Politics / Elections

North Dakota oil production resilient even as prices have declined

A drilling rig is shown near Arnegard, North Dakota, in September 2024. Advancements in drilling technology are helping oil producers stay profitable despite low oil prices. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota’s top oil regulator is pessimistic about oil prices for 2026 but says oil production should hold steady, due in…

Nearly 100 Minnesota mayors raise concerns about fraud and unfunded mandates

ST. PAUL (KVRR/FOX9) — A group of 98 mayors from across Minnesota have sent a joint letter to state leaders raising concerns about widespread fraud. It includes the signature of mayors in our region from Hawley, Fergus Falls, Perham, Hitterdal, Barnesville, Thief River Falls, Mahnomen, Wadena, Roseau, Warroad and Breckenridge. They are also concerned about unfunded mandates and rising costs…

Property taxes eliminated for 50,000 North Dakota households under new legislation

North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong talks about the impact of the state’s property tax relief efforts at a Dec. 19, 2025, press conference at the Capitol. To his right are Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus and Rep. Craig Headland. (Photo by Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK , N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Roughly 50,000 North Dakota households…

US Army Corps says oil should keep flowing through Dakota Access Pipeline in long-awaited study

Opponents of the Dakota Access Pipeline demonstrate Nov. 1, 2023, ahead of a public hearing in Bismarck on the draft environmental impact statement. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)WASHINGTON, D.C. (North Dakota Monitor) —  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Friday issued a long-awaited Dakota Access Pipeline environmental impact statement, recommending that the pipeline keep operating but…

Poll: Inflation dents North Dakota holiday spending spirit

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota News Cooperative) — Inflation is hitting North Dakotans on a daily basis and impacting holiday spending, data from the latest North Dakota Poll shows. A total of 53% of respondents said everyday necessities like groceries and gas have become less affordable over the past year. The impact is affecting some holiday spending, with 31% of respondents…

Pipeline developer goes to ND Supreme Court seeking to block Greenpeace Netherlands lawsuit

Betsy Elsberry, an attorney representing Greenpeace International, delivers oral arguments before the North Dakota Supreme Court on Dec. 18, 2025. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A court case involving Greenpeace and the Dakota Access Pipeline developer went before the North Dakota Supreme Court on Thursday, with justices asked to stop a counter-suit…

North Dakota law accidentally lists fake critical minerals based on coal lawyers’ names

David Straley, attorney for North American Coal, speaks in favor of a bill to develop critical minerals in North Dakota at a March 27, 2025, hearing. The law lists stralium and friezium among critical minerals, an apparent reference to Straley and another coal industry attorney. Straley says they were not responsible for adding the fake names. (Photo by Mary Steurer/North…

Prosecutor says 14 Minnesota programs are targeted for fraud and the state is swamped with crime

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — At least 14 state-run programs in Minnesota have been flagged for fraud, a prosecutor said Thursday as he announced new charges in several schemes. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said during a news conference that federal officials suspect a significant portion of roughly $18 billion paid out by Medicaid to Minnesota programs was fraudulent. “What we…