Politics / Elections

Non-profit leaders push for ND legislature to pass school meal bills

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Leaders from local nonprofits including the Great Plains Food Bank and YWCA are calling for the North Dakota legislature to pass two bills regarding school meals. “Families are really struggling. Their dollars are not stretching as far and they’re having to choose between food and rent or food and heat. The decision they shouldn’t have to…

Gov. Walz signs gender affirming healthcare bill

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR) — Governor Tim Walz signs an executive action to protect access to gender affirming healthcare in Minnesota. It refers to all medical, surgical, counseling, or referral services, including telehealth services, that an individual may receive to support and affirm that individual’s gender identity or gender expression. Walz says you will not be punished for seeking or…

ND Republicans call for 2024 ballot measure that would eliminate property taxes

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — Republicans in the North Dakota legislature are pushing to pass a resolution where people can vote on a ballot measure to eliminate property taxes. The measure would prevent all state and political subdivisions from levying a property tax in 2025. Subdivisions with bond issues would still collect property taxes until the bonds are paid off. Former…

Fargo City Commission Votes 4-1 To Oppose State Anti-LGBTQ Bills

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) — Fargo City Commission votes 4-1 to oppose a series of state bills filed by Republican legislators targeting LGBTQ+ residents in the state. The only no vote came from Commissioner Dave Piepkorn. Cody Schuler, advocacy manager with the American Civil Liberties Union of North Dakota told commissioners the legislation amounts to a “culture war” that takes away…

Minnesota House approves $1.9B public works package

Democratic Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, of Brooklyn Park, speaks at a news conference at the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., on Monday, March 6, 2023, about a $1.9 billion public infrastructure package for fixing up roads, bridges, water systems, college facilities and parks and trails across the state. She was joined by Democratic Rep. Fue Lee, of Minneapolis,…

Gov. Walz to transfer power during anesthesia for colonoscopy

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will temporarily transfer power to Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan on Monday while he’s under general anesthesia for a colonoscopy, his office said Sunday. The 58-year-old governor sent a letter Sunday to House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Senate President Bobby Joe Champion informing them of his plan, as per state law. The…

MNGOP calls post from State Rep. Keeler of Moorhead a ‘racist rant’

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – Minnesota Republican Party Chairman David Hann calls a Facebook post by DFL State Representative Heather Keeler of Moorhead, “racist.” The Republican Party shared an article by Alpha News claiming she made a post on her personal page. It references native children that says, in part, quote, “I’m sick of white Christians adopting our babies and rejoicing….

Minnesota moves to crack down on catalytic converter thefts

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Senate voted Thursday to make it harder for thieves to sell stolen catalytic converters, a crime that has skyrocketed across the country in recent years. Thefts of the pollution control devices from cars and trucks more than quadrupled from 3,389 in 2019 to 14,433 in 2020, and jumped dramatically again in 2021 to over 52,000,…