Dave Kolpack

FARGO, N.D. — Football is the only NCAA Division I sport that is divided into two levels, the one that fills 100,000-seat stadiums and the one that gets no respect.

Representatives from colleges in the second subdivision aren’t sure how to fix it.

FARGO, N.D. -- Voters cast ballots Tuesday to resolve a bitter dispute over the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname, even as supporters of the moniker promised to resume the battle this fall regardless of the outcome.

The issue has been simmering for decades, dividing the state, sports fans, alumni and even area tribes. But it boiled over seven years ago when UND was placed on a list of schools with American Indian nicknames that the NCAA deemed hostile and abusive. Those colleges were told to dump the names or risk sanctions against their athletic teams.

Voters in Tuesday's North Dakota primary are being asked whether to uphold or reject the Legislature's repeal of a state law requiring the school to use the nickname and American Indian head logo.

FARGO, N.D. -- The leader of University of North Dakota's alumni on Tuesday kicked off a campaign to dump the school's Fighting Sioux nickname by reeling off a list of schools that will no longer schedule UND in certain athletics until the issue is resolved.

Tim O'Keefe, CEO of the UND Alumni Association and Foundation, said neighboring South Dakota State has joined an increasing number of schools to snub the Grand Forks college because of the nickname.

FARGO, N.D. -- When a powerful blizzard ripped through North Dakota last winter, hundreds of drivers were stranded as white-out conditions shuttered interstates spanning the state. Snow whipped up by wind marred the lines between pavement and grassy drop-offs, leaving some scared motorists unsure what to do.

Two local software developers figured they could help.

Bob Bertsch, an employee with the North Dakota State University Extension Service, and Jake Joraanstad, an NDSU computer engineering major, had just finished developing an app to help residents during floods when the blizzard hit in March, convincing them to shift their attention to winter disasters.

Winter Survival Kit was born. The free program, available for iPhones and Android smartphones, is both a primer to help motorists prepare for winter driving and a beacon when things go badly.

FARGO, N.D. -- The good news was all about things that didn't happen: No floodwaters pushing aside hastily built sandbag walls, no neighborhoods evacuated, no panicked residents wondering if they'd ever see their homes again.