Midwest

Judge calls for new North Dakota legislative district in win for tribal advocates

Published

2 years ago

January 9, 2024

Judge calls for new North Dakota legislative district in win for tribal advocates

A federal judge on Monday ordered a new joint North Dakota legislative district for two Native American tribes that successfully argued a map created through redistricting in 2021 violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting their voting strength.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Peter Welte’s decision to adopt and implement a new map comes after a flurry of court filings in the lawsuit since his Nov. 17 ruling that the state’s 2021 redistricting map “prevents Native American voters from having an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice.”

The judge had given North Dakota Republican Secretary of State Michael Howe and the GOP-controlled Legislature until Dec. 22 “to adopt a plan to remedy the violation.” The deadline passed with no new map as Howe and lawmakers sought a delay of the judge’s ruling and more time to respond.

NORTH DAKOTA’S TOP ELECTION OFFICIAL APPEALS RULING PROTECTING NATIVE AMERICAN VOTING RIGHTS

Welte said the new map “requires changes to only three districts and is the least intrusive option that complies with the Voting Rights Act and the Constitution.”

The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and the Spirit Lake Tribe brought the lawsuit in early 2022. They alleged the 2021 redistricting map “simultaneously packs Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians members into one house district, and cracks Spirit Lake Tribe members out of any majority Native house district.”

In an emailed statement, plaintiffs’ attorney Tim Purdon said the tribes welcome the ruling for the 2024 elections.

“The map that will be used in 2024 is the same Voting Rights Act-compliant map the Tribes originally recommended to the Redistricting Committee and the full Legislature during the 2021 redistricting process,” he said. “The time has come for the Legislature and the Secretary of State to stop spending taxpayer dollars litigating against fair maps in North Dakota.”

It wasn’t immediately clear which lawmakers are affected by the new boundaries, such as who might have to run against a colleague to keep his or her seat in the Legislature. North Dakota’s assembly only meets in odd-numbered years and is not in session.

North Dakota lawmakers pore over legislative maps proposed by two Native tribes at the state Capitol in Bismarck, North Dakota, Dec. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Jack Dura, File)

Days after Welte’s November ruling, Howe announced his plans to appeal, citing a new 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that private individuals and groups such as the NAACP can’t sue under a critical section of the landmark civil rights law.

Welte and the 8th Circuit denied Howe’s requests to delay the November ruling pending appeal. Late last month, the 8th Circuit denied the Legislature’s request to extend the Dec. 22 deadline to Feb. 9.,

Soon afterward, the Legislature asked Welte for the same extension, saying it “has made substantial headway toward the development of a remedial redistricting plan.” At the same time, the tribes asked the judge to deny the extension and to impose one of their two maps presented in federal court, by Dec. 31. On Monday, Welte denied the Legislature’s request for more time and granted the tribes’ request for a new map.

Republican House Majority Leader Mike Lefor said lawmakers have postponed the Tuesday meeting of the Legislature’s Redistricting Committee. The panel began meeting last month to address the November ruling and to review options of maps, including the tribes’ plans. Top lawmakers also plan to meet with the secretary of state, attorney general and the Legislature’s attorneys, Lefor said.

“We’ve got to get our ducks in a row to kinda comprehend the ruling and the different things that could come into play here,” he said.

Howe did not respond to a phone message or a text message.

In 2021, the two tribes unsuccessfully proposed a single legislative district encompassing the two reservations, which are roughly 60 miles apart. Their lawsuit culminated in a trial in June in Fargo; Welte ruled months afterward.

North Dakota has 47 legislative districts, each with one senator and two representatives. Republicans control the House of Representatives 82-12 and the Senate 43-4. At least two lawmakers, both House Democrats, are members of tribes.

The Legislature created four subdistricts in the state House, including one each for the Fort Berthold and Turtle Mountain Indian reservations.

Lawmakers who were involved in the 2021 redistricting process have previously cited 2020 census numbers meeting population requirements of the Voting Rights Act for creating those subdistricts. Lefor has said the process was done correctly.

