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Searching for a kidney donor in North Dakota

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Searching for a kidney donor in North Dakota


BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Nearly 100,000 people are waiting for a transplant in the U.S. Steve Wetzel is one of them, and he’s looking at a three to five-year-long wait.

Steve Wetzel was diagnosed with cancer in 2017. His doctors recommended 12 rounds of consecutive chemotherapy, and for a couple of years, his cancer went into remission. But in 2019, he was diagnosed with a different form of cancer. This time, though, the chemotherapy damaged his kidneys. About a year later, he was diagnosed with stage five kidney failure.

“It teaches you a lot of patience. You know, that it’s not going to be an overnight process in comparison to going to a walk-in clinic or a relatively quick fix with medication or anything like that,” Wetzel said.

While he waits on a donor match, Wetzel has to use an at-home dialysis system every night for about seven hours. He gets one month of supplies at a time— they fill nearly an entire bedroom in his home.

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It’s not as simple as getting a family member to donate a kidney. Wetzel said a history of cancer, bad blood pressure and more can disqualify someone from donating. On top of that, his blood type is O, which means he needs a kidney from someone who’s either O positive or O negative, meaning he’ll likely need to wait longer than normal.

“The appointments continually can get taxing at times, but overall, it just teaches you to trust the process and be patient with the process, that the doctors have your best interests,” Wetzel said.

He estimates he’ll need to wait three to five years before he’s matched with a donor; he said typically, that wait time is two to three years.

Wetzel said on top of checking in with hospitals, he regularly checks the United Network for Organ Sharing’s kidney-paired program for possible living donors. You can go there as well if you or someone you know is searching for a donor.

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Bids awarded for construction of Highway 85

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Bids awarded for construction of Highway 85


WATFORD CITY, N.D. (KUMV) – The North Dakota Department of Transportation awarded more than 150 million dollars in bids to continue expanding highway 85 south of Watford City.

More than $83.8 million will go to Park Construction out of Minneapolis for one segment. It covers about five and a half miles south of the Long X Bridge, going through another section of the badlands. It’s expected to be a three-year project due to the rough terrain.

The next segment covers 12 and a half miles south from the badlands to the highway 200 intersection. The winning bid went to Strata out of Grand Forks for $61.7 million. It will be a two-year project.

Funding for these projects were provided by both the state and federal government.

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Griffin’s 18 lead Western Illinois past North Dakota 69-66 in OT – WTOP News

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Griffin’s 18 lead Western Illinois past North Dakota 69-66 in OT – WTOP News


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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© 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.



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Community rescues grieving North Dakota widow — by harvesting their late pal’s 1,400 acres of crops

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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.

Randy Fyllesvold, seen here with his wife Kharra, was killed in September. Kharra Fyllesvold/Facebook

That’s when the close-knit community stepped in.

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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.

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The tiny North Dakota community banded together to help the family bring in the harvest. Kharra Fyllesvold/Facebook

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.

More than 75 volunteers stepped up to help bring in the harvest. Kharra Fyllesvold/Facebook

“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.

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“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.”



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