Agriculture

Drought Conditions Escalating Wildfires in North Dakota

Officials say the fire, is not affecting any livestock or structures

North Dakota Highway Patrol  NORTH DAKOTA — North Dakota’s drought conditions are escalating wildfires throughout the state. Crews contained 70 percent of a major wild fire at the Little Missouri National Grassland in the west side of the state. Officials say the fire, is not affecting any livestock or structures. The state Department of Emergency Service officials say they’ve battled…

Several Towns in the Region Damaged in Tuesday’s Severe Weather

Damage in Hillsboro showed winds up to 100 miles per hour, but the tornado did not pass through town

REGIONAL — A National Weather Service storm damage assessment team says Tuesday’s severe weather in the northern and central parts of the Red River Valley produced at least three separate tornado tracks. Preliminary findings show EF-O damage between Larimore and Northwood. As the storm tracked to the southeast, EF-2 damage was reported between Buxton and Cummings, with wind speeds up…

Clay County Fair Opens in Barnesville

This is the week to get out and about with multiple fairs and activities throughout the region

BARNESVILLE, Minn. — This is the week to get out and about with multiple fairs and activities throughout the region. The Clay County Fair is back for the season and the community is ready for summer fun. “It’s about family and families getting together,” said Ross Rehder, the Poultry Department Supervisor. Whether you are new… “This is my very first time…

Plenty to See and Do at the Downtown Fargo Street Fair 2017

Hundreds of vendors from all over the country have set up shop along Broadway for the next three days

FARGO, ND — It’s the 42nd Annual Downtown Fargo Street Fair. Hundreds of vendors from all over the country have set up shop along Broadway for the next three days. KVRR Anchor Alison Voorhees spent the early evening downtown and gives us a preview of the event. ALISON VOORHEES: It is flooding with people down here, you can definitely tell…

Dead Mayflies Pile Up in Welch, Minnesota

The swarm only lasts about 24 hours before the insects die

WELCH, Minn. — Mayfly season has produced an unusual sight in Welch, Minnesota. Mounds of dead mayflies resembling piles of mulch littered the lock and dam on the Mississippi River. Every summer, millions of mayflies lay their eggs on the river in Minnesota and Wisconsin, creating a swarm that’s big enough to be seen on weather radar. The swarm only…

Drought in North Dakota Continues to Worsen

The worst areas are in the west, with much of the east rated as abnormally dry

  NORTH DAKOTA — Drought that is ravaging crops, pastures and hay land in North Dakota has worsened over the past week. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map shows nearly three-fourths of the state in some stage of drought, up from about two-thirds last week. At least 55 percent of the state is in severe or extreme drought, up from…

President Trump Denies Request for Disaster Declaration for DAPL Protests

Burgum spokesman Mike Nowatzki says the governor was notified in May that the request had been denied

  MORTON COUNTY, ND — The Trump administration denied a request for a “major disaster declaration” for the pipeline protest in Morton County back in May, and we are just now learning about it. Gov. Burgum made the request to help cover some of the estimated $38 million cost to police protests of the Dakota Access pipeline. Burgum spokesman Mike…

Gladstone Rancher Accused of Neglect Allowed to Keep Animals

Two horses were severely crippled and were euthanized

STARK COUNTY, ND — A judge says Stark County can’t seize about 70 horses and 20 cattle from a Gladstone rancher accused of abusing and neglecting them. Southwest District Judge Rhonda Ehlis says Gary Dassinger should be able to keep his animals since their condition has improved. In April, a veterinarian found some of Dassinger’s animals to be in poor…

Presidential Disaster Declaration Issued for 10 Counties, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Reservation

This declaration triggers federal assistance of approximately $3.25 million

REGIONAL — A presidential disaster declaration has been issued for 10 counties and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Reservation that were affected by spring flooding. The counties include: Benson, Bottineau, Cavalier, McHenry, Pembina, Pierce, Renville, Rolette, Towner and Walsh. Above-normal snowfall and a lengthy spring snowmelt season produced major overland and river flooding causing widespread damage to roads and other infrastructure….

Severe Storms Hit Region with Wind Speeds More than 80 mph

Many trees were ripped out and thrown into driveways and onto main roads

HALSTAD, Minn. — The high winds and strong storms ripped through the Halstad area and damages many properties. Smaller structures like sheds were pulled from their foundations. Many trees were ripped out and thrown into driveways and onto main roads. Cleanup crews were busy cutting up large tree trunks to clear the streets. Some power lines even caught on fire during…