• BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- The federal government is making $3.6 million available through a conservation program to help Upper Midwest farmers and ranchers who have flooded land.
• The funding is being made available through the Water Bank Program, which gives landowners annual payments over 10 years to protect wetlands and adjacent farmland. U.S. Sen. John Hoeven says it will help farmers affected by flooding -- particularly those in regions with chronic flooding, such as the Devils Lake area in North Dakota.
• The federal Agriculture Department's Natural Resources Conservation Service is taking applications through April 18 from producers in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.
• NRCS Chief Jason Weller says the effort will help with flood control while also keeping water on the land to benefit waterfowl.
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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota state fair will bring the band Boston to Huron on Aug. 31.
• Boston is known for hits "More than a Feeling" and "Peace of Mind." The hard-rock band debuted with a popular self-titled album in 1976.
• Last year it released a new album called, "Life, Love & Hope."
• Boston performs live without prerecorded parts or technical enhancements. Boston band members will perform at the Illinois state fair before travelling to South Dakota.
• They will share the grandstand stage with the band Alabama.
• Alabama will perform on Aug. 29.
• The fair runs from Aug. 28 through Sept. 1.
• This year the theme is "What does the fair say?"
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