Pandemic

Canada Ending COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Saturday, U.S. Urged To Follow Suit

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Canada is getting rid of pandemic-related border restrictions that have been in place for two and a half years. Canadian officials say they are removing all COVID-19 travel restrictions starting October 1. That includes testing, quarantine, and isolation requirements for people entering Canada. A transportation official says travelers will also no longer be required to undergo…

47 people charged in $250 Million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme

MINNEAPOLIS (KVRR) — The founder of Feeding Our Future and 46 others have been charged in what federal officials are calling the largest pandemic fraud in the country. U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger of Minnesota announced charges against founder Aimee Bock and others that include conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and bribery. Authorities allege the massive fraud scheme took at least…

North Dakota Economy Is Booming Post-Pandemic

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/AP) — North Dakota keeps showing signs of economic growth. Taxable sales and purchases for the first quarter of 2022 were up 13.2% compared to the same period last year. State Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus reports all of the 15 major industry sectors reported increases over the first quarter of 2021. He says it’s the fourth consecutive quarter…

President Biden Signs Legislation To Lower Ocean Shipping Costs

The White HouseTHE WHITE HOUSE (KVRR/AP) — President Joe Biden signs legislation meant to lower the cost of shipping goods across oceans. It’s a move the White House says will help ease logistical costs for retailers that have remained high since the start of the pandemic and helped fuel record inflation. The Ocean Shipping Reform Act empowers the Federal Maritime…

Report: Trump officials, meat companies knew workers at risk

OMAHA, Neb. – During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the meat processing industry worked closely with political appointees in the Trump administration to stave off health restrictions and keep slaughterhouses open even as the virus spread rapidly among workers, according to a congressional report released Thursday. The report by the House’s Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis said…

Frontline workers and DFLers push for Legislature to pass pandemic bonuses

MINNESOTA (KVRR) – Minnesota frontline workers and Democrats call for immediate action in the legislature to deliver a $1 billion package giving them a pandemic bonus. The plan gives 667,000 health care, nursing home, maintenance, child care, and education workers $1,500 bonuses. To qualify, someone must have worked at least 120 hours between March 15th, 2020, and June 30th of…

Hundreds in Minnesota enroll in state-paid nursing assistant training

MINNEAPOLIS – Hundreds of Minnesotans are taking advantage of the state’s offer to cover the cost of training to become a certified nursing assistant. The state has used $3.5 million in federal relief funding to pay for students’ tuition, textbooks and certification exams in hopes of alleviating staffing shortages in long-term care facilities and veterans’ homes during the coronavirus pandemic….