FILE – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, middle, holds the bill signed to legalize recreational marijuana for people over the age of 21, making Minnesota the 23rd state to do so, May 30, 2023, in St. Paul, Minn. Former Gov. Jesse Ventura stands at center. Fueled by election gains, Democrats in Minnesota and Michigan this year enacted far-reaching policy changes that…
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Hundreds of new laws will take effect Tuesday in North Dakota, including greater enforcement of seat belt use and restrictions regarding gender identity, sexual content in public libraries and ownership of farmland by foreign entities. North Dakota’s Republican-controlled Legislature adjourned April 30 after writing new laws and budgets for the next two years. Some contentious policy bills have…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota recorded a 20% jump in abortions in 2022, partly because more patients are traveling from states that have banned or limited the procedure since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, according to an annual report released Friday. The report by the Minnesota Department of Health said more than 16% of the 12,175 abortions performed…
MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – Sen. Tina Smith was among a group of democratic lawmakers who met with workers at the Red River Women’s Clinic in Moorhead. It’s been just over a year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark ruling which established a constitutional right to have an abortion. Some high-profile lawmakers toured the clinic…
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A former North Dakota abortion provider challenged one of the nation’s strictest abortion laws Monday, arguing the law “fragrantly violates” a court ruling supporting the right of patients in the state to obtain the procedure to preserve their life or health. The lawsuit initially filed last year by what was the conservative state’s sole abortion provider…
Abortion. Gun control. Marijuana. Taxes. Education. A budget surplus. The Minnesota legislature tackled all that and more in a busy session. The legislative session wrapped up this week, and local lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are telling us how they think the big changes will impact people in our region. DFL State Senator Rob Kupec of Moorhead says…
ST. PAUL (KVRR/AP) — “All in favor say aye. Aye! All those opposed say no. The motion prevails the senate is now adjourned,” Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, the Democratic Minnesota Senate President, announced to thundering applause. The Minnesota Legislature put the final touches on a $72 billion state budget and adjourned for the year Monday night. Democrats celebrated enacting an…
NEW ORLEANS, LA (AP) – Three conservative appeals court judges, each with a history of supporting restrictions on abortion, will hear arguments May 17 on whether a widely used abortion drug should remain available. The case involves a regulatory issue — whether the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone, and subsequent actions making it easier to obtain, must be…
ST. PAUL (KVRR) — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signs a bill into law shielding people who travel from out of state for an abortion. Supporters of Minnesota’s abortion shield law say it’s designed to stop courts, law enforcement and health care providers from cooperating with law enforcement outside of the state. “We’re giving basic rights to every single Minnesotan, rights…
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum on Monday signed a a bill that bans abortion at 6 weeks of pregnancy, including cases of rape or incest. North Dakota’s Republican Gov. Doug Burgum signed an abortion ban at six weeks of pregnancy — even in cases of rape or incest — into law on Monday. “This bill clarifies…
