The new plant, located near Minot, North Dakota, is expected to be operating by spring of 2013. Forum Communications reports it will be capable of producing up to 75 million cubic feet of natural gas per day.

Boardings at airports at airports across North Dakota are up 22 percent in the first six months of 2012 compared to the same period last year, Forum Communications reports. Boardings at airports near the oil boom in western North Dakota have skyrocketed -- up 73 percent in Dickinson, 62 percent in Minot and 41 percent in Williston.

According to the Bismarck Tribune, the number of baby births is setting new records at hospitals in central and western North Dakota. Hospitals are reportedly constructing new rooms and increasing staff to accommodate the current baby boom.

Minnesota-based Otter Tail Corp. is looking to sell its wind tower manufacturing plants in North Dakota and Oklahoma for $20 million. The future is uncertain for the 216 jobs in West Fargo and 167 in Tulsa. An Otter Tail spokesman tells the Fargo Forum the company hopes the new owners "see the value in our plants and skilled workforce."

The state's rate was 3.9 percent in February, while the national unadjusted rate was 8.7 percent. North Dakota's adjusted rate was 3.1 percent

The beetles rarely kill plants, but they feed on more than 300 different kinds of trees and flowers, eating holes in leaves and blossoms that can cause plants to become brown, KSTP reports.

North Dakota's oil boom is fueling demand for more air travel. Delta Air Lines is adding two nonstop daily flights between the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and Williston, N.D., starting in November, the Fargo Forum reports.