Local News

LIVE: Polar Fest

Chill out in Lakes Country.

If you’re looking for a cool way to spend some time outdoors celebrating the midwinter weather and all the activities that come with it, lakes country has you covered. Polar Fest is the 10-day festival held each year in the city of Detroit Lakes, and this year is also the city’s 150-year anniversary. So they’re pulling out all the stops…

Burgum lowers statewide COVID-19 risk level to ‘green’

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – Gov. Doug Burgum says with active COVID-19 cases at their lowest level since August, the statewide risk level is being adjusted from moderate/yellow risk to low/green risk. The change goes into effect Friday, Jan. 29 at 8:00 a.m. A low risk level increases the recommended occupancy limit for bars, restaurants and other food service establishments from…

State senate to consider bills allowing purchase of wholesale meds from Canada

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – The North Dakota Senate Human Services Committee will hold hearings on three bills designed to help lower prescription costs. Two of the bills would allow North Dakota to buy medications wholesale from Canada. A third bill would use price data from the four most populous Canadian provinces to compare with U.S. drug prices, and set the…

Bill would make State Health Officer, DHS Director elected positions

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – A state senator from Wahpeton has introduced a bill to make the State Health Officer and the director of the Department of Human Services elected positions. Republican Jason Heitkamp says the suggestion comes from a constituent. He says the Health Officer has a lot of power, as evidenced by orders issued during the pandemic. Heitkamp says…

JRMC has robust unit of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners

The hospital has eight SANE nurses available 24/7

JAMESTOWN, N.D. — For those who’ve gotten sexually violated, the hours that follow can be some of the most painful of their lives. A team of nurses at Jamestown Regional Medical Center is working to make those moments less traumatic. “After an assault or rape, the first step towards a conviction, you know, before any evidence, testing, charges, before a…

Proposed bill in ND would eliminate bonds for misdemeanors

"Our number one concern for our community is public safety we want to make sure that our citizens are safe that our businesses are safe."

BISMARCK, N.D. — A proposed bill would allow for a cite and release method for people faced with misdemeanor charges in North Dakota. “What this bill would do is it would allow officers to cite and release the person on their own recognizance which we can already do so we can either do it on scene or that person can…

Hundreds of Thousands Enter Lottery System To Get COVID-19 Vaccine

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesotans 65 and older have until 5 a.m. Wednesday to sign up to be entered into a lottery to receive a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. Star Tribune reports 205,000 seniors signed-up for the lottery. You can pre-register online at mn.gov/findmyvaccine. When the website opened at 5 Tuesday morning, there were already more than 10,000 people waiting in…

Gov. Walz lays out 2022-23 budget proposal including tax hike on top earners

Walz recommends expanding the Working Family Tax Credit for more than 300,000 households

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz proposes an over $52 billion, two-year budget with an emphasis on COVID-19 recovery. It includes tax hikes on the state’s highest earners and corporations. The bulk of his budget focuses on ensuring students catch up on learning, and supporting small businesses and working families. Despite a $1.2 billion budget deficit, Walz is…

Major Development Proposed For Old Kmart Site in South Fargo

FARGO, N.D. — The former Kmart on South University Drive in Fargo along with lot-partner Burger King could be meeting the wrecking ball. GFI Dakota Development, the property owner, and Enclave Development want to build 170 apartments along with commercial buildings, including a grocery store. Fargo city commissioners approving a request to submit a tax increment financing application to determine…