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North Dakota Monitor
Federal government pays $2 billion for farmer discrimination
Tens of thousands of farmers or would-be farmers who say they suffered discrimination when they applied for assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will get one-time payments that total about $2 billion from the federal government. North Dakota has more than 100 recipients. “While this financial assistance is not compensation for anyone’s losses or […]
Gov. Burgum declares summer storm disaster in central North Dakota
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum declared a summer storm disaster for the central part of the state due to severe storms and flooding in the region from June 7 to July 17 in an executive order Wednesday. In a news release, the governor’s office said the National Weather Service reported 6 to 9 inches of […]
Study says undocumented immigrants paid almost $100 billion in taxes
A new study shows that undocumented immigrants paid nearly $100 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue in 2022 while many are shut out of the programs their taxes fund. The findings run counter to anti-immigrant rhetoric that undocumented immigrants are “destroying” social programs. In 40 states, undocumented immigrants paid higher tax rates than […]
Acting president named for Dickinson State University
The executive director of the Dickinson State University Heritage Foundation will be the college’s acting president during the search for an interim president. The State Board of Higher Education named Ty Orton as acting president after meeting in executive session Wednesday. A timeline from the State Board of Higher Education says the interim job will […]
5 growing threats to academic freedom
The ability to teach and conduct research free from political interference is the cornerstone of higher education and its contribution to the public good. Academic freedom, however, has become increasingly threatened. V-Dem Institute, a global research organization that monitors indicators of democracy around the world, determined that academic freedom has “substantially worsened” in the United […]
Industrial Commission delays decision on hiring next North Dakota oil regulator
The Industrial Commission held off on picking North Dakota’s next top oil regulator for another week to 10 days after public interviews of both finalists. “I feel like we’ve got two strong candidates here that are very different, one who’s got a lot of experience on the regulation side, the other one’s got great experience […]
In rare bipartisan vote, U.S. Senate passes package aimed at protecting kids online
This story mentions suicide. If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide, please dial 988 or chat with a live counselor at 988lifeline.org. WASHINGTON — Legislation aimed at protecting children online sailed through the U.S. Senate Tuesday, marking what could be the first update since the late […]
First North Dakotan to fly in space awarded state’s top honor
GRAND FORKS — Jim Buchli credited teamwork as a Marine in Vietnam and at NASA for the opportunity to become the first North Dakotan to fly in space. Buchli on Tuesday officially added another award to his list of accomplishments as the 49th recipient of the Rough Rider Award, North Dakota’s highest honor. “NASA really […]
15 GOP-led states including ND support Trump’s appeal of $355M in NY court fines
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is heading up a coalition of 15 GOP-led states supporting former President Donald Trump in his appeal of court fines ordered in a New York real estate case against him. North Dakota is part of the coalition. New York state court Judge Arthur Engoron in February […]
Ethics Commission seeks public comment on proposed changes to complaint process
The Ethics Commission will host a hearing on proposed changes to its complaint process on Sept. 26. The suggested amendments are minor — they mainly focus on streamlining and clarifying certain parts of the complaint procedure. For example, the changes would extend the amount of time someone can appeal a decision by the board to […]
PSC conference to explore issues around power-hungry data centers
The North Dakota Public Service Commission is holding a conference Thursday on data centers, a controversial topic in the state because of their power consumption, and in some cases, noise. The PSC has no regulatory authority over data centers, unless they are connecting to a regulated utility. But PSC Chair Randy Christmann said that could […]
North Dakota regulators weigh natural gas rate increases
Two North Dakota natural gas utility providers are proposing to increase residential gas rates between 7.5% and 12.5% in coming months after holding public input sessions with the state’s Public Service Commission in July. The increases would affect North Dakota residents who receive natural gas from Northern States Power Company, a part of Xcel Energy, […]
Trial canceled in case challenging North Dakota abortion ban
The lawsuit over North Dakota’s abortion law is no longer set for trial, per a Monday notice issued by South Central District Court Judge Bruce Romanick. The move follows a hearing last week on the state’s motion for summary judgment. “The court will issue its full findings on summary judgment and/or a new notice of […]
Coachman approved as independent governor candidate for November ballot
Michael Coachman, a U.S. Air Force veteran and repeat candidate for state office, will appear on the November ballot as an independent candidate for governor. The Secretary of State’s Office notified Coachman he was approved for the ballot in a July 15 letter. The Larimore resident is running alongside Lydia Gessele of Chaseley, who is […]
Iowa’s six-week abortion ban is now in effect
Many patients seeking abortion care in Iowa in the past few weeks were unaware that the state has banned most abortions beginning Monday, Planned Parenthood staff said. More than six years after the Legislature first attempted to pass the law, abortion became illegal in Iowa, with narrow exceptions, at 8 a.m. Monday. Kristina Remus, a […]
Harris as Democratic nominee likely won’t affect abortion ballot initiatives, organizers say
Vice President Kamala Harris has been outspoken about her support for access to abortion and other reproductive rights for years, holding numerous events as part of President Joe Biden’s administration long before his monumental decision Sunday to exit the race as the party’s nominee for a second term. She made history in April when she […]
New NDSU ag research building a ‘much-needed’ upgrade
FARGO — After walking through the new Peltier Complex on the North Dakota State University campus, state Rep. Paul Thomas recalled a similar tour of Harris Hall, one of the research buildings the new facility replaced. “Walking through this for the first time and seeing the contrast of what our research community was operating in, […]
States pledged hundreds of troops and spent millions to help Texas at the border so far this year
More than a dozen Republican governors gathered in Eagle Pass in February, heeding a call from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to confront what he labeled “President Joe Biden’s border crisis.” The governors, along with other GOP state leaders, vowed to send another round of National Guard troops from their states to the Texas-Mexico border. With […]
Eagle Pass residents have mixed feelings about sharing their city with the National Guard
EAGLE PASS, Texas — From a shaded bench off Main Street, next to the city park the state of Texas seized in January for its border operations, Jessie Fuentes sometimes likes to count the number of humvees, Department of Public Safety SUVs and unmarked trucks driven by uniformed soldiers that pass him. Often, Fuentes said, […]
Trump hones attacks on Harris at St. Cloud rally as he seeks to flip Minnesota red
ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Former President Donald Trump had new material on Vice President Kamala Harris for thousands of cheering supporters in St. Cloud on Saturday evening at a rally with his running mate, Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D Vance. Trump called Harris — the likely Democratic nominee for president since President Joe Biden ended his […]
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