North Dakota
North Dakota family in Austria for Taylor Swift concert dismayed by cancellation over terror threat
VIENNA, Austria — A rural Cass County teenager who’s waited more than a year to see Taylor Swift in a concert overseas has had her hopes dashed, along with hundreds of thousands of others after shows there were canceled over a terror threat.
Nora Severance, 17, a senior this fall at Northern Cass High School, secured tickets for her family to the Eras Tour stop in Vienna, Austria, back in June 2023.
She, her mother and 19-year-old brother arrived there Tuesday night in advance of the show set for Thursday, Aug. 8, while her father stayed back to work on the farm.
The family learned late Wednesday night that the Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows at Ernst Happel Stadium would not go on because of an alleged plot to carry out a suicide attack outside of the concert venue.
Elisabeth Mandl / Reuters
Nora Severance woke up the next morning to a flurry of texts from her friends, wondering what was going on.
“I think it was the right call,” she said of the cancellation in a Thursday night phone call from Vienna.
Contributed / Nicole Severance
Nicole Severance was asked how she conversed with her children about the terror threat.
“Sadly, it’s something that they’ve grown up with their whole life, and so it’s just kind of a daily thing,” she said.
There was also a feeling of resignation about the concert cancellation.
“We can’t control everything,” she said.
A 19-year old man from Austria was arrested over the alleged plot to strike the Swift concert and made a full confession in custody,
Reuters reported.
The man swore allegiance to the Islamic State on the internet and had chemicals, technical devices and machetes at his home, said Franz Ruf, Austria’s general director for public security.
Two other Austrian youths aged 17 and 15 were also detained over the reported plot.
The 17-year-old had recently been hired at a company providing services at the stadium, according to security officials.
The three shows in Vienna were expected to draw 65,000 concertgoers each day, with an additional 10,000 to 15,000 fans gathering outside of the area, police said.
Coincidentally, the family toured Schönbrunn Palace on Wednesday, a former royal residence visited by thousands of people daily.
Nora Severance said it was weird that there were no metal detectors and their bags were not searched.
“We had that conversation yesterday, right prior to this being canceled,” her mother said.
Nora Severance said she was looking forward to arriving at the stadium early Thursday night in order to trade the friendship bracelets she had made and to meet new people.
Contributed / Nicole Severance
The first and last time she saw Taylor Swift in concert,
she was just eight years old.
Her mother had entered a sweepstakes and won free tickets and meet-and-greet access to the superstar on her
“1989” world tour stop at the Fargodome in October 2015.
Calling it a “really good experience,” the teenager said, “that’s kind of what made me start to listen to her music more and want to see her again.”
Her mom said she doesn’t consider herself a “Swiftie” but appreciates the positive messages that Swift brings to young girls through her music.
The family originally sought Swift concert tickets in the U.S., for Minneapolis or Kansas City, but they sold out quickly and resale ticket prices were far too expensive.
“It just financially made more sense to fly to Europe and make a trip out of it,” Nora Severance said.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
They went for the Austria tour stop because it was one of the first European dates to go on sale.
The family secured standing tickets on the floor at the Vienna stadium for the original asking price of $100 apiece.
By comparison, the cheapest resale ticket prices for upcoming U.S. dates are going for around $2,500 a piece for “nosebleed” seats, Nora Severance said.
Swift’s next stop is Thursday, Aug. 15, at Wembley Stadium in London, where she has five shows scheduled.
People with tickets to the Vienna shows will be refunded within 10 business days, according to Swift’s website.
Nora Severance said her family will be in Europe for another 10 days, traveling to Hungary and Switzerland.
“We had things planned, thankfully, so we’ll make the best of it,” she said.
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Isaiah Griffin had 18 points in Western Illinois’ 69-66 overtime win against North Dakota on…
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Isaiah Griffin had 18 points in Western Illinois’ 69-66 overtime win against North Dakota on Saturday.
Griffin had three steals for the Leathernecks (4-7). Karyiek Dixon scored 17 points while shooting 6 of 10 from the field and 5 for 6 from the line and added 18 rebounds. Lucas Lorenzen shot 3 for 13 (1 for 9 from 3-point range) and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line to finish with 14 points.
