North Dakota News & Current Events

A bill to relax restrictions under North Dakota's Anti-Corporate Farming Law saw its first committee hearing in the state Legislature this month. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Renewed Debate Over ND's Anti-Corporate Farming Law Underway

For the second time in nearly a decade, North Dakota is considering changes to a longstanding law that blocks corporate ownership of farms. With …

Some North Dakota lawmakers say the state's voting process needs a citizenship requirement, but opponents say it is a solution in search of a problem. (Adobe Stock)

Voter Citizenship Bill in ND Stokes Fears About Accessibility

Another hearing is expected in the next couple of weeks on a controversial election policy bill in North Dakota. The plans call for requiring proof …

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 …

This year's debate over school funding in North Dakota is expected to consider formula changes to deal with declining enrollment. (gpointstudio/freepik)

ND Education Funding Debate Comes Into Focus

Teachers and their advocates said a proposed funding increase for North Dakota's public schools looks promising, but they hope lawmakers take it a …

Crickets are now being used in some types of pet food as an alternative source of protein. (Adobe Stock)

Taking the 'Bark' Out of Carbon Emissions Linked to Pet Food Production

By Claire Elise Thompson for Grist.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Prairie News Service reporting for the Grist-Public News Service Collaboration …

North Dakota's High Plains Fair Housing Center says it received 498 intake calls related to housing discrimination in 2022. That compares with 324 in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

ND Group Reports Spike in Housing Discrimination Calls

The U.S. is seeing record numbers of housing-discrimination complaints filed by consumers, and North Dakota is among the states where calls for help …

North Dakota lawmakers meet in regular session every other year. The 2023 session began this week. (Adobe Stock)

ND's New Native American Lawmakers Lay Out Priorities

More than two dozen new members are serving in the North Dakota House as the legislative session takes shape, and two newly elected Native American …

Last fall, a ballot measure calling for term limits in North Dakota passed with 63% of voters supporting the idea. That means the governor and state lawmakers in Bismarck will now have limits on how long they can serve. (Adobe Stock)

ND Kicks Off New Session with Term Limits in Place

North Dakota lawmakers returned to Bismarck this week for a new legislative session, but there is a twist: Term limits are now in place after voters …

In an era of skyrocketing housing costs, a manageable budget might seem out of reach for low-income households. But certain community action agencies can help with financial planning if housing expenses are overwhelming. (Adobe Stock)

Making Houshold Budgets Work for Low-Income North Dakotans

The transition to a new year often has people thinking about new goals. For those struggling to get by, their hopes for 2023 are more about survival…

On January 24th, AARP will lead advocacy day at North Dakota's state capitol, in hopes of getting more focus on issues such as prescription drug costs. (Adobe Stock)

ND Lawmakers Urged to Look at Drug Costs, Fraud Restitution

North Dakota lawmakers are scheduled to return to Bismarck early next month. They'll hear calls to help older residents, with the cost of …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) can affect the ambient air quality of a community. (Adobe Stock)

ND's Anti-Corporate Farming Law Faces New Fight Over Ownership Rules

Gov. Doug Burgum wants amendments to North Dakota's anti-corporate farming law, arguing certain rules make it harder to boost livestock production…

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 …

Over the past couple years, education experts say school board meetings and candidate races have increasingly become volatile as so-called

LWV on ND Session: School Board Races, Early Voting Policy Eyed

The midterm elections are in the rearview mirror, but some North Dakotans are looking ahead to the legislative session as they monitor possible …

A national advocacy group says three-quarters of women in the United States who are entering the workforce will be pregnant and employed at some point of their lives. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Clock Ticking on Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Protections are in place in North Dakota and at the federal level to prevent discrimination against pregnant workers. But advocates say these women …

The North Dakota Child Care Action Alliance recommends the state commit $150 million in annual funding to supplement the wages of current workers and the anticipated need for additional child-care staff. (Adobe Stock)

Better Wages Highlight Latest ND Child-Care Plan

When North Dakota lawmakers reconvene next month, they'll have a host of recommendations for improving child care to consider, including a new policy …

About 1 in 44 children has been identified as being on the autism spectrum, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

ND's Autism Task Force Seeks Input

North Dakota has a new survey online seeking information on how to better address the needs of people with autism. Right now, state officials admit …

