Politics / Elections

Senator Heitkamp Asking Ranchers be Given Tax Break Due to Drought

The deferment would be for a two year period on the sale of cattle

  NORTH DAKOTA — Senator Heitkamp has asked the IRS commissioner to allow ranchers to defer paying capital gains tax due to the drought. The deferment would be for a two year period on the sale of cattle. The action is being requested due to the ongoing severe drought which has stretched for months across nearly half of the state….

Senator Hoeven Says GOP Health Care Bill Needs Improvement

He is just the latest member of his party to criticize their plan to repeal and replace Obamacare

  GRAND FORKS, ND — Sen. John Hoeven says he “doesn’t support” the current GOP health care bill. The Republican made the comment during a discussion Wednesday at UND. He is just the latest member of his party to criticize their plan to repeal and replace Obamacare. Hoeven said he’s hopeful that the legislation can be improved to lower premium…

Gov. Dayton Hoping to Improve Minnesota’s Water Quality

This includes holding meetings in Rochester, Marshall, Ely, Stillwater and more cities throughout the state.

  ST. PAUL, Minn. — Governor Mark Dayton wants to hear from people throughout the state on how best to improve Minnesota’s water quality. Dayton’s office announced 10 town halls throughout the summer to help develop water strategies throughout the state. They include meetings in Crookston, Rochester, Marshall, Ely, Stillwater and more cities throughout the state. It’s part of the…

Dispute Over American Indian Artifacts Reporting by Pipeline Company in Question

They are also investigating if the company removed too many trees while laying the pipe

  MORTON COUNTY, ND — The dispute over American Indian artifacts and the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline will not be over any time soon. North Dakota’s Public Service Commission filed a complaint in November of 2016 saying Energy Transfer Partners, the company behind the pipeline, improperly reported the discovery of the artifacts. They proposed a $15,000 fine. They…

North Dakota Tribes Asking for Help Fighting Addiction Crisis

Officials say the tribes are working hard but they are not on track with the state's efforts to fight drug addiction

  NORTH DAKOTA — North Dakota tribes are asking the state for more help to fight addiction on the reservations. Officials with multiple treatment centers on the reservations say the tribes have lost touch with the state on drug issues over the years. They are hoping to revive interest in fighting addiction after the first lady says she it is…

Listening Sessions Open to the Public for the Next Farm Bill

The current farm bill expires in September 2018

  NORTH DAKOTA — Farmers and ranchers are encouraged to attend a series of listening sessions for the next farm bill. The meetings are being hosted by North Dakota Farmers Union in six cities. In our area, you can attend on July 18 in Devils Lake and Hillsboro and on July 19 in Jamestown. National Farmers Union staff and invited congressional…

North Dakota Congressman Calling MSNBC Host “Epitome of an Elitist Snob”

Cramer said it is upsetting to see that the media no longer has basic respect for the office of the president

  NATIONAL — President Trump’s social media use is put in the spotlight (not like it was ever out of it to begin with) and one North Dakota congressman is joining in on Mr. Trump’s Twitter attack. Representative Kevin Cramer says the president’s tweets attacking MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski is just Mr. Trump’s way of defending himself. During an interview with…

Emergency Drought Aid Available for North Dakota Farmers and Ranchers

Federal aid is now being made available to farmers and ranchers slammed by these dry conditions

  NORTH DAKOTA — Drought conditions are getting worse in North Dakota. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows 25 percent of the state in an extreme drought, up from eight percent last week. These areas are mainly along the western part of the state including areas near Bismarck, Dickinson and Williston. Another 22 percent is classified as in a severe drought,…

Minnesota’s Secretary of State Refusing Request from White House to Give Up Voter Information

Simon says the commission may make personal data, such as social security numbers and voting history, public.

  ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota election officials say they are not giving up state voting data to President Trump’s White House commission studying voter fraud. Secretary of State Steve Simon says he has serious doubts about the credibility and trustworthiness of the commission. The commission is asking state voting officials to submit the names of their voters, addresses, dates…

Minneapolis Passes $15 Minimum Wage

Smaller business will phase it in over seven years

  MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The Minneapolis City Council voted to increase their minimum wage to $15 an hour. But wages won’t increase all at once throughout the city. The higher wage will be phased in for businesses with 100 or more employees over the next five years. Smaller business will phase it in over seven years. The city will fully…