North Dakota News & Current Events

North Dakota has seven community action agencies spread across the state. They offer a number of programs, including Head Start. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 6, 2021

ND Head Start Programs Encounter Enrollment Issues

FARGO, N.D. - As North Dakota families navigate the latest phase of the pandemic, community action agencies worry the crisis is affecting parents' …

When considering whether to buy something online, fraud experts say you should look for red flags such as spelling errors or a lack of a privacy policy. (Adobe Stock)

Fraud Experts: Slow Down and Research Before Making Holiday Purchases

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Over the coming weeks, North Dakotans will be clicking the "purchase" button as they order holiday gifts online, and fraud experts …

According to an annual survey, 20% of Americans could not name any branches of government. (Adobe Stock)

Civics Knowledge Cloud Hangs Over Constitutional Debates

FARGO, N.D. -- The U.S. Supreme Court today takes up arguments in a high-stakes abortion case. It coincides with divisive arguments over voter fraud…

A new report says among responding districts, only 8% of North Dakota schools have LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum. (Adobe Stock)

ND Report Illustrates School-Related Issues for LGBTQ Youth

FARGO, N.D. -- A new report details how North Dakota students who identify as LGBTQ+ often struggle with the environment within their schools…

Since 2017, North Dakota has had around 1,500 children younger than 18 living in foster care annually. (Adobe Stock)

New ND Group Fills Void in Helping Kids Avoid Foster Care System

DICKINSON, N.D. -- Efforts continue in North Dakota to carry out programs put in limbo by this year's closing of Lutheran Social Services (LSS)…

In 2020, Donald Trump overwhelmingly won the state of North Dakota, but some state GOP lawmakers say there's still the need to push for election reforms. (Adobe Stock)

A Year After 2020 Vote, Fraud Rhetoric Still Lingers in ND

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota's special session is getting attention for issues outside the original agenda. Some lawmakers are pushing for changes …

In addition to roads and bridges, labor leaders say the new infrastructure bill approved by Congress allows for work on other needs, such as adding more capacity to electric grids. (Adobe Stock)

ND Unions Applaud Infrastructure Bill Passage

FARGO, N.D. -- Labor leaders said North Dakota is poised to benefit from a boost in federal infrastructure spending, after the public works package …

Voter advocates say organized national groups are influencing political divisiveness in states such as North Dakota, forcing lawmakers to diver their attention from more pressing matters. (Adobe Stock)

Ahead of Special Session, ND Lawmakers Urged Not to Get Sidetracked

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota lawmakers kick off a special session Monday, intended to be brief, so they can approve new political maps. But voter …

Nationally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says there continues to be a slow decline in the number of farming operations. (Adobe Stock)

Protecting the Family Farm Focus of Virtual Event

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Family farms are navigating a maze of market barriers and threats from climate change. While solutions develop, some say producers …

Weather forecasters say states such as North Dakota could see below-average temperatures at various points this winter, adding to concerns about higher home heating bills. (Adobe Stock)

North Dakotans Urged to Plan for Higher Heating Bills

BISMARCK, N.D. -- A recent dip in temperatures likely prompted many North Dakotans to start cranking up the heat. With natural-gas prices expected …

An annual North Dakota program, where hunters donate their haul to food shelves, usually nets about 2,000 pounds of meat. But it saw higher numbers last year. (Adobe Stock)

ND Hunters Could Spell Relief Amid Higher Grocery Bills

FARGO, N.D. -- In its latest Food Price Outlook, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said rising food costs might not level off until next year…

State health officials say there are an estimated 82,082 North Dakotans between ages 5 and 11. COVID vaccines for this group are expected in November. (Adobe Stock)

ND Lays Groundwork for Kids' COVID Vaccine Rollout

BISMARCK, N.D. -- The North Dakota Department of Health said, pending final federal approval, COVID-19 vaccinations for kids ages five to 11 could be …

Child-care advocates say if North Dakota doesn't boost funding for the system, more families might pull out of the workforce because of access issues. (Adobe Stock)

