Politics / Elections

Senate passes bill reining in homeowners’ associations

Sen. Susan Pha, DFL-Brooklyn Park, and Sen. Eric Lucero, R-Saint Michael, present their bill aimed at reining in HOAs at a meeting of the Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention committee on March 12, 2025. Photo by Madison McVan/Minnesota Reformer.ST. PAUL (Minnesota Reformer) — A bipartisan bill limiting homeowners’ association fees, implementing new transparency and conflict-of-interest rules and establishing a path…

101 state employees take buyouts in North Dakota

Joe Morrissette, director of the Office of Management and Budget, presents a budget forecast to state agencies at the Capitol on April 8, 2026. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota’s state workforce will shrink by 101 employees after a round of buyouts is completed, though some of the jobs will be refilled. The state…

Tribal law enforcement academy to be located in North Dakota

Camp Grafton, a National Guard facility near Devils Lake, North Dakota. (Courtesy of North Dakota National Guard)DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Tribal police recruits in North Dakota will soon have an option for basic training through the Bureau of Indian Affairs that’s closer to home. Camp Grafton, a North Dakota National Guard base near Devils Lake, is currently…

Fargo mayoral candidates weigh-in on city council vs. city commission debate

League of Women Voters and AARP of North Dakota hosted candidate forum at Fargo City Hall

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — All five candidates for mayor of Fargo take part in a candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters and AARP of North Dakota. They talked about some of the same topics covered during a debate on KFGO on Tuesday. But the candidates were also asked how they would bring people together to solve the…

Immigration enforcement near MN schools can continue, federal court rules

A masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent knocks on a car window in Minnesota on Jan. 12, 2026. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A federal court has denied a request on behalf of several Minnesota school districts to block immigration enforcement activity around public schools, effectively allowing any ICE activity to continue as a lawsuit moves toward trial. Filed…

Hoeven Declines to Issue Endorsement in Fargo Mayoral Race

U.S. Senator, Kevin Cramer surprised many with his recent endorsement of Michelle Turnberg.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR) – Senator John Hoeven took time, following the ribbon-cutting for Vorbeck Materials’ new facility, to briefly discuss the Fargo mayoral race. His colleague in the U.S. Senate, Kevin Cramer, surprised many with his endorsement of candidate Michelle Turnberg. Hoeven declined to make such an endorsement at this time. He says he’s more focused on the fact…

Former Fargo Parks executive director to lead Bismarck Parks and Recreation

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR-KFGO) – Former Fargo Parks executive director Dave Leker is being named the executive director of Bismarck Parks and Recreation. The Bismarck Board of Park Commissioners made the announcement Tuesday. Leker will replace Kevin Klipfel who is retiring. The Fargo Park Board in 2023 voted 3-2 to end Leker’s contract. Leker had worked for Fargo Parks for 22…

ICE denies humanitarian parole request for Minnesota woman in detention with ovarian cyst

Andrea Pedro-Francisco was arrested on her way to work and sent to a Texas detention center a week before she was scheduled to have surgery to remove a large ovarian cyst. (Courtesy photo)WASHINGTON (Minnesota Reformer) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says it will not release a Minnesota woman facing deportation on humanitarian parole to receive surgery to remove a…

Interim police chief answers questions on why he should be top cop

Interim Police Chief Travis Stefonowicz answers a question made by Rocky Schneider, executive director of the Downtown Community Partnership. 5/6/26.FARGO (KVRR) — Fargo’s only remaining candidate for police chief made his case as to why he should be the new leader of the Fargo Police Department. Interim Chief Travis Stefonowicz spoke at length, answering questions from a selection committee that…