North Dakota News

$7.8 million needed for replacement of Capitol windows

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor/KVRR) — The North Dakota Legislature may be asked to provide more than $4 million to replace the windows at the Capitol in Bismarck, with the total project costing nearly twice that amount. The Capitol Grounds Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend moving forward with a $7.8 million window replacement project. The 21-story building has…

Fargo City Commissioner Speaks Out On Deadly Shooting of United Healthcare’s CEO

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — A Fargo city commissioner who is also a former Blue Cross-Blue Shield North Dakota executive is speaking out Fargo City Commissioner Denise Kolpack worked at Blue Cross-Blue Shield for 16 years as the Senior Vice President of Brand and Communications. Her role involved branding and advertising the company and its insurance plans. “It’s a very complex…

Data center requests annexation into Ellendale

A three-story concrete building is shown being built on Nov. 12, 2024, at the Applied Digital site west of Ellendale, North Dakota. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)ELLENDALE, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A large data center just outside of Ellendale has asked to be annexed into the city limits, a move that would increase tax revenue for the town. Applied Digital…

Ramsey County Deputy Charged And On Leave

Ramsey County Sheriff/FacebookDEVILS LAKE, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) — A deputy with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office is on leave and facing a misdemeanor criminal charge. 42-year-old Samuel Shively is charged with misdemeanor sexual assault-offensive in Ramsey County District Court. Sheriff Bryan Lang says Shively has been on administrative leave since October 24. He has been with the department for six years….

Greenpeace seeks court permission to research mailer critical of DAPL protests

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Environmental group Greenpeace has asked a judge for permission to collect evidence related to a conservative-leaning, pro-fossil fuel mailer it believes could taint the jury pool in its legal battle with Energy Transfer, the developer of the Dakota Access Pipeline. In October, some residents of Morton County received a 12-page direct mailer titled “Central…

Summit CO2 injection wells up for approval but court appeal already in the works

Attorney Derrick Braaten asks a question June 11, 2024, in Bismarck during a hearing on the Summit Carbon Solutions project. Braaten also represents landowners in a lawsuit that challenges state laws related to carbon dioxide storage. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)BISMACK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota is poised to allow millions of tons of carbon dioxide to…

“Operation Safe Fargo” Voted Down By City Commission, 3-2, New Plan Coming In 2 Weeks

Fargo City Commissioner Michelle TurnbergFARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — An urgent move by Fargo City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg to address the homeless situation as the temperatures drop is voted down by the commission. Turnberg’s proposal called “Operation Safe Fargo” was defeated 3-2, with her only support coming from Commissioner Dave Piepkorn. She proposed outlawing homeless camping on any city property and…

Fargo City Commission Votes To Delay Debate on Hiring Community Integration Facilitator

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — A proposal by Fargo City Commissioner Denise Kolpack to hire a Community Integration Facilitator to help new Americans has been tabled. Commissioners voted 4-1 to push the idea back a few months since there are new state and federal administrations taking over. Kolpack says the purpose of the position is to connect Fargo newcomers with programs…

UND To Offer Enhanced Air Traffic Control Program To Help Fill Jobs Nationwide

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR) — The FAA is taking steps to alleviate the lack of air traffic controllers and UND is a part of the solution. Aviation students will be able to participate in an enhanced air traffic control program in the spring semester. The FAA and UND signed a memorandum of understanding to officially establish the program which will…