Politics / Elections

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…

Wadena Democrat Begins First Political Campaign For Congress In MN’s 7th District

WADENA, Minn. (KVRR) — A Wadena, Minnesota man is jumping into politics and running for Congress in the 7th District, which covers most of western Minnesota. Erik Osberg is a Democrat who has worked in construction, media, finance, and as a small business owner. He says he is running to bring honest, hardworking leadership to Washington. “I’m not a politician,…

Dakota Access Pipeline developer outlines damage claims, rests case against Greenpeace

Morton County deputies respond Aug. 31, 2016, to a Dakota Access Pipeline construction site where two protesters used devices to attach themselves to equipment. (Morton County Sheriff’s Office photo)MANDAN, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The $300 million trial between Dakota Access Pipeline developer and Greenpeace reached the halfway mark on Monday as the company wrapped up its side of the…

Ten-Year-Old Presents Petition for Backyard Chickens To Dilworth City Council

DILWORTH, Minn. (KVRR) — Ariel Olson is taking on the rising cost of eggs and city hall all at the same time and she’s only ten. The Dilworth girl used the public comment period during tonight’s city council meeting to try and get support for backyard chickens. She presented four key reasons why it would benefit the community including a…