Politics / Elections

North Dakota to require age verification for pornography sites

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota Legislature passed expanded regulations and penalties surrounding pornography and deepfake content during the 2025 session. Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed bills that added age-verification requirements for websites publishing explicit content. He also signed a bill that added civil penalties for the creation and distribution of deepfake, or computer-generated, pornographic material without a…

Baesler’s nomination for U.S. Education post advances to the full Senate

Washington, D.C. (KVRR) — Kirsten Baesler’s nomination to serve as U.S. Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education has advanced to the full Senate. Her nomination was advanced after a vote on seven of President Trump’s nominees by a vote of 12-11 by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. A date for the final confirmation vote in the…

Minnesota may be headed for another special session later this summer or fall

Sen. Erin Murphy/(D) Senate Majority LeaderST. PAUL (KVRR/FOX9) — Gov. Tim Walz has still not called for a special session to finish up budget work in Minnesota. That’s because working groups are still trying to iron out differences on a number of budget bills including education and taxes. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy says they have ironed out many of…

Veto mistake could lead to special session in North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) – Lawmakers may be called back to Bismarck to correct a veto mistake in a housing incentive bill. Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s office says a line-item veto that was designed to take $150,000 dollars from affordable housing legislation instead eliminated $35 million. The $150,000 was intended for tribal communities but Armstrong says the state needs to find longer…

Wildlife group warns federal budget cuts could hit Jamestown research center

Sandhill cranes migrate across North Dakota. (Photo provided by ND Game and Fish Department)JAMESTOWN, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A North Dakota wildlife group is worried federal funding cuts could affect a renowned wildlife research center at Jamestown and is urging people to contact Congress. The Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center is part of the U.S. Geological Survey, which is…

Working Groups Wrap Up Budget Bills Before Special Session is Called in St. Paul

ST. PAUL (KVRR) — Democrats and Republicans are still hard at work in St. Paul even though the regular session ended at 11:59 p.m. on Monday. They are discussing House and Senate offers on the taxes bill during this working group. Leaders wanted the groups to wrap up the work on numerous budget bills by this evening. Budgets for commerce,…

Minnesota Legislature Ends Regular Session Without Passing Budget Bills, Special Session Will Be Called

ST. PAUL (KVRR) — The final day of Minnesota’s legislative session fizzled out late Monday without finishing and voting on budgets for commerce, education, energy, health, human services, transportation and more. Conference committees became working groups this morning to finish work on the budget bills. Both chambers also failed to vote on an omnibus tax bill. It made it to…

Walsh County Looks Into Moving Ahead With New Jail After Sales Tax Increase Got Voter Approval

GRAFTON, N.D. (KVRR) — Walsh County Sheriff Ron Jurgens says the county is looking at moving forward with using the sales tax that passed during last week’s special election for a new jail and or sheriff’s office. Voters approved a three quarter percent sales tax but rejected a 20 mill property tax increase. Both needed to pass for the project…

Republican Rep. Cindy Schreiber-Beck of Wahpeton Has Died at 70

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — Cindy Schreiber-Beck, a longtime state representative and leader in aviation and agriculture in North Dakota, died Sunday at the age of 70. The Republican was first elected to the House in 2014 and served District 25 in Wahpeton. She was on the agriculture committee and vice-chair of the education committee. Schreiber-Beck continued to operate Tri-State Aviation…