MICHELLE TURNBERG 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…

Commissioner Turnberg Makes Claim About Needle Distribution Program in Fargo

The social media post included a graph and a picture of a discarded syringe.

December 11, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Controversy on social media as a city commissioner makes a bold claim about Fargo’s needle distribution program. Commissioner Michelle Turnberg posted on Facebook yesterday, from her official commissioner page, claiming that over the past two years the city has given away almost 1 million needles. She asked, quote, “Where is the money coming from, what is…

Downtown Engagement Center Will Be On The Move

Three locations have been chosen as possible new site for Engagement Center

September 16, 2025

Juliana Pelaez,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Nearly five years after opening, a motion to move the Downtown Engagement Center has been approved. The move comes after concerns from several commissioners and business owners in the downtown area. “It is an insult to blanket statement that this is a homeless problem. The problem is drug use and mental illness,” said Michelle Turnberg, Fargo…

Fargo City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg upset with delayed notification after Sunday morning shootings

August 4, 2025

Juliana Pelaez,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Sunday morning’s shootings had many questioning why there was a delayed notice about the incidents. A release in the early afternoon stated the 50-block of Broadway was blocked off for ongoing investigations. Approximately fifteen hours after the two shootings that killed two people, a suspect was named for one of them. Commissioner Michelle Turnberg said she…

Commissioners Disagree On Extending Night Shelter for the Homeless in Fargo

April 28, 2025

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — A debate over the efforts to end homelessness gets a little heated at Fargo City Hall. Commissioners disagreed about a sudden motion to extend the winter warming shelter by one month to continue to house around 50 people each night. It is covered by a grant. Two commissioners said the measure is just enabling those people…

“He had a knife, in a sheath”: Fargo City Commissioners Concerned About Safety at City Hall

January 23, 2025

KVRR Staff,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR)– Fargo City Commissioners are still reeling from the discovery that an audience member brought a knife with them to Tuesday night’s meeting. City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn describes the emotions he felt at the conclusion of Tuesday’s meeting when he found out somebody had been armed in the audience the entire time. “Commissioner Turnberg sits right next to…

“Operation Safe Fargo” Voted Down By City Commission, 3-2, New Plan Coming In 2 Weeks

December 9, 2024

TJ Nelson, Eric Bolin,

Fargo City Commissioner Michelle TurnbergFARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — An urgent move by Fargo City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg to address the homeless situation as the temperatures drop is voted down by the commission. Turnberg’s proposal called “Operation Safe Fargo” was defeated 3-2, with her only support coming from Commissioner Dave Piepkorn. She proposed outlawing homeless camping on any city property and…

Turnberg To Offer Plan To Address Homelessness in Fargo at Monday’s Commission Meeting

December 8, 2024

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg is ready to present her plan to address homelessness called “Operation Safe Fargo”. Turnberg is proposing outlawing homeless camping on any city property and offering the person a bus ticket to their hometown or city of their choice. She wants to turn the Fargo Civic Center into an emergency shelter and…