senate Archives - KVRR Local News

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

May 22, 2025

TJ Nelson,

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…

Sen. Kevin Cramer Reacts to President Trump’s Tariffs

The Senator acknowledged that some of his Republican colleagues raised interesting points when it came to checks and balances at the federal level, but still supports the tariffs overall.

April 3, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The markets took quite the tumble March 3rd, as the three major composite indexes posted their worst single-day losses since 2020. This came on the heels of “Liberation Day,” or what Trump named his two-part tariff rollout. Which was made up in part of a reciprocal tariff program. Some economists take issue with the way these…

Bill Introduced to Name Rhubarb Official State Vegetable

Rep. Matthew Heilman says he was made aware that North Dakota did not have an official state vegetable by a constituent family of his.

February 20, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – Do you love rhubarb? It could soon be the new state vegetable. Representative Matthew Heilman of District 7 introduced the bill after being contacted by some of his constituents. A family homeschooling their kids discovered that North Dakota has no official state vegetable. So they suggested rhubarb as the best option. Heilman agreed – and put his…

Bill To Allow Mothers and Young Children To Live Together In Prison Fails To Pass

January 21, 2025

Juliana Pelaez,

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — The bill to allow young kids to live with their moms in prison has failed to pass in the Senate. A number of lawmakers believed the bill did not provide enough concrete data and how much it would cost. In its current state, Heart River Correctional Center in Mandan has no room for moms and their…

Rep. Julie Fedorchak Begins Term in Congress

North Dakota's first female representative in the House was sworn in on Friday.

January 5, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

Fedorchak is sworn in alongside her family and Speaker Johnson.WASHINGTON, D.C. – Now that she’s officially a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Julie Fedorchak is excited to get to work. The former North Dakota Public Service Commissioner began her term on Friday. Her first order of business was to vote for Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to…

House Judiciary Subcommittee to Hold Field Hearing in Grand Forks on Border Issues

May 22, 2024

KVRR Staff,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR/FOX) — Senate Democrats plan to force a vote Thursday on new border legislation. The bipartisan Border Security Package negotiated by Republican and Democratic senators is aimed at reducing border crossings, making it tougher for migrants to qualify for asylum and quickly turn away those who fail to meet it. It was defeated once before after former President…

Gov. Burgum Veto of Book Banning Bill Will Stand

April 27, 2023

TJ Nelson,

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — Gov. Doug Burgum’s veto on a book banning bill will stand after the House failed to override it. The vote was 53-41, a two-thirds majority was needed. The bill would force librarians to review their collections for sexually explicit material. Burgum said the bill goes too far in criminalizing potential disagreements over what constitutes material that…

Walz To Get Catalytic Converter Bill

March 12, 2023

KVRR Staff,

ST. PAUL (KFGO) — The Minnesota House is sending a bill backers say will reduce the rash of catalytic converter thefts in the state to the desk of Gov. Tim Walz. It prohibits scrap metal dealers from buying any catalytic converter without a marking that ties it to the original vehicle. The House agreed to minor changes the Senate made…

Minnesota House approves $1.9B public works package

March 6, 2023

KVRR Staff,

Democratic Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, of Brooklyn Park, speaks at a news conference at the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., on Monday, March 6, 2023, about a $1.9 billion public infrastructure package for fixing up roads, bridges, water systems, college facilities and parks and trails across the state. She was joined by Democratic Rep. Fue Lee, of Minneapolis,…

Displays at Fargo libraries show books that could be removed under two N.D. bills

February 27, 2023

Site Staff,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Workers at Fargo’s three public libraries put together displays to show which books could no longer be offered if two bills in the North Dakota Legislature become law. “We do not have adult porn available in our public schools, so why are we finding persuasive, obscene pornographic images and materials in our schools? In testimony we…