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House defeats bill to display Ten Commandments in North Dakota public schools, colleges

The Ten Commandments are displayed on a monument near the Civic Center in Fargo, North Dakota, on Jan. 14, 2025. North Dakota House members voted no Wednesday to requiring Ten Commandments to be displayed in public schools. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota House of Representatives voted down a bill Wednesday that would have…

Abortion, reproductive rights bills rejected in North Dakota House

Rep. Lori VanWinkle, R-Minot, speaks about abortion on the House floor on Feb. 12, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Four bills related to abortion and reproductive rights failed Wednesday in the North Dakota House. A so-called personhood bill would have allowed women who get abortions to be charged with murder. Two others sought to protect…

Ten Commandments in ND Schools And Four Abortion & Reproductive Rights Bills Fail

North Dakota House ChamberBISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — A bill to require a display of the Ten Commandments in schools has failed in the North Dakota house with 38 voting in support and 53 against. The house also voted 77-16 against a bill to charge women who get abortions with murder. The so-called “Personhood Bill” would define a human being to…

Gov. Armstrong Talks North Dakota Economy, Possible Efficiency Moves

The governor believes the state has the ability to adjust to America's shifting needs, and also feels he can cut back on some committees at the state level.

BISMARCK, N.D. – The second and final day of the Chamber at the Capitol event featured a meeting with Governor Kelly Armstrong, who discussed why it’s so important to have face-to-face meetings with business leaders. “Because government doesn’t create a single job. Government doesn’t create economic growth,” he explained. “These guys do.” He also addressed the repeated elephant in the…

New Bill Would Require North Dakota Schools To Teach About The Holocaust

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — Lawmakers were presented a bill to require all schools in North Dakota to teach the history of the Holocaust. Currently, it is up to a teacher’s discretion. The bill’s focus would make the teachings grade-level appropriate. It would also include the causes, history, impact, and how the United States played a role. Several teachers shared their…

JOANN Fabrics Closing 500 Stores Including in Grand Forks and Bemidji

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR/CNN/AP) — JOANN Fabrics is closing 500 stores across the country including in Grand Forks, Bemidji, Hibbing and Brookings in our region. That will leave only 300 stores open nationwide. The company says the move is necessary as it navigates the bankruptcy process. JOANN filed last month — for the second time in a year. The retailer blames…

Legislators hear testimony on bill requiring intelligent design in science classes

BISMARCK, N.D. — Legislators heard testimony on the bill requiring the teaching of intelligent design in science classes in North Dakota schools. If passed, SB 2355 would require the teaching of intelligent design alongside evolution in science classes in the state. Intelligent design argues that life is too complex to have come from evolution. There were testimonies on both sides…

North Dakota Resolution declaring pornography a public health hazard gets Do-Pass recommendation

BISMARCK, N.D. — A senate resolution in North Dakota would declare pornography as a public health hazard. Testimony was heard during a legislative hearing on SCR 4017. Those who testified in support of the resolution consisted of members of religious organizations. Some of the reasons cited for declaring porn a public health hazard were that it creates an unreasonable body…

Update: Fargo Park Board to reconsider controversial plan to sharply raise pool fees

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Following public pressure, the Fargo Park District is preparing to change its plans to sharply raise the cost of using its pool facilities. Fargo Park Board President Aaron Hill tells KVRR News that the board will meet next week to begin discussing the changes. Board members were planning to raise the cost of a 2025 family…

Fargo’s “Name a Snow Plow” Winners Are Announced On The Same Day as Minnesota’s

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — More than 1,100 people voted and these are the winners in Fargo’s “Name a Snow Plow” contest: Betty Whiteout BoomChickaPlowPlow Buzz Iceclear Plowabunga Teddy Snowsevelt and Wheeler Snow Peeler. The names will now go on city snowplows. They came from around 600 submissions that were narrowed down to ten by Public Works and Engineering and Mayor…