North Dakota
Dru Sjodin: Death sentence reduced to life in prison for Minnesotan who killed North Dakota student
FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The death sentence for a Minnesota man who killed a North Dakota college student 20 years ago has been officially changed to life in prison.
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Ralph Erickson signed the sentence amendment for Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. last week, according to court records.
Rodriguez, a sex offender, was convicted in 2007 of kidnapping 22-year-old Dru Sjodin on Nov. 22, 2003, from a Grand Forks shopping mall. He then sexually assaulted her, cut her throat and left her to die in a ravine near Crookston, Minnesota.
The body of Sjodin, who was a University of North Dakota student, was found five months later.
U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider in North Dakota filed a notice in federal court in March withdrawing his effort to seek the death penalty. He said he did so at the direction of U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.
That left life in prison without parole as the only possible sentenced for Rodriguez.
Rodriguez’s death sentence was overturned in September 2021 by Erikson, who found that Rodriguez’s constitutional rights were violated during the trial by misleading testimony from the coroner, the failure of lawyers to outline the possibility of an insanity defense, and evidence of severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
Rodriguez was still listed as a death row inmate at a maximum security penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana, on Tuesday. A message was sent to the prison to find out if he had been moved and where he might be held.
In 2021, Garland announced a moratorium on federal executions after the Justice Department was criticized by death penalty opponents for pursuing the sentence despite President Joe’s Biden’s opposition to capital punishment.
North Dakota
Bobcat implements fuel cells across two North Dakota production facilities
(WDAY Radio) — Bobcat is using innovative clean energy technology to help power both of its North Dakota plants.
Fuel cells convert natural gas into electricity and heat. The cells were produced by HyAxiom, and have supplied facilities across the country with similar energy options. While the plants don’t run entirely on the fuel cells, each one puts out around 460 kilowatt-hours of power, which makes a big difference and allow for the plants to largely supply for their own energy needs.
“We are proud to be at the forefront of sustainable energy solutions with the installation of these new stationary fuel cells,” said Mike Ballweber, president, Doosan Bobcat North America, in a statement to WDAY Radio. “This is just one example of our commitment to advancing our facilities today for a better tomorrow.”
The Bismarck plant has three cells, while the Gwinner plant has eleven.
North Dakota
Obituary for Leo Wolf at Feist Funeral Home
North Dakota
Smoke from Canadian wildfires affects air quality in North Dakota and neighboring states
DICKINSON — Wildfires in Canada, particularly in Ontario and Quebec, have intensified, leading to significant smoke drifting into North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and parts of Wisconsin, impacting air quality. Drought, strong winds, and warmer conditions have exacerbated these fires, creating a complex challenge for environmental and health agencies.
The most recent data from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center Inc. counts a total of 130 active fires. 38 labeled “Out of Control,” and the majority a total of 81 labeled “Under Control.”
Meteorologist Michael Hollan from the Bismarck National Weather Service detailed how smoke from these northern fires is transported into the region by the jet stream, affecting both higher altitudes and ground levels depending on wind patterns.
Predicting the exact movement and density of smoke is challenging due to the dynamic nature of the fires and varying atmospheric conditions. “Forecasting the persistence of smoke is complex more than a day or two in advance,” Hollan noted, underscoring the unpredictable behavior of wildfires and their impact on air quality.
Local residents are advised to stay informed through the
North Dakota Department of Health and the Fire and Smoke Map
provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These resources offer updates on air quality, which is crucial for individuals with respiratory conditions or heart diseases, as PM2.5—fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke—can deeply penetrate lung tissue and exacerbate health issues.
Given the observed increase in the severity and frequency of wildfires due to climate change, such smoky conditions could become a more common occurrence. “There has been an overall increasing trend in the wildfire season, both the severity of it and the duration of it over the past few years,” stated Hollan.
He also suggested that this could be something people in the region might need to become more accustomed to, with potentially more smoky days than in the past.
For daily updates on smoke and air quality, North Dakotans should consult the North Dakota Department of Health’s website and the EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map, ensuring they have the latest information to make informed decisions about their health and safety during these recurring environmental events.
Manny is a journalist with a diverse background in communications. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, he earned his degree in the DFW area before venturing to New York City. There he worked as an ethnic media reporter, covering local issues and immigration news. A long history of dedication to sensitive reporting, Manny’s journalistic journey has led him to Dickinson where he takes on the role of a hard news reporter.
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