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In North Dakota's upcoming June 11th primary election, nearly 70 legislative races are on the ballot. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

ND spring election: Local races round out ballots

Voters are consistently reminded to pay attention to local elections. But in 2024, North Dakota groups are stressing that message even more with …

Leading up to a 2023 vote to overhaul its pension system, North Dakota had an underfunded liability approaching $2 billion. (Adobe Stock)

National report issues cautionary tale after ND pension overhaul

CLARIFICATION: North Dakota will be closing its main public pension plan next year. An earlier version of this story did not indicate that several …

North Dakota is one of 20 states still at the federal minimum wage level of $7.25 an hour. The other 30 have base levels ranging from $8.75 to $16. (Adobe Stock)

Minimum wage policy still varies across U.S.

Bills are pending in Congress to boost the federal minimum wage, which remains at $7.25 an hour. Separately, many states increased their wage …

North Dakota's Government Services legislative committee said lower-income households are<br />expected to increase by 2025 across the state, putting more pressure on stakeholders to remove affordable housing barriers. (Adobe Stock)

ND panel gets detailed view of homelessness around the state

North Dakota's affordable housing gaps came into focus at a public hearing yesterday. A legislative committee, tasked with studying the issue…

Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act has been a central component for Native American tribes in North Dakota to successfully challenge political boundaries drawn by the Legislature. But other court rulings have weakened enforcement of the law, spurring the state to appeal. (Adobe Stock)

Legal wrangling continues over redistricting for ND tribal areas

CLARIFICATION: North Dakota Native Vote Board Chair Wes Davis isn't opposed to having all affected tribes in the same district. His comment …

While they scored some gains in the most recent redistricting process, North Dakota tribal advocates say legislative boundaries often dilute the voting power of Native Americans. (Adobe Stock)

ND tribal advocates: Community work matters in redistricting cases

North Dakota is one step closer to getting a full sense of how the courts view redistricting challenges in tribal areas. Legal representatives say …

Given the more challenging environment facing election administrators, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission has enhanced outreach efforts, such as establishing National Poll Worker Recruitment Day a few years ago, in hopes of recruiting more poll workers. (Adobe Stock)

ND film screening aims to highlight contributions from election workers

This coming Saturday, North Dakotans will get a chance to see how election workers go to great lengths to ensure a safe and secure voting process…

It has been nearly four years since North Dakota reached a settlement with Native American tribes over its Voter ID law, but advocates say there are still barriers for tribal members who want to cast a ballot. (Adobe Stock)

As 2024 vote looms, ND Tribal advocates ramp up outreach

While North Dakota does not have voter registration, civic engagement groups say efforts are still needed to help underserved populations get …

Around the country, surprise rental fees for things like trash removal, have garnered more attention amid the affordable housing crisis. (Adobe Stock)

'Move Out' Fees for Immigrant Renters in ND Draw Scrutiny

As refugees and immigrant families try to carve out new futures in North Dakota, aid groups said some people are having their lives upended by …

In its most recent session, the North Dakota Legislature advanced nearly a dozen bills deemed hostile towards the LGBTQ community, including several new laws that advocates say unfairly target transgender students. (Adobe Stock)

ND Schools Prep for Laws Targeting Transgender Students

North Dakota school districts are making final preparations for the new academic year. But there are questions about what the environment will be …

People speaking up for reproductive rights claim calls by Republican attorneys general, for law enforcement to still have access to medical records for out-of-state abortion care, not only want it to pursue potential criminal investigations but also to scare women from seeking abortions. (Adobe Stock)

Concern Lingers Over Privacy Rule Opposition Regarding Abortion Care

Civil rights advocates in North Dakota hope the federal government keeps pursuing plans to expand privacy protections for patients seeking out-of-stat…

The lack of broadband infrastructure has been seen as a huge barrier for rural Americans to access high-speed internet. But advocates say in areas where internet is available, monthly costs can be another burden. (Adobe Stock)

Giving Low-Income North Dakotans a Hand with Internet Costs

North Dakota will soon boost its infrastructure for high-speed internet, thanks to the latest federal subsidy. In the meantime, low-income households …

Several groups representing Native American college students say the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to largely remove affirmative action from college admissions is

Tribal Education Groups Respond to SCOTUS Ruling on Admissions

Advocates for underrepresented college students continue to assess the fallout from last week's U.S. Supreme Court decision dealing with affirmative …

Native American advocates say this week's Supreme Court decision to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act ultimately protects tribal culture and heritage by ensuring there will be continued efforts to keep Native children in their community environments if they're considered for adoption or foster care. (Adobe Stock)

