SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KVRR) — The former CEO of Sioux Falls-based Sanford Health was paid $49 million when he stepped down in late 2020. Kelby Krabbenhoft had lead the company since 1996, turning it into a regional health care giant. He left after writing an email to Sanford employees making controversial statements about COVID-19 and mask use. Sanford Health in…
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Federal regulators reached an agreement with Smithfield Foods to settle a contested citation of the company’s coronavirus safety measures during a massive outbreak last year at its South Dakota pork plant. The company will develop a plan to prevent infectious diseases at meatpacking plants nationwide and pay a $13,500 fine. The pork processing plant was one…
BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota’s Republican-controlled Legislature has endorsed bills to prevent COVID-19 vaccine mandates and the teaching of certain concepts of race and racism, as lawmakers completed their five-day special session. Gov. Doug Burgum signed the measure banning the teaching of critical race theory after the Senate gave its approval Friday. Though there is no evidence that the idea…
HAWLEY, Minn. (KVRR) – The Hawley School District announces a mask requirement for its elementary and high schools beginning Thursday. The district says on Facebook there are five positive cases of coronavirus in each school. It has a policy if a school has five confirmed cases, masks will be required for two weeks or until the number of cases drops. The…
MINNEAPOLIS (Fox News) – Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Dakota Dozier, who is vaccinated, was hospitalized on Tuesday night after contracting COVID-19, reports say. Head coach Mike Zimmer confirmed to reporters on Wednesday that dozens of players and staff are being tested after being deemed a close contact with a player that was sent to the emergency room with COVID. “One…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says COVID-19 hospitalizations have reached their highest level of the year. And she says hospital capacity continues to tighten across the state amid a “truly alarming spike in cases.” The Minnesota Department of Health reported 5,277 new cases and 43 new deaths. As of Wednesday, Minnesota hospitals were caring for 1,159…
Gov. Doug Burgum, Attorney General Wayne StenehjemBISMARCK, ND (KVRR) – Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said Wednesday that North Dakota has joined a lawsuit that challenges a vaccine mandate for healthcare workers employed by companies that receive Medicare and Medicaid funds. According to the lawsuit, the CMS vaccine mandate “imposes an unprecedented federal vaccine mandate on nearly every full- or part-time employee,…
FARGO (KVRR/KFGO) – Face coverings will no longer be required in school buildings during non-instructional hours in the Fargo Public School District. Superintendent Rupak Gandhi says the decision was made following discussion with Fargo Cass Public Health and the State Department of Health. Gandhi says that while masks will continue to be strongly recommended during after-school hours for various meetings…
WEST FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The West Fargo Public School District is making preparations to vaccinate elementary students against the coronavirus. “We are currently working with Thrifty White on clinic opportunities specific to our elementary-aged population,” according to Health, Safety and Public Relations Director Heather Leas. “If all of the stars align, we should have those stood up next week.”…
NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Some medical professionals are suing a city-owned hospital in southeastern Minnesota after they were terminated for refusing to receive the coronavirus vaccine. The 20 plaintiffs, which include a doctor, registered nurses and other medical staff, filed their lawsuit in U.S. District Court Monday alleging they were fired without just cause. They claim Northfield Hospital and Clinics in…
