BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – A North Dakota-based Native American advocacy group is applauding reports that President-Elect Joe Biden plans to cancel the cross-border permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline. “This is a pivot point in history. Either we start recognizing the health of our Earth as the basis of civilization and progress, or we will find ourselves rich now at…
BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota’s rate of positive cases of COVID-19 remained low in the health department’s daily update. Monday’s update included 69 new cases from 2,194 tests, a positivity rate of 3.63%. The COVID Tracking Project reports that North Dakota’s rolling average number of daily new cases over the past two weeks has decreased by more than 27%. A…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR) – Minnesota is launching a COVID-19 vaccine pilot program that partners with local public health and school districts. Gov. Tim Walz says the program will initially serve adults 65 or older, as well as teachers, school staff, and child care workers. Walz says the program will be the foundation for mass vaccination clinics once the federal…
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – A West Fargo lawmaker has introduced a bill that would seal jail mugshots from the public. The bill, introduced by Republican Rep. Shannon Roers Jones, says “unless there is a compelling public safety interest warranting release, the booking photo of an inmate is a confidential record.” The booking photo could only be released if the suspect…
MINNEAPOLIS – About 850 members of the Minnesota National Guard are among 25,000 soldiers streaming into Washington from across the country for Wednesday’s presidential inauguration. The number of guard members is at least two and a half times the number for previous inaugurals. Before this year, states rotated sending National Guard soldiers to inaugurations. Fewer than 10 from Minnesota were…
BISMARCK, N.D. – A pair of bills being considered by the Legislature would do away with the prospect of jail time for offenders and also give a judge discretion whether to order treatment. One bill would make the penalty for underage drinking an infraction that would be punishable by up to a $1,000 fine. Democratic Rep. Zachary Ista says his bill…
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – Sen. Kevin Cramer says with Democrats taking control of the U.S. Senate, there will be consequences for North Dakota. The Senate now has 50 Republicans, 48 Democrats and two independents who caucus with the Democrats. Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris would be called upon to break any ties. But Cramer says most bills are not decided on 50-50…
BISMARCK, N.D. – Governor Doug Burgum says he will not renew North Dakota’s mask mandate that expires on Monday. Burgum broke out a new plan for North Dakotans as he says COVID case numbers have decreased. Priority vaccine groups will remain in effect. That includes making sure that everyone 65 years or older can receive their two doses of the…
BISMARCK (KVRR) – The North Dakota National Guard is providing additional support for the Jan. 20 inauguration in Washington, D.C. National Guard spokesman Bill Prokopyk says approximately 130 Soldiers from the 816th Military Police Company will join 20 previously scheduled N.D. Guard members. The unit is headquartered in Dickinson with a detachment in Bismarck. Some Soldiers departed Friday afternoon, others…
FARGO (KVRR) – Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota says its programs are being suspended and employees are being laid off as part of a liquidation plan. The organization says the decision was driven in large part by financial issues with Lutheran Social Services Housing, which impacted agency reserves and resulted in negative cash flow projections, according to president and…