ND Leaders Urged to Think Big on Child-Care Spending

BISMARCK, N.D. - A portion of American Rescue Plan funding sent to North Dakota has yet to be divvied up. Groups that want to improve the child-care …

Natural-resource advocates and other groups are urging North Dakota to move on from fossil fuels, while state leaders say industries such as coal need more investment to adapt their technologies. (Adobe Stock)

Fresh Off Granholm Meeting, ND Renewable-Energy Officials Talk Vision

BELCOURT, N.D. -- Renewable-energy advocates in North Dakota are hoping for more federal support to advance projects, after a key meeting with a …

A recent analysis found that states in the western half of the U.S. are likely to bear the brunt of U.S. Postal Service cutbacks. (Adobe Stock)

ND Among Rural States Poised for Mail Delivery Gaps

BISMARCK, N.D. -- The majority of North Dakota's counties are rural. Opponents of new U.S. Postal Service standards argued it spells trouble for the …

Advocates say people with Down syndrome are engaging in more activities, including sports and exercise, thanks to better intervention programs and forms of therapy. (Adobe Stock)

Down Syndrome: Focus on Accomplishments, Not Assumptions

FARGO, N.D. - People with Down syndrome are having a bigger impact on society, and their advocates in the Dakota region say it's time for the public …

More than 133,000 North Dakotans are currently enrolled in Medicare. (Adobe Stock)

Kicking the Tires on Your Medicare Plan

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Older North Dakotans are being bombarded with reminders about Medicare enrollment. While it is tempting to block out some messaging…

North Dakota has nearly 1,700 active lawyers, but a report says most are centered in urban areas. A majority of the state's 53 counties have 5 or fewer lawyers. (Adobe Stock)

Is ND Turning Into a Legal Desert?

MINOT, N.D. - North Dakota has just had a new class of attorneys admitted to the state bar. But some in the legal community feel there aren't enough …

Commodity prices are higher, but advocates for smaller farmers contend that consolidation still allows a handful of corporations to reap a lot of the benefits. (Adobe Stock)

New Campaign Aims to Take Bite Out of Big Ag

JAMESTOWN, N.D. -- Actions continue in Washington, DC, to address longstanding market fairness issues within agriculture, but those behind a new …

A recent national survey found a higher proportion of teachers reported frequent job-related stress and depression than the general adult population. (Adobe Stock)

ND Teachers' Advocates Renew Concerns Over Recruitment Barriers

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota has a new Teacher of the Year. Educators say awards take on new meaning in the pandemic, but more support is needed to …

North Dakota's redistricting committee meets next week on Tues., Sept. 28, and Wed., Sept. 29, and could make additional changes to a new voting-district map that advanced this week. (Adobe Stock)

ND Group: Redistricting Process Moving Too Fast

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota lawmakers in charge of redistricting have approved a preliminary draft of new legislative boundaries, but voters' …

Over the past two decades, North Dakota has resettled 115 Afghan refugees. (Adobe Stock)

Compassion, Education Urged as ND Prepares for Afghan Refugees

FARGO, N.D. -- In the near future, North Dakota is poised to help resettle 49 Afghan evacuees who fled their home country after the U.S. military …

Since 2016, job vacancies have trended upward in North Dakota, going from fewer than 14,000 to nearly 18,000 over a five-year period. (Adobe Stock)

ND Labor Group: Federal Plans Can Help With Job-Recruitment Barriers

MANDAN, N.D. -- North Dakota has had nearly 18,000 job openings in recent months, with roughly 1,000 in construction. A labor leader in the trades …

In 2017, the Election Assistance Commission reported that nearly 60% of poll workers are at least 61 years of age. During the pandemic, that has resulted in more shortages for election offices due to health risks. (Adobe Stock)

Ahead of 2022, ND Auditors Ponder Poll Workers, Mail-In Voting

CROSBY, N.D. -- North Dakota's county auditors are busy this fall preparing property tax bills, but they also have elections in the back of their …

