Local News

Trump Pauses Tariffs on Most Nations for 90 days, Raises Taxes on Chinese Imports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing a global market meltdown, President Donald Trump on Wednesday abruptly backed down on his tariffs on most nations for 90 days, but raised his tax rate on Chinese imports to 125%. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters that Trump was pausing his so-called ‘reciprocal’ tariffs on most of the country’s biggest trading partners, but maintaining his 10% tariff…

House passes bill authorizing charter schools in North Dakota

State Sen. Michelle Axtman, R-Bismarck, speaks on the House Floor during a meeting of the Legislative Management Committee on Nov. 13, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A bill to establish public charter schools in North Dakota passed the House on a 64-29 vote Tuesday. Senate Bill 2241 would allow the establishment of public charter schools in…

Keystone Pipeline rupture spilled 147,000 gallons of oil

FARGO (KVRR-KFGO) – The company that manages the Keystone Pipeline has estimated that 3,500 barrels of crude oil leaked from the pipeline near Fort Ransom in southeastern North Dakota. That’s about 147,000 gallons. The North Dakota Division of Environmental Quality says the pipeline was shut down almost immediately. The oil was contained to a farm field. A small stream near the…

House committee recommends removing new Ethics Commission position, adding deadline

Rebecca Binstock, executive director of the North Dakota Ethics Commission, speaks during a House committee hearing on March 18, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A House committee on Monday recommended several sweeping changes to the North Dakota Ethics Commission’s budget, including cutting a new full-time staff member and adding a new six-month deadline for processing…

Loss of $20 million in FEMA infrastructure grants ‘devastating’ to North Dakota communities

WASHINGTON (North Dakota Monitor) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency canceled more than $20 million in grants that were headed to North Dakota for various infrastructure projects. The funding comes from the agency’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, designed to help state and local governments with projects that reduce risks to hazards. Some projects impacted in North Dakota…

Talking 50 Years of “Slow Ride” With the Lead Singer of Foghat Before They Perform in Mahnomen, MN

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) –A band formed in London in the early 1970s is celebrating 50 years of its biggest hit, “Slow Ride”. You can catch Foghat live in concert at Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen on Friday night. KVRR anchor and music fan TJ Nelson got a chance to catch up with the latest lead singer, Scott Holt. It all…

Judge Rejects New Trials for 2 Convicted of Human Smuggling Deaths of Family of 4 From India

This combination image shows left to right; undated photo released by the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office shows Harshkumar Patel in Elk River, Minn., and undated photo released by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shows Steve Shand. (AP Photo)MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday rejected requests for new trials for two men convicted on human smuggling charges in the deaths…

Trump signs executive orders to boost coal, a reliable but polluting energy source

President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order during an event in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Washington, as Environmental Protection Agency director Lee Zeldin and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum watch. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a series of executive orders aimed at boosting the struggling coal industry, a…

Chamber Addresses Diversity in The Workplace At Pulse Event

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — The Chamber is addressing how DEI: diversity, equity and inclusion, is evolving in the workplace. Several panelists from the metro shared that diversity in the workplace is a must to have a good business. As many D-E-I programs have been forced to dismantle, panelists suggest that companies should do what they believe is right. Otherwise, employees…

Grand Forks City Leaders Toured Agristo in Belgium, Company Plans $450 Million Potato Processing Plant

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) — A development timeline for a $450 million potato processing plant in Grand Forks is expected in June or July. Grand Forks City Administrator Todd Feland says that will happen once Agristo works out details with BNSF Railway and secures a land purchase. City leaders recently toured the Agristo headquarters in Belgium. Feland said construction on…