Author: Jim Monk

NDSU graduate from Williston named South Dakota GOP executive director

Terin LuceroFARGO (KVRR/WNAX) – A Williston, North Dakota native and North Dakota State University graduate is the new executive director of the South Dakota Republican party. Terin Lucero was most recently the Director of Data Analytics for newly-elected Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Lucero says one of his main goals is to achieve 100% Republican membership in the South Dakota Legislature….

Attempt to put recreational pot question on North Dakota ballot fails

BISMARCK, N.D. – An attempt to gather enough signatures to place a question about legalizing recreational marijuana on the ballot in North Dakota has fallen short. Organizers failed to turn in at least 31,164 valid signatures to the secretary of state by Saturday to put the question to voters. Sponsoring committee member Dustin Peyer, of Driscoll said the group gathered…

Furnace was source of carbon monoxide that killed seven in Moorhead

GoFundMeMOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – Moorhead police say the source of carbon monoxide that killed seven members of a family in December was a malfunctioning furnace. Police initially said two sources could produce the carbon monoxide in the home: the home furnace, and a van located in the garage. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office, which conducted each autopsy, sent blood…

Richland County Sheriff announces retirement

WAHPETON, N.D. (KVRR) – After 42 years in law enforcement, Richland County Sheriff Larry Leshovsky says he will not run for another term. Leshovsky announced Monday that he will retire at the end of his current term in December. “I am privileged to have been able to serve this long and very honored that the citizens of Richland County placed…

Former state lawmaker, Cass County commissioner dies at 86

Alon WielandWEST FARGO, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) Longtime Cass County Commissioner and former state legislator Alon Wieland passed away at the age of 86 on Saturday at Sheyenne Crossings in West Fargo. Wieland, a Republican, was a member of the state house representing District 13 in West Fargo from 2002 to 2014 and a county commissioner from 1983 to 2003. Visitation will…

Noem unveils abortion ban similar to Texas’ private enforcement

Gov. Kristi NoemPIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has unveiled a proposal to ban most abortions. Noem’s proposal mimics a Texas law that leaves enforcement up to private citizens through lawsuits instead of to prosecutors through criminal charges. The governor has previewed the proposed law for weeks and it has received an enthusiastic reception from fellow Republicans who…

Isaak will appeal quadruple murder conviction

BISMARCK, N.D. – A man sentenced to life in prison for the killings of four people at a Mandan business plans to appeal his conviction. A notice of appeal filed Thursday by 47-year-old Chad Isaak says Isaak is questioning whether the evidence in the case was sufficient to support his conviction. A jury in August found Isaak guilty of killing…

Trial begins for ex-cops accused of violating Floyd’s rights

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The federal trial for three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights as Derek Chauvin pinned the Black man’s neck to the street is set to begin Monday with opening statements. J. Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao are charged with depriving Floyd of his civil rights while acting under government authority.  All…

Cramer optimistic after visiting North Dakota farmer in Ukrainian prison

Sen. Kevin Cramer, Kurt GroszhansFARGO (KVRR) – Sen. Kevin Cramer says there’s cause for optimism following his meeting with a North Dakota farmer being held for an alleged assassination plot against a member of the Ukrainian president’s cabinet. Kurt Groszhans of Ashley is in a Kyiv prison.  He’s been charged with attempted murder, attempted extortion and attempted kidnapping. Groszhans and…