BISMARCK, N.D. (KFGO Prairie Public Radio) – More than a month after KFGO News reported that West Fargo-based Epic Companies closed and is under investigation, Attorney General Drew Wrigley has made his first public comments.  

Wrigley was asked about Epic during a news conference in Bismarck where he released 2023 state crime statistics.

“It’s obviously a very concerning matter,” Wrigley said. “There’s not always criminal wrongdoing, but if there is evidence of that, we pursue those investigations. Sometimes, they’re civil in nature, but whatever category it falls under, it’s concerning in nature. It’s being monitored, and it’s being evaluated, and it’s being investigated.”

Epic owns or manages commercial and residential buildings across the region and was hired to run “Norsk Hostfest” in Minot, which is back under local control for this fall’s event.  

Epic has laid off employees and a number of contractors and suppliers say they’re owed significant amounts of money.  

No one from the company will comment. Several sources say the company is under both state and federal investigation.  

Among the agencies investigating is the state securities department.

BISMARCK — Gov. Doug Burgum has chosen Brig. Gen. Mitchell R. Johnson as the next adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard and director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, the governor’s office said in a news release.

Johnson’s new role takes effect Sept. 15, 2024.

He succeeds Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, who will retire after nearly nine years as adjutant general and more than 40 years of military service, the release said.

Johnson most recently served as commander of the Fargo-based 119th Wing of the North Dakota Air National Guard from March 2021 to January 2024.

Before that, he was vice commander of the wing, nicknamed the “Happy Hooligans,” from August 2018 to March 2021.

As adjutant general, Johnson will lead the North Dakota National Guard, with its 4,200 service members, while continuing strong relationships with Air Force bases in Grand Forks and Minot, the release said.

“I look forward to serving the citizens of North Dakota and building on Maj. Gen. Dohrmann’s outstanding record of leadership, knowing that our National Guard soldiers and airmen and Department of Emergency Services personnel are highly capable, well-trained and well-prepared for any challenge that comes our way,” Johnson said in the release.

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.

It’s fair time again.

I can almost hear the carnies offering me a “free one” if I come over to their booth and show off my arm.  There’s something about the smell of fair food.  Ribs, tacos, hamburgers, and hot dogs all taste better at the fair.

We especially love county fairs in North Dakota.

I love the 4-H exhibits from animals to crafts.  I have an appreciation for all the hard work and discipline these young men and women have had to endure for their big moment to shine and show off all their hard work over the past year.

I love live music.  There’s something about the roar of the crowd when your favorite artist takes the stage at a concert. Street dances in small towns have always been a favorite of mine.  The parades and social gatherings are always a highlight of the summer.

Area Guide for North Dakota County and Other Fairs:

The McLean County Fair took place June 14th to June 16th in Underwood. Find out more info here.

Stutsman County Fair-took place June 12th to June 16th-Jamestown, North Dakota.   Find out more info here.

Roughrider Days-June 19th to July 7th-Dickinson, North Dakota. (Gary Levox, frontman of Rascal Flatts in concert)  Find out more here.

Red River Valley Fair-June 28th to July 14th-West Fargo, North Dakota. (Blake Shelton, Goo Goo Dolls, Sublime, Hairball, Ludacris, & Riley Green in concert)  Find out more info here.

Kidder County Fair-July 10th to July 13th-Steele, North Dakota.  Find out more info here.

Mercer County Fair-July 10th to July 14th-Beulah, North Dakota.  Find out more info here.

Hettinger County Fair-July 11th to July 14th-Mott, North Dakota.  Find out more info here.

North Dakota State Fair-July 19th to July 27th-Minot, North Dakota (Lainey Wilson, Thomas Rhett, Motley Crue, Sawyer Brown, Lil Wayne & MGK in concert).  Find out more info here.

Morton County Fair-July 31st to August 4th-New Salem, North Dakota.  Find out more info here.

Oliver County Fair-August 8th to August 10th-Center, North Dakota.  Find out more info here.

Grant County Fair-August 15th to August 18th-Carson, North Dakota. Find out more info here.

North Dakota’s Top 11 Lakes According To Our Fans