News

ND Legislature hits halfway point

February 27th, 2015

Gov. Jack Dalrymple signing a $1.1 billion surge funding bill

Many important issues left unresolved

The North Dakota legislative session hits its midway point this week with many major issues unresolved. As the session got underway, plummeting state revenue projections -- due to lower crude oil prices -- have had a big impact on the agenda at the capitol. Legislators have managed to get a few things done, though they’re due for some some heavy lifting as the end of the biennial session approaches.

The biggest issue looming over early part of the…

Q&A: Another Bakken oil boom

February 19th, 2015

Advocacy group points blame at state officials after latest train derailment and explosion

After the latest train derailment and explosion in West Virginia this week of trains carrying Bakken crude, some are calling for more to be done in the regulation of the transportation. One of those groups is the Dakota Resource Council, which issued a strong statement following the derailment blaming state officials for not doing more in regards to transport of Bakken oil. We spoke with Don…

Police release info on Bearson death

February 11th, 2015

Public assistance needed to help solve the case

Police still seem to be stumped on the death of NDSU freshman student Thomas Bearson and are asking for the public’s help in assisting the investigation. While little had been said about the case up until this point, investigators revealed a few new details this week after receiving the final autopsy as to cause of death.

“We were able to provide at the request of people asking about or referencing toxicology results, the information…

Discrimination protection for ND’s LGBT community

February 11th, 2015

Proposed bill currently being debated in the Senate

Lawmakers in North Dakota are pushing a bill through the Legislature that would amend the North Dakota Human Rights Act and State Housing Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity as being protected from discrimination in the state. Twenty-one states in the U.S. currently outlaw discrimination because of sexual orientation and 18 states outlaw discrimination because of gender identity. State Rep. Joshua Boschee (D-Fargo),…

The gender wage gap: Young legislator fighting to address the issue

February 4th, 2015

A North Dakota legislator says the gender wage gap in North Dakota is one of the worst in the nation and she is working to change it through legislation and awareness. Representative Kylie Oversen (D-Grand Forks) has sponsored three bills that have all dealt with various aspects of the issue this legislative session.

One of her bills, which saw her testify before a skeptical all-male committee, would have required anyone doing business with the state to submit an equal pay statement to…

On alert after pipeline spill

January 28th, 2015

Cleanup underway but damage assessment from major spill unknown yet

Two spills affecting western North Dakota has environmental activists concerned and state regulators downplaying their effects. Earlier this month, 3 million gallons of saltwater generated from oil drilling leaked near Blacktail Creek outside Williston, making it the largest spill of its kind from the oil boom in North Dakota. Additionally 40,000 gallons of crude spilled in the Yellowstone River in Montana near Glendive,…

Gimmie a lift

January 21st, 2015

As popular rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft consider expansion to Fargo, they may have to decide what impact some regulation currently being discussed at both city and state levels would have on their business. The Fargo City Commission this week exempt the ride hailing companies from new taxi regulations after concerns were raised about them. They did, however, direct the city attorney’s office to come up with separate regulations for the ride share companies.

At the same time,…

A spate of robberies

January 14th, 2015

Is crime getting worse in our community?

A week hasn’t seemed to go by without a robbery of a convenience store, grocery store or even a pizza parlor in the Fargo-Moorhead as of late. Many wonder if this is part of the pains of getting bigger; as population increases, will we continue to see more and more of these types of crimes?

We sought out the Fargo Police Department for some answers to explain what has been happening in recent months.

Lt. Joel Vettel said Fargo sees an average of…

Legislator Profile: Q&A with ND State Rep. Pamela Anderson

January 14th, 2015

The North Dakota Legislative session is underway and the High Plains Reader will be covering it throughout its duration. This week, we profile freshman legislator Rep. Pam Anderson, D-Fargo, who shocked the state’s political world by upsetting longtime Rep. Bette Grande, bucking the trend of many Republican victories across the state.

While in the minority, the retired banking executive has many goals she hopes to accomplish in her first session, and she even plans to introduce a…

Say Anything: How is local blogger Rob Port scooping the mainstream media?

December 17th, 2014

Minot-based blogger, who started in September of 2003 with readers consisting mainly of fellow bloggers, has gone on to become one of the most prominent political news sources in North Dakota. Rob Port writes for his Say Anything Blog pretty much as a one man show, save for some occasional contributors who frequently scoop other large media organizations in the state, who in turn follow suit on his stories. He went from blogging with a day job to now doing it full-time. As a result, the…