Saturday,  Nov. 16, 2013 • Vol. 16--No. 123 • 20 of 28

(Continued from page 19)

Noem says her focus remains repealing 'Obamacare'

• WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rep. Kristi Noem voted with the majority in passing the Keep Your Health Plan Act but says her long-term goal is repealing "Obamacare."
• The 261-157 roll call Friday in the House would let insurance companies sell individual coverage to everyone, even if it falls short of standards in the health overhaul.
• The South Dakota Republican says the act will help temporarily, but her main focus is the American Health Care Reform Act.
• She says it would repeal the president's health care law and replace it with legislation to increase completion, reform medical malpractice laws and change the tax code so health insurance costs are tax deductible.
• President Barack Obama announced Thursday that insurance companies would be given the option to keep offering consumers insurance policies that would otherwise be canceled.

Corn crops taking different paths in Dakotas

• BLAKE NICHOLSON, Associated Press
• BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- Corn production estimates are on different paths in the Dakotas, but farmers in both states say they're pleased with their crops.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture production estimates for South Dakota's corn crop have risen steadily this fall, from 731 million bushels in August to 769 million in September to 812 million this month. The expected record crop would be up 52 percent from last year.
• On the flip side, production estimates for North Dakota have been falling -- from 418 million bushels in August to 400 million in September to 375 million this month. The crop would be down 11 percent from last year's record.
• USDA did not publish estimates in October because of the 16-day partial shutdown of the federal government.
• North Dakota corn farmers enjoyed a record production year in 2012, largely because they did not deal with the devastating drought that other corn states including South Dakota suffered through. This year, adverse weather has cut into production.
• "We had a wet spring that delayed planting, then we had a very dry summer," said Tom Lilja, executive director of the North Dakota Corn Growers Association. "Overall, our statewide yield will be average to slightly below average."
• That isn't the case in many states this year. At least 18 states will set records for

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