Workplace Safety: A new Labor Day look at the deadliest jobs ranks logging as America’s most dangerous occupation in 2024, with fishing/hunting and roofing also near the top—another reminder for North Dakota employers to keep safety front and center. Data Centers & Power Contracts: Applied Digital says it has signed take-or-pay leases for about 1,410 MW across five data center campuses, but rent only starts when buildings deliver—highlighting how AI buildouts can move cash flow timelines for the region’s construction and energy supply chains. North Dakota Policy Watch (Kratom): Gov. Kelly Armstrong is pushing a special-session ban on kratom “in all its forms,” citing overdose deaths and arguing the issue can’t wait—while lawmakers weigh synthetic restrictions and tighter rules for natural products. Agriculture Events: The Big Iron Farm and Construction Show returns Sept. 15-17 in West Fargo, drawing 70,000-plus visitors and featuring equipment demos, vendor booths, and NDSU Extension programming. Crop Rotation Research: New findings back sunflowers as a rotation tool—research suggests they can improve soil structure and help stabilize corn yields in dry years. Regional Business Climate: Prairie Business named 2026’s 50 Best Places to Work, spotlighting local engineering, construction, and tech employers across the region.