Author: Jim Monk

Chahinkapa Zoo will not appeal loss of AZA accreditation

WAHPETON, N.D. (KVRR) – Officials at Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton say there are no plans to appeal the loss of its accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. “Due to the philosophical differences and changes in the AZA organization, the Chahinkapa Zoo Board feels that it is time to part ways and use our annual AZA dues elsewhere to…

Contempt charges dropped for Marshals Service supervisors

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Contempt charges have been dismissed for three supervisors in the U.S. Marshals Service for a series of events that began with a deputy marshal refusing to disclose her vaccination status while serving in federal court in Aberdeen. Federal Judge Charles Kornmann filed the charges after directing anybody in his courtroom to be vaccinated for COVID-19.  When a deputy…

Update: North Dakota Tax Commissioner taken to detox

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – North Dakota Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger was taken to detox Monday after an incident at a Bismarck hotel. A police report says Rauschenberger attempted to check into his room, but it wasn’t available yet.  A hotel employee saw Rauschenberger walk into a hotel room that was not assigned to him, where he fell asleep on the…

Fargo Police searching for Casey’s armed robbery suspect

FARGO (KVRR) – Fargo Police are investigating an armed robbery at Casey’s, 204 42 St. S. that occurred around 3:51 p.m. and have set up a perimeter. The 200-900 block of 42 St. S. is closed. Motorists are asked to take alternate routes. This is a developing story.  Check back for updates. Categories: Local News, North Dakota News Tags: armed…

Burgum visits soup kitchen, issues traditional turkey pardon

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – Gov. Doug Burgum on Monday continued the state’s tradition of “pardoning” a turkey prior to Thanksgiving. This year’s pardon recipient is “Ben,” a 43-pound Tom. Burgum did the honors during a ceremony at the Heaven’s Helpers Soup Cafe in Bismarck. The Cafe and the Abused Adult Resource Center each received 15 frozen turkeys for Thanksgiving, courtesy…

North Dakota non-profit sues Colorado for American Indian nickname ban

Native American Guardian’s AssociationDENVER, Colo. (KVRR) – A Devils Lake, N.D. based organization that advocates for increased education about Native Americans is suing Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and five other officials for banning the use of American Indian Mascots. The 36-page lawsuit was filed in federal court in Colorado by the Native American Guardian’s Association. The complaint says that while…

OSHA, South Dakota pork plant settle coronavirus complaint

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.  – Federal regulators reached an agreement with Smithfield Foods to settle a contested citation of the company’s coronavirus safety measures during a massive outbreak last year at its South Dakota pork plant. The company will develop a plan to prevent infectious diseases at meatpacking plants nationwide and pay a $13,500 fine. The pork processing plant was one…

Burgum signs critical race theory, vaccine exemption bills

BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota’s Republican-controlled Legislature has endorsed bills to prevent COVID-19 vaccine mandates and the teaching of certain concepts of race and racism, as lawmakers completed their five-day special session. Gov. Doug Burgum signed the measure banning the teaching of critical race theory after the Senate gave its approval Friday. Though there is no evidence that the idea…

Police didn’t alert school officials about threat to Detroit Lakes school

Supt. Mark JensonDETROIT LAKES (KVRR/KDLM) – Detroit Lakes Public Schools says they weren’t made aware of a potential threat to Rossman Elementary School until reading a news article about the situation. The Detroit Lakes Tribune on Nov. 12 reported that Jeffery Scott Gunderson, 27, of Detroit Lakes was charged in Becker County District Court with making violent threats after allegedly…

Watch: Line 3 demonstrators taunt Klobuchar during campaign speech

FRIDLEY, Minn. (KVRR) – Opponents of the Line 3 pipeline in northern Minnesota showed up at a DFL campaign event in the Twin Cities to disrupt an appearance by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Klobuchar walked off the stage during her endorsement speech for State Representative Connie Bernardy while demonstrators carried colorful banners and chanted “Stop Line 3.” Line 3 opponents,…