This image taken from Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor meeting via Zoom shows Sen. Calvin Bahr shirtless during a vote on Monday, May 1, 2023. In a video streamed on YouTube, Bahr, of East Bethel, can briefly be seen voting — with a School House Rock “I’m Just a Bill” character on the wall behind him — during a…
U.S./Mexico borderWASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has requested 1,500 troops for the U.S.-Mexico border amid an expected migrant surge following the end of pandemic-era restrictions, according to three administration officials. The troops would be sent down to focus on administrative tasks so that U.S. Customs and Border Protection can work in the field, two of the officials said. They…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A former Minneapolis police officer who held back bystanders while his colleagues restrained a dying George Floyd has been convicted of aiding and abetting manslaughter. Tou Thao, who already had been convicted in federal court of violating Floyd’s civil rights, was last of the four former officers facing judgment in state court in Floyd’s killing. He rejected…
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – If you thought the months of March and April were especially cold, you are correct. Most areas in the region were between 10 to 15 degrees below average. Above average amounts of snowfall were seen in both Fargo and Grand Forks this season. For the months of March and April, some locations in the valley look…
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Vietnam Veterans are being honored for their sacrifices this week at the Fargo Air Museum. The museum is partnering with Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 941 to mark Vietnam Veterans Memorial week. Aircraft carriers, military gear, and the Vietnam Memorial Wall are on display. Glenn Thoreson, a F-4 flight surgeon Vietnam veteran, kicked off the ceremony…
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) — North Dakota lawmakers ended the legislative session this morning by approving a record budget of $19.6 billion. The session gaveled out at 2:55 a.m. Sunday. “Motion carries and the North Dakota House of Representatives is adjourned sine die.” The legislature met for 75 days, five days less than the maximum 80 days allowed. Among the final…
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Public school teachers in North Dakota would be allowed to ignore the pronouns their transgender students use, under a bill that state Senate lawmakers passed Thursday with a veto-proof majority. The bill would also allow employees of government entities to ignore the pronouns their transgender colleagues use. And, it would further prohibit transgender public school students…
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) — The discovery of the tree-killing emerald ash borer in Moorhead has crews busy in Fargo. The pest has not yet been detected in Fargo but City Forester Scott Liudahl says it’s only a matter of time. The department has replaced several thousand boulevard ash trees in the last decade and diversified with other tree species. Crews…
STEARNS CO., Minn. (KVRR/KFGO) — A Vergas, Minnesota man is sentenced for soliciting a child for sex in Stearns County. 57-year-old Darrin Watro was given 30 days in jail and gets credit for having already served five days. He must also register as a predatory offender. Watro pleaded guilty to describing sexual conduct to a child through electronic communication in…
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum signed a bill that limits access to restrooms, locker rooms and shower rooms for transgender and gender-nonconforming people in several state facilities. That includes dorms and living facilities controlled by the state board of higher education, penitentiaries and correctional facilities for youths and adults. Restrooms and shower rooms at these facilities would be designated…
