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hit."
• The Stockmen's Association and the Stockmen's Foundation each contributed $10,000 to start a relief fund for affected ranchers. With other donations, the fund totals nearly $50,000, and donations are still being accepted.
• Ranchers can apply for aid for themselves or for others. Application and nomination forms can be found at http://www.ndstockmen.org . The deadline for submissions is Jan. 31. The Stockmen's Association plans to disburse the money to producers early next year based on need.
• The association also has contributed $10,000 to a relief fund for South Dakota ranchers, who lost between 15,000 and 30,000 livestock in the storm.
• "Many ranch families were impacted by this incredibly destructive storm," said Towner, N.D., rancher Jason Zahn, who serves as president of the Stockmen's Association. "The Stockmen's Foundation wanted to reach out and provide support to producers on both sides of the border."
• The South Dakota fund, which was set up by the state Stockgrowers Association, Cattlemen's Association and Sheep Growers Association, has surpassed $2 million. The fund being administered by the Black Hills Area Community Foundation began accepting assistance applications in mid-November, with a deadline of Dec. 31. Forms are available at http://www.RanchersRelief.org .
• Ranchers in both states hurt by the storm have not received disaster aid from the federal government because Congress has not yet passed a new farm bill.
• "It's going to bankrupt some operations," said Bob Fortune, who ranches near the South Dakota town of Belvidere.
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• FORT YATES, N.D. (AP) -- Forty-five members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe who served as code talkers during World Wars I and II have been honored posthumously for their service.
• Family members of the former soldiers were presented Congressional Gold Medals during a ceremony in Fort Yates on Thursday. The medals were first presented at a ceremony last month in Washington, D.C.
• Code talkers used their native languages to protect American battlefield secrets during the two world wars. Members of 33 tribes served.
• The Standing Rock Sioux Reservation straddles the North Dakota-South Dakota border.
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