Politics / Elections

Former Greenpeace leader disputes allegations by Dakota Access Pipeline developer

Greenpeace Senior Legal Adviser Deepa Padmanabha is pictured outside the Morton County Courthouse on March 3, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)MANDAN, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A former executive director of Greenpeace’s U.S. affiliate on Wednesday refuted accusations from the developer of the Dakota Access Pipeline that the environmental group was a major force driving protests against the pipeline in…

North Dakota lawmakers hear emotional testimony on resolution against same-sex marriage

Bradley King of Bismarck holds up a photo of his daughter and her wife during a committee hearing on a resolution opposing same-sex marriage on March 12, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A North Dakota Senate committee voted 6-1 Wednesday to not issue a recommendation on a House resolution urging the U.S. Supreme Court to…

Heavily amended Pledge of Allegiance bill given Do-Pass recommendation

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota lawmakers are also looking at the Pledge of Allegiance bill that was heavily amended before passing the house. The bill originally required schools to have students recite the pledge unless they received written permission from a parent or guardian. The bill now says schools are required to give students the opportunity to recite the pledge….

ND Legislature looks to make punishment for DUI on drugs the same as alcohol DUIs

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — People accused of hurting or killing someone while driving on drugs could have the same enhanced penalties as people who drive drunk. The bill in the North Dakota Legislature says if you kill someone while driving drunk or high, prosecutors could charge you with criminal vehicular homicide. Serious injury cases would be charged with felony criminal…

Former Greenpeace employee tells jury he emphasized nonviolence at Dakota Access Pipeline protests

MANDAN, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A former Greenpeace employee who trained demonstrators during the Dakota Access Pipeline protests told jurors Tuesday that he never engaged in underhanded efforts to undermine the pipeline. Greenpeace has spent the last two weeks on trial in Morton County District Court related to its involvement in the protests against the pipeline in 2016 and…

Senate lawmakers weigh questions of fairness in North Dakota property tax debate

Rep. Robin Weisz, R-Hurdsfield, testifies in favor of a property tax reform bill to a Senate committee on March 11, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Members of a Senate committee debated meaningful versus equitable property tax reform during hearings for two bills that would drastically affect how property tax is collected in the state. House…

Trump Halts Doubling of Tariffs on Canadian Metals after Ontario Suspends Electricity Price Hikes

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump ‘s threat Tuesday to double his planned tariffs on steel and aluminum from 25% to 50% for Canada led the provincial government of Ontario to suspend its planned surcharges on electricity sold to the United States. As a result, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said the U.S. president pulled back on his doubling of steel and aluminum…

Education Department Cuts Half its Staff as Trump Vows to Wind the Agency Down

Linda McMahon, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, attends a hearing of the Health, Education, and Labor Committee on her nomination, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)WASHINGTON (AP) — The Education Department plans to lay off more than 1,300 of its employees as part of an effort to halve the organization’s staff — a prelude to President…

Gov. Armstrong highlights economic impact of oil and gas production in the state

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — Gov. Armstrong met with oil industry leaders and officials with North Dakota State University to discuss the future of oil production in North Dakota. According to the governor’s office, the oil and gas industry directly employed around 30,000 people in 2023. Direct sales in the oil and natural gas industry and related businesses generated $48.8 billion…