North Dakota News

Veteran, Sanford AirMed pilot gifted Quilt of Valor for his service

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – A North Dakota veteran who’s now a Sanford AirMed pilot received a gift embodying comfort and gratitude Tuesday evening. With his newly gifted Quilt of Valor draped around his neck, Chad Erickson said there’s one simple word to describe how he’s feeling: “I’m feeling honored.” That’s exactly what those with the Quilts of Valor Foundation strive…

Health experts say Pfizer vaccine getting full approval hasn’t changed vaccination rate much

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Fargo Cass Public Health officials say they have not seen a significant rise in COVID-19 vaccinations since Pfizer was granted full FDA approval two weeks ago. Director of Public Health Desi Fleming says since the announcement was made, there has been a slight but very slow increase in vaccinations in Cass County. Fargo Cass is hosting…

ND Dept. of Health warns against taking horse drug for Covid-19

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – The North Dakota Department of Health is discussing the importance of approved Covid-19 treatments. Officials say treatments such as monoclonal antibody treatment helps aid in the reduction of viral load. They add the FDA has found enough evidence of effectiveness and safety for the treatment to be on the market, but has not gotten full approval….

The latest: Federal judge tosses Alfonso Rodriguez death sentence

FARGO (KVRR) – A federal judge has thrown out the death sentence for a man convicted in the 2003 slaying of a North Dakota college student, saying new evidence shows that the medical examiner was “guessing” on the stand and defense lawyers did not adequately explore mental health evidence. Judge Ralph Erickson ruled Friday that misleading testimony from the coroner,…

Rodriguez juror shocked, confused with order that throws out death penalty

FARGO (KVRR) – A jury member who handed down Alfonso Rodriguez’s death penalty sentence says he disagrees with the judge who overturned the death penalty. Luke Lillehaugen was one of 12 jurors who unanimously found Rodriguez guilty and recommended he be sentenced to death in 2006. Lillehaugen says he was shocked when he found out that Eighth Circuit Court of…

Man dies in fiery crash in northwestern North Dakota

POWERS LAKE, N.D.- A 75-year-old man has died after a fiery crash in northwestern North Dakota. The North Dakota Highway Patrol says the crash happened on Sunday night about four miles south of Powers Lake. The man was in a pickup truck when he drifted into a ditch and struck a grove of bushes. The man tried to back up…

Body of fisherman recovered from river in Mandan

MANDAN, N.D. – Mandan police are investigating the death of a man whose body was found in the Heart River. Deputy Chief Lori Flaten says the body of the 32-year-old man was found in the river Monday morning. He has not been identified. A bicyclist spotted the body in the river near the Sitting Bull Bridge on Highway 1806 in…

Will the end of federal unemployment benefits help local businesses find workers?

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits are ending Monday. This comes as business owners across the Red River Valley continue to struggle with finding new workers. “I know every restaurant out there is hiring and we’re right alongside them, ” Great Plains Hospitality CEO Dan Hurder said. Hurder owns three restaurants and a catering business in both Minnesota…