Politics / Elections

St. Cloud Case of Loaded AK-47 Rights Violation Dismissed by Federal Judge

The judge ruled the city's law is constitutional

  ST. CLOUD, Minn. — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a St. Cloud man who says his rights were violated when he was ticketed for carrying a loaded AK-47 as he walked down city streets in 2014. Tyler Gottwalt also filed a lawsuit against three officers of the St. Cloud Police Department, saying he was fined…

Minnesota Lawmakers Working for Compromise on Federal Real ID Law

Both sides agree legislation is needed in order to be compliant by the deadline of January 2018

  ST. PAUL, Minn. — House Speaker Kurt Daudt and Gov. Dayton say they are working together to find a compromise on the Real ID problem in the state. This comes after Gov. Dayton said he can’t allow illegal immigrants to get driver’s licenses without legislative approval. Both sides agree legislation is needed in order to be compliant by the…

Maple Valley School District Holds Voter Education Meeting on School Bond Proposal

If the bond passes, Oriska and Buffalo school buildings would be gradually shut down while an expansion is made on Tower City's school

TOWER CITY, N.D. — People living in the Maple Valley School District are learning about an upcoming school bond vote. Previous bonds have been voted down three times, most recently last September. On April 25th, voters will be asked to decide a $14.3 million school bond to shut down two schools and expand the third into a larger K-through-12 facility….

Minnesota Farmers Give Organizations Input on 2018 Farm Bill

Minnesota Farmers Union and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Hold Meeting in Moorhead to Discuss Ag Concerns

MOORHEAD, Minn. — The Minnesota Farmers Union and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture are traveling through the Land of 10,000 Lakes to meet with farmers and ag producers. “We’ve pretty much covered all of the corners of the state,” said Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish. “We’re hearing a lot of input and getting a lot of feedback.” Wertish said…

Devils Lake City Commission Suspends Police Chief, Captain

The City Commission on Monday placed them on paid administrative leave until officials can decide their future

  DEVILS LAKE, N.D. — The Devils Lake police chief and his top captain have been suspended. The City Commission on Monday placed Chief Keith Schroeder and Capt. Jon Barnett on paid administrative leave until officials can decide their future. The city assessment of the 18-member department found low morale, reports of a hostile work environment and an opinion of…

Local Glassblower Wins a Governor’s Award for the Arts

Jon Offutt, a Fargo Based Glassblower, Wins the Individual Achievement Award

FARGO, N.D. — Last week, a local Fargo glassblower took home a prize from the Governor’s Awards for the Arts. Jon Offutt was one of the individual achievement award recipients. He says he makes a lot of pumpkin and gourd glasswork along with vases and Dakota horizon scenes. Creating glasswork takes anywhere from a few minutes to a whole day….

NDSU Nursing School on the Chopping Block?

The school in Bismarck has been targeted by an amendment to the budget to be returned to Sanford Health

FARGO, N.D. — The budget deficit in North Dakota could lead to additional cuts at NDSU. State lawmakers are considering cutting the nursing school in Bismarck. Hospitals in the metro depend on graduates from local nursing programs. An amendment to the higher education funding bill has caused some confusion among state lawmakers. It states that neither the higher education board…

Morrie Lanning to Receive the 2017 Bud Grant Distinguished Minnesotan Award

Lanning will receive the award during the annual Minnesota Football Honors Ceremony at U.S. Bank Stadium on May 7

  MOORHEAD, Minn. — Morrie Lanning is getting the 2017 Bud Grant Distinguished Minnesotan Award. The award is given out each year by the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation. The former longtime mayor of Moorhead and former State Representative is being recognized for his legislative work in making the new Vikings stadium a reality….

Minnesota House Votes to Keep Increased Protest Penalties in Bill

Lawmakers voted to keep it as part of the public safety finance bill

  ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota House has shot down an amendment to remove increased penalties for protests that block transportation. Lawmakers voted to keep it as part of the public safety finance bill. They battled over the issue for several hours and testimonies grew heated multiple times. Republicans say the bill is simply a matter of public safety….

North Dakota House Gives “Do Pass” Recommendation on Medical Marijuana

A big sticking point is the ease in which marijuana could be smoked as medicine

BISMARCK, N.D. — A North Dakota House committee has given a “do pass” recommendation on new rules governing the use of medical marijuana. The measure is expected to go to the full House on Tuesday. A big sticking point is the ease in which marijuana could be smoked as medicine. The bill passed by the Senate allows patients to smoke…