Politics / Elections

Pipeline developer goes to ND Supreme Court seeking to block Greenpeace Netherlands lawsuit

Betsy Elsberry, an attorney representing Greenpeace International, delivers oral arguments before the North Dakota Supreme Court on Dec. 18, 2025. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A court case involving Greenpeace and the Dakota Access Pipeline developer went before the North Dakota Supreme Court on Thursday, with justices asked to stop a counter-suit…

North Dakota law accidentally lists fake critical minerals based on coal lawyers’ names

David Straley, attorney for North American Coal, speaks in favor of a bill to develop critical minerals in North Dakota at a March 27, 2025, hearing. The law lists stralium and friezium among critical minerals, an apparent reference to Straley and another coal industry attorney. Straley says they were not responsible for adding the fake names. (Photo by Mary Steurer/North…

Prosecutor says 14 Minnesota programs are targeted for fraud and the state is swamped with crime

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — At least 14 state-run programs in Minnesota have been flagged for fraud, a prosecutor said Thursday as he announced new charges in several schemes. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said during a news conference that federal officials suspect a significant portion of roughly $18 billion paid out by Medicaid to Minnesota programs was fraudulent. “What we…

North Dakota finds option to relieve prison overcrowding

Five bunk beds sit vacant in the sleeping quarters of an empty inmate pod at the Burleigh/Morton County Detention Center on Dec. 17, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota’s prison system will use the Burleigh/Morton County Detention Center to house inmates instead of using the Grand Forks County jail to address its…

Clay County gives preliminary pay raises to the sheriff, county attorney and others in 2026

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) — Clay County Commissioners have given preliminary approval to a pay raise for Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting. Clay County Attorney Brian Melton and chief assistant county attorneys would also get raises. Empting told the commission that the responsibilities in his position have grown substantially over the past few years, but the compensation hasn’t changed. Empting says…

North Dakota ag producers could ‘walk away’ from health insurance, Farmers Union warns

Lance Boyer, sales director of financial products for the North Dakota Farmers Union, talks about expiring Affordable Care Act premium tax credits during the annual meeting of the North Dakota Farmers Union on Dec. 12, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Seven in 10 North Dakota Farmers Union agriculture producers will be affected by…

Committee names new member to North Dakota Ethics Commission, ending impasse

Jared Huibregtse, a Mandan project manager for an engineering firm, speaks Oct. 3, 2025, during an interview for three open seats on the North Dakota Ethics Commission. (Photo by Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota leaders appointed Jared Huibregtse to the North Dakota Ethics Commission on Tuesday, ending a nearly two-month stalemate over who to…

Gov. Walz signs new executive orders to address gun violence, calls BS on those who say it won’t save lives

ST. PAUL (KVRR/FOX9) — Gov. Tim Walz has signed two executive orders in efforts to reduce gun violence and improve public safety across Minnesota. Under the orders, a statewide Safety Council will be created to develop a blueprint to prevent mass violence. The orders will also expand extreme risk protection orders and safe storage education for those with guns at…

Moorhead firefighter announces campaign for MN House District 4A

Kevin SalisburyMOORHEAD — Moorhead firefighter Kevin Salisbury has announced his campaign for the Minnesota House District 4A. According to a release sent out by the campaign, Salisbury is a firefighter, union organizer that has served the community for the past 18 years. “I’ve spent my career protecting the citizens of Moorhead, and now I’m ready to serve them in the…

North Dakota’s delicate electricity price balance faces challenges

A lineworker works to repair damage near Crosby to a powerline caused by a spring storm in northwestern North Dakota. Photo provided by the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives.BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota News Cooperative) — As an energy exporter blessed with abundant supply, North Dakota consistently ranks among the cheapest states in the country when it comes to…