"It's really great to live in a state with that kind of friends and neighbors. They step forward for anybody that has mishaps like this and its really great, it's a part of what makes North Dakota so good."

- Jeff Delzer of rural Underwood talking about neighbors who helped harvest his crop after Delzer fell breaking his right arm and wrist, left shoulder and nose. Delzer, a Republican, is a state representative.

* * *

"It was really fun combining. The wheat really boiled out of the hopper."

- Mike Fleck of the Flasher area talking about his great wheat crop.

* * *

"Health care premiums are for health care. They're not for expensive retirement parties, they're not for corporate jets, they're not for risky hotel investments and they're certainly not for a compensation structure that rewards senior management regardless of Blue Cross Blue Shield's financial performance."

- North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm talking about the results of an investigation of administrative expenses for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota.

* * *

"We're going to go from well above average to well below average to about average all within a few days."

- National Weather Service Meteorologist Ken Simosko of Bismarck looking at weekend weather.

* * *

"Now, we've seen this situation turn around, and I think (Vance Taylor, manager of the state mill and elevator) is entitled to be compensated as a reasonable rate, the same rate that other employees at the mill are getting. It wasn't a personal failing on anybody's part at the mill, but there were problems down there last year that just were the same kind of things that were seen at similar operations all across the country."

- Wayne Stenehjem, attorney general and member of the North Dakota Industrial Commission, on the decision to give Taylor a 4 percent raise.

* * *

"The government doesn't want to take on the risk."

- A regional Bureau of Indian Affairs representative explaining why the federal government doesn't want to own the land where a proposed oil refinery would be created by the Three Affiliated Tribes near New Town.

* * *

"This one cent we would be putting on the ballot would be entirely dedicated to property tax relief and special assessments - road rehab. There would be no more special assessments for road repair."

- Bismarck Mayor John Warford pitching another penny of sales tax.

* * *

"They get the speed on. They're always in high gear. It makes the sweat drip from their bellies."

- 72-year-old Larry Landsiedel talking about Pride and Joy, his team of Percheron draft horses that he still puts in harness.