Author: TJ Nelson

High Risk Sex Offender Moves to Horace

Travis Lauckner, 37, is living at 407 Nelson Drive

HORACE, ND — A high risk sex offender is now living in Horace. Travis Lauckner, 37, is living at 407 Nelson Drive. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says Lauckner was convicted in 2011 in Cass County of the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl and spent about four years in prison. When he was 17, Lauckner had a sexual relationship…

Archambault Acquitted for Early Protests of DAPL

Archambault is running for re-election

  MORTON COUNTY, ND — Dave Archambault has been acquitted of charges filed during early protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline. The Standing Rock Sioux tribal chairman and Tribal Councilman Dana Yellow Fat were both found not guilty during their trial on disorderly conduct charges. The men were arrested last August for allegedly pushing back against a line of…

Flight Attendant Pleads Guilty to Interfering with Aircraft, Avoids Prison

He said he wanted to be recognized as a hero

  BISMARCK, ND — A flight attendant from Arizona accused of making bogus bomb threats on two flights will not be going to prison. Justin Cox-Sever, 23, has pleaded guilty in federal court in Bismarck to interfering with an aircraft. He said he wanted to be recognized as a hero. The judge gave him up to five months in a…

Supporters of Legalized Recreational Marijuana Working to Get Issue to North Dakota Voters

Supporters of legalizing marijuana fell short on petition signatures in 2016

  GRAND FORKS, ND — Proponents of legalizing recreational marijuana in North Dakota are planning another attempt to get the issue to voters. Dave Owens, of Grand Forks, said they’re finalizing a draft of a proposal to be filed with the Secretary of State’s office this fall. Once the petition is approved, signatures for a ballot measure can be gathered…

North Dakota Lawmakers Getting to Work on Next Session

Each committee will compile a report and any suggested legislation for the 2019 session

  BISMARCK, ND — The North Dakota Legislature’s 141 members are already at work on the next legislative session. The Legislative Management committee has assigned the lawmakers to conduct 50 studies on topics such as state retirement funding, health care and the financial condition of the state’s 11 public colleges and universities. Each committee will compile a report and any…

The Internet is Going Crazy Over “Covfefe” and President Trump

Well, Twitterverse, he's back now

NATIONAL — For more than a week, the tweets from @realDonaldTrump were pretty boring. During the president’s first big foreign trip last week, Trump’s tweets sounded like those of any politician. His twitter feed included statements of solidarity with world leaders, video clips from arrival statements and formal ceremonies and the like. Well, Twitterverse, he’s back now. President Trump on…

Cause of Minot Recycling Plant Fire Still Unknown

It produced heavy smoke that could be seen for miles

  MINOT, ND — Authorities say they will never know what started a large fire at a Minot recycling business, though they have some theories. The blaze at Earth Recycling broke out around noon on May 18. It produced heavy smoke that could be seen for miles. Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Ken Sisk says he couldn’t pinpoint the exact…

Former Wells County Sheriff Released from Custody

He abruptly resigned from office last month

WELLS COUNTY, ND — The former Wells County Sheriff has been released from jail after being arrested on drug charges. Johnny Lawson, 41, was arrested Friday and released from jail on Tuesday on a promise to appear in court. Lawson is charged with conspiracy to deliver meth, bribery, providing false information to a law enforcement officer, neglect of duty by…

Delaware Woman Found Dead in Kittson County

She had been reported missing a day earlier

  KITTSON COUNTY, Minn. — Authorities say a woman who may have been trying to reach Canada was found dead in northwestern Minnesota. Kittson County officials say 57-year-old Mavis Otuteye was found Friday in a field a half-mile from the Canadian border near Noyes. She had been reported missing a day earlier. They believe Otuteye, who had been living in…

More Charges Possible in Alleged Genital Mutilation of Minnesota Girls

The disclosure was made during a hearing about the sharing of evidence

  MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — More charges could be coming in an investigation of alleged genital mutilation on Minnesota girls by members of a Muslim sect. An assistant U.S. attorney told a judge that she’s meeting with a grand jury next week. She didn’t elaborate. The disclosure was made during a hearing about the sharing of evidence. Three people, including two…