Over the past year, Community Action Partnership of North Dakota says 611 weatherization jobs were carried out across the state, along with more than 1,200 emergency furnace repairs. (Adobe Stock)

Beyond Road Repairs, Infrastructure Bill Boosts Home Weatherization

FARGO, N.D. -- This month, Congress could give final approval to a $1 trillion infrastructure bill. With cold weather on the horizon, there could be …

During the pandemic, Community Health Centers in the U.S. reached 70,000 more elderly patients and a higher proportion of rural patients than they had before. (Adobe Stock)

Community Health Centers Go Hyper-Local in Vaccination Outreach

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota's governor and health-care leaders want residents to take COVID-19 seriously to prevent the snowball effects of the …

Grassroots organizations say thanks to widely available software, the public can apply more pressure to state-level redistricting committees to create fair political maps. (Adobe Stock)

Got Your Pen Handy? ND Residents Urged to Submit Redistricting Maps

BISMARCK, N.D. -- "Do-it-yourself projects" are usually associated with home improvements, and as redistricting unfolds in North Dakota, voter …

Police department parking lots and their video surveillance often are used as safe trading spots for people completing a transaction that began online. (Adobe Stock)

Police in ND: Avoid a Ripoff When Trading Items in Person

WEST FARGO, N.D. - West Fargo is the latest North Dakota city to offer "safe" trading spaces for online transactions. While not all communities …

More than 64,000 North Dakotans are children younger than age 6. More than 70% have parents in the workforce. (Adobe Stock)

Report: ND Should Think of Child Care as Infrastructure

JAMESTOWN, N.D. -- A new report showed affordable and accessible child care remains an issue for North Dakota families. It is prompting calls for …

Advocates say failures by policymakers to address climate change are a breach of their obligation to protect the human rights of all people. (Adobe Stock)

ND Voices: Climate Change a Human Rights Issue

FARGO, N.D. -- From smoky air to extreme drought, scientists say the visible effects of climate change are surfacing just about everywhere. In North …

In North Dakota, more than 90% of nursing-home residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, compared with just 64% of staff. (Adobe Stock)

As Variants Spread, Vaccination Pressure Builds for Nursing-Home Staffs

BISMARCK, N.D. - Amid a COVID-19 resurgence, advocates are calling on nursing homes to require that all staff members get vaccinated. Both nationally …

During the industrial era, the U.N. says, methane emissions have accounted for nearly 30% of global warming. (Adobe Stock)

U.N. Report Reinforces Methane Concerns in ND

MANDAREE, N.D. -- The climate-change threat has been described as a "code red for humanity" as part of a new United Nations report on global warming…

Of the 36 states that have adopted voter identification laws, nearly 10 of them are considered strict by the National Conference of State Legislatures. (Adobe Stock)

Voter ID Plans Take Center Stage in Election Policy Debates

BISMARCK, N.D. - Efforts to enact voting restrictions continue, months after the 2020 presidential election. Voter ID requirements are being floated …

The Fargo Board of Education has nine members, four of whom currently face a potential recall election. (Adobe Stock)

ND Watchdog: Rash of School Board Recalls "Wasteful"

FARGO, N.D. -- The people behind efforts to recall four Fargo School Board members have until August 25th to collect signatures. Ahead of that …

Supporters of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act say if it can't clear the Senate, they hope certain provisions will be included in spending-related measures. (Adobe Stock)

ND Labor Groups: PRO Act Is About Accountability

MINOT, N.D. -- Many arguments are being floated about legislation before Congress that would bring big changes to U.S. labor laws. The bill has its …

Industry observers say just four companies control nearly 80% of all the beef slaughtered in the United States. Advocates for livestock producers say it affects their bottom line. (Adobe Stock)

Through USDA Efforts, Ranchers Flex Some Selling Muscle

JAMESTOWN, N.D. -- The beef or chicken you buy from the grocery store is often processed by the same small number of companies. Advocates for …

