North Dakota Monitor

07/18/2025

The guilty verdict in the Nicole Mitchell case will almost certainly change the makeup of the Minnesota Senate, where Democrats currently hold a 34-33 majority.

A jury on Friday convicted Democratic Sen. Nicole Mitchell of felony burglary and possession of burglary tools, concluding a case that has roiled the closely divided Minnesota Senate for over a year.

07/18/2025

The education funds that will be released total $1.3 billion, according to Democrats on the Senate Appropriations Committee, and are intended for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative.

President Donald Trump’s administration confirmed Friday that it’s releasing funds that support before- and after-school programs as well as summer programs, a portion of the $6.8 billion in withheld funds for K-12 schools that were supposed to be sent out two weeks ago.

07/18/2025

Newly appointed judge Marina Spah has experience in North Dakota’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong appointed attorney Marina Spahr to the bench of the South Central Judicial District on Thursday.

07/18/2025

The bill cuts funding for NPR and PBS, but South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds secured a handshake deal to transfer $9.4 million to Native American radio stations.

The U.S. House cleared legislation just after midnight Friday that will cancel $9 billion in previously approved spending for public broadcasting and foreign aid.

07/18/2025

A lawsuit, claims the North Dakota governor and a few ag associations wield virtually complete control over who ends up on the Beef Commission's board.

A new lawsuit filed by a group of independent North Dakota ranchers alleges that Gov. Kelly Armstrong and private associations have too much power over who serves on the North Dakota Beef Commission’s board.

07/18/2025

Donald Trump's condition is “benign and common” for people above age 70, the president’s physician, wrote in a memo regarding Trump's health.

President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, the White House announced Thursday.

07/17/2025

The rescissions bill will claw back $1.1 billion in previously approved spending for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which contributes funding to NPR, the Public Broadcasting Service and hundreds of local stations throughout the country.

The U.S. Senate agreed to legislation early Thursday that will cancel $9 billion in previously approved funding for public broadcasting and various foreign aid accounts, another victory for the Trump administration.

07/17/2025

GOP members of US Senate including John Hoeven protest Trump freeze of $6.8B in school funding

https://buff.ly/pfj92O8

07/17/2025

North Dakota Ethics Commissioners to evaluate ‘strained’ relationship with Attorney General’s Office

The North Dakota Ethics Commission is looking into whether strongly worded communications from the state Attorney General’s Office have negatively impacted commission staff.

07/17/2025

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday put a temporary freeze on North Dakota’s legislative district map, keeping it in place pending next steps in a tribal voting rights case against the state.

07/16/2025

Prairie Public expects ‘significant hit’ from federal cuts to PBS, NPR. Dollars for three North Dakota Native American radio stations also are at risk, but a deal would protect those stations.

North Dakota-based Prairie Public Broadcasting may look and sound different over the next 12 months if Senate lawmakers proceed with expected funding cuts.

07/16/2025

North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong highlighted the need for permitting reform and flexibility for states to administer federal transportation funding during a U.S. Senate committee hearing in Washington, D.C.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong highlighted the need for permitting reform and flexibility for states to administer federal transportation funding during a U.S. Senate committee hearing in Washington, D.C.