Government

Army Corps of Engineers Taking a Look at Progress on F-M Diversion

FARGO, ND — Leaders with the Army Corps of Engineers came to the metro to get their first look at the F-M Flood Diversion construction. The six and a half year project has already begun near Horace at the southern end of the project’s site. Army Corps leaders say they’re pleased with how it’s shaping up and will work to move…

ND Government Employees Willing to Take Voluntary Buyouts

Agencies told employees the buyouts might limit the need for layoffs

  BISMARCK, ND — About 100 employees from cabinet-level agencies in North Dakota state government have expressed interest in taking voluntary buyouts to help with the state’s struggling finances. Gov. Burgum gave agency heads in April the option to offer buyouts to employees and letters went out to some 3,600 with the offer. Agencies told employees the buyouts might limit…

Minneapolis Spending Nearly $20,000 to Add Gender Neutral Restrooms in Government Buildings

The buildings affected also include police and fire stations

  MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The city of Minneapolis is spending nearly $20,000 to add gender neutral restrooms to its government buildings. Officials say at least 62 bathrooms in 44 government buildings will be built, including adding locks and signage. The buildings affected also include police and fire stations. Officials say anyone is allowed to use the bathroom and gender specific restrooms…

Lawmakers Won’t Override Gov. Burgum on Funding for Townships

Legislative leaders say they don't think they have enough votes to override the veto

  BISMARCK, ND — Lawmakers say they won’t dispute the veto made by Governor Burgum that cuts funding to at least 1,600 townships. After the session ended, the governor vetoed a $16.1 million bill that proposed giving each non-oil producing township $10,000. Gov. Burgum said the money is not a good use of the state’s “scarce financial resources.” Legislative leaders…

Moorhead Police Warning Veterans About New Scam

Police say scammers have set up a phone number that closely resembles the Veterans Choice Program

  MOORHEAD, Minn. — Moorhead Police are warning veterans about a phone scam that is pretending to be with the Veterans Choice Program. Police say scammers have set up a phone number that closely resembles the Veterans Choice Program. When people call this number by mistake, a voice tells them to leave a credit card number for a rebate. Police…

ND Senators Hoeven and Heitkamp Working to Secure Funding for DAPL Costs

WASHINGTON D.C. — North Dakota could receive millions of dollars in federal funding to help reimburse the state for costs incurred during the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. Both Senators Heitkamp and Hoeven have worked to include grant funding in the Department of Justice’s budget. Hoeven is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The state must submit an application to…

Minnesota Lawmakers Focus on Possible Budget Compromises

But Republicans and Democratic Gov. Dayton have lots of divides to bridge

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota lawmakers returned from a week-long break with their eyes on the budget. Their return marks the beginning of the rush to agree to a new, two-year budget that will likely exceed $45 billion. But Republicans and Democratic Gov. Dayton have lots of divides to bridge. The GOP is pursuing nearly $1 billion or more in…

Sen. Franken Calling Out Attorney General for “Insulting” Responses on Meetings with Russia

Franken made those comments during the Senate confirmation hearing of U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein for the position of deputy attorney general

  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Minnesota Democratic Senator Al Franken is still not satisfied with the clarification given by Attorney General Jeff Sessions and his involvement with Russian government officials. “I think he owes it to this committee to come back and to explain himself,” said Sen. Franken. “He answered a question I didn’t ask. And for him to put this…

ND Lawmakers Battle Over State-Owned Casino Proposal

Some lawmakers opposed to the proposal say it risks angering American Indian tribes in the state

  BISMARCK, N.D. — Some North Dakota lawmakers say a proposal to allow state-owned casinos is retaliatory. They say the proposal by House majority leader Rep. Al Carlson of Fargo risks angering American Indian tribes even more when relations have already been rubbed raw by the Dakota Access pipeline dispute. Carlson says his idea is not “anti-American Indian.” He says…

City of Fargo Selected for What Works Cities Initiative

Fargo is now participating in Bloomberg Philanthropies 'What Works Cities' Initiative

FARGO, N.D. — Fargo has been selected to join 63 other cities in the national What Works Cities Initiative. What does that mean for Fargo? What Works Cities is backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies, a company which works in more than 120 countries around the world. The city of Fargo is collaborating with WWC to help make data more accessible to…