SPENDING Archives - KVRR Local News

North Dakota Commerce to eliminate extra legislative session pay as state begins DOGE effort

July 31, 2025

KVRR Staff,

Chris Schilken, commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Commerce, speaks during a meeting of the Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency on July 30, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota Department of Commerce immediately identified a cost saving Wednesday during the first meeting of the state’s DOGE task force – eliminating bonuses…

Protesters Gather Outside Fishbach’s Office After ‘Yes’ Vote on Bill

The demonstration largely focused on potential cuts to Medicaid, but also mentioned the ways it will hurt society as a whole.

July 9, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – Labor union members and other concerned citizens began their protest outside Rep. Michelle Fischbach’s Moorhead office at about 12:30 on July 9. Fishbach was one of four Congressional members representing Minnesota who voted yes on President Trump’s budget bill. Protesters came from all points on the political spectrum – like Jessica Cain, who voted for Trump…

$60 Million in Utility Spending Tied To Feb. 2021 Storm Rejected By MPUC

August 11, 2022

TJ Nelson,

ST. PAUL (KVRR) — Minnesota Public Utilities Commission rejects nearly $60 million in utility gas spending. They ruled that the utilities themselves will have to cover the costs they incurred during a February 2021 winter storm that caused the price of natural gas to skyrocket. The commission agreed with the state’s attorney general that the utilities made imprudent decisions that…

North Dakota panel endorses changes to law that limits spending

September 21, 2021

Jim Monk,

BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota lawmakers have moved to raise the threshold on new legislation that limits spending of federal money by a governor-led panel. The law was passed shortly before the Republican-led Legislature adjourned in April. The legislation came after the Emergency Commission, headed by GOP Gov. Doug Burgum, largely determined how to spend $1.2 billion in federal coronavirus…

Military Pay Raises And Funding For ND Military Missions Passes Senate

Bill Now Goes To The U.S. House

July 23, 2020

TJ Nelson,

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Service members are closer to getting a three percent pay raise. It’s included in the latest National Defense Authorization Act which was just passed by the Senate. The bill includes funding for a number of North Dakota defense missions. It restricts the retirement of the global hawk at Grand Forks Air Force Base and provides for B-52…

Garth Brooks Week Begins in Sioux Falls, Economic Impact Expected at Over $12 Million

The Sioux Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates the local economic impact of Garth Brooks' performances during the next two weekends at $12.5 million

September 11, 2017

TJ Nelson,

SIOUX FALLS, SD — When the best-selling male artist of all time comes to town, you know you are about to see the cash roll in. The Sioux Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates the local economic impact of Garth Brooks’ performances during the next two weekends at $12.5 million. The singer has nine shows scheduled Sept. 15-17 and…

ND Tribal Colleges Contribute Nearly $200 Million to Economy

The North Dakota Association of Tribal Colleges asked for the study to learn the impact of the colleges on the state

September 1, 2017

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FARGO, ND — An NDSU study shows the state’s tribal colleges helped boost the economy in the 2016 fiscal year. The study states the five tribal colleges contributed $190 million to North Dakota’s economy. Researchers also looked at the social and economic effects of education as well as the state and local impacts of higher education spending and student…

Senator Heitkamp Working to Crack Down on Secret Campaign Spending

It's already illegal for foreign nationals or governments to contribute to campaigns in the U.S., and this bill would help make sure those laws are followed

July 24, 2017

TJ Nelson,

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A group of U.S. Senators is going after secret campaign spending. Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota helped reintroduce the DISCLOSE Act. It would require tax-exempt groups and super PACs that spend money on elections to disclose their spending as well as their major individual sources of funding over $10,000. It’s already illegal for foreign nationals or…