Local News

Judge orders company to take 3M’s trademarks off N95 masks

MINNEAPOLIS – A federal judge has ordered a Florida company accused of selling counterfeit N95 face masks with 3M’s name on them to stop using the Minnesota company’s trademarks and representing itself as a distributor or authorized retailer for 3M. 3M sued Nationwide Source Inc. in late December. The complaint accused the company of selling more than 10,000 of the…

North Dakota GOP to scrub $1.1B bonding proposal

BISMARCK, N.D. – Republican legislative leaders say a massive $1.1 billion bonding package that would finance infrastructure projects across North Dakota is being withdrawn and will be replaced by a far less costly proposal. Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner says a new proposal that would be at least $300 million less will be coming from the House. Wardner and House…

Native American activists applaud reports that Biden will cancel Keystone XL permit

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – A North Dakota-based Native American advocacy group is applauding reports that President-Elect Joe Biden plans to cancel the cross-border permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline. “This is a pivot point in history. Either we start recognizing the health of our Earth as the basis of civilization and progress, or we will find ourselves rich now at…

North Dakota sees no COVID-19 deaths for 5th time this month

BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota’s rate of positive cases of COVID-19 remained low in the health department’s daily update. Monday’s update included 69 new cases from 2,194 tests, a positivity rate of 3.63%. The COVID Tracking Project reports that North Dakota’s rolling average number of daily new cases over the past two weeks has decreased by more than 27%. A…

Minnesota launches vaccine distribution pilot project

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR) – Minnesota is launching a COVID-19 vaccine pilot program that partners with local public health and school districts. Gov. Tim Walz says the program will initially serve adults 65 or older, as well as teachers, school staff, and child care workers. Walz says the program will be the foundation for mass vaccination clinics once the federal…

Bill would make jail mugshots confidential in North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – A West Fargo lawmaker has introduced a bill that would seal jail mugshots from the public. The bill, introduced by Republican Rep. Shannon Roers Jones, says “unless there is a compelling public safety interest warranting release, the booking photo of an inmate is a confidential record.” The booking photo could only be released if the suspect…

Hundreds of Minnesota guard members among those securing inauguration

MINNEAPOLIS – About 850 members of the Minnesota National Guard are among 25,000 soldiers streaming into Washington from across the country for Wednesday’s presidential inauguration. The number of guard members is at least two and a half times the number for previous inaugurals. Before this year, states rotated sending National Guard soldiers to inaugurations. Fewer than 10 from Minnesota were…

Bills would reduce penalties for underage drinking

BISMARCK, N.D.  – A pair of bills being considered by the Legislature would do away with the prospect of jail time for offenders and also give a judge discretion whether to order treatment. One bill would make the penalty for underage drinking an infraction that would be punishable by up to a $1,000 fine. Democratic Rep. Zachary Ista says his bill…

People Express Concerns over Governor Burgum’s Reduced COVID-19 Restrictions

"I don't think we're there as in terms of not wearing masks yet."

  FARGO, N.D.  — After North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum announced reduced restrictions for businesses and the halt of the statewide mask mandate, some people in the community are unsure whether or not we are ready to move forward. “The statewide mask mandate to expire at 8 am January 18th,” Gov. Doug Burgum said. As COVID-19 cases are reduced with…

Sen. Cramer: Dems Taking Senate Means Consequences for ND

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – Sen. Kevin Cramer says with Democrats taking control of the U.S. Senate, there will be consequences for North Dakota. The Senate now has 50 Republicans, 48 Democrats and two independents who caucus with the Democrats. Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris would be called upon to break any ties. But Cramer says most bills are not decided on 50-50…