Author: TJ Nelson

Red Flag Warning Issued Due To Windy And Dry Conditions

"Very High" Fire Danger Category In Western Minnesota

The National Weather Service in Grand Forks and the Minnesota DNR are warning about the potential for grass fires to spread rapidly. Dry grasses, dry humidity and winds gusting 25 to 35 miles per hour are combining to create critical fire weather conditions. Winds are strongest across southeast North Dakota leading to a Red Flag Warning. Most of our Minnesota…

UND Students Select New “Fighting Hawks” Mascot

Students were asked to select one of three designs composed by Rickabaugh Graphics of Ohio

GRAND FORKS, N.D. — UND has revealed its new mascot. The “Fighting Hawks” mascot was chosen by students through a special election this week. Students were asked to select one of three designs composed by Rickabaugh Graphics of Ohio. Funding for the design came from private donations. The mascot will make its debut in the fall. It’s expected to be…

Braden Riess On His Mom Lois: She “Had Her Own Demons”

Lois Riess Is Accused Of Killing Her Husband In Minnesota And A Woman In Florida

The son of a Minnesota woman accused of shooting her husband and a Florida woman says she was a “good lady” but “had her own demons”. In an interview with “Inside Edition”, Braden Riess says he still can’t wrap his head around the allegations facing his mother Lois Riess. He says his mom has a history of stealing money and…

Catholic Charities To Drop Its Refugee Resettlement Programs

Focus Is Shifting To Homelessness And At-Risk Children

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis is dropping its refugee resettlement programs. The move comes as the state sees a significant slowdown in refugees arriving under President Donald Trump’s administration. The influential charity will shift its focus to programs aimed at homelessness and helping at-risk children. Fewer than 950 refugees arrived in Minnesota last year, compared…

Commissioners Declare “Burn Ban” In Grand Forks County

The ban is in effect until further notice

GRAND FORKS COUNTY, N.D. — Grand Forks County Commissioners have declared a burn ban in the county. They say fires in the abnormally dry conditions could threaten the health and well-being of people in the county. Violators could face up to 30 days in jail, a $1,500 fine and have to pay for the cost of putting the fire out….

Two Men Arrested During Hotel Raid In Moorhead

Both men are facing drug charges

Dimitri Accardo-Rainey and Richard Staples Jr. MOORHEAD, Minn. — The SWAT Team and DEA arrested two men at Super 8 in Moorhead on Wednesday in a large scale drug investigation. 25-year-old Dimitri Accardo-Rainey of St. Cloud and 24-year-old Richard Staples Jr. of Moorhead were taken into custody without incident. Police seized approximately one pound of marijuana, 14 grams of cocaine,…

Governor Doug Burgum Surprises Students By Returning To School

"Shadow a Student Challenge"

BEULAH, N.D. — Governor Doug Burgum is back in the classroom as a student. The Republican surprised students at Beulah High School as part of the “Shadow a Student Challenge”. He showed up unannounced Wednesday morning and spent the day shadowing Phoebe Garman, a junior from Beulah. He attended her classes and interacted with her friends and teachers. Burgum says…

“Reform Fargo” Wants To Change The Way People Vote

Group needs just under 2,200 valid signatures to get the issue on the ballot

FARGO, N.D. — A citizens group is collecting signatures to change Fargo’s method of electing city candidates. “Reform Fargo” hopes to put approval voting on the November ballot. It doesn’t believe that commissioners should be elected by small percentages as has happened in the past. In June, nine candidates are running for two open seats. Two years ago, 11 candidates…

Two Republican Lawmakers Introduce Gun Bills Before Session Ends

Rep. Sarah Anderson of Plymouth and Rep. Jenifer Loon of Eden Prairie are co-sponsoring the bills

Rep. Sarah Anderson & Rep. Jenifer LoonST. PAUL, Minn. — Two Republican lawmakers from Minneapolis suburbs are trying to get gun legislation passed before the session ends later this month. One bill would give private sellers an incentive to verify a buyer has a legal right to own a gun before making a sale. The other involves several changes to…