North Dakota News

Budget caps a concern but local leaders say it’s time to work on property tax reform

Rep. Craig Headland, R-Montpelier, chair of the House Finance and Taxation Committee talks with his vice char, Rep. Jared Hagert, R-Emerado, before a public hearing on property tax reform on Jan. 14, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Local government leaders told lawmakers Tuesday they’re ready to work on property tax reform, but expressed concerns about…

North Dakota House approves removing Chinese drones from state fleet

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR-Prairie Public) – The North Dakota House has approved a measure to replace Chinese-made drones in the state fleet. The state owns 353 drones, 307 from China. The sponsor, Bismarck Representative Mike Nathe, says he was told by some federal officials that the Chinese drones were equipped with data gathering and transmitting devices. Nate says the cost to…

Gov. Noem’s Hearing Also Delayed Due To Government Agency Paperwork

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is having her hearing to become the next Homeland Security Secretary pushed back from Wednesday to Friday. According to a committee aide, the FBI has yet to complete its portion of her paperwork. If approved, Noem will take over the agency responsible for border and airport security, disaster response, protections for…

Armstrong orders flags to full staff for Trump Inauguration

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong directed the U.S. and North Dakota flags to be flown at full staff on Jan. 20 at the North Dakota Capitol and all state buildings in observance of the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Armstrong’s order says flags should return to half-staff on Jan. 21 and remain at half-staff through Jan….

Pain relief or a problem? North Dakota lawmakers hear kratom debate

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Witnesses on Monday characterized the kratom plant as both as a dangerous and sometimes fatal drug and as a safe way to manage chronic pain and help people wean themselves off more dangerous opioids. The testimony on kratom came during a North Dakota House Judiciary Committee hearing on House Bill 1101, which would add mitragynine,…

North Dakota lawmakers work to refine which groups can conduct charitable gambling

Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, delivers remarks on charitable gambling during a public hearing held by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 13, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A bill under consideration by North Dakota lawmakers would restrict which organizations qualify to conduct charitable gambling. The discussion comes as electronic pull tab machines have proliferated in…

Supreme Court upholds North Dakota’s majority-Native legislative subdistricts

North Dakota Rep. Lisa Finley-DeVille, D-Mandaree, speaks during a news conference Nov. 22, 2024, in Bismarck. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld legislative subdistricts in North Dakota, including one she represents. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)WASHINGTON, D.C. (North Dakota Monitor) — The U.S. Supreme Court settled a North Dakota voting rights case Monday, leaving in place two majority-Native American subdistricts challenged as…