North Dakota News

Bank of North Dakota planning debt refinancing program to help ag producers

Farm workers load beans into a grain truck Sept. 28, 2025, in Wells County, N.D. (Photo by Lora Wobbema/For the North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The Bank of North Dakota is developing a disaster relief program to help agricultural producers in the state survive the current crisis in the industry. The program will work with local banks…

Environmental group challenging permit for 25,000-cow North Dakota dairy

Riverview’s Campbell Dairy in Wilkin County, Minnesota, on July 10, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)HILLSBORO, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – A North Dakota environmental group has filed a lawsuit over a giant dairy under construction in Traill County. The Dakota Resource Council filed the suit against the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality and Riverview ND LLP in…

Fargo City Commission votes 3-2 to relocate Downtown Engagement Center

2001 1st Avenue North, FargoFARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo City Commissioners vote 3-2 to relocate the Downtown Engagement Center to 2001 1st Avenue North near Brewhalla. Commissioners Piepkorn and Turnberg voting against the move with Piepkorn stating the taxpayers will be on the hook. The city will pay $350,000 per year for base rent for two years for the over…

Harold “Brent” Pharis named director of Fargo VA Health Care System

EAGAN, Minn. (KVRR)– The current associate director of VA Central Iowa Health Care System is taking a new job in Fargo. Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that Harold “Brent” Pharis has been named director of Fargo VA Health Care System. Pharis will begin his new role on November 2. Dr. Andrew Stasko has been serving as the interim Medical…

Taco John’s to return to Fargo in a big way: 5 locations included in agreement

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — The official return of Taco John’s to Fargo will include not one, not two but five total locations. Seasoned Taco John’s franchisee Brett Itterman of Pentex Restaurant Group is behind the brand’s Fargo comeback. The new agreement calls for five locations with the first one to open by the end of this year. The second location…

Committee still at impasse on North Dakota Ethics Commission vacancies

Sen. Kathy Hogan, from left, Gov. Kelly Armstrong and Sen. David Hogue hold an Ethics Commission selection committee meeting Sept. 23, 2025, at the Capitol. (Photo by Jacob Orledge/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The state officials responsible for selecting the next three members of the North Dakota Ethics Commission remained deadlocked Friday. Gov. Kelly Armstrong remains steadfast…