Community Action Partnership of North Dakota says those eligible for emergency federal rental aid can get help with their application with a trained counselor in person or over the phone. (Adobe Stock)

Application Counselors to the Rescue - Rental Aid at Stake

FARGO, N.D. -- North Dakota is reaching out to those who have fallen behind on their rent due to the pandemic and may not know there's help. …

In late June, the Biden administration launched a plan to spur states to more quickly distribute emergency rental aid that has been slow to reach some areas. (Adobe Stock)

Rental Assistance Stunted by Connection Gap in ND

BISMARCK, N.D. -- A federal eviction moratorium ends July 31, but states like North Dakota are still flush with emergency rental assistance tied to …

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 15 states have term limits for legislators. (Adobe Stock)

ND Term-Limits Plan Could Give More Power to Lobbyists

BISMARCK, N.D. - Next year, North Dakota voters could be asked to consider a plan often floated as a way to shake up traditional politics. Term …

A new report says 41% of North Dakota counties receive property tax revenue from wind farms. (Adobe Stock)

Windonomics 101: Measuring Financial Side of ND's Wind Energy

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota has seen major growth in wind energy, but turbines help with more than just power supplies, according to new research …

For decades, farmers have called on the USDA to take antitrust action against what they say is anticompetitive behavior in consolidated ag markets. (Adobe Stock)

ND Farmers: Antitrust Work Needs to Result in Votes

JAMESTOWN, N.D. -- Voices for North Dakota farmers feel they're only at the halfway point in seeing more fairness within agriculture markets…

Lung-scarring injuries and various types of cancers caused by exposure to asbestos were, in many cases, not diagnosed for many years after the exposure took place. (Adobe Stock)

ND Law Change Prompts Urgency in Asbestos Screenings

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Opponents of a new North Dakota law, which places restrictions on suing companies over asbestos exposure, say time is running out …

An annual well-being report said roughly 15,000 North Dakota children lacked health-care coverage leading up to the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

ND Children's Report Looks Good on Surface, But Concerns Lurk Beneath

FARGO, N.D. -- North Dakota ranks first in the U.S. when it comes to economic stability for children, according to an annual report measuring child …

Long celebrated by African Americans, Juneteenth often is viewed as an overlooked moment in U.S. history. But it's now a recognized holiday in North Dakota, and the 12th federal holiday. (Adobe Stock)

'Our Independence Day': Juneteenth Has New Meaning in ND

FARGO, N.D. -- North Dakotans will gather in Fargo and Grand Forks tomorrow to celebrate Juneteenth, which recognizes the end of slavery. With the …

Last year, blood donation centers were trying to reassure the public that giving blood was safe during the pandemic. Now, as the people return to pre-pandemic life, they're asking to help curb the nation's blood shortage. (Adobe Stock)

National Blood Shortage Hits ND Centers

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - A perfect storm is putting a strain on blood-bank supplies in North Dakota and around the country. It's a combination of trauma …

From transportation to housing, Bismarck is resetting its vision for the city's livability factors, hearing from older residents. (Adobe Stock)

Is Your City Age-Friendly? Bismarck Tackles That Question

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Bismarck is laying out its vision for future planning. As ideas come together, it has become the first North Dakota city to adopt a …

When it's extremely hot, energy-efficiency experts say even just raising your thermostat a degree or two during certain times can help reduce grid demand. (Adobe Stock)

Before Cranking Up the AC, Think of the Energy Burden

BISMARCK, N.D. - It's been tempting for North Dakota residents to blast their air conditioners during the early-summer heat wave. With hot and sticky …

Fargo's proposed hate-crime ordinance would center around three existing underlying crimes, including criminal mischief, harassment and simple assault. (Adobe Stock)

Fargo Considers Proposed Hate-Crime Law

FARGO, N.D. -- Efforts to adopt a statewide hate-crime bill stalled in the North Dakota Legislature this year, but there's some action at the local …

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