Politics / Elections

Fargo City Commission Votes To Delay Debate on Hiring Community Integration Facilitator

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — A proposal by Fargo City Commissioner Denise Kolpack to hire a Community Integration Facilitator to help new Americans has been tabled. Commissioners voted 4-1 to push the idea back a few months since there are new state and federal administrations taking over. Kolpack says the purpose of the position is to connect Fargo newcomers with programs…

New State Lab to improve PFAS, toxicology testing, state health officials say

The new State Lab is under construction on the Capitol grounds in Bismarck on Nov. 21, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A new State Lab under construction on the Capitol grounds will give North Dakota expanded capabilities to address public health and environmental concerns, including testing to detect forever chemicals. North Dakota’s Department of Environmental…

Lawmakers slam North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund over audit findings

This fire hydrant in Mandan ruptured in 2023, flooding residential property down a hillside below the hydrant. (Courtesy of Marc Montplaisir)WEST FARGO, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The insurance provider for cities and other local governments across North Dakota routinely denies claims from state residents without providing an explanation, according to an audit report presented to legislators last week. Several…

Judge OKs North Dakota request to intervene in Dakota Access pipeline lawsuit

Opponents of the Dakota Access Pipeline gather Nov. 1, 2023, in Bismarck ahead of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers public meeting on an environmental impact statement. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe opposes the pipeline, citing concerns for its water supply. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A federal judge this week approved the state…

North Dakota Senate rejects conflict of interest rules while House adopts modified version

North Dakota Senate Minority Leader Sen. Kathy Hogan, D-Fargo, speaks during a debate on the rules for the chamber as part of the organizational session on Dec. 4, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota House adopted new conflict of interest rules Wednesday, but the Senate rejected those same rules in a split vote….

Gov. Doug Burgum Presents 2025-2027 Budget With Focus On Stability For North Dakotans

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — Gov. Doug Burgum presents his final executive budget proposal to the North Dakota legislature. The proposed budget for 2025-27 is at $19.6 billion, a slight decrease from the current two-year budget. He offered a rosy budget picture based largely on the success in extracting near-record levels of oil and gas. He wants to improve housing affordability,…

Bill would provide $15M to replace Chinese drones used by North Dakota agencies

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Nearly 90% of drones used by North Dakota state agencies were manufactured in China, a statistic that has a Bismarck lawmaker concerned about potential security risks. Rep. Mike Nathe submitted a bill this week that proposes to spend $15 million to replace Chinese drones used by law enforcement, oil regulators, colleges and other state…

North Dakota House aims to bring back COVID-era remote participation rule

North Dakota Speaker of the House Rep. Robin Weisz, left, R-Hurdsfield, speaks during a meeting of the Rules Committee on Dec. 3, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Members of the North Dakota House of Representatives may be able to participate in meetings and vote remotely if a recommended rule change is passed by the full…

GOP lawmaker to propose bill preserving some abortion access in North Dakota

Rep. Eric James Murphy, R-Grand Forks, speaks during a meeting of the interim Education Committee on Sept. 24, 2024. Murphy plans to bring a bill during the 2025 session that would preserve some abortion access in North Dakota. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A Republican state lawmaker plans to introduce a bill he says will strike…

Karen Grindberg appointed to fill vacant North Dakota House seat

Newly appointed Rep. Karen Grindberg, R-Fargo, reviews documents during the organizational session of the Legislature on Dec. 2, 2024. Grindberg replaces Rep. Michelle Strinden who resigned after being elected lieutenant governor. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D.  (North Dakota Monitor) — A Fargo woman with a family legacy of public service will represent District 41 in the state House, filling a…