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Bill sponsors ask North Dakota House to restore rural funding after Senate slashes $45 million

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Bill sponsors ask North Dakota House to restore rural funding after Senate slashes  million


BISMARCK — Communities in North Dakota with 1,000 people or fewer could benefit from a proposed $5 million permanent investment fund that would create grants for making infrastructure improvements.

Repurposing vacant buildings for housing, fixing roads and bolstering local economic development are the kind of projects that would be funded by the Rural Community Endowment Fund, which

Senate Bill 2097

aims to establish.

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The fund would be overseen by the State Investment Board and use its annual interest to fund competitive grant-making while preserving its principal amount.

Those grants would be awarded by a committee that also evaluates how they’re used.

The committee would consist of one commissioner who appoints nine people from rural North Dakota and a representative of a nonprofit organization that supports rural communities.

The original proposal sought to use $50 million of the projected $6.5 billion general fund,

but that was reduced by 90% to $5 million before advancing through the Senate.

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In a House Political Subdivisions Committee hearing Friday, March 7, each of the three bill sponsors said the funding reduction should be reconsidered.

Rep. Mike Brandenburg, R-Edgeley.

Contributed / North Dakota Legislative Assembly

“I personally don’t think it’s enough,” Rep. Mike Brandenburg, R-Edgeley, said.

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Primary sponsor Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, said the price tag should be returned to $50 million while the state is in the “best position” it’s ever been in financially.

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Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo.

Contributed / North Dakota Legislative Assembly

“The viability of rural communities is important economically, but it is more important to preserve the base of our value system,” Mathern said. “Hard work, self resiliency and cooperation are values grown in rural North Dakota. We need more of this in our country.”

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Sen. Terry Wanzek, R-Jamestown, also sponsored the bill.

Senator

Sen. Terry Wanzek, R-Jamestown.

Contributed / North Dakota Legislative Assembly

Strengthen ND, a rural community development nonprofit, called the legislation the “rural trust” bill.

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“It’s the product of over a decade worth of conversations with rural community leaders across North Dakota” said Megan Langley, executive director of Strengthen ND.

“Time and time again, I have received calls from rural communities in need of funding for projects,” she continued. “Time and time again, there was nowhere to refer them. The resource they needed simply did not exist.”

Nine people testified in favor of the bill during the hearing, and none stood in opposition.

In addition to the three legislators who sponsored the bill, those in support included the North Dakota Farmers Union, Strengthen ND, the League of Cities, Rolla Job Development Authority and the Roosevelt Custer and Red River regional councils.

Of the more than 40 testimony entries online, one opposed the bill.

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The effort is duplicative, wrote Alexander Public Schools Superintendent Leslie Bieber, who added she supports more state funding going to rural communities.

A House floor vote has not been scheduled.

Peyton Haug

Peyton Haug joined The Forum as the Bismarck correspondent in June 2024. Reach Peyton at phaug@forumcomm.com.





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North Dakota

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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North Dakota

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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