Judge moves pipeline protest hearing, says sides should meet

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A federal judge has postponed a hearing on whether a preliminary injunction should be issued to prevent protesters in North Dakota from interfering with construction of an oil pipeline.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland moved the hearing scheduled on Thursday to Sept. 8. The judge also extended a restraining order against the protesters until the hearing.

The judge says in his order filed Monday that the two sides are "strongly encouraged to meet and confer in good faith" to try and resolve the dispute out of court.

More than two dozen protesters have been arrested in the last month for interfering with the construction of the $3.8 billion Dakota Access Pipeline meant to carry North Dakota crude to Illinois.

Developers have agreed to halt construction until court matters are resolved.