DENISE KOLPACK Archives - KVRR Local News

Fargo City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg considering a run for mayor

January 6, 2026

KVRR Staff,

FARGO, N.D. (KFGO/KVRR) — Fargo City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg says she is considering running for mayor. In a post on Facebook, Turnberg says she’s discussing running with family and others. She says a decision whether or not to run will be made soon. Commissioner Denise Kolpack announced her candidacy for mayor Monday. She’s the second person to announce their intentions…

State Sen. Josh Boschee to announce Fargo mayor candidacy

January 6, 2026

KVRR Staff,

FARGO (KFGO/KVRR) – Democratic State Sen. Josh Boschee is running for Fargo mayor. Boschee had been considering a run for some time and will officially launch his campaign Tuesday night. Boschee has served in the state Legislature since 2013. He says his campaign will be rooted in collaboration, listening, and shared problem-solving. City Commissioner Denise Kolpack and Army National Guard…

Fargo City Commission Grants More Time To 3 Volunteer Committees On Chopping Block

Fargo City Commission Opts to Keep Three Volunteer Commissions

By a three-to-two vote, the commissioners decided to give the Arts & Culture, Native American, and Human Rights commissions two months to come up with reconfiguration proposals.

January 5, 2026

Gabriel Ostler,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The Native American, Arts & Culture, and Human Rights commissions made it through the evening, but they’re not out of the woods just yet. Even just the decision to keep those commissions alive for a little while longer was certainly a contentious one. Commissioner Michelle Turnberg was one person not pleased by her colleagues’ conclusion, as…

City Commission Considers Excluding Public Comment Portion from Broadcasts

Three city commissioners who spoke with KVRR News said they were not warned about Mahoney's decision in advance, and indicated they oppose the decision.

November 12, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The Fargo City Commission appears willing to discuss a change-of-course to a policy announced by Mayor Tim Mahoney to discontinue livestreaming public comments during city commission meetings. Mahoney made the announcement that the city would stop including that portion in its live broadcasts of meetings. The public comment section would still exist, it just wouldn’t be…

Fargo City Commission appoints Gary Lorenz as the city’s next fire chief

June 9, 2025

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo officially has a new fire chief and his name is Gary Lorenz. All five city commissioners voted to appoint Lorenz after he was picked from among three final candidates in a national search. Lorenz has been Grand Forks Fire Chief since 2018. He previously worked for Fargo Fire for 28 years, rising to the rank…

Fargo City Commissioner Speaks Out On Deadly Shooting of United Healthcare’s CEO

December 10, 2024

Juliana Pelaez,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — A Fargo city commissioner who is also a former Blue Cross-Blue Shield North Dakota executive is speaking out Fargo City Commissioner Denise Kolpack worked at Blue Cross-Blue Shield for 16 years as the Senior Vice President of Brand and Communications. Her role involved branding and advertising the company and its insurance plans. “It’s a very complex…

Fargo City Commission Votes To Delay Debate on Hiring Community Integration Facilitator

December 9, 2024

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — A proposal by Fargo City Commissioner Denise Kolpack to hire a Community Integration Facilitator to help new Americans has been tabled. Commissioners voted 4-1 to push the idea back a few months since there are new state and federal administrations taking over. Kolpack says the purpose of the position is to connect Fargo newcomers with programs…

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,”…

Turnberg, Strand sworn-in to Fargo City Commission; Kolpack selected Deputy Mayor

July 8, 2024

Alison Voorhees,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Two Fargo City Commissioners take the Oath of Office as they begin their new four-year-terms. Newly elected Michelle Turnberg and re-relected John Strand take the Oath of Office, administered by Municipal Judge Steve Dawson. Fargo voters elected the two on June 11 to the open seats on the city commission. Turnberg and Strand each began their…

Fargo City Commission Votes Against Adopting Middle East Ceasefire Resolution

April 1, 2024

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – – Fargo City Commission votes against the Human Rights Commission’s resolution supporting a permanent ceasefire in the Middle East. “Resolution fails for lack of a majority. We are adjourned,” said Mayor Tim Mahoney after the 2-2 vote. Mahoney and Commissioner Denise Kolpack voted against adopting the resolution. Commissioners John Strand and Arlette Preston voted in favor…