Author: Gabriel Ostler

State Lawmakers Seek to Raise Prize Limit for Meat Raffles in Minnesota

Currently, the maximum prize value is $70, and it's been that way for nearly 40 years.

MOORHEAD, MN (KVRR) – The meat raffle is a time-honored institution, an easy way to raise money for charitable causes and hand out some fine culinary prizes. But while the price of those prizes has skyrocketed due to inflation and supply chain issues, in the state of Minnesota, the price limit is still capped at 70 dollars – and it’s…

Two Charged with Smuggling Drugs into Clay County Jail

The charge of conspiracy to distribute narcotics comes with a maximum 20-year prison sentence.

Clay County CourthouseMOORHEAD, MN (KVRR) – Two men are each facing up to twenty years in prison after allegedly being caught smuggling narcotics into the Clay County Jail. Jack Halvorson and Loren Smith stand accused of sneaking suboxone into the jail for sale and distribution amongst fellow inmates. The charging documents state suspicion arose when inmates in Smith’s orbit began…

Horace school parking lot shooting suspect sold crack cocaine & counterfeit cash

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Forty-year-old Garmonyou Wiles of Fargo has been charged in Cass County District Court with attempted murder, reckless endangerment, terrorizing, aggravated assault, and discharge of a firearm within a city. That might seem like enough charges to last a lifetime – but, it turns out, Wiles is no stranger to illegal activity. In 2016, Wiles sold crack…

Kupec, Fellow Legislators Vow to Fight Fraud in Minnesota

State Senator Kupec says the legislation he co-authored focuses on closing loopholes regarding government grants.

MOORHEAD, MN (KVRR) – Everyone embroiled in the issue of fraud in the state of Minnesota has a different perspective – maybe even a different specific incident that caught their eye. State Senator Rob Kupec of Moorhead remembers his. “There had been an employee of DHS who issued grants – sizeable grants – to a nonprofit, and then, three days…

Sons of Norway Showcases Scandinavian Dance

Event organizers say the whole concept came about due to a desire to use antique bunads the Sons had in storage.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The Sons of Norway in Fargo are always focused on maintaining traditions from their Scandinavian heritage. This weekend, they held an event for one particular Norwegian activity: dance. The “Keeping Culture Alive! Nordic Dance and Supper” took place on April 11. First, there was an all-ages dance workshop hosted by the Gasper School of Dance, where…

Totally Rad Vintage Fest Returns to Fargo

Owners of the multi-city tour say that there's a special energy about Fargo that makes the experience extra-memorable.

WEST FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Fans of all things vintage and retro were in for a treat this weekend, as the Totally Rad Vintage Fest returned to the Fargo-Moorhead area. This is the fourth consecutive year the traveling festival has stopped at the Veterans Memorial Arena in West Fargo. Staff estimated about 5,000 people came through the doors during the…

Missing Wahpeton Man Found Deceased in River

The Valley City Police Department says both 73-year-old Alfred Odden and his vehicle were recovered from the Sheyenne River.

VALLEY CITY, N.D. (KVRR) – The search for the missing Wahpeton grandfather, 73-year-old Alfred Odden, has concluded with the recovery of Mr. Odden’s body from the Sheyenne River. The Valley City Police Department put out a release on Facebook detailing the circumstances of the discovery. They say that on the evening of April 10, they located a vehicle submerged in…

Search Continues for Alfred Odden

Volunteer rescue organization Badlands Search & Rescue has stepped in to add their resources and support.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The phrase “into thin air” gets thrown around a lot in missing persons cases, but given the lack of trail Alfred Odden left after departing the Valley City Casey’s on the evening of April 1, it feels somewhat appropriate. The 73-year-old grandfather reportedly claimed he was going to drive his teal pickup with red topper from…

Student Loan Repayment Changes Set to Affect Students, Graduates Alike

Federal plans being cancelled means that some will see their monthly payments double - at minimum.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Both current college students and graduates alike are scrambling to figure out to do regarding their student loans, with major changes coming to the federal loan repayment system. Various repayment plans are being terminated – like the SAVE plan, which will end in July. The SAVE plan was an income-based repayment plan which capped payments at…

AARP Schedules Events in North Dakota for Fraud Prevention Month

One will be a cybercrime seminar in Fargo, while the other will be a document-shredding opportunity in West Fargo.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – You may be used to hearing stories about attempted scams or cold-calling fraudsters and thinking, “Who would fall for that?” Well, by the AARP’s tabulations – over 2,500 folks filed reports in just the first three quarters of 2025, with a total monetary loss of $14.3 million dollars. AARP North Dakota director Josh Askvig says that…