DEI Archives - KVRR Local News

Former Fargo DEI Director Officially Launches Nonprofit

Dr. Terry Hogan says Unity in Action is not meant to be a direct replacement for DEI programs, but rather a rallying point for togetherness in the city.

July 31, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The former director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the city of Fargo is moving forward with a brand-new nonprofit. Dr. Terry Hogan led the first meeting of the Unity in Action Initiative at the Fargo Public Library’s downtown branch on the evening of July 31. Dr. Hogan stressed that this initiative is not meant to…

Former Fargo DEI Director forms non-profit, says dismissal from city was ‘disheartening’

Dr. Terry Hogan is speaking out in his first interview since being terminated

July 22, 2025

Jim Monk,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Fargo’s former Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion is speaking out in his first interview since the city shut down the department in a cost-cutting move last September. Dr. Terry Hogan led the department from 2021 until 2024, when it was eliminated by the Fargo City Commission. “It was a scary, scary, scary thought for me,…

North Dakota joins Iowa-led effort supporting Trump administration’s Harvard funding cuts

June 26, 2025

KVRR Staff,

DES MOINES, Iowa (North Dakota Monitor) – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird led a 16-state coalition that includes North Dakota filing an amicus brief Tuesday supporting the Trump administration’s efforts to cut some funding for Harvard University over reported claims of antisemitism on campus. Bird, alongside 15 other attorneys general, filed the brief Tuesday in a lawsuit brought by Harvard…

Judge blocks Trump plan to cut funding to public schools over diversity programs

April 24, 2025

Jim Monk,

FARGO (KVRR/AP) — A federal judge on Thursday blocked Trump administration directives that threatened to cut federal funding for public schools with diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The ruling came in a lawsuit brought by the National Education Association and the American Civil Liberties Union, which accused the Republican administration of violating teachers’ due process and First Amendment rights. In…

Chamber Addresses Diversity in The Workplace At Pulse Event

April 8, 2025

Juliana Pelaez,

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…

Fargo City Commission Passes 2025 Budget On A 3-2 Vote After Heated Discussion

September 30, 2024

Juliana Pelaez,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo City Commission votes three to two to approve Mayor Tim Mahoney’s $133 million 2025 budget after some heated debate at a packed city hall. Commissioners Michelle Turnberg and Dave Piepkorn voted against the budget. They along with Commissioner John Strand wanted to make more cuts after previously cutting D-E-I and unfilled jobs at Fargo Cass…

Fargo Human Rights Commission condemns city commission for eliminating DEI Department

September 19, 2024

Juliana Pelaez,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — For the members of the Fargo Human Rights Commission, the decision made to eliminate the Diversity Equity and Inclusion department was the wrong move. “For the mayor to go ahead and acknowledge that there was not a goal and then for us to be holding them accountable for not reaching for said imaginary goals is crazy,”…

Fargo Commission Not Only Got An Earful About Cutting DEI, But Also About Rising Taxes

September 17, 2024

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo City Commissioners voted 4-1 last night to make cuts to the proposed 2025 budget, including ending the DEI program. They cut a total of 6.2 positions including three which are currently occupied and three-point-two that are vacant. The total savings in salary and benefits would be over $680,000 in a budget that is worth $133…

Mayor Mahoney proposes job cuts, including DEI director, as part of revised budget recommendations

September 12, 2024

KVRR Staff,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) – Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney is proposing that the director and the coordinator of the office of Diversion, Equity and Inclusion, Dr. Terry Hogan, be laid off as part of budget cuts that will be considered at Monday’s city commission meeting. A seven-member selection committee led by Mahoney chose Hogan for the new position back in 2021….