Politics / Elections

Gov. Burgum vetoes penalizing state colleges over abortions

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has partially vetoed a bill aimed at penalizing the state’s 11 colleges and universities for funneling federal grant money to individuals or organizations that promote or perform abortions. Burgum said in his veto message late Friday that the sanctions are “problematic.” He vetoed the portion of the bill that contains the…

North Dakota Dem-NPL elects Patrick Hart as new chair

Hart is a small business owner living in Bismarck

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — Dem-NPL leaders from across North Dakota elected Patrick Hart to serve as the new State Party Chair on Saturday. Hart is a small business owner living in Bismarck. He previously served as the Dem-NPL Vice Chair. Vice Chair Kari Breker, DNC Committeeman Adam Goldwyn, Treasurer Tracey Wilkie, and Secretary Birgit Pruess were also elected. “Together, we’ll…

North Dakota session marked by record budget, pandemic

BISMARCK, N.D. – The 2021 North Dakota Legislature has reached the end of a session marked by a record-high state budget, the first-ever expulsion of a lawmaker and pandemic protocols that greatly dampened public participation at the state Capitol. The Legislature adjourned early Friday morning. It met for 76 days and just short of the 80-day maximum set by the…

The Ensuring Innovation Act: New Law Helps Lower Prescription Prices

The Ensuring Innovation Act will help prevent pharmaceutical manufacturers from making small adjustments to raise drug prices.

WASHINGTON (KVRR) — Some prescription prices will be lower with a new bill President Biden has signed into law. The Ensuring Innovation Act will help prevent pharmaceutical manufacturers from making small adjustments to raise drug prices. The bill was led by Democratic Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota and Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. They say they want to help…

NDSU holds a protest of a bill banning grant money for sex education

The amended bill would prohibit funding federal grant money to Planned Parenthood for sex education in the state.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Students and faculty at NDSU petition the Legislature not to pass a North Dakota senate bill that would prohibit funding federal grant money to Planned Parenthood for sex education in the state. “The language of this legislation is written so broadly that it would likely impact faculty across a wide range of disciplines,” North Dakota State…

Future of Delta 8 products unclear in ND as legislators amend hemp regulations

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – A recent surge in demand surrounding a certain cannabis product has pushed North Dakota lawmakers to amend the state’s hemp regulation bill. Delta 8 seems to be the newest craze in the world of hemp-derived products. “Delta 8 is THC but it’s extracted from hemp,” explained Your CBD Store owner Matt Yde. “So most people, when…

North Dakota Senate fails to overrides veto on transgender sports bill

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – The North Dakota Senate has failed to override Governor Doug Burgum’s veto of a bill restricting transgender girls from participating in public elementary and secondary school sports. The vote was 28 to 19. Thirty two votes were needed to override the veto. Earlier, the state House voted 68 to 25 to override the second-term Republican governor,…