Eli King led the way for the Fightin’ Hawks (4-9) with 13 points, two steals and four blocks. Greyson Uelmen added 13 points for North Dakota. Garrett Anderson had 11 points and six rebounds.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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North Dakota
Community rescues grieving North Dakota widow — by harvesting their late pal’s 1,400 acres of crops
In North Dakota, farmers aren’t neighbors — they’re family.
When a sudden car crash tragically took the life of a beloved community member, the goodhearted folks of Antler came together to carry out one final act of kindness: they harvested his crops.
Randy Fyllesvold was killed in September, and his grieving widow, Kharra, and their two sons were left reeling, in no condition to deal with the 1,400 acres of corn and soybeans still in the fields surrounding their home.
That’s when the close-knit community stepped in.
Two of Randy’s pals — Wyatt Thompson and Andy Gates — decided to organize a large-scale harvest of their late pal’s crops.
First, they put out a call for help.
And the people answered. In a flash, more than 75 volunteers from surrounding communities were rolling onto the farm on 12 combines, in 40 trucks, all loaded with other equipment — along with willing hands.
They worked together like a well-oiled machine, and the massive effort was locked up in just a couple days.
Kharra said being among so many people harvesting her husband’s final crop was “nothing short of breathtaking” and she feels blessed to be the recipient of so much love and support in such a harrowing time.
But they wouldn’t have it any other way.
“To know Randy was to love Randy,” said buddy Wyatt Thompson told local station KFYR. “..The reach that he had was kind of endless.”
Kharra said she’ll never forget what they did for her.
“As I stood in the shop and looked around before the final Randy Fyllesvold corn harvest started, I was flooded with memories we created with all of you,” she wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post.
“The day was full of emotion, but I found so much peace in watching it unfold … but from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I will always remember this and Randy would be so proud.
“God Bless all of you and the boys and I love each and every one of you. 12 combines, 7 grain carts, over 40 trucks all for you Randy.
“I know you are smiling down.”
Donald R. Snyder Sr. 82 of Grand Forks, North Dakota died Tuesday, December 9, 2026, at Villa St. Vincent in Crookston, Minnesota.
Don was born on June 3, 1943, the son of Harrison and Gladys (Whittier) Snyder in Van Hook, North Dakota. He attended school in Van Hook and New Town, North Dakota. Don served in the United States Navy from 1960 – 1964 and was stationed in Hawaii during his time of service as a Military Police officer. He attended ND Police Academy and where he worked in Wattford City, ND and later was the Chief of Police in Parshall, ND. Don attended Minot State University and received a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1972.
Don was united in marriage to Greta Huseby on November 22, 1991, in Lake Tahoe, Neveda. He worked as a social worker in child welfare in North Dakota for thirty-five plus years in various roles in the state in Rugby, Minot and Bismarck as a Regional Supervisor to State Director in foster care. Don spent the many years taking care of family’s needs in North Dakota.
After retiring from Human Service in North Dakota, he worked for Multiband Inc. and Orangehook Inc. Don retired from OrangeHook Inc. as the Senior Vice President, responsible for HR Department.
Don enjoyed fishing (deep sea, rivers and lakes), hunting, woodworking (cabinetry and interior), coaching Tee Ball and soccer, and volunteering for the local honor guards. He was proud of his service in the military and always showed his gratitude for fellow veterans.
Don’s faith and family were his priority. He read the Bible six times and shared his faith with his family and friends. Don and Greta were active members of University Lutheran Church.
Don is survived by his wife, Greta Snyder; three sons, Donald Richard Snyder Jr., Scott (Nancy) Snyder and Tracy (Staci) Snyder; grandchildren, Megan (Rory) Selk, Katelyn Snyder, Gavin Snyder, Whitney (Chris) Crofts, Kaylee (Jon) Gappmaier and Jordan (Jen) Snyder, thirteen great-grandchildren, Kinley, Iyla, Jude, Gabby, Rowan, Sophia, Hunter, Kimber, Isaiah, Benjamin, Porshea, Addie and Mollie; numerous nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, two daughters, Tunya and Mishell Snyder, granddaughter, Jessica Snyder and two infant sisters.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Amundson Funeral Home. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Amundson Funeral Home.
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