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North Dakota

Pembina bridge closure, causing headaches for community members, close to short-term solution

Published

5 minutes ago

July 3, 2026

Press Room

PEMBINA, N.D. — The closure of the Stutsman Street bridge has put some residents in Pembina out of reach of certain recreation spots. Timelines for bridge construction remain unclear as proposals for temporary fixes have been denied by the North Dakota Department of Transportation, but a Wednesday, July 1, meeting has brought some clarity to the issue.

The bridge has been out since early June. Mainly, the Pembina Golf Course has seen its business suffer due to children and local members being unable to access the course. John Feldman, treasurer of the Pembina Golf Course, calls the bridge a “lifeline to part of the city,” and its complete closure has been causing problems.

“All of our young kids that we’re trying to groom into golfers are not golfing anymore. Our locals that used to drive their golf carts across the bridge can’t do that anymore. So, business is down immensely,” Feldman said.

Feldman is part of a committee formed to work to get the bridge opened temporarily to pedestrians and carts. The committee has expressed its concerns with the city and city leaders are hoping to meet with NDDOT to address those concerns.

The Pembina City Council has been discussing the bridge and has made efforts to get in contact with NDDOT. Council President Connor Snitker told the Herald the NDDOT reached out to the city and a special council session took place Wednesday night with NDDOT present.

In an effort to find a temporary solution, city engineers had previously inspected the bridge to confirm the original findings and put forth a proposal to open the north half of the bridge to a weight-bearing capacity of one ton or less. That proposal, along with an alternative, was originally denied by NDDOT, but at Wednesday’s meeting, NDDOT said it would review federal regulations to find a temporary solution for pedestrians.

“We’re still running down every alternative path we can right now, trying to figure out if there’s a way to reclassify the bridge or do something that would allow us to have flexibility to at least have it operating at our temporary capacity,” Snitker said.

The DOT says the critical issues with the bridge make a temporary solution for pedestrians a challenge, but language in those regulations will be reviewed. A solution could be found as soon as this weekend.

“Late Tuesday night we received word from the Federal Highway Administration that there was an option we could pass along to the city and I think that went over well,” engineer Derek Pfeifer said. “We’ve been working really hard to find a short-term solution for them to at least allow pedestrians to cross the bridge.”

A load analysis was expected to be done Thursday to assess whether pedestrians would be able to cross. NDDOT remains adamant that only pedestrians would be allowed access with a temporary solution, and golf carts would still be unable to access the bridge.

“As long as the bridge meets a certain standard, it could open to pedestrians,” Snitker said. “It’s a step in the right direction.”

Main issues with the bridge are spalling — or flaking of surface materials — found under the load bearings, stress cracks and splitting in some of the pedestals above the columns. At the east end of the bridge, there has been five inches of movement toward the south. As the bridge moved, it sheared the anchor rods.

Before the bridge’s closure, children would regularly play the course. Easy bridge access allowed for some to even come to the course twice in a day. Now, a six-mile detour has seen that business go away.

The detour makes its way through gravel roads, which is prohibitive to golf carts and those who were walking to the course.

“We need the bridge open, not just for the golf course, but for the kids to come and play in the playground over there to play baseball,” Feldman said. “It’s really a livelihood over there for the kids and for adults.”

Looking ahead to a permanent resolution to the bridge, Pfeifer and NDDOT are looking to the city and county to come to a decision in order for them to determine the next steps.

“Do they want to fix it? Do they want to replace it?” he said. “A structural engineer will need to do an analysis of those findings that were there and what kind of effort it’s going to take to fix it. So at this point, it’s up to the city and county to determine how they want to move forward.”

Digital Content Producer and Sports Reporter at the Grand Forks Herald since December of 2020. Maxwell can be contacted at mmarko@gfherald.com.

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Ohio

Where and when to see fireworks in Central Ohio

Published

10 minutes ago

July 3, 2026

Press Room

Where and when to see fireworks in Central Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Friday, July 3

Downtown Columbus: Billed as the Midwest’s largest fireworks show, Red, White & BOOM! takes place along the Scioto Mile. The fireworks show starts at 10:00 p.m. More information can be found on the event’s website.

Bexley: Festivities at Capital University begin at 6:00 p.m., with a fireworks display starting at 10:00 p.m.

