News

‘Full of loopholes’

December 20th, 2017

President Donald Trump speaking about the tax bill - photograph provided by the White HouseWASHINGTON D.C. – Widespread criticism followed the passage of the GOP tax bill on Wednesday after the Senate’s vote authorized one of the most sweeping reforms in decades.

On Tuesday, the House voted 227-203 in favor of the bill, but due to violations in Senate rules, will vote again Wednesday morning. No Democrats voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and 12 Republicans also voted against the measure.

President Donald Trump, expected to sign the bill before Christmas, tweeted early…

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​Christmas tax cuts or long-term Krampus run?

December 19th, 2017

WASHINGTON D.C. – As the Republican $1.5 trillion tax bill headed for a final vote Tuesday, opposition to the bill, known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, was growing. The House approved the bill Tuesday afternoon, by a vote of 227-203, but questions were raised soon after the vote.

The bill is expected to pass in the Senate this week, and President Donald Trump has promised to sign it into law by Christmas. If passed, the bill would mark the first major legislation passed during…

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Fair Market Value: Oxbow strikes it richer; taxpayers pick up the tab

December 13th, 2017

OXBOW N.D. – Marcus Larson stops along freshly tarred Trent Jones Drive, careful not to spill his coffee swishing in a ceramic mug. He’s aware his 1991 Chevy pickup doesn’t belong amongst the neighborhood’s Porsches and Mercedes Benzes. His beat-up truck, used mostly for hauling, stands out like a prairie dinosaur among the newly built mini mansions, but he doesn’t care.

A passerby stiffens, offers a brusque response when he says hello. The cold shoulder makes Larson…

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​Brooke Lynn Crews Guilty

December 11th, 2017

Norberta Greywind hugging after Brooke Lynn Crews pleaded guilty in Cass County District Court - photo by C.S. HagenFARGO – Heavy sighs filled the courtroom Monday morning when Brooke Lynn Crews entered, shackled and dressed in prison orange. Minutes later, she pled guilty to killing Savanna Lafontaine-Greywind and kidnapping her then unborn child.

Crews, 38, pled not guilty in Cass County District Court on September 27 after she was charged with conspiracy to murder Greywind, conspiracy to kidnap her child, and lying to police. She conspired with William Henry Hoehn, her live-in boyfriend, the Cass…

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In the mind of Brooke Lynn Crews

December 6th, 2017

Cover - Raul GomezFARGO – While the debate in court may turn to the sanity of Brooke Lynn Crews, a rare glimpse into her personal history suggests she was precise, methodical, and studying for a doctorate in psychology.

Crews, maiden name Doolin, was arrested in August and charged with conspiracy to murder Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, then kidnap her unborn baby.

Her live-in boyfriend, William Henry Hoehn, 32, faces identical charges, and has pleaded not guilty. His trial is set to begin early March.…

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​Net neutrality on the ropes

December 5th, 2017

Protesters outside of Congressman Kevin Cramer's office in Fargo - photo by C.S. HagenFARGO – With one hand, Brandon Medenwald pulled his thin wool jacket closer against the biting cold; with the other, he held up a sign protesting the Federal Communication Commission’s plan to dismantle net neutrality.

“If I was a broadband provider it would be a great business,” Medenwald said. “Charge more for customers’ tears.”

Nearly 20 others stood with Medenwald Tuesday evening in front of Congressman Kevin Cramer’s office on Fiechtner Drive. Cramer has made his…

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​Hate speech leader invited to Bismarck

December 2nd, 2017

Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff - online sourcesFARGO – A Bismarck pastor opened the city’s arms to one of the world’s leading “Alt-right” hate groups Saturday after inviting Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff, an Austrian anti-Muslim activist, to speak.

Reverend John Boustead of Solomon’s Rest in Bismarck, and his organization, called For Our Children.care, invited Wolff to speak on her belief that Sharia law is determined to end First Amendment rights in America.

The event, held at Quality Inn, 1030 E. Interstate Avenue, sparked…

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Don’t advertise CBD hemp oil, regulators say

November 29th, 2017

CBD oilWhy was Lonna Brooks’ store targeted?

BISMARCK – Shortly after stocking her shelves with cannabidiol (CBD) hemp oil, business owner Lonna Zacher Brooks publicized her product online and in a news story.

And then, although police reject the term, Brooks’ store was “raided.” Her CBD oil was confiscated in May from her shelves at Terry’s Health Products. Under orders from the State’s Attorney General’s office, Bismarck Police also hit the BisMan Community Food Co-op on the…

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‘Hard-charging Democrat’ stands up to Cramer

November 29th, 2017

Ben Hanson in Fargo - photograph by Logan Macrae

Former Democrat Caucus chair talks about his campaign for Congress

FARGO – Ben Hanson is young, but politically, he’s already made a name for himself. He’s the “hard-charging Democrat opponent” running for the state’s only position in Congress.

He’s running against Kevin Cramer, bestower of the title and the congressman “too many in North Dakota know little about.” Hanson plans to represent North Dakota in Washington D.C.

“Come 2018, I was not going to let this seat go…

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‘We are here, and we are not afraid’

November 21st, 2017

Sophia Wilansky self portraitSophia Wilansky says she’s lucky she’s right handed. Since nearly losing her left arm from an exploding projectile on Backwater Bridge one year ago, cooking has become a tedious art. She can no longer be involved in circus acrobatics.

Daily chores like carrying a purse by its strap, or lifting a grocery bag, aren’t possible. The injuries are permanent; she will carry the scars all her life.

“Makes it harder to do a lot of physical things, can’t even do a downward dog properly in…

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