• GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) -- Drones are on display in northeastern North Dakota.
• The seventh annual Unmanned Aircraft Systems Action Summit kicks off Thursday the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, featuring the nation's leading industry, military and professional experts.
• Officials say North Dakota is well-positioned as a national hub for UAS research, technology and applications. The Grand Forks Air Force Base recently switched to an unmanned mission and the University of North Dakota is the first U.S. college to offer a drone degree program.
• Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota began piloting unmanned aircraft in November.
• Michael Toscano, president and CEO of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, a trade association for the domestic drone industry, is the keynote speaker. He's scheduled to talk at 10 a.m. Thursday.
• The event winds up Friday.
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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakota officials are taking new steps to promote businesses related to the oil and gas industry.
• State Energy Policy Director Hunter Roberts says South Dakota can attract new businesses and help existing companies expand to serve the oil fields in nearby North Dakota.
• The Governor's Office of Economic Development has hired Black Hills Business Strategy, a consulting firm based in Rapid City, to study how South Dakota businesses can take advantage of opportunities in the oil and gas industry.
• Jim Quinn of Black Hills Business Strategy says the firm is identifying oil and gas operators, drillers, contractors and suppliers who are active in the North Dakota oil fields. He says the study will determine how South Dakota companies can provide goods and services to those working in the oilfields.
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