Politics / Elections

North Dakota provides $1.5 million for food, federal aid programs

Interim Health and Human Services Commissioner Pat Traynor discusses how the state is working to fund a federal assistance program for new mothers and young children during the federal government shut down. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota is using $1.5 million in Department of Health and Human Services general fund money to address food…

FMWF Chamber of Commerce starts initiative to promote civic engagement within the community

FARGO — The Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce is starting an initiative to get more people involved in their communities. They are launching the Civic Engagement Center and are hoping to help shape the next community leaders. It will be a website rather than a physical location where people and businesses can learn about their local representatives and…

Judge slashes jury damages in Greenpeace case to $345 million

DAPL protest (Morton Co. Sheriff)DICKINSON, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A North Dakota judge has nearly halved the $660 million sum Greenpeace was ordered to pay the developer of the Dakota Access Pipeline in March. A nine-person jury had found the environmental group at fault for harming Energy Transfer during anti-pipeline protests in North Dakota in 2016 and 2017, as…

If SNAP benefits end November 1, how many people will be impacted in our region?

FARGO, N.D. (KVRRFOX 9) — SNAP or food stamp payments will end this weekend due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. The program provides food assistance to over 42 million low-income people each month. That equals nearly 1 in 8 people across the country. In Minnesota, there are 451,966 people on SNAP with 57,129 in North Dakota and 75,282 in…

Federal workers receive nearly $1 million in emergency loans through state, community bank programs

Don Morgan, president of the Bank of North Dakota, speaks during a meeting of the Industrial Commission on Oct. 27, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Furloughed federal workers received nearly $1 million in emergency relief loans for missed paychecks from North Dakota banks since the start of the federal government shutdown. The Furloughed Federal…

Ag commissioner lukewarm on Bank of North Dakota’s foray into stablecoin

Gov. Kelly Armstrong, center, speaks during a meeting of the Industrial Commission next to Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, left, and Attorney General Drew Wrigley on Oct. 27, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — One of the state officials responsible for overseeing the Bank of North Dakota is urging caution as the financial institution begins…

Bank of North Dakota planning debt refinancing program to help ag producers

Farm workers load beans into a grain truck Sept. 28, 2025, in Wells County, N.D. (Photo by Lora Wobbema/For the North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The Bank of North Dakota is developing a disaster relief program to help agricultural producers in the state survive the current crisis in the industry. The program will work with local banks…

Fargo City Commission votes 3-2 to relocate Downtown Engagement Center

2001 1st Avenue North, FargoFARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo City Commissioners vote 3-2 to relocate the Downtown Engagement Center to 2001 1st Avenue North near Brewhalla. Commissioners Piepkorn and Turnberg voting against the move with Piepkorn stating the taxpayers will be on the hook. The city will pay $350,000 per year for base rent for two years for the over…

Senator Klobuchar hosts virtual meeting on breast cancer

Sen. Amy Klobuchar is capping off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by talking about the bipartisan Early Act. Klobuchar and Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz are spreading the word about the law which took effect in 2010. It helps women learn about whether their family has a history of breast cancer along with other risk factors. There is currently a…

Committee still at impasse on North Dakota Ethics Commission vacancies

Sen. Kathy Hogan, from left, Gov. Kelly Armstrong and Sen. David Hogue hold an Ethics Commission selection committee meeting Sept. 23, 2025, at the Capitol. (Photo by Jacob Orledge/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The state officials responsible for selecting the next three members of the North Dakota Ethics Commission remained deadlocked Friday. Gov. Kelly Armstrong remains steadfast…