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New North Dakota Republican group aims to push back against far-right faction • Nebraska Examiner

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New North Dakota Republican group aims to push back against far-right faction • Nebraska Examiner


A new North Dakota Republican group has formed to push back against a perceived ultraconservative influence in state politics.

Former NDGOP Chair Perrie Schafer has formed the LegeNDary Fund, which he described in a letter to potential donors as supporting “center-right” Republicans. Schafer wrote that it will become increasingly difficult to win elections statewide and nationally if candidates, elected officials and leaders keep trying to “burn the house down.”

The purpose of the group, he said, is to ensure that North Dakota doesn’t become like other Republican-led states, such as Arizona and Georgia, where, even with legislative majorities, they lose statewide offices and national elections to Democrats.

“What we see happening is when the ultraconservatives take over a state, they take over the state party, but they lose elections,” Schafer told the North Dakota Monitor.

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As a result, a majority of the Republican Party became less engaged and started feeling they were not being represented, he said.

“All we’re trying to do is suggest that people from the center of the party get more engaged,” Schafer said.

Schafer was voted out as chair of the NDGOP in 2023 after serving a two-year term and replaced by current chair Sandi Sanford, who won by one vote.

“Some people are going to try to blow it out of proportion saying, ‘this is Perrie Schafer against Sandi Sanford,’’’ Schafer said. “No. It has nothing to do with that.”

He also added, “This is not an anti-NDGOP thing at all.”

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Schafer registered the LegeNDary political action committee and LegeNDary multicandidate committee with the North Dakota Secretary of State’s Office.

A political action committee, or PAC, can spend funds on the same things as a political party, said Lee Ann Oliver, election specialist for the North Dakota Secretary of State’s Office.

Sanford said she doesn’t see the LegeNDary political action committee as a threat to the NDGOP.

“That’s fair game,” Sanford said. “There’s different factions on both sides of the aisle that have PACs, that’s fair game in politics.”

However, she added she sees the group as settling more on the center-left than the center-right.

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“I’m a middle-right conservative,” she said. “And there’s possibly an ocean between me and the far, far-right.”

Sanford said she’s been trying to unify the party over the last year and the LegeNDary group may have the opposite effect.

She also said it’s unclear what the outcomes of the new LegeNDary group are going to be, but she considered the timing of the group’s launch to be “poor” because of the upcoming party presidential caucuses on Monday and looming statewide NDGOP Convention in April.

“It is an indication that they are supporting the bypass of the NDGOP endorsement,” Sanford said. “And for a former chair to say that he supports the NDGOP, I don’t see that in this effort at this time.”

Schafer served as the Republican National Committee’s Midwest Regional Chair from 2021 to 2022, which represented Republican interests for 14 states. He also served the RNC on the nine-member National Resolution Committee.

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Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck, who along with his fellow District 30 Republican incumbents skipped their district endorsing convention to proceed directly to the June 11 statewide primary, said he considers himself a centrist-conservative and sees the new group as a reaction to the increase in far-right candidates, lawmakers and local and state party officials. He added the perceived differences between factions within the party may steer donor dollars to these upstart organizations.

“I think in the past … a lot of this money probably would’ve gone to the party,” Nathe said. “But now, these monies are ending up in these various PACs to support candidates that they want.”

Schafer said LegeNDary is not affiliated with a multicandidate committee registered by Rep. Brandon Prichard, R-Bismarck, under the same name.

This article first appeared in the North Dakota Monitor, a sister site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom network.

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Griffin’s 18 lead Western Illinois past North Dakota 69-66 in OT – WTOP News

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Griffin’s 18 lead Western Illinois past North Dakota 69-66 in OT – WTOP News


GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Isaiah Griffin had 18 points in Western Illinois’ 69-66 overtime win against North Dakota on…

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Isaiah Griffin had 18 points in Western Illinois’ 69-66 overtime win against North Dakota on Saturday.

Griffin had three steals for the Leathernecks (4-7). Karyiek Dixon scored 17 points while shooting 6 of 10 from the field and 5 for 6 from the line and added 18 rebounds. Lucas Lorenzen shot 3 for 13 (1 for 9 from 3-point range) and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line to finish with 14 points.

Eli King led the way for the Fightin’ Hawks (4-9) with 13 points, two steals and four blocks. Greyson Uelmen added 13 points for North Dakota. Garrett Anderson had 11 points and six rebounds.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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© 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.



