News Landing Page

North Dakota Commerce to eliminate extra legislative session pay as state begins DOGE effort

Chris Schilken, commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Commerce, speaks during a meeting of the Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency on July 30, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota Department of Commerce immediately identified a cost saving Wednesday during the first meeting of the state’s DOGE task force – eliminating bonuses…

ND Ethics Commission OKs lawmakers’ expenses-paid trip to Israel as ‘educational’

House Minority Leader Zac Ista, D-Grand Forks, speaks on the House floor in December 2024. Ista recently asked the Ethics Commission to analyze whether it would be an ethics violation for him to attend a study tour paid for by the government of Israel. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — At least one North Dakota lawmaker has…

Pet Connection: Meet Dino

WEST FARGO — Like all the best stylists, Dino the Indian ringneck has a gentle touch, a heart of gold and a patient nature. And with his sweet personality and affectionate hair-grooming, he made our Morning Show anchor’s hair look better than she ever has styling it herself. Dino is a Creamino Indian Ringneck, a genetic mutation that is missing…

Winged Underdogs: Magnificent Moths

FARGO — We just wrapped up National Moth Week, and if you haven’t gotten involved by now in a program that could improve the fate of these poorly understood little pollinators, there’s still a chance to help. Entomologists say their new scientific findings indicate moths are doing a lot of the heavy lifting in pollination the way butterflies and bees…

Meatpacking workers allege Hormel Foods violated sick leave law in class action lawsuit

UFCW Local 663 President Rena Wong announces a class action lawsuit against Hormel Foods for allegedly violating Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time law during a news conference in Austin on July 30, 2025. (Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer)AUSTIN, Minn. (Minnesota Reformer) — The union representing more than 1,600 Hormel workers in Austin announced a class action lawsuit on Wednesday…

House destroyed in overnight fire near Dent, Minnesota

OTTER TAIL CO., Minn. (KVRR) – A house is a total loss after an overnight fire in Dunn Township, northwest of Dent, Minnesota. Otter Tail County 911 got the call just after 4 a.m. Deputies responded along with fire departments from Vergas, Perham and Dent. They arrived to find the house engulfed in flames. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is…

Pitches for natural gas pipeline made to North Dakota Industrial Commission

North Dakota Republican Gov. Kelly Armstrong holds a map of a proposed natural gas pipeline on Thursday, June 26, 2025, during a meeting of the Industrial Commission at the state Capitol in Bismarck, N.D. (AP Photo/Jack Dura)BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/Prairie Public/KFG) The two companies that have proposed natural gas pipelines to bring gas from the Bakken to central and eastern North…

Fargo Public School Board and teachers union finalize contract for 2025-2027 school years

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — After numerous agreements, the Fargo Public School Board and local teachers union have agreed to a new contract for the 2025 – 2027 school year. Negotiations began back in April to determine the start of the upcoming school year’s teacher contract. Both parties met eleven times throughout the few months to discuss the new adjustments. All…