Politics / Elections

UPDATE: Thirteen States Sue Over DOGE Access to Government Payment Systems

Elon Musk (Fox News)Democratic attorneys general in several states vowed Thursday to file a lawsuit to stop the Department of Government Efficiency from accessing federal payment systems containing Americans’ sensitive personal information. Thirteen attorneys general, including New York’s Letitia James, said in a statement that they were taking action “in defense of our Constitution, our right to privacy, and the…

Legislators hear testimony on second bill that would affect approval voting in Fargo

BISMARCK, N.D. — There are now two bills being debated in the North Dakota Legislature that would end the practice of approval voting in Fargo. KVRR News reported on HB 1297 last week. That bill would ban approval and ranked choice voting in the state. HB 1307 would make home charter rules that conflict with state laws null and void….

Republican Rep. Demuth Elected Speaker of the House After Deal Reached With Democrats

ST. PAUL (KVRR/AP) — Rep. Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, has been elected as Speaker of the House after a power-sharing agreement was reached with Democrats in the Minnesota House. It ends a stalemate that prevented the chamber from conducting official business for more than three weeks. Under the deal, Demuth will hold the role of speaker for…

Abortion could be considered murder under fetal personhood proposal in North Dakota

A crowd listens to Ginna Cross, an out-of-state anti-abortion advocate, testify in favor of a bill to define a human being to include an unborn child on Feb. 5, 2025. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota lawmakers are weighing whether to allow women who obtain abortions to be charged with murder. House Bill 1373, referred…

Trio of bills addresses justice reform, crowded North Dakota jails

Exterior of the North Dakota State Penitentiary on Feb. 4, 2025. Bills under consideration by state lawmakers aim to address crowding at state prisons and jails. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — When parole and probation officers have to try to collect fees from people on supervised release, “it puts both parties in a difficult situation,” said…

Leadership Agreement Reached and MN House Will Organize Thursday

ST. PAUL (KVRR) — A leadership agreement has been reached between Minnesota House DFL and Republican leaders. They will organize the House effect on Thursday. House DFL Leadership will hold a news conference in the Capitol press conference room at 9:30 a.m. The exact terms of the deal have not yet been released. Republicans have a one-seat advantage over the…

Minnesota Republicans Update Recall Effort Against Absentee DFL House Members

ST. PAUL – One day after announcing a recall effort against all 66 DFL House legislators, Republican leaders announced they’ve collected more than 5,000 signatures on recall petitions. Minnesota Republican Chair Alex Plechash says the message is clear from Minnesotans – they want DFL lawmakers to show up for work or face recall elections. Republicans must collect 25 signatures in…

Legislative hearing at North Dakota State Penitentiary highlights rehabilitation programs

Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee Human Resource Division hold a hearing at the North Dakota State Penitentiary on Feb. 4, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — There was a podium with a microphone and a sign-in sheet, just like any other legislative committee hearing. A key difference Tuesday was the series of seven locked doors…

North Dakota federal judge axes environmental rule

The William L. Guy Federal Building pictured on Dec. 18, 2024, in Bismarck. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A North Dakota federal judge on Monday delivered the latest blow to the federal Council on Environmental Quality, finding that the agency for decades has exercised regulatory authority it doesn’t actually have. U.S. District Court Judge Dan Traynor…

Ruling in North Dakota transgender health care case likely months out as trial wraps

South Central Judicial District Judge Jackson Lofgren presides over a trial to determine the constitutionality of North Dakota’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors on Feb. 3, 2025. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A seven-day trial over North Dakota’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors concluded Tuesday, though a final decision on the case is still…