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Community rescues grieving North Dakota widow — by harvesting their late pal’s 1,400 acres of crops

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Community rescues grieving North Dakota widow — by harvesting their late pal’s 1,400 acres of crops


In North Dakota, farmers aren’t neighbors — they’re family.

When a sudden car crash tragically took the life of a beloved community member, the goodhearted folks of Antler came together to carry out one final act of kindness: they harvested his crops.

Randy Fyllesvold was killed in September, and his grieving widow, Kharra, and their two sons were left reeling, in no condition to deal with the 1,400 acres of corn and soybeans still in the fields surrounding their home.

Randy Fyllesvold, seen here with his wife Kharra, was killed in September. Kharra Fyllesvold/Facebook

That’s when the close-knit community stepped in.

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Two of Randy’s pals — Wyatt Thompson and Andy Gates — decided to organize a large-scale harvest of their late pal’s crops.

First, they put out a call for help.

And the people answered. In a flash, more than 75 volunteers from surrounding communities were rolling onto the farm on 12 combines, in 40 trucks, all loaded with other equipment — along with willing hands.

They worked together like a well-oiled machine, and the massive effort was locked up in just a couple days.

Kharra said being among so many people harvesting her husband’s final crop was “nothing short of breathtaking” and she feels blessed to be the recipient of so much love and support in such a harrowing time.

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The tiny North Dakota community banded together to help the family bring in the harvest. Kharra Fyllesvold/Facebook

But they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“To know Randy was to love Randy,” said buddy Wyatt Thompson told local station KFYR. “..The reach that he had was kind of endless.”

Kharra said she’ll never forget what they did for her.

More than 75 volunteers stepped up to help bring in the harvest. Kharra Fyllesvold/Facebook

“As I stood in the shop and looked around before the final Randy Fyllesvold corn harvest started, I was flooded with memories we created with all of you,” she wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post.

“The day was full of emotion, but I found so much peace in watching it unfold … but from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I will always remember this and Randy would be so proud.

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“God Bless all of you and the boys and I love each and every one of you. 12 combines, 7 grain carts, over 40 trucks all for you Randy.

“I know you are smiling down.”



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Donald Snyder Sr.

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Donald Snyder Sr.


Donald R. Snyder Sr. 82 of Grand Forks, North Dakota died Tuesday, December 9, 2026, at Villa St. Vincent in Crookston, Minnesota. 

Don was born on June 3, 1943, the son of Harrison and Gladys (Whittier) Snyder in Van Hook, North Dakota. He attended school in Van Hook and New Town, North Dakota. Don served in the United States Navy from 1960 – 1964 and was stationed in Hawaii during his time of service as a Military Police officer. He attended ND Police Academy and where he worked in Wattford City, ND and later was the Chief of Police in Parshall, ND. Don attended Minot State University and received a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1972. 

Don was united in marriage to Greta Huseby on November 22, 1991, in Lake Tahoe, Neveda. He worked as a social worker in child welfare in North Dakota for thirty-five plus years in various roles in the state in Rugby, Minot and Bismarck as a Regional Supervisor to State Director in foster care. Don spent the many years taking care of family’s needs in North Dakota.

After retiring from Human Service in North Dakota, he worked for Multiband Inc. and Orangehook Inc. Don retired from OrangeHook Inc. as the Senior Vice President, responsible for HR Department.

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Don enjoyed fishing (deep sea, rivers and lakes), hunting, woodworking (cabinetry and interior), coaching Tee Ball and soccer, and volunteering for the local honor guards. He was proud of his service in the military and always showed his gratitude for fellow veterans.

Don’s faith and family were his priority. He read the Bible six times and shared his faith with his family and friends. Don and Greta were active members of University Lutheran Church.

Don is survived by his wife, Greta Snyder; three sons, Donald Richard Snyder Jr., Scott (Nancy) Snyder and Tracy (Staci) Snyder; grandchildren, Megan (Rory) Selk, Katelyn Snyder, Gavin Snyder, Whitney (Chris) Crofts, Kaylee (Jon) Gappmaier and Jordan (Jen) Snyder, thirteen great-grandchildren, Kinley, Iyla, Jude, Gabby, Rowan, Sophia, Hunter, Kimber, Isaiah, Benjamin, Porshea, Addie and Mollie;  numerous nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, two daughters, Tunya and Mishell Snyder, granddaughter, Jessica Snyder and two infant sisters. 

Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Amundson Funeral Home. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Amundson Funeral Home.

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