BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Every year on the first Saturday in May, comic book fans around the country gather at their local comic book stores for Free Comic Day.

When Comic Realms opened at 11 a.m., fans of all kinds rushed through the doors to get their free comic books.

The event featured four businesses: Comic Realms, Chakra Realms, Cafe Realms and Rhythm Records.

Comic Realms has been open since 2017. For the last four years, Free Comic Day has been used by the business as a fundraiser.

”How we do it here is you get five books for free, just for coming, whatever titles you’d like. And then for every $1 donation or a nonperishable food item that’ll go to the local food bank, you can get an extra five books. And then we cap it at a $5 donation, and then you can get all 48 titles if you’d like,” said Lesley Frohlich, owner of Comic Realms.

Located next to Comic Realms, Cafe Realms sells comic book-inspired drinks.

In honor of the event, the theme was Transformers, but customers can enjoy themed drinks outside of Free Comic Book Day.

”We have a Marvel list and then a DC list. All of your Marvel drinks are going to be more like your energy-based, like Redbull, and the DC, we decided to steer away from that and do like a dirty soda,” said Britney Frohlich, manager at Cafe Realms.

Lesley appreciates the support of the community the business has attracted and wants to return the favor with the funds and donations received.

“We have a really good community of people that support us, so we like to give back whenever we can,” said Lesley.

Attendants also had the chance to win a door prize and a print designed by Dylan Kahl.

Comic Realms, Cafe Realms, Chakra Realms and Rhythm Records collaborate often. Lesley says they like to support small businesses, as they are a small business as well.

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FARGO — People gathered in a swirl of colors Saturday, May 4, for a celebration of Indigenous culture the 33rd annual Woodlands and High Plains Powwow.

Attendees converged on the Sanford Health Athletic Complex at North Dakota State University for the event, which featured two grand entries — one at 1 p.m. and another at 7 p.m. A feast was scheduled for 5 p.m.

The theme of the year’s powwow was “May the Four Directions Guide Me.”

(Bismarck, ND) — A Bismarck legislator awaits sentencing after a jury found him guilty on Friday of using his political office for personal gain. 

Court officials say Representative Jason Dockter of Bismarck had pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor count of speculating or wagering on official action. The charge was linked to his legislative vote on a state lease on a building in which he had a financial interest. Prosecutors had alleged that Dockter’s interest in the property should have barred his participation in the vote that approved state funds for the project. Officials say Dockter could face up to 360 days in prison and a $3,000 fine when he is sentenced.

Members of North Daktoa’s Dem-NPL commented on the conflict-of-interest guilty verdict today, including House Minority Leader Zac Ista. “Representative Dockter must resign after a jury convicted him of using his public office for personal gain. He has the right to appeal his conviction, but he should step aside from the privilege of serving in the Legislature. All North Dakotans deserve elected officials who are acting only in the best interests of the citizens of our great state.”