Author: TJ Nelson

Nearly $23 Million Lotto America Ticket Sold At Holiday In Roseau

Gas Station Will Get A $10,000 Bonus For Selling The Ticket

ROSEAU, Minn. — Someone who bought a Lotto America lottery ticket in Roseau, Minnesota just got very rich. A winning ticket worth nearly $23 million was sold at Holiday in Roseau. The payout on a cash option for the $22.8 million jackpot is $13.5 million before taxes. The owners of the gas station will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling…

Governor Mark Dayton Delivers His Final “State of the State”

Calls On Lawmakers To Side With Schoolchildren In Gun Legislation Battle

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Touting Minnesota’s ranking as “Best Run State”, Governor Mark Dayton delivered his final “State of the State”. He began his address by introducing his 5-year-old grandson, Hugo, and with a joke about walking out by himself after the speech. Last year, he collapsed in the middle of the address as he battled prostate cancer. Dayton talked…

Toys R Us To Close Fargo Store And All 800 Locations Across The U.S.

Closings Impact 33,000 Jobs Across The Country

FARGO, N.D. — Toys R Us’s management has told its employees that it will sell or close all of its 800 U.S. stores. That’s according to a toy industry analyst who spoke to several employees who were on the call Wednesday. Jim Silver, a toy industry expert, says Toys R Us’s CEO told employees the plan is to liquidate all…

Judge Reduces Bond For Man Who Attacked Priest Over Alleged Sexual Assault

Chad Legare's Attorney Asked For $100,000 Bond, Judge Declined His Request

TOWNER, N.D. — A judge has reduced bond for a Minnesota man charged with attacking a priest in North Dakota, though not as much as the suspect wanted. The judge lowered bond for 42-year-old Chad Legare from $250,000 to $200,000. Legare’s attorney had requested $100,000, but the judge declined to go that far citing the severity of the charges against…

Petitions Approved As Group Seeks To Raise Minimum Wage to $15 An Hour

Group Needs 13,452 Valid Signatures To Make November Ballot

BISMARCK, N.D. — A group seeking to raise North Dakota’s minimum wage to $15 an hour can begin circulating petitions. Secretary of State Al Jaeger has approved the format of the petition. Supporters need to gather and submit at least 13,452 valid signatures by July 9 to get a proposed measure on the November ballot. Scott Nodland of Bismarck, chairman…

Head Of MNsure Leaving To Join National Health Care Group

Allison O'Toole Has Served For Nearly Three Years

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The head of MNsure is stepping down. Allison O’Toole announced that she will leave Minnesota’s health insurance exchange next month. O’Toole served as chief executive for nearly three years, overseeing record signups in individual health care plans even as premiums were rising sharply. Her departure comes at a tumultuous time for health care nationwide as President…

Former Police Chief Enters Alford Plea To Child Sexual Abuse Charges

James Watson Has Been Charged In At Least Three Counties

A former LaMoure police chief has entered an Alford plea to multiple child sexual abuse charges in Hettinger and Stark counties. 52-year-old James Watson’s plea is not an admission of guilt but he acknowledges there is enough evidence for a conviction. A jury in Golden Valley County last month convicted him of continuous sexual abuse of a child. The charges…

New Chairman Selected For ‘North Dakota Open On Sundays’ Effort

Bill Burgess Is Co-Founder of Simply Made Apps With Brandon Medenwald

FARGO, N.D. — The group “North Dakota Open on Sundays” has a new leader. Fargo businessman Bill Burgess is taking over as chairman as they try to repeal the state’s Sunday Closing law. Burgess is a co-founder of Simply Made Apps and was the third highest signature gatherer during the groups initiated measure effort last year. Former chairman Brandon Medenwald…

Seventh Judicial District Judge Candidates List Does Not Include Brian Melton

Clay County Attorney Exluded From Candidate List By Commission On Judicial Selection

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Clay County Attorney Brian Melton is not in the running to serve as a Seventh Judicial District judge in Minnesota. Melton’s name was not included in the list of six candidates sent to Governor Dayton by the Commission on Judicial Selection. They include Michelle Clark, Douglas Clark, Amber Gustafson, Tammy Merkins, Kevin Miller and Jade Rosenfeldt….

Six Students Remain In Hospitals After School Van And Semi Crash

Crash Happened Monday Afternoon Near Danvers, Minnesota

SWIFT COUNTY, Minn. — Six Hancock Public School students remain in hospitals following a crash involving their school van and a semi. The crash happened after school on Monday near Danvers, Minnesota. The Swift County Sheriff’s Office says a 14-year-old and two 16-year-olds are in critical condition. The 68-year-old woman who was driving the van was treated for injuries and…