BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The slow start to winter has meant big cost savings in North Dakota, where the state spent $1.6 million through November in snow-removal efforts. That's compared to $3.1
million in 2010 and the long-term average of $2.1 million.

Jodie Hill, the state Department of Transportation shop foreman in Bismarck, says the 55 workers there had racked up almost 6,000 hours of overtime last winter due to storms. So far this season,
it's near nothing.

Bismarck is among dozens of cities nationwide that have saved money thanks to the warm, brown winter. Department of Public Works officials in Sioux Falls, S.D., returned more than $1.8 million to
the general fund after no noteworthy snow fell in November and December.