North Dakota
Port: We need better enforcement of campaign laws (and maybe better campaign laws, too)
MINOT — American politics have grown more coarse in the Trump era.
The political process was never a walk in the park, but they’ve taken on an edge compared to the not-so-distant past. North Dakota politics are no exception to the rule, either. Driven in no small part by a North Dakota Republican Party that is divided against itself, this primary season has been a nasty business filled with accusations and recriminations.
We’re in the silly season now. The primary election is looming on June 11, and given how diminished North Dakota’s Democrats are, that election will effectively conclude many races in the Legislature and for statewide office. Either because the Democratic candidate is not competitive or because the Democrats didn’t nominate a candidate at all.
In the coming days, you’ll hear many accusations about campaign law violations, with varying degrees of veracity. These include billboards and mailers without the required disclosures attached or supposedly independent political action committees coordinating too closely with candidates. You may also hear about ethics complaints filed against candidates.
But this column isn’t about any specific set of accusations. Rather, I’d like to make the argument that the officials tasked with enforcing North Dakota’s campaign laws need to be ready for this to be the new normal.
In my experience, law enforcement officials — from police officers and sheriffs to county prosecutors — have been reluctant to get involved in these matters. Their attitude is that these are petty matters of politics and really not worthy of their time or attention. And yet, a law on the books is a law that must be taken seriously or removed from said books (more on that in a moment).
At a time when some political forces in our country are trying to tear down our institutions of law and order, when politicians look to outgun accountability through the abject shamelessness of their actions, we can’t afford to have a lackadaisical attitude toward campaign laws.
Laws governing political campaigns need to be enforced robustly. They need to mean something. And when a politician violates them, that should be taken seriously.
There are some things the Legislature can do to help. A thorough review of campaign laws is appropriate. Many of them were written in a pre-digital age. Do they still make sense? Should they be modified, or perhaps even eliminated? Lawmakers should also consider who should investigate and enforce the laws. Do we want cops and deputies doing it? Or could another body — maybe the state Ethics Commission? — be given the resources and authority to take over?
Suffice it to say that things can be improved.
We live in tumultuous political times. Our state and country feel divided in ways few of us have ever experienced. There’s little we can do about that as a matter of law, but we can make sure the existing laws reflect the realities of modern campaigns and are enforced thoroughly and fairly.
North Dakota
Uelmen scores 41 as North Dakota thumps Denver 83-67 in Summit League Championship quarterfinal
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Freshman Greyson Uelmen finished with a season-high 41 points to lead North Dakota to an 83-67 victory over Denver on Friday night in the quarterfinals of the Summit League Tournament.
No. 3 seed North Dakota moves on to play No. 2 seed St. Thomas-Minnesota in a Saturday semifinal. No. 1 North Dakota State plays No. 5 seed Omaha in the other semifinal.
Uelmen made 13 of 19 shots with three 3-pointers and 12 of 18 free throws, adding three steals for the Fightin’ Hawks (17-16). Eli King scored 20 points, going 7 of 17 (5 for 9 from 3-point range).
Carson Johnson led the way for the Pioneers (15-17) with 17 points. Jeremiah Burke added 13 points and Shaun Wysocki scored 11.
Uelmen had 19 points in the first half as North Dakota took a 42-29 lead into the break.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Recruiting never stops in the world of college hockey, and that trend has continued for Michigan State. A huge prospect has just re-opened his recruitment, and is back on the market, and the Spartans are in the thick of it.
Carson Pilgrim, a 5-foot-11 and 185 pound forward form Warroad (MN) has decommitted from North Dakota. The current Tri-City Storm star has the attention of many across the country, including MSU.
The Spartans have been listed alongside St. Cloud State and Colorado College as schools pursuing the top USHL prospect. He more than certainly will be donning a college sweater next year and Adam Nightingale wants it to be in the green and white.
Pilgrim has 16 goals and 19 assists in 42 games in the USHL this season.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Rex_Linzy
JAMESTOWN, N.D. — The No. 2 seed Thompson Tommies survived an upset scare by defeating the No. 7 seed Rugby Panthers 39-36 on Thursday, March 5, in the quarterfinals of the North Dakota Division A girls basketball state tournament at the Jamestown Civic Center.
With 16 seconds left in the game and down 39-36, Panthers coach Jen Brossart drew up one final play in an attempt to send the game to overtime. Strong defense from the Tommies formed a cluster of players at the top of the arc, and as time expired, Panthers guard Avery Santjer put up a falling-away 3-point attempt that came up short, giving the quarterfinal victory to Thompson.
Addison Sage had 15 points to lead Thompson with Kya Hurst chipping in 11. Santjer led Rugby with 13.
Burchill’s double-double leads Valley City to win
Valley City junior forward Katie Burchill scored a 23-point double-double with 18 rebounds to lead the Hi-Liners to a 64-44 quarterfinal victory over Devils Lake on Thursday.
Valley City outscored Devils Lake 21-6 in the third quarter to take a commanding lead.
Presley Brown and Tylie Brodina each scored 12 for the Firebirds.
Burchill and sophomore forward Skye Nelson also recorded nine of Valley City’s 12 blocks.
John M. Steiner / The Jamestown Sun
South Prairie-Max runs past Watford City
South Prairie-Max scored a 50-point victory over Watford City, winning 75-25 on Thursday in the quarterfinals behind 19 points from Skotti Beck.
Mya Gunville added 12 points and Brianna Rose 11 for South Prairie-Max.
Lohgan Hanna led Watford City with nine points.
Trenbeath, Kindred squeak by Hazen
Liza Trenbeath’s 27 points paced No. 4 seed Kindred to a 56-54 win over No. 5 Hazen in Thursday’s quarterfinals.
Siera Nipstad chipped in 19 points and six rebounds as the Vikings (20-5) advanced to Friday’s state semifinals against top-seeded South Prairie-Max (24-1). Tipoff is set for 8:15 p.m. at the Jamestown Civic Center.
Kindred shot 22 of 51 (43.1%) from the field to Hazen’s 19 of 41 (46.3%)
Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.
Detroit Mercy basketball two wins away from NCAA tournament bid
Grocery Outlet to close dozens of stores after overexpansion
Letters to the Editor – Election issues, Dallas City Hall, Laura Miller, Ranger statue
Boston hosts one of the oldest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations
Sinclair makes procedure changes after fuel contamination incident in Denver metro area
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Man convicted of Iran-backed Trump assassination plot compared his plan to Butler shooting: FBI
‘Everyone loves Bukele,’ El Salvador’s VP Ulloa defends crackdown
Family, former presidents and a Hall of Famer give Rev. Jesse Jackson a final sendoff
Biden praises Rev. Jesse Jackson’s accomplishments during his funeral service
Appeals court declares DC ban on certain gun magazines unconstitutional
-
World1 week agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Wisconsin5 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Massachusetts4 days agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Maryland6 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Florida6 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Denver, CO1 week ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Oregon1 week ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling