N.D. heating aid about $38 million

North Dakota is in line for $38.2 million to help needy people with their heating bills this winter.

The total is part of a $5 billion fuel assistance package released to the states by the Bush administration this week.

Last year, the state's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program got $20.5 million, and helped about 15,000 households.

The federal Health and Human Services Department says states will get their heating aid grants by the end of the month.

- Associated Press