drones

North Dakota funds program to use drones to scout for weeds

A drone flies over a farm field as part of a Grand Farm project to use drones to scout for weeds. A North Dakota Department of Agriculture grant will help continue the work. (Courtesy of Grand Farm)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A state-funded program will use drones and artificial intelligence to scout for noxious weeds in five North Dakota…

North Dakota National Guard to assist search effort after flash flooding in central Texas

An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft, assigned to the 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard, arrives at the 132d Wing, Iowa Air National Guard base in Des Moines, Iowa, April 22, 2025. Airmen assigned to the 132d Wing operate the MQ-9 in support of global intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strike missions from their facility in Des Moines. (U.S….

Working with FAA expands North Dakota commercial drone prospects

Collin Newberry, operations manager, at the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, prepares a commercial drone for launching during test procedures on the Vantis system. (Photo by Kacy Meinecke, courtesy of Northern Plains UAS Test Site)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota News Cooperative) — A freshly approved $11 million legislative appropriation to integrate North Dakota’s unmanned aerial system into Federal Aviation Administration airspace…

North Dakota House approves removing Chinese drones from state fleet

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR-Prairie Public) – The North Dakota House has approved a measure to replace Chinese-made drones in the state fleet. The state owns 353 drones, 307 from China. The sponsor, Bismarck Representative Mike Nathe, says he was told by some federal officials that the Chinese drones were equipped with data gathering and transmitting devices. Nate says the cost to…

Bill would provide $15M to replace Chinese drones used by North Dakota agencies

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Nearly 90% of drones used by North Dakota state agencies were manufactured in China, a statistic that has a Bismarck lawmaker concerned about potential security risks. Rep. Mike Nathe submitted a bill this week that proposes to spend $15 million to replace Chinese drones used by law enforcement, oil regulators, colleges and other state…

93 Minnesota law enforcement agencies used drones in 2020

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A new report shows a growing number of law enforcement agencies are using drones to help with search and rescue efforts, investigations and for public safety in Minnesota. The legislative report says 93 agencies statewide either maintained or used a drone in 2020 with 1,171 flights recorded. The report is the result of new regulations lawmakers…

Grand Forks Company Fighting Covid-19 With Drones

SkyScopes also operates in Minnesota, Oregon, California and Texas

GRAND FORKS N.D. — Commercial drone pilots have been deemed essential during the pandemic, and one company in Grand Forks is showing us why. SkySkopes has already been on the leading edge of drone technology and is now gearing up to combat the Covid-19 virus. The company has equipped drones to be able to disinfect surfaces of common areas like…

West Fargo Police Search for Suspect Who Fled During High Speed Pursuit

He's facing several charges including fleeing and driving under suspension.

WEST FARGO, N.D.–West Fargo police are searching for the driver of a vehicle that fled a traffic stop around 10:30 p.m. on Monday. The West Fargo Police Department initiated a traffic stop in the 50 block of Fifth Street E. The vehicle fled the stop and police pursued for about a mile-and-a-half where the driver then drove into a field…

Burleigh County Sheriff’s Department Receives Permission to Operate Drones

The sheriff's department says it can now operate unmanned aircraft systems over urban areas in which people live or gather.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) _ The Burleigh County Sheriff’s Department and the North Dakota Highway Patrol have received federal approval to operate drones over people. The Bismarck Tribune reports the four-year authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration was granted Aug. 5. The North Dakota Highway Patrol received permission two days later. The sheriff’s department says it can now operate unmanned aircraft…