Local News

Democrat Rep. Zac Ista of Grand Forks, the minority leader, will not seek re-election

House Minority Leader Zac Ista, D-Grand Forks, speaks on the House floor in December 2024. Ista recently asked the Ethics Commission to analyze whether it would be an ethics violation for him to attend a study tour paid for by the government of Israel. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — North Dakota House Minority Leader Zac Ista announces that…

DGF High School was temporarily placed on lockdown, ‘no direct threat’ to students

GLYNDON, Minn. (KVRR) – Law enforcement officials were called to DGF High School in Glyndon, where the school was temporarily placed on a “hallway lockdown.” Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting says the lockdown was a precaution and says there was “no direct threat” to people inside the school. Details surrounding the reason for the lockdown were not immediately disclosed. This…

North Dakota rural health grant opportunities imminent as feds OK spending plan

Lawmakers on the Joint Appropriations Committee study legislation during a January special session convened to budget the first two years of the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program funding. (Photo by Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The federal government has approved most of North Dakota’s nearly $200 million plan implementing the first year of a massive rural…

State-mandated abortion law training now available for North Dakota doctors

The University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Grand Forks. UND staff, including two obstetrician-gynecologists, were commissioned by the state to create a new abortion laws training that is mandatory for doctors who perform abortions in North Dakota. (Photo courtesy of University of North Dakota)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A new training commissioned by the North…

Fargo Native American Commission’s transition plan approved

Native American Commission Chair Ashley Littlewolf presents transition plan to the Fargo City Commission on March 2, 2026FARGO, N.D. (KFGO/KVRR) – The Fargo City Commission has unanimously approved a transition plan for the Native American Commission. The board’s chair, Ashley Littlewolf, says they will continue their work under a broader, community-based governance model without using city staff or funding. “The…

Fargo City Commissioners put vote to ban flavored tobacco and nicotine products on hold

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo Cass Public Health’s effort to enact a ban on flavored tobacco and nicotine products has been put on hold. City commissioners heard a lengthy discussion by public health staff who tried to clear the air saying only flavored tobacco and nicotine products would be banned, and regular non-flavored vapes would remain. They say the state’s…