Local News

Federal judge in Minnesota threatens Trump officials with contempt over violated orders

The Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building where many people detained by ICE are held. Glen Stubbe/Minnesota Reformer Thursday February 19, 2026ST. PAUL, Minn. (Minnesota Reformer) — A federal judge in Minnesota ordered officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Justice to appear before him and explain why they should not be held in contempt. U.S. District…

Walz unveils anti-fraud package after Trump administration threatens to halt Medicaid funds

Gov. Tim Walz introduces anti-fraud legislative packageST. PAUL, Minn., (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz denounced the Trump administration’s latest threat to withhold federal funds from Minnesota as another step in a “retribution” campaign as he unveiled a package of legislation Thursday intended to fight fraud in public programs, a persistent problem that provided an impetus for the federal government’s immigration…

Appeal filed against North Dakota courts decision to uphold ban for medical care for transgender youth

NORTH DAKOTA (KVRR) — Attorneys from two nonprofit agencies, Gender Justice and The Lawyering Project, are appealing the Burleigh County District Court’s decision to uphold the state’s law. Under the law, children under the age of 18 cannot receive any form of procedures or medications. They argue the ban violates fundamental rights enshrined in the North Dakota state constitution. Physicians…

Alex ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez is this year’s Voices of Vision speaker

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — A-Rod is coming to Fargo this spring. The Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce is bringing in the former baseball pro to share his wisdom at the annual Voices of Vision. Alex Rodriguez is a 14-time MLB All-Star and 2009 World Series Champion with the New York Yankees. He also is co-owner of the Minnesota…

Pet Connection: Meet McDonald

FARGO — McDonald may not have a farm of his own, but he’s just as much fun as a farm full of animals all by himself. He’s only about a year old, and has lots of playful kitten energy to spare, but for some reason, he’s as gentle and well-mannered as a cat much older than that. He came to…

Victim of deadly Becker County house fire identified

OSAGE, Minn. (KVRR-KFGO) – A woman who died in a house fire in Becker County last week has been identified. Becker County Sheriff Todd Glander says 79-year-old Anita Gruel was found deceased inside the home. The sheriff’s office received a 911 call just before 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 18 about a house fire in Osage, approximately 30 miles east of…

Wadena County deputy crashes while chasing suspect

Wadena County Sheriff’s OfficeLEADER, Minn. (KVRR-KFGO) – A sheriff’s deputy and the SUV they were chasing both crashed during a pursuit across two counties on Wednesday night. The Wadena County Sheriff says a deputy tried to stop a vehicle for several traffic violations, but the driver refused to stop. The chase entered Cass County, Minnesota, reaching speeds of over 100…

Four people dead, one injured in two-car crash in Minnesota

ONAMIA, Minn. (KVRR-KFGO) – Four people were killed and another was seriously hurt in a head-on crash near Mille Lacs Lake in east-central Minnesota Wednesday night. The state patrol’s Brainerd District office says the crash happened at around 7 on Highway 169 on the lake’s southwest shore. A northbound car crossed the centerline and struck another car head-on. One of…

Valley City man convicted for having child sex abuse materials

Mitchell Kohler (Barnes County Jail)VALLEY CITY, N.D. (KVRR-KFGO) – A Valley City man was sentenced for possessing child sex abuse materials, including images he created using artificial intelligence. Mitchell Kohler was convicted on five counts of possession of certain materials prohibited. On Feb. 25, a judge in Barnes County sentenced Kohler to four years in prison – one year for…