Tribal Advocates Feel 'Relief' After SCOTUS ICWA Ruling

Tribal advocates are cheering a U.S. Supreme Court decision Thursday which allows a landmark law dealing with child welfare cases to stand. It …

According to the Trevor Project, 16% of LGBTQ youth report they had slept away from parents or caregivers because they ran away from home, with more than half citing mistreatment or fear of mistreatment due to their LGBTQ identity. (Adobe Stock)

Feds Launch Housing Access Effort for LGBTQ Youth

Pride Month serves as a celebration of the LGTBQ community, but it also can raise awareness of challenges these individuals face. That includes youth …

Smaller and mid-sized farms say due to market concentration and supply-chain issues within agriculture have made it much harder to get their foods to various markets, including schools and restaurants within their own regions. (Adobe Stock)

ND Farm Communities See Brighter Path with Food Business Centers

Rural development leaders say getting healthy, locally grown food to underserved areas is a challenge in states like North Dakota. They hope a new …

Native American advocates in Bismarck say new housing development is often built in communities separated from their populations, and a lot of infrastructure funding goes to improve those areas, leaving older neighborhoods to deteriorate. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed HUD Rule Underscores Housing Access Woes in ND

Public comment is winding down for a proposed federal rule on inclusive affordable housing. Native American voices in North Dakota's capital city …

Facilities manager Wes Davis at Turtle Mountain Community College is at work at his desk. A miniature wind turbine sits on its surface. (Photo by Jessica Plance/Homegrown Stories)

A Vision for Tribal Sovereignty Through Sustainable Energy

By Jessica Plance for Homegrown Stories via The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Prairie News Service for the Public News Service/Daily…

Last fall, the American Library Association said the number of attempts to ban or restrict library resources in schools, universities and public libraries was on track to exceed record counts from 2021. (Adobe Stock)

ND Enters Fray Surrounding Content Ban for Libraries

North Dakota is expected to see continued debate in the coming weeks over a plan to ban certain items from public libraries. While the plan has its …

The NLRB is responsible for administering and enforcing the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

ND Union Voices: More Funding Needed for NLRB

With a wave of unionization sweeping across America, the agency that oversees labor relations is struggling to keep up. Union leaders in North Dakota …

In examining two North Dakota tribal communities, a new data project says the average length voters have to travel to cast their ballot is 60 miles. (Adobe Stock)

ND Tribal Advocates Say Numbers Don't Lie in Voting Barriers

Native Americans have long faced barriers when it comes to voting, and a new North Dakota data project adds another layer to the arguments for access …

North Dakota voters have rejected past efforts to legalize marijuana, but state lawmakers have taken steps to reduce the burden of minor offenses. (Adobe Stock)

North Dakota Has Complex Legal Dynamic Surrounding Marijuana Convictions

Marijuana policy is back at the forefront in North Dakota and on the national level. It has sparked questions about barriers created by low-level …

Leaders of tribal colleges say Native American students face greater barriers in completing a degree and starting a career. An emerging apprenticeship program is designed to remove some of those barriers. (Adobe Stock)

ND Tribal Colleges: Apprenticeship Donations Big Help

Tribal colleges across North Dakota are now making plans to boost apprentice opportunities with a $14 million donation. The money was donated by a …

Not only has inflation created more economic gaps in tribal areas, food experts say it also has sent the cost of things like wild rice soaring. And that has limited access to these staples for Natives living in larger cities, too. (Adobe Stock)

Economic Pressure Builds Ahead of Elections in Tribal Areas

The economy is usually a big topic during elections. With the midterms near, recent inflation woes are especially felt in tribal areas, and …

Domestic violence experts say it can take seven attempts for a victim to permanently leave their situation. (Adobe Stock)

ND Groups Navigate Challenges to Expand Crime Victim Aid

Non-profits assisting North Dakota crime victims are trying to maintain services they've been building in recent years. As demand reaches pre-…

Native Americans, who are now in court in response to North Dakota's redistricting efforts, say not prioritizing public hearings on tribal lands contributed to the issues seen with the maps that were approved. (Adobe Stock)

New Activity in ND Redistricting Lawsuits about Tribal Lands

July 1 is the next scheduled hearing date for a pair of lawsuits tied to North Dakota's redistricting process. The legal issue is political …

For North Dakota's public colleges, average tuition fees are around $8,260 per year. (Adobe Stock)

ND Higher Education Still Affordable, But Accessibility Work Continues

North Dakota is among the top five states for college affordability. That ranking is in a new national report, and higher-education officials say …

Those calling for health equity in North Dakota say there needs to be more of a human focus, such as addressing a patient's living environment, in establishing better outcomes. (Adobe Stock)

Overcoming Social, Structural Barriers to Health Care in ND

National rankings found North Dakota's health care system does well in terms of overall performance, but access and affordability are problem areas…

