Politics / Elections

North Dakota sees uptick in oil wells that qualify for tax exemption

Oil well pump jacks operate near Killdeer, North Dakota on Feb. 1, 2024. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Nearly half of North Dakota oil wells now qualify for a tax exemption as low-producing wells, contributing to a reduction in tax revenue projections for the upcoming budget cycle. But even if technology advancements lead to higher oil…

North Dakota revenue growth slowing amid drop in oil prices

Joe Morrissette, director of the Office of Management and Budget, gives a presentation on the March budget forecast to members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees on March 13, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) —North Dakota lawmakers building the state budget will work with a more conservative revenue forecast, driven by a projected drop in…

Senate Committee Takes Up New Ethics Complaint Against Senator Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury

ST. PAUL (KVRR/KFGO) – A Minnesota Senate committee has taken up a new ethics complaint against Democratic Sen. Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury, who is facing two felony burglary charges. Republican lawmakers revised a previous ethics complaint for entering her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes last April. Mitchell has pleaded not guilty. Republican Sen. Karin Housley says the new statement is…

Political ads may have to add disclaimer if AI is used to impersonate real people

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — Makers of political ads could be forced to run a disclaimer any time they use artificial intelligence to create impersonations of people. The bill in the North Dakota legislature covers all video, audio, and still images impersonating someone with the use of AI. Producers must use the words, “This content generated by Artificial Intelligence”. The bill…

Resolution to Undo Same-Sex Marriage Fails in North Dakota Senate on “Blind” Vote

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/AP) — North Dakota Senate has defeated a resolution to tell the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its decade-old ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The vote was taken without recording how senators voted and the final tally was 16 in favor and 31 against. Republican Sen. Diane Larson of Bismarck says the hotly debated resolution came out…

Minnesota, 21 Other States Sue to Halt Dismantling of U.S. Education Department

MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and 21 other state attorneys are suing to stop dismantling the federal Department of Education. The lawsuit, filed in a Massachusetts federal court, claims the Trump administration’s massive reductions in the Education Department are unconstitutional and usurp congressional authority. It seeks a court order to halt the shutdown. Trump officials earlier this week…

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…