Politics / Elections

State Lawmaker From Fargo Dies at 43

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — North Dakota House and Senate and other state leaders are mourning the sudden death of Rep. Josh Christy of Fargo. The 43-year-old Republican died last night from unknown causes. In a joint statement, leaders say Christy leaves behind a legacy of service, kindness, and dedication to his community, his state, and his family. Christy was in…

Minnesota Republicans To File New Ethics Complaint Against DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell

ST. PAUL (KFGO/WCCO) — Minnesota Senate Republicans announced they are filing new and updated ethics complaints against embattled state DFL Senator Nicole Mitchell. “Senate Republicans have been very clear,” says Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson. “Her actions have damaged the integrity of the Senate, and distracted us from the important work that we need to be doing here.”Senator Mitchell is…

Kingship of Jesus Christ Resolution Fails In North Dakota House

North Dakota House ChamberBISMARCK, N.D. (KVRRNorth Dakota Monitor) — House members vote down a concurrent resolution that would proclaim Jesus Christ’s kingship in North Dakota. The vote was 31 for the resolution with 59 against. It was introduced by embattled Republican Rep. Nico Rios of Williston who was officially denounced by the state GOP over statements he made about the…

North Dakota may offer counseling for jurors exposed to graphic images and testimony

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — North Dakota jurors who see and hear graphic images and testimony as part of a trial may be offered counseling services. HB 1047 would offer those services to jurors and alternates. They would qualify for ten hours of counseling after the trial was over if the case they sat on had to deal with violent crimes…

Bill seeks to strengthen tribal consultation on North Dakota legislation

North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission Executive Director Brad Hawk participates in a commission meeting Feb. 28, 2024, at the Capitol in Bismarck. A new bill would require the Indian Affairs Commission to consult with tribal leaders on any proposed legislation affecting tribes. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A group of lawmakers says the state should be…

House votes to defund North Dakota public broadcasting, sends bill to Senate

Prairie Public Broadcasting’s offices in downtown Fargo. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota members of the House on Monday voted to defund Prairie Public Broadcasting, with one lawmaker citing it as in line with federal cost-cutting. The House Appropriations Committee had recommended continuing to fund Prairie Public with $1.2 million for the biennium. But House Bill 1255, sponsored…

North Dakota House lawmakers approve state DOGE task force

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A proposal to establish a North Dakota version of the federal Department of Government Efficiency advanced in the House Monday. House Bill 1442, supported with an 88-2 vote, would create a new task force of legislators and executive branch officials to review state programs and recommend areas to cut costs. “This task force is…

Bill Would Reduce Penalties For Small Amounts of Marijuana in North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — A hearing is held on a bill that would lower penalties for marijuana possession. The bipartisan bill would lower the fine from $1,500 to $150 for those caught in possession of less than a half-ounce of marijuana. It would also reduce the penalty from an infraction to a non-criminal citation. North Dakota States Attorneys and North…

Voters Decide 2025 Bond Referendum for West Fargo Public Schools

WEST FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Following the 2023 defeat of a $147 million referendum, voters in the West Fargo Public Schools district are voting again. Fourteen polling sites are open until 7 p.m. and there are three questions on the ballot. The first includes nearly $100 million for projects needed with the next five years including the completion of Heritage…

Billions of dollars at stake for farmers hit by Trump funding freeze, pause on foreign aid

Norwood Farms in Henry County, Tennessee, on Sept. 19, 2019. (USDA Photo by Lance Cheung)WASHINGTON (North Dakota Monitor) — Farmers across the United States are finding themselves in precarious economic positions, as they attempt to navigate a strained farm economy and a barrage of executive orders from the Trump administration that put some farm programs in limbo. In his first…