Politics / Elections

ND House Kills Bill for State-Owned Casinos

If it had been endorsed by the House, the constitutional amendment would have gone on the ballot for voters to decide

  BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota House voted to kill a Fargo representative’s bill to establish state-owned casinos. Rep. Al Carlson’s proposal includes building casinos the state could promote as “destination attractions” and use the profits to offset taxes. But opponents say the state-owned casinos could hurt American Indian casinos and damage relationships with the tribes. If it had…

Devils Lake Voters Reject Construction of Fine Arts Center

The school district's tally shows 53 percent of voters on Tuesday favored issuing bonds to pay for the project, but it needed 60 percent to pass

  DEVILS LAKE — Voters in Devils Lake have rejected a nearly $9 million fine arts center. It would have been built on the high school campus. The school district’s tally shows 53 percent of voters on Tuesday favored issuing bonds to pay for the project, but it needed 60 percent to pass. The superintendent says he’s disappointed the project…

Parents of Andrew Sadek Testify in Senate Committee Hearing

She told a Senate Committee that potential informants should be better informed of their legal options to understand the risks they may be taking

  BISMARCK, N.D. — Emotional testimony from the parents of Andrew Sadek in Bismarck. Tammy Sadek fought back tears as she talked about her 20-year-old son who had been recruited by police to become a drug informant after he was accused of selling marijuana. The NDSCS student went missing in May 2014 and was later found dead. Sadek believes her…

Activists Prepping to Take Action on Keystone XL Pipeline Construction

Opponents have asked the Nebraska Public Service Commission to let them intervene in the case and present formal arguments alongside attorneys for pipeline developer TransCanada

  NEBRASKA — Activists who want to derail the Keystone XL pipeline in Nebraska are again mobilizing. Opponents have asked the Nebraska Public Service Commission to let them intervene in the case and present formal arguments alongside attorneys for pipeline developer TransCanada. Nebraska requires people to show a “substantial legal interest” in a project before they can intervene. A spokeswoman…

Sen. Heitkamp Questions Border Protection Officials on “Chronic Issues”

She says recent executive orders have not addressed staffing needs at the nation's ports of entry

WASHINGTON D.C. — The focus turns to the 5,500-mile long northern border in the U.S. Senate. Senator Heidi Heitkamp questioned key border protection officials about what she called “chronic issues” faced at the 120 ports of entry. She says recent executive orders have not addressed staffing needs at the nation’s ports of entry. Heitkamp also shared a story of one…

Pushing the Boundaries? ND Lawmakers Consider Bill that Expands Jurisdiction of Campus Police

The bill is intended to protect the greater community and not just those on campus

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota lawmakers are considering a bill that expands the jurisdiction of campus police officers. A co–sponsor of the bill said it’s all about increasing public safety for the entire community and not just the school. Right now, campus police have no jurisdiction off campus. Lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow campus police to go…

People of Casselton Approve Tax Increase for New Wellness Center

A new community center will soon be built in Casselton, connected to the Central Cass School

  CASSELTON, N.D. — People in Casselton have approved a tax increase for a wellness center. The vote was 307 to 279. A vote extends the city’s sales tax from 1% to 2%. A new community center will soon be built in Casselton, connected to the Central Cass School. The revenue will go towards funding a Wellness Center. The vote…

ND Senators, Mayors from Fargo-Moorhead Push for Federal Support of F-M Diversion

The budget the Trump administration released last week included a 16 percent cut to the Army Corps

  REGIONAL — North Dakota’s senators and mayors from Fargo and Moorhead are trying to keep the F-M Diversion on track. Senators Heitkamp and Hoeven along with Fargo Mayor Mahoney and Moorhead Mayor Williams met with White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney to urge him to continue federal support for the diversion. The budget the Trump administration released last week…

Gov. Dayton Issues His First Veto of 2017

The Republican-controlled Legislature passed the bill earlier this month altering the Public Utilities Commission's responsibilities for electric co-ops

  ST. PAUL, Minn. — Gov. Dayton has vetoed legislation that would have decreased the oversight of a state electric utility regulator. The Republican-controlled Legislature passed the bill earlier this month altering the Public Utilities Commission’s responsibilities for electric co-ops. It would have given authority to handle disputes about fees for installing solar panels or wind generators to a third-party…

State Sen. Mathern Says ND Insurance Reserve Fund Won’t Pay Millions in Claim

Bala is now owed over $13 million in taxes collected by the state

COURTESY: KFGO  FARGO, N.D. — A state senator from Fargo says the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund will not pay a claim to Susan Bala. She is the founder of a former horse racing betting company in Fargo whose conviction for illegal gambling was overturned. Bala is now owed over $13 million in taxes collected by the state. State Sen….