COVID-19

Minnesota to give away prizes to people who get vaccinated

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Gov. Tim Walz says the state plans to offer up swag in an attempt to get more people vaccinated for the coronavirus. Walz is planning to announce incentives that include state park passes, fishing licenses and tickets to fairs and amusement parks. The first 100,000 people to get vaccinated between Memorial Day and the end of…

Lawmakers ask state to stop calling residents about COVID-19 vaccine

BISMARCK, N.D. – Two Republican state legislators are asking North Dakota health officials to stop calling residents to offer information on the coronavirus vaccine. Sens. Jessica Bell and Nicole Poolman sent a letter to State Health Officer Dr. Nizar Wehbi expressing concern about the role of state government in “personal health choices” and patient privacy. Both lawmakers said they had…

North Dakota’s economic outlook improves as COVID-19 wanes

BISMARCK, N.D. – A new quarterly report shows North Dakota’s economic outlook is improving as the coronavirus pandemic begins to wane. The second-quarter outlook from North Dakota State University shows a growing labor force, an increase in gross state product and steady total tax collections. The report found some difficulties in the labor market, where wages and salaries are projected…

Pandemic EBT available for low income students in distance learning

The daily funds come out to $6.82 per day and are available only during days students are learning from home.

NORTH DAKOTA (KVRR) — A food assistance program is ensuring K-12 students across North Dakota are staying fed while learning from home. “The program is brand new; it was never in effect until this last year after the COVID emergency was announced,” North Dakota Department of Public Instruction’s Director of Child Nutrition Linda Schloer said. Director of Child Nutrition at…

Essentia Health partners with West Fargo Public Schools for student vaccinations

"That partnership with West Fargo Public Schools to try to get kids back to as normal activities as possible."

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Children 12 and older throughout the metro are one step closer to becoming fully vaccinated against COVID-19. West Fargo Public Schools alongside Essentia Health are partnering up for a student vaccination clinic. The vaccines are available inside the former Gorman’s building to anyone throughout the community who meets eligibility requirements. Children 12 and older must be…

Air travel making a comeback at North Dakota’s airports

BISMARCK, N.D. – Air travel has picked up in North Dakota, but not to the level it was before the coronavirus pandemic hit. The state’s eight commercial service airports saw a significant increase in passenger numbers last month compared to April 2020. The state Aeronautics Commission says the airports in Bismarck, Minot, Williston, Dickinson, Grand Forks, Fargo, Devils Lake and…

Burgum had authority to close North Dakota businesses

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Supreme Court has ruled that Gov. Doug Burgum had the authority to close businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. Somerset Court LLC and salon operator Kari Riggin in April sued Burgum and then-State Health Officer Mylynn Tufte in an effort to allow the assisted living facility’s in-house hair salon to continue providing services to residents….

NDDoH expert: No concerns about vaccinated people ditching masks

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — An epidemiologist with the North Dakota Department of Health says vaccinated people should have no concerns about ditching face masks. Brenton Nesemeier says recent studies show that the COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping people out of hospitals and from dying. As of Tuesday, 52 percent of people in Cass County are fully vaccinated against the…

North Dakota Health Dept. changes mask guidelines, MSUM drops requirement

FARGO (KVRR) – The North Dakota Dept. of Health is changing its mask guidelines in accordance with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last week, the CDC said people who are fully vaccinated can resume activities indoors and outdoors without wearing masks. The guidelines say that the risk of being infected or spreading COVID-19 once fully vaccinated is…

Clay County asking for info from residents vaccinated outside Minnesota

MOORHEAD, Minn. KVRR) – Clay County Public Health is asking Clay County residents who received a COVID-19 vaccine from an out-of-state pharmacy or from the Fargo VA Medical Center to inform them with their vaccine information. Residents can call the Clay County Public Health vaccine hotline at 218-299-7204 and leave a message with your name, birth date, address, phone number,…