federal Archives - Page 3 of 4

Judge Blocks North Dakota Law in Question Over Farm Equipment

The judge's order directs Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem not to enforce the measure until the issue can be resolved

August 21, 2017

TJ Nelson,

NORTH DAKOTA — A federal judge has blocked a North Dakota law designed to protect farm equipment dealers. The law permits implement dealers to sell generic rather than name-brand replacement parts. Four major manufacturers of farm implements filed a lawsuit that claims the law is unconstitutional. The judge’s order directs Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem not to enforce the measure…

Governor Burgum Requesting Federal Help for Drought Relief

The governor said nearly 95 percent of the state is being impacted by drought conditions

August 8, 2017

,

BISMARCK, ND — Gov. Burgum is asking for help on the federal level due to the severe drought conditions throughout the state. He is asking for a presidential disaster declaration through the regional FEMA office and would allow individual and direct federal assistance. Gov. Burgum is also asking for staff from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and other federal…

ND American Indian Tribes Endorse Hochhalter as Federal Prosecutor

The move followed tribal officials' interviews of Hochhalter and competitor Drew Wrigley

July 27, 2017

TJ Nelson,

BISMARCK, ND — The five federally recognized American Indian tribes in North Dakota have endorsed longtime Assistant U.S. Attorney Clare Hochhalter to be the state’s next top federal prosecutor. The move followed tribal officials’ interviews of Hochhalter and competitor Drew Wrigley. Standing Rock Chairman Dave Archambault says he was influenced by statements made by Wrigley that protests against the Dakota…

NTSB: Unknown Why Breckenridge Pilot Wanted to Divert to Moorhead Airport

His plane hit the light pole while attempting to land at the Moorhead airport

July 11, 2017

TJ Nelson,

MOORHEAD, Minn. — An initial report from federal investigators says the crash that killed a Breckenridge farmer and pilot happened when his vintage plane struck a light pole near the weigh station. The NTSB says Mark Yaggie had taken off from Hector International Airport and was headed to the Pelican Rapids airport. Shortly after takeoff, Yaggie told an air…

Undercover Agents Dupe Minneapolis Airport TSA in 17 out of 18 Security Tests

An undercover team, referred to as the "Red Team" from Washington, D.C., posed as passengers and attempted to sneak items through security that should easily be caught. Jack Highberger of KMSP Fox 9 News reports from Minneapolis

July 3, 2017

Site Staff,

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — When put to the test, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport failed 95 percent of security tests conducted last week. An undercover team, referred to as the “Red Team” from Washington, D.C., posed as passengers and attempted to sneak items through security that should easily be caught. It’s the sort of failing grade that MSP-TSA has received before. Seventeen…

Previous Evidence Questioned in ND Death Penalty Appeal Hearing

Alfonso Rodriquez has been on death row for 11 years

June 21, 2017

Site Staff,

FARGO, N.D. — A federal inmate from Crookston convicted of killing UND student Dru Sjodin is appealing his death sentence. Two forensic experts took the stand in the start of what could be Rodriguez’s last appeal. It’s been more than 12 years since 64-year-old Alfonso Rodriguez was federally indicted for the kidnapping, murder and rape of Dru Sjodin. After the…

North Dakota’s Court System Overloaded with Opiate Crimes

Myers says law enforcement cannot arrest their way out of the crisis

June 13, 2017

TJ Nelson,

BISMARCK, ND — The opiate crisis in North Dakota is having a major impact on the court system. U.S. Attorney Chris Myers says 37 people have been charged or sentenced with heroin or fentanyl related crimes in federal court in just the past two years. He says they have prosecuted more fentanyl-related cases in federal court in the past…

Former Bemidji Assistant Principal Facing Federal Child Exploitation Charges

He is charged with the production and distribution of child porn and enticement of a minor

May 31, 2017

,

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A former Bemidji assistant principal now faces federal child sexual exploitation charges. Brandon Bjerknes, 34, was arrested Tuesday and appeared today in U.S. District Court in St. Paul. He is charged with the production and distribution of child porn and enticement of a minor. Court documents show Bjerknes posed online as a 13 to 15-year-old male…

U.S. Army Corps Leaders Get Their First Look at the F-M Flood Diversion

Leaders with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are happy with the Diversion project so far

May 30, 2017

Site Staff,

FARGO, N.D. — Leaders of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers came all the way from Washington, D.C. to get their first look at the FM Flood Diversion construction. The project, which will take at least six and a half years to finish, recently started near Horace, North Dakota. Army Corps Major General Ed Jackson saw it in person for…

Minnesota House Passes Real ID Bill, Senate to Consider it Next

The bill will allow anyone with a Minnesota ID or driver's license to pass through airport security

May 17, 2017

,

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota lawmakers have reached a deal on bringing the state’s driver’s licenses and ID cards up to federal security standards. The House overwhelmingly passed the bill and now it heads to the Senate. The bill will allow anyone with a Minnesota ID or driver’s license to pass through airport security. Congress put a deadline for…