judge

Judge Considering Prince’s Siblings as Potential Heirs

Prince left no known will when he died of an accidental painkiller overdose in April 2016

  CHANHASSEN, Minn. — A Minnesota judge says he’ll take a request that Prince’s six siblings be declared his lawful heirs under advisement. The judge had said in January he wouldn’t declare the heirs of the late rock superstar until appeals run their course. But lawyers for Prince’s sister and five half-siblings don’t want to wait, saying any further delays…

Man Convicted in Area Meth Bust Loses Bid for Shorter Sentence

The appeals court panel says Cossette has a violent criminal history and poses a danger to the community

  CASS COUNTY, N.D. — A man charged in a conspiracy to sell meth in the metro has lost his bid for a shorter prison term. Marc Cossette was sentenced to 27 years in prison after he pleaded guilty in 2013. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals says U.S. District Court Judge Ralph Erickson of Fargo did not abuse his…

MN Diversion Opponents Ask Federal Judge to Intervene on Project

Minnesota state officials asked U.S. District Judge John Tunheim to block construction until the DNR grants a dam safety permit

  ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota opponents to the F-M Flood Diversion asked a federal judge to stop construction on the project citing environmental concerns. A groundbreaking for the $2.1 billion cross-border flood control project took place in Horace on Monday. Minnesota state officials asked U.S. District Judge John Tunheim to block construction until the DNR grants a dam safety…

Judge Won’t Dismiss Charges Against McKenzie County Sheriff

Schwartzenberger later paid for the charges but a criminal affidavit alleges they were made in violation of a county policy

  MCKENZIE COUNTY, N.D. — A judge has declined to dismiss criminal charges against the McKenzie County sheriff accused of misusing his office credit card. The judge didn’t offer a reason for the decision. Sheriff Gary Schwartzenberger is accused of making excessive charges during the 2015 Western State’s Sheriff’s Association Annual Conference in Las Vegas. Schwartzenberger later paid for the…

Judge Rules Against Standing Rock, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes on DAPL

The Army Corps and Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners had said the claim was lacking

  WASHINGTON D.C. — It’s another loss in federal court for the Sioux tribes. Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has ruled against their efforts to stop the Dakota Access pipeline. A lawsuit was brought by the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes saying the pipeline threatens their right to practice their…

Federal Judge Grants Restraining Order Against President’s Travel Ban

President Trump has not made a statement on the judge's decision

  A Federal judge has granted a temporary restraining order against President Trump’s controversial travel ban. The executive order, signed last week by the president, suspended immigration from seven countries for 90 days. It also put a hold on the U.S. refugee program for 120 days and indefinitely halted Syrian refugees from entering the country. Federal Judge James Robart from…

Judge Refuses Lower Bail for Wahpeton Man Accused in Breckenridge Shooting

Matthew Allard, 27, is jailed on a minimum of $200,000 bail

  A judge has refused to lower bail for a Wahpeton man charged with attempted murder in a shooting at a home in Breckenridge last month. The lawyer for 27 year-old Matthew Allard asked that his bail be reduced. He’s jailed on a minimum of $200,000. Allard is accused of shooting another man in the stomach during an argument. Witnesses…

DAPL Construction Company Asking Court to Block Army Corps Study

Energy Transfer Partners is asking a judge to stop the Army Corps of Engineers from doing an environmental study of DAPL

  The company building the Dakota Access oil pipeline wants a federal judge to block the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from launching a full environmental study of the pipeline’s disputed crossing in North Dakota. Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners has asked a judge to stop the Corps from publishing a notice in the Federal Register on Wednesday announcing the study….

Third Person Sentenced in the Joey Gaarsland Case

Jason Oien was sentenced to 15 years in prison for manslaughter of Joey Gaarsland.

FARGO, N.D. A Fargo man will spend at least 15 years behind bars in the beating death of Joey Gaarsland. In May of 2015, 34-year-old Jason Oien was involved in a fight outside of Rick’s Bar. He and three other men allegedly beat Joey Gaarsland, causing his death. Oien plead guilty to manslaughter. Joey Gaarsland’s daughter, Ali Gaarsland, said she…