Author: Jim Monk

House approves bill to outlaw local mask mandates

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – The North Dakota House has passed a bill to prevent local governments from imposing mask mandates. The bill’s sponsor is Minot Republican Representative Jeff Hoverson. Hoverson told the House he’s received a lot of emails, virtually all them in support of his bill. Bismarck Republican Representative Jason Dockter argued against the measure.  Dockter says having a…

Deputy faces drug charges in crash that killed two people

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (KVRR/KFGO) – An Otter Tail County  deputy has been charged with misconduct and driving under the influence of fentanyl in connection to a high-speed chase that ended in a deadly crash in Fergus Falls last October. Deputy Kelly Backman was in pursuit of a minivan driven by a man in a drug investigation when the van slammed…

North Dakota family was aboard 777 during engine explosion

BISMARCK, N.D. – A family from Wishek, N.D. was aboard a United Airlines flight forced to make an emergency landing after the aircraft’s right engine exploded shortly after takeoff from Denver. Brenda Dohn of Wishek was aboard the Boeing 777-200 with her husband and three kids, headed from Denver to Honolulu, on Saturday when the plane’s right engine failed. Dohn…

South Dakota attorney general may be impeached

Jason RavnsborgPIERRE, S.D. (KVRR/KWAT) – Lawmakers in Pierre are considering impeaching South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg. Articles of Impeachment could be brought in the State House as early as today and would be required to be filed no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday. House members have been privately discussing impeachment since last Thursday when Hyde County authorities announced the…

Peterson reflects on career, says voters will punish extreme partisans

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (KVRR) – Collin Peterson spent 30 years representing Minnesota’s 7th District as a member of Congress, most recently, as Chairman of the influential House Agriculture Committee. Peterson, who was the last Democrat to represent a rural district in the House, says he worked hard to ensure that the Agriculture Committee remained bi-partisan. But he says with new…

As catalytic converter theft grows, lawmakers take notice

BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota lawmakers are considering a bill to restrict the sale and purchase of catalytic converters. Advocates say the bill is designed to cut down on an epidemic of catalytic converter thefts. Catalytic converters have become a hot item for thieves because they contain platinum and other precious metals. The materials are worth thousands of dollars per…

North Dakota Senate denies reimbursing attorney fees

BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota’s Senate has defeated a bill that would have reimbursed several officials who hired attorneys after they were caught up in criminal investigations resulting from 2019 state audits. The reimbursements would have only applied if a criminal probe did not result in a conviction. The legislation would have reimbursed former Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer and former…

Lawmakers debating bill to legalize recreational marijuana

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Legislature is considering a bill that would legalize marijuana for recreational use with restrictions. Backers of legislation believe the recent legalization of the drug by voters in Montana and South Dakota means it’s likely inevitable that it will happen in North Dakota. Lawmakers say they want to be ready with rules to control and…

Senate okays amendment that bans NDSU from taking Planned Parenthood grant

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – The North Dakota Senate has passed an amendment that would prohibit NDSU from accepting grant money from Planned Parenthood. The $10.5 million grant would be used to train teachers how to talk with students about sex.  Some state lawmakers and Christian groups have called on NDSU to end the program. Turtle Lake Republican Sen. Howard Anderson…