5 things to know today: Overdraft fees, Electricity rates, Border restrictions, Prison investigation, Medalist interview

072021.N.FF.GATECITY.jpg — Gate City Bank has been identified as one of six "overdraft giants," smaller banks that derive 50% or more of their revenues from overdraft charges. Gate City executives said its ranking stems from its heavy focus on consumer banking. David Samson / The Forum

By InForum and Eric Bolin

July 24, 2021 at 6:00 AM

1. Gate City Bank ranks among what report calls overdraft fee 'giants,' but bank says the picture is skewed

A Brookings Institution report lists Gate City Bank among a half dozen banks that got more than half of their net income from overdraft charges. Gate City counters that its community-bank focus, with a large share of checking account customers, naturally gives it higher overdraft income, but said its fees overall are low — including no fees for any ATM withdrawals.

2. Xcel agrees to lower rate increase for North Dakota electric customers

011121.AG.ChangingWindEnergyDiversification01.jpg — High-voltage direct current lines at Edgeley, N.D., on Dec. 28, 2020. Mikkel Pates / Forum News Service

A settlement reached between state regulatory staff, outside stakeholders and Fargo's largest power provider would allow the company to hike its monthly electricity rates by about $2.50 a household, for a total of $7.1 million. That's substantially less than the rate increase originally requested by Xcel, whose ask for several million dollars to help retire two units of a Minnesota coal plant was denied.

3. North Dakota governor, neighboring leaders urge immediate reopening of US-Canada border

2021-07-21T152816Z_1152132582_RC23PO9M4UWG_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-USA-TRAVEL.JPG — U.S. and Canadian flags flutter at the Canada-United States border crossing at the Thousand Islands Bridge, which remains closed to non-essential traffic to combat the spread of the coronavirus in Lansdowne, Ontario, Canada, Sept. 28, 2020. REUTERS/Lars Hagberg/File Photo

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and an international group of leaders have sent a letter to U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau requesting that the border between the two countries be reopened immediately.

The letter sent Friday, July 23, comes days after the U.S. extended the closure of its border to nonessential travel until Aug. 21. That's nearly two weeks later than Canada is due to begin letting in fully vaccinated Americans. Nonessential travel between the neighboring nations has been shut down since March 2020 as a precautionary measure to combat the spread of COVID-19.

4. More could lose jobs as South Dakota prison investigation moves forward

The South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is pictured here in a Google Maps screenshot from September 2019. (Submitted / Google)

More Department of Corrections administrators in South Dakota could lose their jobs as an investigation continues into allegations at the state penitentiary and the corrections department, Gov. Kristi Noem said Friday, July 23.

Noem met with staff at the state penitentiary on Friday afternoon in the wake of firing two top wardens after a whistleblower report alleged sexual harassment, as well as poor pay, benefits and equipment.

Noem had "a very candid conversation" with the employees, she told reporters afterward, but added more firings were "possible."

5. 1984 Olympic medalist discusses US women's gymnastics with Forum Reporter Robin Huebner

Robin and Kathy — Forum reporter Robin Huebner, left, talks with Olympic gymnastics medalist and commentator Kathy Johnson Clarke. Zoom screenshot

Fans of the summer Olympics have had to wait a lot longer than usual to see the global spectacle of sports that comes our way every four years.

Consider 1980 and 1984 Olympian Kathy Johnson Clarke among those most excited for the gymnastics competition in Tokyo.

The two-time Olympic medalist and ESPN gymnastics commentator will be watching closely as the action unfolds July 24 through Aug. 3.