Author: TJ Nelson

Does North Dakota Have Too Many Colleges?

The state has seven, four-year colleges and four, two-year schools

  NORTH DAKOTA — A former Republican candidate for governor says North Dakota has too many colleges. State Rep. Rick Becker told the state Board of Higher Education that it’s time to look into ”re-purposing some of the campuses.” The state has seven, four-year colleges and four, two-year schools. Becker says the state determined the number of institutions at a…

No Pay Raises for North Dakota College Presidents for Third Year

THE DECISION APPLIES TO PRESIDENTS IN THE NORTH DAKOTA UNIVERSITY SYSTEMS EXCEPT FOR TWO DUE TO CONTRACTS

NORTH DAKOTA — North Dakota University System leaders and college presidents will go without pay raises for the third straight year. The state Board of Higher Education has voted to extend the contracts of eight of the 10 presidents through 2019 at their current salaries. The move did not apply to UND’s Mark Kennedy, whose contract was already valid through…

Destructive Japanese Beetles Back in North Dakota

It causes about $450 million in damage each year in the U.S.

  NORTH DAKOTA — Japanese Beetles are back in North Dakota. The Agriculture Department says the Japanese beetle larvae were found in nursery stock. The beetles were found in several locations, including Bismarck, that received shipments from a Minneapolis-area supplier. The bug is an enemy to front yard flower beds, backyard vegetable gardens, farmers’ crops and even golf courses. An…

Fire Officials: Be Careful with Smoking Materials

They say someone's failure to get rid of their smoking materials caused the fire

  FARGO, ND — A warning from fire officials: be careful to put out smoking materials outdoors. That’s after Fargo firefighters responded to a fire late Sunday that damaged an apartment deck. They were called to this scene around 11:30 Sunday night for a deck on fire in the 1500 block of East Gateway Circle. They say someone’s failure to…

Livestock Deaths Linked to Blue Green Algae in North Dakota

It has been found in Stanley Pond in Mountrail County and the Harvey Reservoir in Wells County

NORTH DAKOTA — North Dakota’s Health Department is warning about the presence of blue-green algae in some waters around the state. The algae can produce toxins that can sicken and even kill both people and animals. There have already been reports of livestock deaths linked to the algae. It has been found in Stanley Pond in Mountrail County and the…

Charges Pending in Valley City Hoax Hostage Call

Police spoke to the caller and tracked the call to Alabama

  VALLEY CITY, ND — A phone call that prompted a large police response to the parking lot of Family Dollar in Valley City was made in Alabama. A man called the store and claimed that he was holding a woman hostage. He wanted credit card numbers and said he would hurt the woman if he didn’t receive the information….

Castile Family to Get $3 Million for Shooting Death

Yanez was acquitted of manslaughter and other charges this month

  HENNEPIN COUNTY, Minn. — The mother of Philando Castile has reached a nearly $3 million settlement in his death. The settlement was announced by attorneys for Valerie Castile and the city of St. Anthony. The settlement avoids the drawn-out process of a federal wrongful death lawsuit stemming from Castile’s death. The 32-year-old elementary school cafeteria worker was killed by…

UND Given Grant to Help Fight Drug Addiction

The money will be used for a program involving providers of services in addiction and behavioral health fields

GRAND FORKS, ND — UND has been awarded a major grant in the continuing battle against drug addiction. The university was given $3.8 million from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The money will be used for a program involving providers of services in addiction and behavioral health fields. It’s part of a nationwide effort to combat the…

Legal Dispute Between GOP Controlled Legislature and Gov. Dayton Continues

It's unclear when a decision may come

  ST. PAUL, Minn. — A judge is considering whether Gov. Dayton’s veto of the Legislature’s funding was unconstitutional. The bitter legal dispute between the Democratic governor and Republican-controlled Legislature had its first hearing in Ramsey County court. Dayton zeroed out the Legislature’s funding last month to force lawmakers to rework a $650 million tax bill and other measures. The…

Minot Man Sentenced in Horse Dragging, Assault

He has been ordered to complete an anger management class and sobriety program

MINOT, ND — A Minot man has been sentenced to 11 days in jail for dragging a horse behind a trailer and assaulting a man. Cody Sundby, 35, was convicted of aggravated assault and animal cruelty. Authorities say the horse suffered injuries to its mouth, face, neck and sides of its torso. Sundby also hit a man over the head…