News Landing Page

Hobby Lobby Fined $3 Million for Illegal Smuggling

They say a supplier shipped "falsely labeled" items to Hobby Lobby's stores and corporate offices

  NATIONAL — Arts and crafts chain Hobby Lobby has settled a civil action lawsuit and is being fined $3 million dollars by the federal government for smuggling ancient Iraqi artifacts. The Justice Department accused the company of smuggling cuneiform tablets and clay artifacts from modern-day Iraq into the U.S. They say a supplier shipped falsely labeled items to Hobby…

Minneapolis Working to Restrict Sales of Menthol Cigarettes

San Francisco and Chicago have similar policies

  MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The sale of menthol cigarettes in Minneapolis may soon be restricted to adult-only tobacco shops. The city has an ordinance that limits other flavored tobacco products to adult-only tobacco shops. Council Member Cam Gordon says restricting menthols is the next step. Anti-smoking advocates say a mint-flavored compound in the cigarettes that creates a cooling sensation makes…

Fargo Park District Hosting Community Play Days Throughout the Summer

The group organizes community play days at Rheault Farm in Fargo to give children a new play environment

FARGO, ND — The Fargo Park District is inviting kids of all ages to spend time outdoors this summer. The group organizes community play days at Rheault Farm in Fargo to give children a new play environment. This free event offers an array of different activities ranging from a take home craft to yard games to balloon animal artists. Organizers…

Grand Forks Police Investigating Alleged Sexual Assault

They say there is no threat to the general public

GRAND FORKS, ND — Police in Grand Forks are investigating an alleged assault. They were called to the 3800 block of 32nd Avenue South around 3 o’clock this afternoon. A woman at that location said she had been sexually assaulted in another location. Officers are working to determine where the assault happened and possible suspects. They say there is no…

Six People Hurt in Chain Reaction Crash on I-94

The driver of a semi attempted to stop but was unable to and hit the rear of a Lexus which caused the chain reaction crash

MORTON COUNTY, ND — Six people were sent to the hospital after a chain reaction crash on I-94 in Morton County on the 4th. Four vehicles were stopped on the Grant Marsh Bridge around 5:30 Tuesday evening. The driver of a semi attempted to stop but was unable to and hit the rear of a Lexus which caused the chain…

Former Executive Board Member of Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribe Sentenced in Embezzlement Case

Adams said in his plea agreement that they stole over $415,000 from the district between January 2011 and March 2013

  RICHLAND COUNTY, ND — A former executive board member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribe has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison for embezzlement. Federal authorities say 46-year-old Thomas Adams and others allegedly wrote checks to themselves for payroll, stipends, travel and other reasons. Adams said in his plea agreement that they stole over $415,000 from the…

Gov. Dayton Names $12 Million Police Training Program in Honor of Philando Castile

Governor Dayton says he wants people and law enforcement to work together to improve relationships

ST. PAUL, Minn. — It’s been exactly one year since the fatal shooting of Philando Castile and Governor Dayton is recommending a new program be named in his honor. The Philando Castile Law Enforcement Training Fund is a $12 million program that will pay for training Minnesota officers who serve in diverse communities. Dayton says he wants people and law…

Mandan Officer-Involved Fatal Shooting “Justified”

Prosecutors say Sgt. Nickolas Pynnonen "tried everything in his power to stop'' the shooting from occurring

  MANDAN, ND — A prosecutor has concluded that an officer-involved shooting in Mandan was justified. A Mandan Police spokesman says the shooting death of ex-Marine Ivan Wilson was a tragic example of an officer trying to avoid pulling his gun. He said Sgt. Nickolas Pynnonen “tried everything in his power to stop” the shooting from occurring. A former classmate…

Rapid City Man Shot in the Spine Waits 10 Hours for Help

The shooting suspect, Michael Wisecarver, is charged with attempted first-degree murder

Michael WisecarverRAPID CITY, SD — A man with a bullet lodged in his spine lay injured in his Rapid City driveway for 10 hours before getting help. A passerby noticed Chad Arnold and called authorities at about 8 a.m. Monday. Police say a preliminary evaluation found Arnold paralyzed from the waist down. The shooting suspect, Michael Wisecarver, is charged with attempted…

Thief River Falls Man Drowns Swimming in Gravel Pit Pond

Kuznia is urging swimmers in this week's heat wave to choose monitored beach areas and stay clear of gravel pits, calling the ponds very dangerous

  PENNINGTON COUNTY, Minn. — The sheriff of Pennington County is warning swimmers to stay away from gravel pit ponds after a drowning. Forty-year-old Myron Sunram of Thief River Falls was pulled from one of the ponds and later died. Sheriff Ray Kuznia says the accident happened Wednesday night in a pit near Oak Ridge Lutheran Church west of Thief…