PRESIDENT TRUMP

Andrew Sandvik appears in federal court a day after his arrest

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Andrew Sandvik appeared in federal court today on charges of influencing a federal official by threat, with a possible maximum sentence of up to ten years. The complaint alleges that Sandvik made several online social media posts that contain threats towards President Trump and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Secret Service.  Several…

President Trump approves federal disaster assistance for North Dakota

Jamestown storm damage. Courtesy: Steve UrnessBISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — President Trump has approved federal disaster assistance for areas recovering from severe storms in August. Areas experienced straight-line winds, large hail and tornadoes August 7 and 8th. Counties affected were Barnes, Grand Forks, Griggs, Kidder, Nelson, Steele and Stutsman. Last month, President Trump approved Gov. Armstrong’s request for a 19-county presidential…

State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler confirmed for role in Dept. of Education

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR) — Kirsten Baesler, North Dakota’s state superintendent of public instruction, has been confirmed to serve in the U.S. Department of Education. Baesler will serve as assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education. President Trump nominated Baesler in February. Her role as assistant secretary will have her overseeing federal offices that shape and support K-12 education policy across…

Sanford doctors free to recommend acetaminophen to pregnant patients

FARGO — In the wake of President Trump’s announcement about acetaminophen and a link to autism, doctors at Sanford health say they don’t plan on changing recommending the drug to pregnant women. Acetaminophen is commonly used by pregnant women to deal with aches, pains, and also to handle fevers. Sanford Health’s Chief Physician, Doug Griffin, says what medications a pregnant…

Minnesota man charged with 16 counts of animal crushing

CARVER, Minn (KVRR/FOX9) — A Carver, Minnesota man, just southwest of Minneapolis, is facing federal charges for allegedly creating graphic videos of animal torture and death for pay-per-view YouTube channels. 32-year-old Bryan Edison has been federally indicted on 16 counts of animal crushing. That is when a person intentionally harms an animal by crushing, burning, drowning or otherwise causing serious…

Republicans move to lift drilling and mining restrictions in North Dakota, Montana and Alaska

FILE – In this April 4, 2013, file photo, a mining dumper truck hauls coal at Cloud Peak Energy’s Spring Creek strip mine near Decker, Mont. AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Congress are clearing the way for President Donald Trump’s plans to expand mining and drilling on public lands by moving to eliminate energy development limits in…

Sen. Cramer Helps Introduce GOLDEN DOME Act

The defense spending legislation is modeled after Israel's "Iron Dome" missile intercept network.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR) – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer is one of the main creators of a defense spending bill that he helped present to the media today. The proposed legislation is called the GOLDEN DOME Act. It’s modeled after Israel’s “Iron Dome,” and is a defense strategy that President Trump asked to be implemented at the beginning of his term….

Baesler’s nomination for U.S. Education post advances to the full Senate

Washington, D.C. (KVRR) — Kirsten Baesler’s nomination to serve as U.S. Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education has advanced to the full Senate. Her nomination was advanced after a vote on seven of President Trump’s nominees by a vote of 12-11 by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. A date for the final confirmation vote in the…

Minnesota may be headed for another special session later this summer or fall

Sen. Erin Murphy/(D) Senate Majority LeaderST. PAUL (KVRR/FOX9) — Gov. Tim Walz has still not called for a special session to finish up budget work in Minnesota. That’s because working groups are still trying to iron out differences on a number of budget bills including education and taxes. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy says they have ironed out many of…

Judge blocks Trump plan to cut funding to public schools over diversity programs

FARGO (KVRR/AP) — A federal judge on Thursday blocked Trump administration directives that threatened to cut federal funding for public schools with diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The ruling came in a lawsuit brought by the National Education Association and the American Civil Liberties Union, which accused the Republican administration of violating teachers’ due process and First Amendment rights. In…