COVID-19

Report: Vikings O-line coach out after refusing COVID-19 vaccine

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minnesota Vikings and offensive line coach Rick Dennison are parting ways after Dennison refused to get a COVID-19 vaccine, according to ESPN Vikings beat reporter Courtney Cronin. Dennison is believed to be the first NFL position coach out of a job after objecting to a vaccine. The Vikings released the following statement on Dennison’s status: “The Vikings…

Sanford Health to require employee COVID-19 vaccination

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Sanford Health is requiring its employees to get vaccinated against the coronavirus by November 1st. Sanford Health Fargo Vice President Dr. Doug Griffin says although the decision has been under consideration for some time, the resurgence of COVID-19 variants is one of the reasons for the mandate. “That’s probably maybe moved the timeline up a little…

U.S. Border Travel Restrictions Extended, Gov. Burgum Calls It “Preposterous”

BISMARCK N.D.  — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum calls it “preposterous”. The Biden administration is extending non-essential travel restrictions at the northern and southern borders until August 21. The administration is under fire for continuing to keep them in place more than a year into the pandemic, and after Canada announced it was reopening to vaccinated Americans on August 9….

ND oil production flat due to worker shortage

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – Oil production is flat in North Dakota due to a workforce shortage as the industry recovers from the coronavirus pandemic. Companies say they are in need of workers to inject water, sand and chemicals down wells to crack open rock and release oil, a process known as hydraulic fracking. State Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms says…

Unsung Heroes of the Pandemic

An already essential job taking a whole new meaning during the height of COVID-19.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — They are some of the most important and often overlooked essential workers. Those working the front lines alongside doctors and nurses. Making sure every inch at Sanford Broadway Clinic in Fargo is kept clean and safe. “We kind of look at ourselves as the caretakers of the caretakers where we try to facilitate for the actual…

Delta variant cases on the rise in ND

"The CDC estimates about 56 percent of the cases in our region are the Delta variant."

NORTH DAKOTA (KVRR) — Concerns over a possible surge in COVID-19 cases run high as more cases of the Delta variant make their way to North Dakota. As Delta variant cases grow throughout the nation health experts warn of growing cases throughout the upper Midwest. “It’s more easily transmissible and it’s now making up more than half of the cases…

Fully vaccinated Americans may enter Canada as of mid-August

TORONTO – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada could start allowing fully vaccinated Americans into Canada as of mid-August for non-essential travel and should be in a position to welcome fully vaccinated travelers from all countries by early September. Trudeau spoke with leaders of Canada’s provinces and his office released a readout of the call. He noted that if Canada’s…

Minnesota Auditor Found No Evidence of Overpaying For Saliva Testing

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Office of the Legislative Auditor says it found no evidence that Minnesota overpaid two companies it hired to conduct COVID-19 saliva testing. Instead, the auditor found that managed care organizations, acting on behalf of the state, scrutinized the claims and paid just a fraction of the amounts originally billed. Minnesota Department of Health signed an…

Sen. Klobuchar expects to hear if Canadian border is opening up soon

U.S. & CANADA (KVRR) — As COVID-19 restrictions ease up across North Dakota and Minnesota the question remains on when Canada will open its border. The northern neighbor has only allowed essential travelers to enter the country. Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar says an announcement is expected within the next week. She has been working alongside 15 other senators to push…

Minneapolis Fed mandates COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees

MINNEAPOLIS (KVRR) – The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis is requiring all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. “We recently announced to our 1,100 colleagues at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis that we are instituting a new policy requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of August as a condition of continuing employment” President…