North Dakota
Fargo insurance agent fined by state disputes giving kickbacks
BISMARCK — A Fargo insurance agent facing the largest fine ever imposed by the North Dakota Insurance Department says the state agency misrepresented what led to the fine.
Tyler Bjerke, a representative for Midwest Heritage Insurance and Valley Crop Insurance, has been fined $136,500 and his license to sell insurance in North Dakota has been placed on probation for four years for violating a law that limits gifts to clients and potential clients, according to the order finalizing the penalties.
The per person limit means insurance agents can give a gift of $200 to a client couple, said Insurance Department spokesperson Jacob Just.
The Insurance Department said Bjerke gave 182 pub-style tables to clients and potential clients valued at $213.95.
Bjerke doesn’t dispute the cost but contends that he originally ordered the tables from China in July 2022 at a price of $199.95 per set. He said in September 2022, he was told that the price had gone up to $213.95 due to port fees and tariffs.
He said he tried to cancel the order but would have lost a $20,000 deposit.
“I made a business decision based on $14.95 over the gift allowance and thought that no one would care about $14.95,” he said in the email. “This was $2,720.90 over the limit and I was fined $136,500, $750 per violation.”
Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread said in a statement that licensed insurance agents aren’t allowed to give high-value gifts to consumers “because it essentially boils down to bribing clients for business.”
“Insurance should only be sold based on the competitive coverage options and premiums offered by an agent, not by those who can offer kickbacks in exchange for business,” Godfread said.
Bjerke said the pub tables were for clients with “man-caves, shops, lake homes, etc.” as a way to thank clients he considers family members.
“For the insurance commissioner to mention that gifts are kickbacks in exchange for business is a gross misrepresentation of what occurred,” Bjerke said.
The Insurance Department also found that Bjerke hosted a concert by the band Sawyer Brown in February 2023 with free admission to clients and potential clients, with the value also exceeding the $100 limit. Prosecution of that case was deferred as a condition of Bjerke’s license being placed on probation.
Bjerke said the band was booked as part of a company and client celebration after a day of training sessions that included updates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers crop insurance programs, and U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., a crop insurance advocate. He said there were no tickets to the event.
Bjerke said he tried multiple times to meet with the Insurance Department and complied with their request for four years of company records.
He said the Insurance Department has a vital role to play in creating an equal playing field for North Dakota insurance agents, but he said he believes his agency was targeted.
Jeff Kleven, executive director of Independent Insurance Agents of North Dakota, said these kinds of violations should be taken seriously and can hurt the reputation of the industry.
Kleven said every licensed insurance agent is aware of the rules on gifts.
“It’s part of the test,” he said.
This story was originally published on NorthDakotaMonitor.com
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North Dakota
Windy conditions fuel shop fire in rural Mapleton
MAPLETON, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Casselton Fire responded to a shop fire in rural Mapleton on Saturday afternoon, according to Casselton Fire Chief John Hejl.
Casselton Fire was dispatched to the scene at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Windy conditions escalated the fire before crews arrived, Hejl said.
Firefighters used defensive and offensive lines to control the fire upon arrival.
Casselton Fire was assisted by Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Casselton Ambulance, West Fargo Police Department, Davenport Fire and Mapleton Fire.
Copyright 2026 KVLY. All rights reserved.
North Dakota
Finley, North Dakota without water after watermain leak.
A do not use water advisory issued by the City of Finley, North Dakota. April 2026.
FINLEY, N.D. (KFGO) – The city of Finley, North Dakota has been without potable water since Friday due to a suspected water main leak. Steele County Emergency Management says it is unclear how long it will take to restore water services in the city.
The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality says the available water in Finley has been deemed unusable for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing dishes or laundry.
The water system will need to be flushed and samples that say the water is safe will need to be collected for the water advisory to be lifted.
North Dakota
Richard D. Langowski Obituary April 16, 2026 – Tollefson Funeral Home
Richard D. “Rick” Langowski, age 78 of Minto, North Dakota passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at his home in Minto.
Rick was born March 10, 1948 in Grafton, North Dakota, the son of the late Julian and Catherine (Wysocki) Langowski. In 1967, he volunteered for the military bringing him to Germany as a Motor Sargent. After an Honorable Discharge he took a job at the International Airport in Grand Forks, ND. His duties included: refueling planes and jets as well as maintaining the grounds. He had the opportunity to meet the famous singer Mr. James Brown.
Rick was united in marriage to Alice Odegard on June 17, 1982 in Minto, North Dakota. The family made their home in Minto where they raised Jason and Angela. Rick was very proud of his children and loved them more than anything. He told everyone and bragged about the children he raised. He cherished his grandchildren and loved to be present in every aspect of their lives.
His career changed to semi driving where he drove for Cenex Transportation for four years and ten years for Valley Transports. His love for the open road directed him into the used car business. He opened Minto Auto Sales and Services in 1987, proudly operating for 39 years. He had the privilege to meet many people and travel to many places. He enjoyed riding his many Harley Davidson Motorcycles. In 2025, he sold the business to his longtime mechanic and friend, Aaron Anderson. In Rick’s opinion, “Minto Auto is one of the best mechanical shops in the area.”
He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Minto, ND. He loved hunting with Jason, watching sports, especially the Yankees and Twins. In 2017, Rick was able to enjoy a father/son trip of a lifetime to Alaska. He thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the trip and thought was the best time of his life.
Rick is survived by his children: Jason Odegard, Reynolds, ND; Angela (Nick) Eppert, Goshen, IN; grandchildren: Ashlyn, Kaia, Annika, Boden and Caelan; sisters: Carol King, Grand Forks, ND; Connie Jones, Argyle, MN; seven nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his very close friend and confidant, Yvette Estep, Grafton, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Robert and Ronald.
Rick’s family would like to extend a very special thank you to Yvette Estep, an employee of Rick’s, affectionately known as “hotrod.” She was there for Rick, along with Aaron for doctor’s appointments, treatments and helped comfort him throughout his battle. Jason and Angela will be forever indebted to her and consider her family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Minto. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Minto, ND. Military Rites will be provided by the Minto American Legion Post and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.
or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard D. Langowski, please visit our
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