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Governor notes good behavior in North Dakota turkey pardon

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Governor notes good behavior in North Dakota turkey pardon


Gov. Doug Burgum pardoned two turkeys on Friday, noting one’s good habits in comparison with previous birds.

“I feel in my time that is the best-behaved turkey we have had,” stated the governor as Sunflower the turkey stretched a leg on a coated desk in Memorial Corridor of the state Capitol. She gurgled all through the normal pre-Thanksgiving occasion.

The governor and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring introduced frozen turkeys to representatives of the Abused Grownup Useful resource Heart and Heavens Helpers Soup Cafe in Bismarck. The organizations every obtained 15 frozen birds for Thanksgiving on behalf of the North Dakota Turkey Federation. 

North Dakota turkey producers elevate 1 million birds yearly, however they’ve confronted challenges as a result of a nationwide outbreak of hen flu, based on Goehring. 5 of the eight main producers had been impacted, and two have been in a position to restock, he stated. 

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Individuals are additionally studying…

“It is … lots of stress on the household and lots of stress on the neighborhood,” Goehring stated. 

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Burgum famous the emotional and monetary misery the nation’s current inflation could cause households.

“We hope that these presents encourage others to present generously throughout this time of the 12 months to assist these native organizations which are supporting these which may be challenged in the course of the vacation season,” he stated.

Burgum pardoned Sunflower and Honey, two 19-week-old, 26-pound turkeys from the Wittenburg household’s flock close to Wyndmere. 

He learn a poem he acknowledged won’t match for the well-behaved Sunflower.

“It is not simple to really feel gratitude for a turkey with an perspective, so give thanks, Sunflower, that you simply turned out handsome. It has spared you from Thanksgiving cooking,” Burgum stated earlier than elevating his proper arm and pardoning the hen. 

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The vocal Sunflower stretched her legs and seemed across the corridor, with three frozen turkeys on the desk along with her. She additionally relieved herself on the desk. Honey remained in a crate behind the desk.

The Abused Grownup Useful resource Heart, which operates an emergency shelter and a transitional shelter, sheltered about 200 mother and father and kids final 12 months, and 240 by means of October 2022, based on Government Director Michelle Erickson. She famous the appropriateness of the turkey donations coinciding with Nationwide Starvation and Homelessness Consciousness Week. 

“The individuals in our shelters are thought-about homeless, they usually’re very grateful to have a very nice Thanksgiving dinner like they might have in the event that they had been in their very own comfortable, secure properties,” Erickson stated.

Soup Cafe Ministry Coordinator Dave Bender famous the costly value of meat, “So once we get a donation of protein, we all know that our soups and our meals can have sustenance for these individuals that aren’t solely simply homeless, however we positively serve the working poor, people who find themselves on the identical restricted earnings with higher-priced gasoline and higher-priced meals.”

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Gov. Burgum pardons weigh role of addiction, 'legal discrimination'

Since he took workplace in 2016, Burgum has issued 167 pardons — for individuals — together with eight this 12 months. 

Included within the whole are 83 abstract pardons Burgum issued beneath a 2019 coverage change streamlining the method for individuals convicted of low-level marijuana offenses. 

Burgum has stated he believes attitudes have shifted on alcohol and substance use issues and he does not suppose an individual must be “trailed round” by a conviction which will contain their habit.

Attain Jack Dura at 701-250-8225 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com.

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North Dakota

District 27 Republicans to meet to fill ND House vacancy

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District 27 Republicans to meet to fill ND House vacancy


FARGO — North Dakota District 27 Republicans will meet March 6, 2025, to fill a vacancy in the North Dakota House of Representatives left by the death of Rep. Josh Christy.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at Southern Valley Fire and Rescue, 413 Main St., Horace, North Dakota.

Christy, a Republican,

died Feb. 18, in Bismarck at the age of 43.

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Christy won his first election to serve in the House for District 27 in 2022.

District 27 includes parts of southwest Fargo but mostly covers east Cass County south of Fargo down to County Road 46. It extends from the Red River to the west of Horace.

State law directs that a district must choose a replacement for a lawmaker if their seat is vacated.

Christy’s replacement will finish his term, which ends in 2026.





