Ray Holmberg Archives - KVRR Local News

Higher Ed Board Chairman says Holmberg investigation not yet completed

May 29, 2025

Jim Monk,

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR-Prairie Public) – The chairman of the State Board of Higher Education says an internal review has found no evidence of any current employee of the University System violating policy or failing to report any criminal activity by former state Senator Ray Holmberg. Tim Mihalick says that review was done by the system’s chief compliance officer. He says…

Former governor Schafer wants independent inquiry to help restore public trust after Holmberg case

Former Gov. Ed Schafer outlined his proposal and shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview

May 8, 2025

Jim Monk,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Former North Dakota Gov. Ed Schafer says special steps will be necessary to restore the public’s trust in the wake of the Ray Holmberg sex crimes case. Schafer spoke about his proposal and shared his thoughts about the case in an exclusive interview with KVRR Local News. “You had a really sick and deranged individual who…

North Dakota GOP Issues Further Holmberg Statement

The former state senator has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for sex crimes involving minors.

May 3, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota GOP put out another statement on the evening of Friday, May 2, to address the conduct of former state senator Ray Holmberg and to state all the party had done to distance themselves from him once that behavior had come to light. The statement included a timeline of events, saying that in August of…

Higher ed leaders to conduct review after revelations in Holmberg sex case

April 30, 2025

KVRR Staff,

State Board of Higher Education Chairman, Tim Mihalick. (Photo provided by North Dakota University System)GRAND FORKS, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota University System says it is reviewing records for violations of policy or law related to sex crimes committed by former state lawmaker Ray Holmberg. State Board of Higher Education Chair Tim Mihalick read a statement at the start…

Poolman resigns from UND Alumni Association and Foundation board

April 30, 2025

KVRR Staff,

Jim PoolmanGRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR) – Jim Poolman has resigned from the University of North Dakota Alumni Association and Foundation board of directors and Forever UND campaign committee. The Tuesday night resignation comes one day after the Fargo businessman and former state Insurance Commissioner distanced himself from disgraced former state Sen. Ray Holmberg after a picture of the two began circulating on…

Grand Forks Man Speaks Out For First Time About Sexual Relationship With Ray Holmberg

April 29, 2025

Juliana Pelaez,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR-KFGO) — Will Swearson was a cooperating witness in the case against the former state senator. Swearson said he first met Holmberg when he was a graduate student at the University of North Dakota. “At first, he would provide me some financial assistance for me to pay for groceries (and) gas, electricity,” Swearson said. “Things began to change…

UPDATE: Jim Poolman Resigns From UND Boards After Releasing Statement Distancing Himself from Ray Holmberg

April 29, 2025

Jim Monk,

Jim Poolman(9PM UPDATE) — Jim Poolman has resigned as chair of the Board of Directors of the University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation and the Forever UND campaign committee. His resignation is below: Dear distinguished UND Alumni Association and Foundation Board of Directors and UND Campaign Committee partners, Serving on the Board of the University of North…

Fargo Senator Tim Mathern proposes bill to make elected officials mandated reporters for child sex crimes

April 28, 2025

KVRR Staff,

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — With the recent revelations in the Ray Holmberg case, North Dakota legislators are looking making law to make reporting similar incidents mandatory. State Senator Tim Mathern, of Fargo, held a press conference along with other fellow legislators to announce a bill that would require elected officials and those employed in higher education to report incidents of…

Call logs show Holmberg, Stenehjem communicated amid federal sex crime investigation

April 28, 2025

KVRR Staff,

Ray Holmberg (left) & Wayne StenehjemBISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – Newly released call logs show the late Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem communicated with former Sen. Ray Holmberg as the lawmaker was being investigated for sex crimes, including calls the day Stenehjem sat for a law enforcement interview. Yet Stenehjem only told law enforcement about one phone conversation with Holmberg,…

Gjovig Responds After Report Shows Holmberg Used Email to Communicate About Sex Crimes

April 27, 2025

KVRR Staff,

Bruce Gjovig at UND in 2017. (UND photo) GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR-KFGO) – Bruce Gjovig has released a statement after a North Dakota BCI report was released that shows Ray Holmberg communicated with him and high-profile North Dakotans. A statement released by Gjovig’s attorney, Cash Aaland, says Gjovig was unaware of Holmberg’s criminal activities. Gjovig says he was interviewed by…