Politics / Elections

Authority Chairwoman of Vikings’ Stadium Resigns

A recent legislative audit found nearly half of the tickets for a pair of suites were issued to friends and family of top officials

  MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The chairwoman of the authority overseeing the Minnesota Vikings’ stadium has resigned. Michelle Kelm-Helgen announced her resignation in a letter in which she said it was “in the public interest” to step down. Kelm-Helgen faced weeks of criticism over questionable use of luxury suites by family and friends. A recent legislative audit found that nearly half…

“Day Without Immigrants” Social Media Campaign Goes National

Some workers won't get paid, but many said protesting is worth the sacrifice

  NATIONAL — Dozens of restaurants and other businesses shut their doors in Minneapolis as part of a “Day Without Immigrants.” The social media-driven campaign is taking place in several cities across the country. It urges foreign-born people not to go to work or school, or shop, as a way to show how immigrants help the U.S. economy. Hundreds of protesters…

State of the City Address: “Grand Forks is Open for Business”

Grand Forks Mayor Michael Brown is excited for the city's continued economic progress

GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Mayor Michael Brown delivered his “State of the City” speech to a crowd of over 600 at the Alerus Center this afternoon. Brown says the theme for his speech is, “Make it Happen.” With more than 1,400 jobs opening this week, Brown made it clear: Grand Forks is open for business. “We have a great University,…

Gov. Burgum Appoints Grand Forks Doctor, Instructor to Board of Higher Education

Dr. Ryan said he found out through a friend because Gov. Burgum phoned his office phone in Altru's evacuated clinic

GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Governor Burgum has appointed Dr. Casey Ryan of Grand Forks to the State Board of Higher Education. Dr. Ryan was the president of Altru Health Systems from 1997 to 2014. He was selected for his experience as an instructor, course director and assistant dean at the UND School of Medicine. He said he found out yesterday…

Gov. Burgum Issues Evacuation Order for Main DAPL Protest Camp

Gov. Burgum said the garbage left at the camp is a threat to the Missouri River system

  BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum isn’t waiting. He has issued an evacuation order for people at the main Dakota Access protest camp in Morton County. The governor held a late-afternoon press conference in Bismarck to make the announcement. He said the U.S. Army Corp’s initial timeline of February 22nd to clear the camp out is no…

South Dakota Considers Lawmaker Approval on Refugee Resettlement

States across the country are looking into similar bills after President Trump issued the travel ban earlier this year

  SOUTH DAKOTA — South Dakota lawmakers are considering taking more control of refugee resettlements in the state. The Senate State Affairs Committee approved amending a bill that would require state lawmakers’ seal of approval on refugee resettlements. The bill would require private refugee resettlement groups to provide certain information about the process, like services provided, demographics and the number…

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sending Cleanup Crew to Main DAPL Protest Camp

Officials say they are concerned about an environmental disaster zone after early spring melting is mixing with human waste and garbage

  MORTON COUNTY, N.D. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is sending a crew to help cleanup the main Dakota Access protest camp. Sen. Hoeven says the Corps has agreed to have a crew on site by the end of the week. He says the area needs to be cleared to help prevent an environmental disaster if the area…

Homecoming: An F-M Family Reunites After 12 Years

A family who came here as refugees reunites after years of being away

FARGO, N.D. — A Moorhead family reunites after a federal judge put a halt to a temporary travel ban on refugees from Muslim majority countries. A mother and daughter from Iraq, who were detained in Turkey, have arrived in Fargo. We  caught up with family members as they waited at the airport. It’s a reunion they’ve been waiting on for…

MN Legislature Looking at Expanding Bar Closings to 4 a.m.

A bill in the Minnesota House is proposing mandatory bar close be extended from 2 am to 4 am

MOORHEAD, Minn. — Think the bars close too early? A new bill introduced in the Minnesota Legislature is proposing to extend closing time from 2 to 4 a.m. But some say for state border towns like Moorhead, passing this bill into law could become a double edged sword. If this bill were to become law, Moorhead bar owners and law…

Morton County Facing Potential Environmental Disaster from Cleaning Protest Camps

Officials say the melting conditions are combining with human waste and trash, which could create a possible disaster

  MORTON COUNTY, N.D. — Officials are now worried about a potential health and environmental disaster in Morton County. Rapid melt and runoff at the pipeline protest camps is hampering efforts to cleanup the area. The wet conditions are combining with human waste and trash to create a possible disaster. Maj. French Pope of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers…