Author: TJ Nelson

CHI St. Alexius Health Issues Third Round of Layoffs

Officials with CHI St. Alexius Health say the 131-year-old company is responding to the pressures of health care reform

  BISMARCK, N.D. — A health care provider in Bismarck is laying off more employees, the third round of layoffs in the past year. Officials with CHI St. Alexius Health say the 131-year-old company is responding to the pressures of health care reform. St. Alexius is affiliated with the larger Catholic Health Initiative, which is operating at a loss and…

Two Separate Crashes, Both Drivers Asleep at the Wheel

Both drivers survived the crashes but both say they fell asleep at the wheel

WILKIN COUNTY, Minn., FERGUS FALLS, Minn. — Two people have survived falling asleep at the wheel after separate crashes. A Wilkin County sheriff’s deputy found a pickup in the ditch on the west side of Campbell Saturday night. The driver, 34-year-old Luke Schumer of Brainerd, fell asleep and drove off the road. The pickup had minimal damage. Around 12:20 a.m….

Detroit Lakes Woman Hit by Train Identified

Train traffic was stopped until shortly after midnight while authorities investigated

  DETROIT LAKES, Minn. — Police in Detroit Lakes have identified a woman struck and killed by a train Saturday night. She is 56-year-old Lynn Alexander of Detroit Lakes. Alexander was hit around 9 p.m. at the Washington Avenue crossing. When paramedics arrived, Alexander was already dead. Train traffic was stopped until shortly after midnight while authorities investigated. The BNSF…

Wahpeton Man Dies in Car Crash

They say the 21-year-old man wasn't wearing a seat belt but his airbags went off

  WAHPETON, N.D. — A Wahpeton man is dead after crashing his car into a tree late last night. Highway Patrol officials say the man was headed north in the 600 block of 2nd Street South in Wahpeton when he left the road and struck the tree head-on. They say the 21-year-old man wasn’t wearing a seat belt but his…

North Dakota Governor Burgum Talks DAPL, Discrimination and About Those Jeans

Part I of II: The first-time political office holder is facing budget issues and a potential environmental disaster at the DAPL protest site

FARGO, N.D. — North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has had a very busy first couple of months in office. The first-time political office holder is facing budget issues and a potential environmental disaster at the DAPL protest site. We sat down for an interview with the governor on Friday. Alison Voorhees: Governor Burgum, thank you for joining us to answer…

Teens Rescue Girl From Drowning In Hotel Pool

Girl Was Blue When Pulled From The Water At The Holiday Inn In Fargo

A three-year-old girl was rescued from drowning in the pool at the Holiday Inn on Saturday night. Authorities credit the quick actions of two teen girls, ages 13 and 14, in pulling the child from the bottom of the pool. They say she was blue when she was taken out of the water. The girl started coughing and vomiting. The…

New Retail Chain Coming to Moorhead

The family owned company was founded in 1947 and currently has 39 stores in six states

  MOORHEAD, Minn. — A Minnesota-based home, farm and outdoor store is coming to Moorhead. Mayor Del Rae Williams says the retail chain Runnings will be moving into the former Kmart building along Highway 10 East. She says crews will be doing some work at the store this spring with an anticipated grand opening in the fall. Runnings is headquartered…

Authority Chairwoman of Vikings’ Stadium Resigns

A recent legislative audit found nearly half of the tickets for a pair of suites were issued to friends and family of top officials

  MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The chairwoman of the authority overseeing the Minnesota Vikings’ stadium has resigned. Michelle Kelm-Helgen announced her resignation in a letter in which she said it was “in the public interest” to step down. Kelm-Helgen faced weeks of criticism over questionable use of luxury suites by family and friends. A recent legislative audit found that nearly half…

Jamestown Man Sentenced for December Standoff

Troy Elhard pleaded guilty to charges after a seven hour standoff the day after Christmas

33-year-old Elhard was arrested after a standoff in Jamestown ended peacefully.  JAMESTOWN, N.D. — A Jamestown man has been sentenced for a seven hour standoff in December. Troy Elhard, 33, pleaded guilty to terrorizing and was sentenced to 51 days in jail, which he has already served and two years of probation. He is also required to undergo a psychiatric evaluation…

“Day Without Immigrants” Social Media Campaign Goes National

Some workers won't get paid, but many said protesting is worth the sacrifice

  NATIONAL — Dozens of restaurants and other businesses shut their doors in Minneapolis as part of a “Day Without Immigrants.” The social media-driven campaign is taking place in several cities across the country. It urges foreign-born people not to go to work or school, or shop, as a way to show how immigrants help the U.S. economy. Hundreds of protesters…