North Dakota News

Cleanup underway after 21,000-gallon oil well spill

WILLISTON, N.D. – Cleanup is underway after 21,000 gallons of crude oil spilled at a well east of Williston. State Oil and Gas Division officials say the release at the Equinor Energy LP well was due to a valve failure. Officials say the oil was contained on-site and all but about 400 gallons had been recovered as of Wednesday afternoon….

Heitkamp, Dorgan, Conrad ask Biden to nominate Schneider

SCHNEIDER SAYS HE IS HUMBLED AND HONORED BY THE FORMER SENATORS' SUPPORT

FARGO (KVRR) – Three former U.S. senators from North Dakota are leaning on President Biden to nominate a Fargo lawyer and former state lawmaker from Grand Forks for U.S. Attorney. Former Sens. Heidi Heitkamp, Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan have sent a letter to Biden, urging him to nominate Mac Schneider. “It is our greatest hope that you give Mac…

Bill that would have dropped seat belt requirement rejected

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – The North Dakota House has rejected a bill that would have dropped the requirement for seat belt use among people 18 and older. Supporters say the bill was introduced in response to a Senate bill that would make the state’s seat belt law a “primary” offense. Th current law makes it a “secondary” offense, meaning drivers…

The Chamber discusses F-M Diversion project

This is the biggest project that's in the bonding bill."

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The Chamber holds an Eggs and Issues discussion with members of the legislation to talk about a $435.5 million bonding bill on the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion Project. At just under $800 million, House bill 1431 is proposing a series of projects in the Fargo-Moorhead area. One project in the bill will take a little over half of…

ND State Rep. explains bills easing penalties for underage drinking

BISMARCK, N.D. — The way underage drinking is penalized in North Dakota may soon change. The state legislature is looking into two bills that would ease punishment for those drinking or possessing alcohol illegally. At first glance, the change being considered to one of the bills may be hard to see. “What my bill does is it changes one word…

North Dakota National Guard on alert for possible deployment to Middle East

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – A North Dakota Army National Guard unit has received an alert for possible mobilization to the Middle East. The Devils Lake-based 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment could deploy to the U.S. Central Command  area of operations during mid to late summer. The unit is headquartered at Camp Grafton Training Center near Devils Lake and consists of about…

Burgum orders state agencies to evaluate impacts of Biden energy directives

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – Gov. Doug Burgum signed an executive order Tuesday directing state agencies to determine the impacts of President Biden’s executive orders on North Dakota’s energy industry and to identify opportunities to challenge Biden’s orders. “The Biden administration’s recent executive orders pose a serious threat to American energy security, our nation’s economic growth and the tens of thousands…

House proposal would raise North Dakota gas tax 6 cents

BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota lawmakers are considering adding another 6 cents to the state’s 23-cent a-gallon gas tax. The House Finance and Taxation Committee has endorsed the hike to help pay for improvements to roads and bridges. A higher fuels tax is expected to bring in tens of millions of dollars more annually, with the bulk going to a…

Lawmakers recommend approval for North Dakota public schools to display Ten Commandments

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – A North Dakota legislative committee is recommending that lawmakers approve a measure that would allow local school districts to post the Ten Commandments. Edinburg Republican Sen. Janna Myrdal sponsored the measure. Myrdal said the Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution based on the Ten Commandments. “We need to get back to it” Mydal said. Grand Forks Democratic…