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Letter: Sen. Larson's comment about proposed Grand Forks casino was disgraceful

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Letter: Sen. Larson's comment about proposed Grand Forks casino was disgraceful


To the editor,

What a disgrace for the comment made by Sen. Diane Larson,

who suggested before a North Dakota Senate vote that a proposed casino in Grand Forks

might be backed by cartels. She has no knowledge of economic development and how that can help North Dakota cities like Grand Forks.

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I have seen how Grand Forks has struggled since the pandemic and this casino would have been an asset to other businesses. Hopefully others in the Senate will see the benefit and bring this issue back.

It’s time to let the people speak and tell Diane Larson to go back home! This is the kind of faulty decisions that keep North Dakota from going forward and prospering.

Diane Hoverson
Grafton, North Dakota





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Fargo area leaders urge local control as state works on property tax reform

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Fargo area leaders urge local control as state works on property tax reform


FARGO — Local leaders are keeping a close eye on moves in the state Legislature that aim to offer property tax relief after Gov. Kelly Armstrong identified that as a key legislative priority.

If passed,

House Bill 1176

would place a 3% cap on annual property tax levy increases for political subdivisions. The bill, introduced by Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck, includes a host of other property tax changes championed by Armstrong, as well as tax relief for renters and elderly homeowners.

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On behalf of the most populated county in the state, Cass County Commission Chair

Tony Grindberg told lawmakers this process should include collaboration between the state and local powers.

He submitted opposing testimony to the bill.

“We want a seat at the table to be part of the solution,” Grindberg told The Forum. “A 3% cap creates challenges for the state’s fastest-growing county.”

While the county supports statewide efforts to expand property tax relief to primary residences, there is concern at the county level that the bill doesn’t adequately factor in inflation, economic and population growth, or changing requirements for government.

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Historically, Cass County has maintained healthy finances through “fiscally conservative budgets,” Grindberg said.

A 3% cap on annual property tax increases doesn’t align with the growing demands on the county, he said, including increased costs across the board, workforce challenges and an ongoing jail expansion.

If this is put into law, Cass County will either need to cut services or face a deficit of $4 million by 2026, he said. The bulk of the county’s budget is earmarked for public safety offices like the jail, sheriff and state’s attorney, he said, and other cuts could impact the highway fund for road upkeep.

Ultimately, Grindberg said he hopes lawmakers arrive at the right decisions for property tax relief and reform that provide a level of local control and flexibility.

“It will all work out, but it’s going to take a collective effort,” he said.

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The Fargo School Board is asking the Legislature to push forward property tax reform that prioritizes local control and can be easily and practically applied throughout the state.

On behalf of the board, member

Robin Nelson submitted neutral testimony to the bill.

It’s increasingly apparent that property tax issues are complex, Nelson told The Forum, and require more thought than placing a cap on local government.

However, that’s how leading goes, she said, noting it involves coming to the table with an idea and working on it until it’s the best it can be.

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“That’s how the democratic process works,” Nelson said. “Legislation is sausage-making.”

At the end of the day, Nelson said, the best ideas from around the table will be formed into a final solution to best serve the interests of local communities.

The city of Fargo is excited to see property tax reform and the positive impact it will have on residents, Mayor Tim Mahoney said. He did not submit testimony on the bill.

However, the city isn’t without worry about the shifting landscape.

The 3% cap on annual increases won’t keep up with the growth of communities like Fargo, West Fargo and Horace, Mahoney said.

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These concerns have been brought to Armstrong’s attention on behalf of the Fargo City Commission and the city of West Fargo, he said, and leaders from both communities plan to work alongside state leaders to find solutions.

At the end of the day, the city wants to continue providing services to residents, Mahoney said, and could face cuts if the community’s growth outpaces the proposed cap.

“People expect great services in their community,” he said.

Legislators amended HB 1176 several times since its introduction.

Most notably, lawmakers adjusted the bill to allow voters to exclude their county or city from the levy increase caps for up to 10 years,

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The Bismarck Tribune reported.

Armstrong told The Bismarck Tribune the built-in flexibility could be “a little more restrictive,” but he commended the hard work that is moving the bill forward.

There has been a mixed response to the bill,

according to submitted testimony,

with roughly half in favor, a quarter opposed and another quarter neutral.

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Most of the written comments were submitted on behalf of government entities or by government officials and other large organizations.

The bill was sent to the House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 11 and is awaiting a recommendation there.





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