BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Carolina-based private security firm hired by Texas-based pipeline developer Energy Transfer Partners won't be banned from North Dakota, though a judge is still weighing whether TigerSwan operated illegally in the state during protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline and might be subject to fines. Judge John Grinsteiner rejected a request by North Dakota's Private Investigative and Security Board to order that TigerSwan stay out of the state because it isn't licensed. The company had argued the issue was moot because its employees haven't been in the state since late last June, and Grinsteiner said the licensing board hadn't shown that they might return anytime soon. "Furthermore, the board has failed to show that this conduct would produce injury to the board," the judge said in a ruling dated Friday. ETP hired TigerSwan to handle security as construction crews laid pipe in North Dakota in 2016 and 2017.Read more on NewsOK.com