North Dakota
North Dakota seeks to block judge’s ruling that overturns state abortion ban
The North Dakota Attorney General’s Office has asked a judge to keep the state’s abortion ban in place until the North Dakota Supreme Court has a chance to weigh in on the law.
South Central Judicial District Court Judge Bruce Romanick last week ruled that the law is “unconstitutionally void for vagueness” and found that “pregnant women in North Dakota have a fundamental right to choose abortion before viability exists.”
Now, the state wants Romanick to allow the ban to remain in effect until the Supreme Court decides on the state’s appeal of the ruling. In a Thursday, Sept. 19 brief, the state claimed the judge’s ruling was made in error and that a stay should be granted to prevent harm to pregnancies.
“The Court’s (summary judgment) order ignored the law of the case and plaintiffs’ own allegations when it concluded there exists, under North Dakota law, an unfettered and unlimited right to an abortion prior to viability,” the state wrote in court filings.
The ban, enacted by the Legislature in 2023, makes abortion illegal in all cases except rape or incest if the mother has been pregnant for less than six weeks, or when the pregnancy poses a serious physical health threat.
A group of reproductive health care doctors and an abortion clinic filed suit against the ban in 2023, arguing that it infringed on medical freedom and was too vague to enforce.
The plaintiffs, which include reproductive health care doctors and the Moorhead, Minnesota-based Red River Women’s Clinic, said in legal filings that the law puts pregnant patients and doctors in danger because it does not provide clear guidance on when abortions may be performed for health reasons.
The state has countered that the law is not unconstitutionally vague and that the ban was written with guidance from health care professionals.
The state also wrote that the ruling goes against the state’s interest in protecting pregnancies, arguing that “innumerable unborn children are now at risk of needlessly perishing.”
North Dakota does not have an abortion service provider. Red River Women’s Clinic previously operated in Fargo, but moved to Minnesota after North Dakota’s previous abortion ban went into effect.
The law will remain on the books until Romanick enters a formal judgment in the case. Romanick directed the plaintiffs to file a proposed judgment within 14 days of his ruling.
The abortion ban was signed into law in April 2023 just weeks after the North Dakota Supreme Court vacated a similar law restricting abortion access. That law, adopted by the Legislature in 2007, went into effect after Roe v. Wade was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022.
This story was originally published on NorthDakotaMonitor.com
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MAPLETON, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Casselton Fire responded to a shop fire in rural Mapleton on Saturday afternoon, according to Casselton Fire Chief John Hejl.
Casselton Fire was dispatched to the scene at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Windy conditions escalated the fire before crews arrived, Hejl said.
Firefighters used defensive and offensive lines to control the fire upon arrival.
Casselton Fire was assisted by Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Casselton Ambulance, West Fargo Police Department, Davenport Fire and Mapleton Fire.
Copyright 2026 KVLY. All rights reserved.
A do not use water advisory issued by the City of Finley, North Dakota. April 2026.
FINLEY, N.D. (KFGO) – The city of Finley, North Dakota has been without potable water since Friday due to a suspected water main leak. Steele County Emergency Management says it is unclear how long it will take to restore water services in the city.
The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality says the available water in Finley has been deemed unusable for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing dishes or laundry.
The water system will need to be flushed and samples that say the water is safe will need to be collected for the water advisory to be lifted.
Richard D. “Rick” Langowski, age 78 of Minto, North Dakota passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at his home in Minto.
Rick was born March 10, 1948 in Grafton, North Dakota, the son of the late Julian and Catherine (Wysocki) Langowski. In 1967, he volunteered for the military bringing him to Germany as a Motor Sargent. After an Honorable Discharge he took a job at the International Airport in Grand Forks, ND. His duties included: refueling planes and jets as well as maintaining the grounds. He had the opportunity to meet the famous singer Mr. James Brown.
Rick was united in marriage to Alice Odegard on June 17, 1982 in Minto, North Dakota. The family made their home in Minto where they raised Jason and Angela. Rick was very proud of his children and loved them more than anything. He told everyone and bragged about the children he raised. He cherished his grandchildren and loved to be present in every aspect of their lives.
His career changed to semi driving where he drove for Cenex Transportation for four years and ten years for Valley Transports. His love for the open road directed him into the used car business. He opened Minto Auto Sales and Services in 1987, proudly operating for 39 years. He had the privilege to meet many people and travel to many places. He enjoyed riding his many Harley Davidson Motorcycles. In 2025, he sold the business to his longtime mechanic and friend, Aaron Anderson. In Rick’s opinion, “Minto Auto is one of the best mechanical shops in the area.”
He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Minto, ND. He loved hunting with Jason, watching sports, especially the Yankees and Twins. In 2017, Rick was able to enjoy a father/son trip of a lifetime to Alaska. He thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the trip and thought was the best time of his life.
Rick is survived by his children: Jason Odegard, Reynolds, ND; Angela (Nick) Eppert, Goshen, IN; grandchildren: Ashlyn, Kaia, Annika, Boden and Caelan; sisters: Carol King, Grand Forks, ND; Connie Jones, Argyle, MN; seven nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his very close friend and confidant, Yvette Estep, Grafton, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Robert and Ronald.
Rick’s family would like to extend a very special thank you to Yvette Estep, an employee of Rick’s, affectionately known as “hotrod.” She was there for Rick, along with Aaron for doctor’s appointments, treatments and helped comfort him throughout his battle. Jason and Angela will be forever indebted to her and consider her family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Minto. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Minto, ND. Military Rites will be provided by the Minto American Legion Post and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.
or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard D. Langowski, please visit our
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