If it secures all the necessary permits and land agreements, Summit Carbon Solutions says it hopes to have its multi-state underground carbon pipeline operational sometime in 2024. (Adobe Stock)

Local Ordinances Enter Carbon Pipeline Debate

There's a new dynamic in the fight over a proposed carbon pipeline for North Dakota and other Midwestern states. Counties are exploring drafting …

Despite the recent end to federal abortion protections, several states that followed through with strict bans have seen them put on hold through court challenges. (Adobe Stock)

ND Supreme Court Hears Arguments Tied to Abortion Law

The legal fight over North Dakota's abortion ban continues, and oral arguments about one element of the case were heard by the state Supreme Court …

There are only 350 black-footed ferrets remaining in the wild, according to a conservation group working with governments, nonprofits and private landowners to maintain and expand recovery sites for the animal. (Adobe Stock)

North Dakota's Wild Turkeys: Success Model for Threatened Species

Wildlife advocates want more species to have the same shot at the type of recovery wild turkeys experienced. The game birds were once hunted to near-…

A bill poised to become federal law would require cell-phone companies to, among other things, separate a domestic violence survivor's phone line from their abuser's plan within two business days of receiving a request. (Adobe Stock)

Pending Law Helps Domestic Violence Survivors with Phone Plans

A bill headed to President Joe Biden's desk addresses a long-standing problem for domestic violence survivors, ending their ties to their abusers' …

Of all the fraud cases reported last year, the Federal Trade Commission reports nearly 1 million involved someone being taken advantage of by an imposter. (Adobe Stock)

Experts Hope to Stall Record Growth in Scams

Law enforcement and consumer advocates hope 2022 doesn't end with another record year of financial losses from scams. As part of the fight against …

During this year's midterms, the Native American Rights Fund maintained contact with trained poll watchers in several states, including North Dakota, to offer any legal advice if an Indigenous voter had barriers in casting a ballot. (Adobe Stock)

ND Tribal Advocates Highlight Efforts of Poll Watchers in Midterms

Organizers behind a multistate effort to assist Indigenous voters at the polls in last week's election said it proved to be a valuable tool. North …

In the latest Census of Agriculture, North Dakota had nearly 20 counties where the average farmer age was 57 or older. (Adobe Stock)

As More Farmers Near Retirement, ND Focuses on Succession Planning

The U.S. has seen the average age of farmers inch upward. In states such as North Dakota, there's outreach to help those farmers with retirement on …

Federal officials say higher retail natural gas prices are the main driver for the expected increase in heating bills this winter. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Expected Price Hikes, ND Ready with Home Heating Aid

Natural-gas bills are expected to increase across the U.S. this winter, including North Dakota, prompting reminders for eligible households to sign …

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 has one of the lowest LGBTQ populations in the U.S., but advocates worry not enough people in the state are following up on expanded protections for housing discrimination. (Adobe Stock)

ND Housing Protections to Prevent Gender Discrimination Take Shape

As winter approaches and renters seek home repairs or apply for new housing, North Dakota assistance groups are reminding people about expanded …

North Dakota's government estimates in the next handful of years, at least 15% of its cybersecurity workforce will be eligible for retirement. (Adobe Stock)

ND Goes All In on Boosting Cybersecurity Worker Pipeline

From the great resignation to pending retirements, North Dakota's cybersecurity workforce faces challenges in filling positions. State leaders hope …

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 …

The Environmental Defense Fund estimates methane emissions account for at least 25% of global warming. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Oilfield Gas Flares More Harmful than Previously Thought

A new study found gas flaring in oil-producing states like North Dakota is not as effective in limiting harmful emissions when compared to long-standi…

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 …

In addition to protecting programs such as Social Security, older North Dakotans have told AARP reducing the threat of scams is another one of their top priorities. (Adobe Stock)

2022 Vote: Social Security, Drug Prices on Minds of ND Seniors

Early voting for the fall election begins one week from today in North Dakota. Candidate debates are on the horizon, too, and older residents are …

Since the Paris Agreement, the six largest U.S. banks have provided $1.4 trillion in financing to the fossil-fuel industry. (Adobe Stock)

How Climate Friendly is Your 401(k)?

