Politics / Elections

North Dakota Lawmakers Consider Bill To Ban Drones Made In China

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — North Dakota could become the first state to outlaw drones made in China for government use. Privacy and security are the main concerns but the bill’s sponsor says the move could have positive economic benefits. It started with a casual conversation. North Dakota State Representative Mike Nathe was catching up with unmanned aircraft system officials, asking…

Biden warns in farewell address that ‘oligarchy’ of ultrarich in US threatens future of democracy

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden used his farewell address to the nation Wednesday to deliver stark warnings of an “oligarchy” of the ultra-wealthy taking root in the country and of a “tech-industrial complex” that is infringing on Americans’ rights and the future of democracy. Speaking from the Oval Office as he prepares to hand over power Monday to President-elect Donald Trump, Biden…

Minnesota Democrats ask state Supreme Court to resolve state House power struggle

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon and House Democrats have asked the state’s highest court to intervene in a partisan power struggle that has roiled the start of the 2025 legislative session that extended into a second day Wednesday. Simon, a Democrat, petitioned the Minnesota Supreme Court late Tuesday to declare that he legally remains the presiding…

Judge limits scope of lawsuit over North Dakota gender-affirming care law

The Burleigh County Courthouse is pictured on Thayer Avenue in Bismarck on March 13, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A judge is limiting the scope of a lawsuit challenging North Dakota’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors after concluding three families don’t have standing to participate as plaintiffs. Luis Casas, a North Dakota pediatric endocrinologist,…

Budget caps a concern but local leaders say it’s time to work on property tax reform

Rep. Craig Headland, R-Montpelier, chair of the House Finance and Taxation Committee talks with his vice char, Rep. Jared Hagert, R-Emerado, before a public hearing on property tax reform on Jan. 14, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Local government leaders told lawmakers Tuesday they’re ready to work on property tax reform, but expressed concerns about…

Gov. Noem’s Hearing Also Delayed Due To Government Agency Paperwork

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is having her hearing to become the next Homeland Security Secretary pushed back from Wednesday to Friday. According to a committee aide, the FBI has yet to complete its portion of her paperwork. If approved, Noem will take over the agency responsible for border and airport security, disaster response, protections for…

House Democrats boycott opening day of Minnesota’s legislative session to thwart narrow GOP majority

Republican State Rep. Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring sworn in as House SpeakerUPDATE 8:29PM : Democrats respond to Republicans holding session in the House without them. Former Speaker of the House Rep. Melissa Hortman said, “Very strange afternoon indeed. We saw something on the floor of the Minnesota House of Representatives today that we have never seen in Minnesota history,…

Pain relief or a problem? North Dakota lawmakers hear kratom debate

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Witnesses on Monday characterized the kratom plant as both as a dangerous and sometimes fatal drug and as a safe way to manage chronic pain and help people wean themselves off more dangerous opioids. The testimony on kratom came during a North Dakota House Judiciary Committee hearing on House Bill 1101, which would add mitragynine,…

Supreme Court upholds North Dakota’s majority-Native legislative subdistricts

North Dakota Rep. Lisa Finley-DeVille, D-Mandaree, speaks during a news conference Nov. 22, 2024, in Bismarck. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld legislative subdistricts in North Dakota, including one she represents. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)WASHINGTON, D.C. (North Dakota Monitor) — The U.S. Supreme Court settled a North Dakota voting rights case Monday, leaving in place two majority-Native American subdistricts challenged as…