Politics / Elections

North Dakota university research could see ‘devastating’ cuts, officials warn

Pooyan Vahidi Pashaki, a graduate student in North Dakota State University’s biomedical engineering program, works in a lab in Sugihara Hall. Officials at NDSU and the University of North Dakota say the research universities expect to lose millions in federal research dollars. (Photo courtesy of NDSU)GRAND FORKS, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Representatives of North Dakota’s two largest universities say…

Homelessness increases in North Dakota as population, housing costs also rise

Jennifer Henderson, director of planning and housing development for the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, speaks to lawmakers about homelessness during a committee hearing on Sept. 4, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — People experiencing homelessness in North Dakota are increasing as the state’s population continues to grow and affordable housing, shelters and resources…

Company selected to lay groundwork for nuclear power in North Dakota

Sen. Tim Mathern, right, D-Fargo, and Rep. SuAnn Olson, left, R-Baldwin, participate in an Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee meeting Sept. 3, 2025. (Photo by Jacob Orledge/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A North Dakota interim legislative committee has selected Nucleon Energy, a Canadian development company, to chart the state’s path to a nuclear-powered future. The Alberta-based nuclear development…

Former Sen. Larry Robinson of Valley City died Wednesday in Minneapolis

VALLEY CITY, N.D. (KVRR) — Former Sen. Larry Robinson of Valley City has died at the age of 75. Robinson died Wednesday at a hospital in Minneapolis. The Democrat represented District 24 in the senate from 1989 to 2020. Gov. Kelly Armstrong issued the following statement: “Larry Robinson was a true statesman of the Senate and a great colleague who…

Republicans move to lift drilling and mining restrictions in North Dakota, Montana and Alaska

FILE – In this April 4, 2013, file photo, a mining dumper truck hauls coal at Cloud Peak Energy’s Spring Creek strip mine near Decker, Mont. AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Congress are clearing the way for President Donald Trump’s plans to expand mining and drilling on public lands by moving to eliminate energy development limits in…

Judge dismisses lawsuit filed against City of Horace by homeowners upset about high special assessments

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — A legal victory for the City of Horace in a dispute over special assessments. East Central Judicial District Judge Constance Cleveland has dismissed all twelve actions in a lawsuit filed by a group of homeowners in April. They claimed their special assessments rapidly grew since buying their homes. In the ruling, the judge says the plaintiffs…

Fargo City Commission approves removal of dangerous building

FARGO (KVRR-KFGO) – The City Commission approved the removal of a dangerous apartment building in south Fargo. Inspections Director Shawn Ouradnik says the designation was made after a July 7 fire that did significant damage to a basement apartment unit and smoke damage throughout the two story apartment. He says there are a number of other issues with the 5-unit…

Protestors gather near West Acres to rally for worker’s rights

Protestors gather for worker rights near West Acres Mall on Labor Day. 9/1/25.FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Protestors gathered along 13th Avenue South to express their concerns about labor rights and the Trump administration. The protestors gathered near West Acres Mall, about a mile away from where a similar protest took place last Friday. Protestors waved at cars when they honked,…

Ethics Commission highlights time management in annual report

Rebecca Binstock, left, executive director of the North Dakota Ethics Commission, Logan Carpenter, center, general counsel for the Ethics Commission, and Alisha Maier, right, operations manager for the Ethics Commission, listen during a committee hearing on Jan. 31, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A new report shows that Ethics Commission complaints that don’t…

LISTEN: Mayors of Fargo, Harwood spar over $3B AI data center project

(L) Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney, (R) Harwood Mayor Blake HankeyFARGO (KVRR-KFGO) – Mahoney says Applied Digital Corporation first approached Fargo about its plan to build a multi-billion dollar artificial intelligence data center and the city was working behind the scenes to accommodate the company’s needs. At some point, Mahoney says that all changed. “We had a great discussion,” Mahoney said….