Mortgage late payments low in Upper Great Plains
• BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- Upper Great Plains states have the lowest home mortgage delinquency rates in the nation.
• Homeowners around the country who took on mortgages well after the housing bubble burst are doing a better job keeping up with payments. Credit reporting agency TransUnion says the trend is helping bring down the U.S. mortgage delinquency rate to the lowest level in four years.
• The percentage of mortgage holders at least two months behind on payments fell to 5.19 percent in the last three months of 2012. That's down nearly 14 percent since the last three months of 2011.
• North Dakota's delinquency rate was 1.53 percent; South Dakota's 1.97 percent; and Nebraska's and Alaska's 2.20 percent.
• The late-payment rate has improved because of several factors, including rising home prices and low interest rates.
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Agency urging blood donations in wake of blizzard
• BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- United Blood Services of the Dakotas is urging people to donate blood in the wake of the weekend blizzard in the region to ensure a stable blood supply.
• The organization says the storm forced the cancellation of several blood drives, and few donors were able to venture out Monday in the aftermath of the blizzard.
• United Blood Services of the Dakotas has North Dakota offices in Bismarck, Fargo and Minot, and South Dakota offices in Aberdeen, Mitchell and Rapid City.
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SD Senate panel looks at animal cruelty measure
• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakota lawmakers are taking a look at a measure that would make aggravated cruelty to dogs, cats and horses a felony.
• The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee plans to hold a hearing on the bill Tuesday.
• Animal rights groups have said South Dakota and North Dakota are the only states without felony penalties for animal mistreatment.
• The bill would make it a felony carrying a maximum penalty of two years in prison (Continued on page 19)
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