Bismarck Mayor Stepping Down

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The mayor of North Dakota's capital city is taking a job with a local university and won't be seeking a fourth term.

Bismarck Mayor John Warford will become the dean of the Gary Tharaldson School of Business at the University of Mary when his term ends in June. He also will work part part-time at his orthodontics practice.

Warford says he made the decision to step down as mayor before learning of the opportunity at the University of Mary. He's been mayor since 2002 and says it's "time for me to pass the baton."