Over the past year, school boards and certain state legislatures have seen growing debate over what is taught in public schools, including the nation's legacy of systemic racism. (Adobe Stock)

ND's Intersection of CRT Ban and Black History Month

During Black History Month, North Dakota teachers highlight the work of iconic figures, like Martin Luther King, Jr. But the state is also one of …

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

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' …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

In addition to calls for more inclusion of Native Americans, North Dakota lawmakers are facing demands to not draw new political maps behind closed doors. (Adobe Stock)

ND Activists: Lack of Tribal Inclusion in Redistricting Runs Deep

BISMARCK, N.D. - As redistricting takes shape in North Dakota, lawmakers are pressured to give tribal communities a fair shake in the process…

An estimated 103,000 North Dakotans are considered eligible for services provided by legal-aid groups. (Adobe Stock)

Slow Pace of Funding Worries Legal Aid Groups

MINOT, N.D. -- Groups that provide free legal assistance to low-income Americans warn stagnant funding could hinder their work. The nonprofits…

At the North Dakota capitol this year, the transgender sports bill is among legislation that saw the most spirited debate. (Adobe Stock)

Pressure on Burgum to Veto Transgender Sports Bill

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota's governor faces growing calls to reject legislation that would bar transgender student athletes from playing on …

Long celebrated by African Americans, Juneteenth often is viewed as an overlooked moment in U.S. history. (Adobe Stock)

ND Moves Closer to Recognizing Juneteenth as Holiday

BISMARCK, N.D. -- The North Dakota Legislature has sent the governor a bill that would recognize Juneteenth as a ceremonial holiday. Supporters say …

Bills that would restrict transgender students from competing in high school sports have surfaced in several states this spring, including North Dakota. (Adobe Stock)

LGBTQ Advocates: Our Voices Ignored in Transgender Sports Debate

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota lawmakers have been revising a controversial bill concerning transgender students competing in high school sports…

The latest federal stimulus package approved by the U.S. House sets aside $20 million for assistance groups to address fair-housing complaints. (Adobe Stock)

ND Groups: Federal COVID Relief Can't Come Soon Enough

FARGO, N.D. -- The focus of a new federal COVID relief package has now shifted to the U.S. Senate. Groups that assist and advocate for struggling …

In 2012, the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program was added in North Dakota. While a key focus is helping Veterans find stable housing, a new service helps them navigate health care. (Adobe Stock)

ND Group Helps Low-Income Veterans Navigate Health Care

FARGO, N.D. - A North Dakota group is now working to help low-income military Veterans find their way through the complex maze of health coverage…

In addition to her historic nomination for Joe Biden's cabinet, Rep. Deb Haaland, D-New Mexico, made history in being one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress in 2018. (House.gov)

ND Tribal Communities Hopeful About Interior Secretary Nomination

CANNON BALL, N.D. -- Spiritual and cultural connections to land are among the core beliefs of Native Americans, and North Dakota advocates feel they …

The pandemic has reignited debate across the country about the importance of paid family leave. In North Dakota, a legislative effort aims to establish a program that would protect workers after the crisis has subsided. (Adobe Stock)

Paid-Leave Proposal Resurfaces in ND Legislature

BISMARCK, N.D. - The weight of the pandemic is being felt by many North Dakota families, and supporters of a statewide paid-leave program are pushing …

Deb Jenkins has operated a catering business in Fargo since 1994. (Photo courtesy Fargo INC)

Black Business Owners: Continued Support Crucial in 2021

FARGO, N.D. -- The holiday shopping season is mostly done. But those advocating for Black business owners say people should still keep them in mind …

Some North Dakota employers are being honored this week for welcoming people living with disabilities into their workforce. They say these workers bring a lot to the table, and many have the ability to work from home. (Adobe Stock)

Agency Urges Hiring More ND Workers with Disabilities

MINOT, N.D. - In North Dakota, a state agency worries that people with disabilities are being overlooked in a tight job market, as business …

Experts advise using compassion if the conversation veers into difficult political territory around this year's holiday dinner table. (Adobe Stock)

Working Around Misinformation During Holiday Chats

FARGO, N.D. - Holiday conversations can be stressful, especially in a year filled with misinformation about the election, the pandemic and racial …

In AARP polling in battleground states, voters over 50 have said Social Security, Medicare and prescription drug prices will be important factors when making their election decisions. (Adobe Stock)

Social Security, Prescription Drug Costs Key Topics Ahead of ND Debates

BISMARCK, N.D. - Throughout October, AARP North Dakota and Prairie Public Broadcasting team up to co-host a series of debates for various political …

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ND: Social Justice