North Dakota

Backers of property tax, election reform measures shooting for November ballot

Published

2 years ago

February 13, 2024

Backers of property tax, election reform measures shooting for November ballot

BISMARCK — Only one statewide measure has a chance to be on the June 11 ballot in North Dakota but supporters of two others — one on property tax reform and another on election reform — are working toward being on the November ballot.

A committee behind a proposed measure that will put an age limit on members of Congress from North Dakota was the only one to meet a Monday deadline to get on the June ballot. The Secretary of State’s Office has 35 days to review the signatures and determine if there are enough valid signatures to put the measure on the ballot.

Both of the other petitions that are still circulating need 31,164 verified signatures.

Backers of the property tax reform measure, which bans taxes based on the assessed value of a property, have a deadline of June 29.

The election reform measure, which requires using paper ballots to be hand counted, has a deadline of July 8.

Lydia Gessele is the chair of the sponsoring committee of the Election Integrity Act.

The measure would make several significant changes to North Dakota elections, including:

No early voting or voting by mail, except for absentee ballots.
All precincts would need to be open on Election Day.
It would become more difficult for the Legislature to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Each house would have to approve the amendment with a two-thirds majority vote instead of a simple majority.

Gessele told the North Dakota Monitor the sponsoring committee has collected about 8,700 signatures. She said the figure is likely higher because the petitions being mailed in by those collecting signatures have sometimes taken a week to arrive.

The group also has held two classes on how a hand-counted paper-ballot election would work.

Gessele said they have been working with people from counties in Missouri that have held votes using paper ballots. She said another class is planned for Bismarck in March. People interested in the class can email Gessele at Lydiar.gessele@protonmail.com.

Barb Headrick, president of the North Dakota League of Women Voters, said the group has not taken an official position on the proposed measure but said elections workers in the state have kept elections fair.

“We have no major concerns about integrity issues,” Headrick said.

Former legislator Rick Becker is leading the sponsoring committee called End Unfair Property Tax.

He said the group was nearing about 20,000 signatures as of Monday.

He said he is encouraged that there has been more debate about the topic recently and said his group would welcome opportunities to explain the thinking behind the reforms.

“I think we’re getting a little bit more dialogue going with the opposition,” Becker said.

Petitions on the measure that would set an age limit of 80 on North Dakota’s congressional delegation were delivered to the Secretary of State’s Office on Friday.

Voters will see at least three measures on the November ballot: One would remove some outdated language about state institutions; another would make some changes to how citizen-initiated measures get on the ballot; and a third would make changes to how Legacy Fund money can be spent. Those measures originated in the Legislature.

This story was originally published on NorthDakotaMonitor.com

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North Dakota

PHOTOS: Long Beach State vs. North Dakota State, Softball

Published

8 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

PHOTOS: Long Beach State vs. North Dakota State, Softball

The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2025-26 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.

Long Beach State hosted North Dakota State on March 10 where they suffered a 5-2 loss. Freshman Nina Sepulveda had two hits in the loss. Long Beach State will resume Big West play this weekend when they travel to UC Riverside for a three-game series starting Friday, March 13.

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North Dakota

Four area players land on North Dakota Division A all-state team

Published

20 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Four area players land on North Dakota Division A all-state team

GRAND FORKS — Four area athletes were selected to the North Dakota Division A all-state girls basketball team, which was released by the North Dakota High School Coaches Association on Tuesday.

The North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association will release all-state teams later this month.

Thompson’s Addison Sage led the way as a first team all-state pick, as well as receiving the division’s Outstanding Senior Athlete honor. Her coach, Jason Brend, was the Coach of the Year.

All-state second team choices from the area are Devils Lake junior Tylie Brodina, Four Winds-Minnewaukan sophomore Suri Gourd and Thompson senior Kya Hurst.

Sage, a 5-foot-6 guard, averaged 22.3 points per game, 3.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.2 steals per game. Sage has more than 1,900 career points and holds the Tommies’ all-time scoring record.

Brodina, a 5-8 guard, averaged 18.8 points and 2.6 steals per game. She shot 82 percent from the foul line and 32 percent from 3-point range.

Hurst, a 5-6 forward, averaged 16.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. She added 3.7 steals and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 39.5 percent from 3-point range. Hurst has scored more than 1,600 points and grabbed more than 840 rebounds in her career.

Gourd, a 5-8 guard, averaged 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 4.4 steals per game. Gourd has more than 1,600 career points in her career with two more seasons to play.

Gourd led Four Winds-Minnewaukan from a 5-17 record last season to a 16-8 mark this year.

Miller has covered sports at the Grand Forks Herald since 2004 and was the state sportswriter of the year in 2019 (NSMA, NDAPSSA), 2022 (NSMA, NDAPSSA), 2024 (NDAPSSA) and 2025 (NDAPSSA).

His primary beat is UND football but also reports on a variety of UND sports and local preps.

He can be reached at (701) 780-1121, tmiller@gfherald.com or on Twitter at @tommillergf.

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North Dakota

Annabelle Weber

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Funeral Mass for Annabelle Weber, 95, of Dickinson will be 10:00 AM, Thursday, March 12, 2026 at Queen of Peace Church with Msgr. Thomas Richter celebrating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, with Rosary and Vigil service taking place at 6:00 PM. Annabelle passed away Friday, March 6, 2026 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Annabelle S. Weber was born on December 8, 1930, in Killdeer, North Dakota, to Frank and Eva (Kowis) Schmalz. She grew up in Killdeer and graduated from Killdeer High School in 1947. At the age of 17, Annabelle began working at Zimbrich’s Department Store in Killdeer. She later moved to Dickinson, where she worked at S&L in retail sales and spent many years at Kessel’s Bridal Shop. While working at the Esquire Steak House, she met Gerald Weber, the love of her life. The couple was united in marriage on November 1, 1954, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dickinson, where they made their home and built their life together. Annabelle was a woman who loved staying busy and caring for her family and home. She enjoyed hunting and fishing, along with hobbies such as crafts, sewing, and gardening. She was well known for keeping an immaculate home and took great pride in caring for those around her. Faith was an important part of her life. She joined the Catholic Daughters in 1957 and was active in church circles, often helping with funeral dinners and parish gatherings. Annabelle’s greatest joy was her family. Annabelle is survived by her sons, Greg (Barbara) Weber of Grand Forks, Russ (Rhonda) Weber of Dickinson; daughter, Sharon (Tony) Allen of Andover, MN; nine grandchildren, Christi (Ryan), Tiffani (Tim), Shane (Kayla), Tonya (Adam), Samantha (Scott), Kevin, Tracey (Analisa), Stacie, Tyler; 15 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Eva Schmalz; husband, Gerald Weber; siblings, William (Evelyn) Schmalz, Elaine (John) Buresh, and Vernon (Dolores) Schmalz; and daughter-in-law, Coleen Weber (Krance). Remembrances and condolences can be shared at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com.

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