• BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- The four-day United Tribes International Powwow is getting underway in Bismarck.
• The annual powwow at United Tribes Technical College draws hundreds of dancers from around the country. It also has a featured cultural group each year. This year's group is Explendor Azteca, with dancers representing the Aztec culture of central Mexico.
• The powwow Thursday through Sunday is in its 44th year. It's considered one of North Dakota's premier cultural events, attracting thousands of people every year. Miss Indian Nations also is crowned during the event.
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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Office of Emergency Management is seeking public comments on its updated hazard mitigation plan, a document that identifies strategies to reduce or eliminate the risk of damage from natural disasters.
• States must have hazard mitigation plans in place to qualify for presidential disaster declarations.
• Jason Bauder of the Office of Emergency Management says the state's plan has enabled South Dakota to get 13 presidential disaster declarations in the past five years. He says that has led to funding for risk-reduction projects that include storm shelters, drainage improvements and flood control measures.
• Officials assess risks from agricultural pests and diseases, floods, winter storms, wildfire, drought, tornadoes and hazardous material spills.
• Public comments on the draft plan can be made until Oct. 18. It is available online at www.oem.sd.gov
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• BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) -- A researcher from Texas A&M University will visit South Dakota State University on Friday for a free seminar on crop insurance.
• Agricultural economics associate professor Dmitry Vedenov will present "Approaches to Design of Weather Insurance Contracts Under Data Limitations" from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Avera Health and Science Center.

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