Buckeye Lake: The Buckeye Lake Area Star Spangled Tradition (BLASST) fireworks display will take place at approximately 10:00 p.m. The primary viewing area is at Fairfield Beach, Lake Shore Drive NE, Thornville.

Canal Winchester: First Friday at Loose Rail Brewing will feature a fireworks show at approximately 9:00 p.m. The brewery will also show Red, White & BOOM! on big screens.

Gahanna: Activities start at 5:00 p.m. at the Gahanna Municipal Golf Course and the fireworks show is at 10:00 p.m.

Newark: Central Ohio Technical College and Ohio State Newark campus will host festivities with live music and food trucks at the Martha Grace Reese Amphitheatre, culminating with a fireworks display at dusk (approximately 10:00 p.m.).

Pickerington: The city’s fireworks show starts at 10:00 p.m.

Reynoldsburg: Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. at Civic Park, with fireworks starting at 9:45 p.m.

Saturday, July 4

Chillicothe: Fireworks are scheduled to begin at approximately 9:45 PM from the Yoctangee Park Annex.

Circleville: AMVETS Post 2256 will host food trucks, live music, and a fireworks display after dark.

Clintonville: Whetstone Park of Roses hosts a live music event followed by fireworks at 9:45 p.m.

Delaware: Fireworks will launch from the city’s Cherry Street property at 10:00 p.m.

Dublin: Independence Day Celebration activities wrap up with fireworks at 9:50 p.m. at Dublin Coffman High School.

Grove City: Fireworks will launch from Murfin Fields at 9:45 p.m.

Hilliard: Freedom Fest takes place at Roger Reynolds Municipal Park with fireworks starting around 9:45 p.m.

Lancaster: A full day of celebrations culminates with fireworks at dusk at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds.

Marysville: Fireworks at approximately 9:00 p.m. at the Union County Fairgrounds.

New Albany: The July 4th Festival ends with fireworks at 10:00 p.m. at New Albany High School.

Upper Arlington: The annual Party in the Park begins at 5:00 p.m. at Northam Park, followed by fireworks at 10:00 p.m.

Westerville: Evening festivities and food trucks can be found at the Westerville Sports Complex until the fireworks show begins at 10:00 p.m.

Worthington: The city’s celebration concludes with fireworks launched from Thomas Worthington High School at 10:00 p.m.

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South Dakota

Trump at Mount Rushmore: Speech time, how to watch live

Published

40 minutes ago

July 3, 2026

Press Room

Trump at Mount Rushmore: Speech time, how to watch live

President Donald Trump will kick off Independence Day weekend with a speech at Mount Rushmore beneath busts of four of his predecessors.

As part of a day of festivities tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary, the president will address visitors to the South Dakota landmark in a keynote address on Friday, July 3. at approximately 8:30 p.m. MT/10:30 p.m. ET according to the schedule released by the White House.

After the president’s remarks, the night will end with a massive fireworks display. It will be Mount Rushmore’s first time hosting a July 3 fireworks display since 2020, which Trump also attended during his first term in office.

Earlier in the day, there will be a slew of activities and programming on site for visitors before the evening festivities. The National Park Service and the state are coordinating the celebration, and a ticket lottery to attend has already closed.

Here’s what to know about the timing of the Mount Rushmore celebrations and how to tune in.

What will be at the Mount Rushmore July 3 event?

The event on July Fourth eve will feature myriad exhibits, reenactors and interactive experiences throughout the day, according to Freedom 250, the group working with Trump’s administration to coordinate the weekend’s events.

At night, it will transition into a tribute to the Armed Forces, including military bands, aviation flyovers and precision drill demonstrations, the group said.

After, South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum will take the stage to introduce Trump.

Following the president’s remarks, the event will conclude with the fireworks show.

What time is Trump speaking at Mount Rushmore? See schedule

Trump is expected to deliver his Mount Rushmore address at 8:30 p.m. MT (10:30 p.m. ET), according to the White House, though organizers have not yet released a detailed event schedule.

However, the day’s programming is set to run from 4-10 p.m. local time, according to the National Park Service.

The fireworks, which will close out the event, are expected to begin around 9:30 p.m. local time, according to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, part of the USA TODAY Network.