As states like North Dakota debate whether to stay committed to fossil fuels, an online scorecard gives people with retirement accounts a glimpse …

Supporters of boosting wages for childcare workers in North Dakota say low pay is fueling the lack of available care. They say some families report traveling 80 miles roundtrip to bring their children to a provider. (Adobe Stock)

Guarded Optimism Surrounds ND Child Care Plan

Advocates for expanding child care in North Dakota are responding to the governor's proposal to improve access across the state. They said it is a …

The National Farmers Union says the portion of American farmland that is foreign-owned has grown by about 60% in the last decade. (Adobe Stock)

ND's Anti-Corporate Farming Law Turns 90

Supporters of a long-standing North Dakota law emphasizing family farms are celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, at a time of increased debate …

National surveys show local election administration roles are often held by women, especially for smaller jurisdictions. (Adobe Stock)

In ND, Women Shine in Overseeing Local Elections

More American women are being elected to public office. There is a mixed outlook in North Dakota, but women have a strong presence in local election …

With more certainty surrounding federal tax credits, supporters of renewable energy say developers will give the green light to more projects in the coming years. (Adobe Stock)

Measuring the Inflation Reduction Act's Economic Potential for ND

The Inflation Reduction Act has made headlines for clean energy provisions and prescription drug cost reform for Medicare recipients. A labor leader …

Groups working on housing issues for military veterans say that in order for them to have a stable future, finding a place to live is one of the most important things to take care of right away. (Adobe Stock)

Calling All ND Landlords: Providers Urged to Consider Vets for Housing

In North Dakota and around the country, goals are being pursued to help military Veterans find permanent housing. Groups leading the effort say …

North Dakota has nearly 20 counties that are considered child-care deserts. (Adobe Stock)

ND Rolls Out Incentives for Child-Care Workers

North Dakota is looking at ways to stabilize its child-care workforce as parents struggle to find openings. Part of that involves a new initiative …

Summit Carbon solutions has been seeking voluntary land agreements with private property owners in multiple states for its underground carbon storage project. (Adobe Stock)

ND Landowners Continue Mobilization in Opposing Carbon Pipeline

Next week, North Dakota landowners will get a chance to hear updates on a proposed underground pipeline for transporting and sequestering carbon …

Policy analysts say mental health disparities among kids result from generations of discriminatory policies that create barriers to accessing health care and other economic opportunities for families of color. (Adobe Stock)

ND Child Well-Being Summary Highlights Mental Health Concerns

Despite its high ranking, an annual child well-being report said children of color in North Dakota are still being left behind. The findings also …

Organizers behind farmers markets say grant programs have helped to spur interest among young entrepreneurs who want to sell locally grown food. (Adobe Stock)

ND Farmers Markets Tout Importance in Rebound Year

Next week is National Farmers Market Week. In North Dakota, there is a sense of relief after tough conditions last year, along with a mostly …

A new report says saddling young offenders with debt, such as restitution, limits their opportunities for positive growth that can keep them out of trouble in the future. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Juvenile Justice Restitution Laws Need Reboot

States like North Dakota need to re-imagine their restitution laws for juvenile offenders, according to a new report, which showed the payments often …

Those involved with AARP's Community Challenge grant program say smaller efforts, such as installing park benches in an undeserved area, can go a long way in helping to make a place livable for everyone. (Adobe Stock)

ND Reaches New Heights in Community Livability Projects

Towns and cities across America are rolling out recruiting efforts to keep their populations stable. A grant program for community-led projects puts …

With climate and market volatility in play, farmer advocates say now is not the time for Congress to reduce funding for crop insurance. (Adobe Stock)

ND Group: Farm Bill Impacts Every American

Congress wants to know what Americans would like to see in the next Farm Bill. Producer advocates in North Dakota say it is something everyone should …

ND Tribal School: New Book Highlights Language Preservation Movement

Many Indigenous languages face extinction, and in the U.S. efforts are popping up to preserve traditional Native American dialects and culture…

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-…

North Dakota was one of nearly a dozen states that had so-called trigger bans on abortions ready to take place in the event of federal protections being overturned. (Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit Filed Against North Dakota's Abortion Ban

North Dakota's pending trigger law on abortions is being called unconstitutional in a new lawsuit. Separately, a handful of cities will see rallies …

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