MILWAUKEE (KFYR/KMOT) – The Republican National Convention wrapped up on Thursday with former President Donald Trump accepting the Republican nomination for president.

We got the chance Thursday night to speak with members of the North Dakota delegation. When we spoke to the delegates, they talked about the enthusiasm that former President Trump brought onto the stage just a week after that assassination attempt on his life.

“Well, it was exciting. He told his story in a very frank way. And it sounds like a very unique way he’s done. It’s not like he’s going to tell it that way again,” said Ben Koppelman, delegate.

“His message was amazing is we just got to make this country great again and get back to what we’re good at working hard drilling for oil, just making America great again,” said Mary Graner, delegate.

“Well, it was longer than I thought it was going to be for sure. But, you know, he gets portrayed as the guy that sows division, and he did just the opposite,” said Scott Louser, delegate.

“Amazing. I mean, breathtaking. It was so awesome. You just felt full of hope and gratitude and promise for our country,” said Wendi Baggaley, delegate.

We spoke with more of our delegates about a whole range of topics, and we will have more follow-ups in the coming days.

Copyright 2024 KFYR. All rights reserved.

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – For the last ten years, the North Dakota American Indian Summit has provided information and resources about Native American culture and history for the classroom.

It has also discussed ways to help Native American students work on healing any trauma or improving their mental health to aid their academic success.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the Native American graduation rate ten years ago was 60 percent. That year, the North Dakota American Indian Summit was organized by the Department of Public Instruction. The event’s purpose was to educate teachers on how to lead their Native American students to success in school.

”It became obvious that it was critical, for the success of our state, and for the ability for us to fully thrive to our fullest potential as a state, we needed to make sure that every single student in our school system was meeting their fullest potential,” said Kirsten Baesler, state superintendent.

This year Derrick Boles, a motivational speaker, was invited to be one of the keynote speakers at the summit. Boles’ message was about mental health and taking charge of your life. He said he sees similarities between challenges in the Black community to the ones the Native American community faces.

”There’s so much growth that can happen if we can connect people together, from multiple backgrounds,” said Boles. “So having different experiences, different perspectives and just having everybody thinking the same thing is the issue.”

Over the last 10 years, the Native American student graduation rates have increased, from 60 percent in 2014 to 77 percent in 2023.

”Right before the pandemic, our Native American students were graduating at the same rate as all of our overall graduation rate, and so they were in the upper eighties, lower nineties graduation rate,” said Baesler.

The rates decreased again during the COVID-19 lockdown, but Baesler said they have been on the rise.

This year’s summit was focused on strengthening Native American education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Copyright 2024 KFYR. All rights reserved.

Neil Koenig, 78, Jamestown, ND, died Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at Jamestown Regional Medical Center in Jamestown.

Neil Nathan Koenig was born in Everett, WA on December 9, 1945 to Edgar and Marjorie (Peyer) Koenig joining brother Larry and sisters Glenda and Kay. In 1946 at the age of 9 months his family returned to ND. They rented in the Robinson area until purchasing a farm north of Robinson. In 1954 a brother, Douglas joined the family. Neil attended the North Merkel #3 Country School through the eighth grade, finishing High School in Robinson, ND. In 1957 their mother passed away. Neil continued working on the family farm.

He married Catherine Mary McDade on July 17, 1965 at Aberdeen, SD. They made their home with his, Dad, Edgar and brother Doug on the recently purchased Louie West/Virgil Koenig farm. On April 28, 1968 a daughter, Georgette Ja was born. In fall of 1969 the farm was sold, Neil continued to work several jobs in the area until employment at a newly built Western Gear Manufacturing Company in Jamestown, ND. Neil was the 4th one hired at Western Gear and continued working through 9 different company name changes at the aerospace plant for 37 years until retiring in March of 2008. Neil, Cathy and Georgette moved to Jamestown, ND on New Years Day of 1971. On March 16, 1972 a son, Brent LeRoy was born.

Neil is survived by his wife Cathy Koenig, Daughter Georgette Koenig and son, Brent Koenig (Marella Presler), his grandchildren Danielle Trapp, Jesse Sailer, Lee Trapp, Cameron Koenig, Jade Koenig, and Keely Wagner, and his great grandchildren Max, Isla, and Greyson. He is also survived by 1 brother Douglas Koenig. 3 sisters-in-law Peggy Kertscher, Jill (Sunil) Misra, June (Dale) Neumiller. As well as many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his mother, father, 1 brother, 2 sisters, 2 sisters-in-law, 1 brother-in-law, 1 niece, and many close aunts and uncles.

Visitation- 4-7p Sunday at the funeral home

Funeral Service- 11:00 AM Monday, July 22, 2024 at Haut Funeral Home in Jamestown.

Interment- 2:30 PM Monday at Fairview Cemetery- SE of Robinson, ND.