7 Jan 2009 08:09:24 EDThttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rsshttp://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/522863.htmlBISMARCK  Applause rang out nearly 20 times as Gov. John Hoeven presented his State of the State address in a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives Tuesday afternoon. Besides touting a sizeable list of North Dakota's strong points, Hoeven focused on tax relief, K-12 and higher education, the energy industry and helping families.Wed, 7 Jan 2009 00:10:51 EDThttp://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/522837.htmlWe know there must be an inauguration ceremony swearing in Barack Obama as our new president on Jan. 20. But must the accompanying festivities be so costly? The inaugural committee announced Tuesday that it has raised at least $27 million for the event from private donors, and the amount is expected to top the $40 million raised for each of President George W. Bush's celebrations.Tue, 6 Jan 2009 16:13:00 EDThttp://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/522864.htmlBISMARCK  Not everyone agrees with the executive budget, and one Minot legislator isn't afraid to say so. Rep. Dan Ruby, R-Minot, held a press conference Tuesday afternoon after the State of the State address to say that he and some of the other legislators are very concerned about the proposed spending.Wed, 7 Jan 2009 00:10:52 EDThttp://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/522865.htmlCries of newborns rang a little louder in 2008 throughout the halls of obstetrics and delivery, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the nursery  collectively known as the Family Birth Center  at Trinity Hospital. The reason? A 10-percent increase in births from previous years with 1,421 total births in 2008.Wed, 7 Jan 2009 00:11:01 EDThttp://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/522866.htmlAt its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, the Ward County Board of Commissioners granted a two-year property tax exemption for new single-family residential construction on the request of the Minot Association of Builders. In doing so, however, the board ended up performing an about-face on its own prior resolution that no entity can forgive taxes for another entity.Wed, 7 Jan 2009 00:11:16 EDT