Author: KVRR Staff

Officer Involved In Chase and Shooting In Polk County on Monday Identified

Caleb Coffey / Crookston Police Officer Sean Murphy POLK CO., Minn. (KVRR/KFGO) — Minnesota BCA says Crookston Police Officer Sean Murphy is on standard critical incident leave for the shooting of a chase suspect on Monday morning. The BCA is investigating Murphy’s use of force and will turn its findings over to Polk County Attorney’s Office. The 7-year department veteran…

Barnes County Sheriff’s Office Launches Manhunt, Apprehends Suspect

Picture of the suspect released by the dispatch center.(UPDATE) A man who set off a manhunt in Barnes County is in custody. Authorities say 48-year-old George Jerome was arrested in neighboring Steele County. He fled the scene as deputies were investigating a reported burglary last night in the small town of Pillsbury, North Dakota. Steele County Sheriff Wayne Beckman says…

North Dakota holds steady on marijuana penalties

Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, speaks on the Senate floor on April 9, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A bill that sought to reduce penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana in North Dakota failed in the Senate Wednesday on a 33-13 vote. House Bill 1596 would have reduced the penalty for possessing less than a half…

Resolution raising constitutional ballot measure threshold to 60% passes North Dakota Senate

Voters cast ballots at the Hillside Aquatic Complex in Bismarck on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A bill raising the public vote threshold to 60% to approve constitutional ballot measures in North Dakota passed the Senate Wednesday on a 33-13 vote. House Resolution 3003, sponsored by Rep. Robin Weisz, R-Hurdsfield, would…

North Dakota Public Charter Schools Bill Passes House, Heads Back to Senate

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) — A bill to establish public charter schools in North Dakota has passed the House on a 64-29 vote. These schools would be under the same regulations as public schools, but operate outside the school district and be administered by their own internal governing boards. The sponsor says some rural schools at risk of closing could reorganize…

USPS Proposes Another Price Increase For Stamps

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR/CNN) — The next increase in the price of stamps is coming in July. U.S. Postal Service is proposing a nickel increase for a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 73 cents to 78 cents. They also want to increase the cost to send a postcard. If new rates are approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the price changes…

Hoeven sponsors bill to protect horses living in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Wild horses stand in a group along a hiking trail in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. John Hoeven has sponsored a bill to keep horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The bill will require the park to maintain a “genetically diverse” herd of at least 150 horses. It also prohibits the removal of wild horses except to improve…

House passes bill authorizing charter schools in North Dakota

State Sen. Michelle Axtman, R-Bismarck, speaks on the House Floor during a meeting of the Legislative Management Committee on Nov. 13, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A bill to establish public charter schools in North Dakota passed the House on a 64-29 vote Tuesday. Senate Bill 2241 would allow the establishment of public charter schools in…

House committee recommends removing new Ethics Commission position, adding deadline

Rebecca Binstock, executive director of the North Dakota Ethics Commission, speaks during a House committee hearing on March 18, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A House committee on Monday recommended several sweeping changes to the North Dakota Ethics Commission’s budget, including cutting a new full-time staff member and adding a new six-month deadline for processing…