New docuseries on abortion features North Dakota, Minnesota lawmakers

FARGO — A new documentary series that examines what’s happened across the country since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade features North Dakota and Minnesota legislators, including Rep. Karla Rose Hanson, D-Fargo.

“Fractured” is a five-part series, with the first part spotlighting legislative action during the 2023 North Dakota legislative session and Hanson’s efforts to keep abortion legal in the state.

The same part of the series addresses the legislative happenings in neighboring Minnesota, and explores the difficulties of creating abortion policy in such a fractured national landscape.

Saturday, June 24, marked one year since the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Dobbs v. Jackson, which overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that had allowed abortion. Since the Dobbs decision, many states have taken action to either protect abortion rights, such as in Minnesota, or limit them further such as in North Dakota where a trigger law banning abortion went into effect after Roe v. Wade was overturned.

A lawsuit brought by abortion rights advocates is taking aim at North Dakota’s ban.

“I was glad to take part in the project to highlight the stark contrast between North Dakota and Minnesota and the freedoms that are impacted by each legislature,” Hanson said.

The series was produced by the

State Innovation Exchange’s Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council

, a network of state legislators working to protect and expand abortion rights. The project takes viewers on a journey across 10 states.

The first three episodes can be viewed at 

stateinnovation.org/fractured

.

Wendy Reuer covers all things West Fargo for The Forum.