Local News

Bathroom bill would make schools less safe, opponents, LGBTQ advocates testify

Faye Seidler, a suicide prevention advocate, testifies March 24, 2025, against a bill that would require state entities to only refer to individuals by their sex assigned at birth in official documentation. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Schools don’t see all-gender bathrooms as a problem, West Fargo Public Schools Business Manager Levi Bachmeier told lawmakers Monday…

Lawmakers debate 3-cent gas tax increase, hike in EV registration fee

A sticker opposing a possible 3-cent increase to North Dakota’s gas tax is displayed on a Bismarck gas pump on March 24, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota lawmakers are weighing the first increase to the gas tax in 20 years and an increased electric vehicle fee, with the new tax revenue earmarked for…

Meeting Held To Talk About Impact of Possible Tribal Casino Just East of Moorhead

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) — Concerned Moorhead residents and those working in charitable gaming heard from their elected officials and business leaders on the recent land purchase by the White Earth Tribe. The land in question is a 280-acre lot near Interstate 94 and Highway 336. The community has speculated the tribe could build a casino on the land or use…

Trump Officials Texted War Plans to Secure Chat Group That Included a Journalist

WASHINGTON (AP) — Top national security officials for President Donald Trump, including his defense secretary, texted war plans for upcoming military strikes in Yemen to a group chat in a secure messaging app that included the editor-in-chief for The Atlantic, the magazine reported in a story posted online Monday. The National Security Council said the text chain “appears to be authentic.” Trump…

Judge Blocks Release of an Ex-Minnesota Senator Accused of Soliciting a Minor

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A judge on Monday blocked the release of a former Minnesota state senator charged with soliciting a minor, after prosecutors leveled fresh allegations that he tried to obstruct the FBI’s investigation from jail. U.S. Magistrate Judge Shannon Elkins ruled that Justin Eichorn should remain jailed instead of being released to a halfway house on Tuesday…

North Dakota Legislative Committee Hosts Second Reading On Mandatory Learning of The Holocaust

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — A North Dakota senate committee hosted a second reading on requiring mandatory learning of the Holocaust in public schools. Schools in North Dakota currently leave it up to a teacher’s discretion whether the Holocaust will be taught. The bill requires the superintendent of public instruction to submit an annual report to the governor and legislative management…

Flickertail Solar Project Hearing Brings Up Many Concerns On Boundary Lines

WAHPETON, N.D. (KVRR) — The Flickertail Solar Project hearing brought in several dozen people, including landowners and others who would be affected by the project. “We’re still asking for the site to be designated as it is with the condition that there will not any components of the solar facility within 500 feet of a residence within that boundary,” said…

Moorhead’s acting deputy police chief placed on paid administrative leave

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – Moorhead’s acting deputy police chief has been placed on paid administrative leave. Moorhead City Manager Dan Mahli tells KVRR Local News that Captain Deric Swenson, who is also a police department spokesman, was placed on administrative leave after a complaint was filed. The allegations in the complaint have not been released. It’s also not clear whether…