North Dakota
North Dakota first lady Kathryn Burgum's election ballot rejected
FARGO — The
North Dakota first lady’s
ballot was thrown out last month after election authorities determined the signature on her absentee application didn’t match the one on her mail-in ballot envelope.
The Secretary of State absentee tracker website shows the June 11 primary election ballot of Kathryn Helgaas, also known as
Kathryn Burgum,
was rejected because the “signatures do not match.” Helgaas married
Doug Burgum
in late 2016 after he was elected North Dakota governor for his first term. She uses the name Kathryn Burgum.
Doug Burgum’s absentee/mail-in ballot was accepted, according to the tracker website.
Kathryn Burgum was unavailable for comment before publishing time, Doug Burgum spokesman Dawson Schefter said. He confirmed she filled out her absentee ballot and voted in Cass County.
“Cass County staff had a question about it, reached a determination, and the matter was resolved,” Schefter said in a statement.
Contributed / North Dakota Secretary of State website
The Cass County Canvassing Board met on June 24. Along with Cass County Commission Chair Chad Peterson, County Finance Director Brandy Madrigga and County Recorder Deborah Moeller, three Democrats and three Republicans voted on whether to accept or reject ballots.
The board voted to reject Kathryn Helgaas’ ballot, said Cheryl Biller, a Democrat who was on the canvassing board. The last name on Helgaas’ absentee application didn’t match the envelope that contained her ballot, Biller said.
The board discussed how the first name on the ballot might have matched, but the last name “completely looked different,” Biller said.
It’s unclear what, exactly, made the two signatures different; The Forum was not allowed to review the application and ballot envelope to compare them.
“I’m not sure any of us recognized the name when we were looking at it,” she said. “I do remember, of the ones that we rejected, they just looked like they couldn’t be the same people.”
Biller said someone told her after the meeting that the ballot belonged to Kathryn Burgum.
Melissa Paulik, one of the Republicans, declined to discuss an individual’s ballot, but she said ballots rejected due to mismatched signatures “are usually pretty clear.”
“It’s not uncommon to have a unanimous vote,” she said.
Peterson, Democrat Christine Fastnaught and Republicans Hal Ecker and Amy Olson told The Forum they didn’t recall Kathryn Helgaas’ ballot. Democrat Renae Aafor didn’t return a message.
Doug Burgum is considered a top contender to be former President Donald Trump’s vice president running mate. The presumed Republican presidential nominee in the 2024 election is likely to announce his pick in the coming days, possibly at the Republican National Convention next week in Milwaukee.
Burgum will attend the convention, said spokesman Mike Nowatzki.
Trump claimed that mail-in ballots were a source of fraud that cost him the 2020 election against Democrat Joe Biden. The two are expected to face off in the general election on Nov. 5.
Michael Vosburg / The Forum
North Dakotans can request an absentee or mail-in ballot by filling out an application. They then receive a ballot, which must be sent back in a sealed envelope.
That envelope serves as a sworn statement, or affidavit, that the person who is voting is actually that person. North Dakota law requires voters to sign their own ballot applications and envelope affidavit, North Dakota Elections Director Erika White said.
Election officials then compare the signatures on the application and ballot envelope, Cass County Election Administrator Craig Steingaard said. If his office believes the signatures don’t match, staff send a letter to the person and try to call them to confirm the ballot is theirs, he said.
“It’s a good process,” he said of trying to get voters to confirm ballots with mismatched signatures. “I think Cass County does everything that we possibly can, because we don’t want anybody to have a rejected ballot. If we can get them to be able to provide us the information to make sure their ballot is counted, that’s what we are going to do.”
A county absentee board, separate from the canvassing board, can review the signatures as well before the canvassing board meets, White said. The voter then has until the canvassing board meets, which happens 13 days after an election, to contact election officials to fix, or “cure,” their ballot, she said.
North Dakota is one of 28 states that allows a voter to fix mismatched signatures. Steingaard said he has never seen a ballot with mismatched signatures be rejected if a voter confirms the ballot is theirs.
If the voter doesn’t respond, the canvassing board has to make the final call, Steingaard said.
“The county auditor, the absentee board, they have no ability to reject any voter’s ballot,” White said. “Only the canvassing board can make that determination.”
The county also sends out a letter to a person informing them that the canvassing board rejected their ballot and the reason it was thrown out, he said.
The county receives ballots with mismatched signatures every election, Steingaard said. What varies is the number, he said.
‘If her signatures don’t match’
State records indicate Kathryn Burgum’s ballot was sent to her on May 22 and returned to Cass County on June 12. The Burgums own property in Cass County, meaning Kathryn Burgum could vote in Cass County.
If the Secretary of State’s website says the first lady’s ballot was rejected, that means Cass County did not get a response to the letter it sent her before the canvassing board met, Steingaard said.
“In my experience, the signature usually needs to be pretty far off, if I’m being honest,” he said of canvassing boards rejecting a ballot. “It must have made people question it.”
The board reviewed 150 ballots, according to meeting minutes. The board rejected 11 because signatures on applications didn’t match the ballot envelope, Cass County spokeswoman Catlin Solum said.
The rejected ballots have been stored away by the county recorder, Solum said. They cannot be opened or inspected unless a recount happens or a judge issues a court order, Solum said in citing North Dakota canvassing law.
Biller acknowledged signatures can vary, and the canvassing board members aren’t trained in handwriting analysis. The first lady’s ballot should be treated like everyone else’s, Biller said.
“I guess I have to say, she shouldn’t get special consideration,” Biller said. “If her signatures don’t match, her signatures don’t match.”
Paulik said it is important for voters to try to use the same signature for ballot applications and ballots.
“I think many are unaware that these signatures are compared to ensure ‘one person, one vote,’” she said. “The canvassing board is usually pretty good at giving people the benefit of the doubt. (For example), they signed the application quickly but took more time with their ballot signature. Still, some people don’t make that job easy.”
Patrick T. Fallon/TNS
Burgum, Trump and mail-in ballots
Doug Burgum has served as North Dakota’s governor since late 2016. He also ran for president as a Republican but dropped out in December.
The governor declined to seek a third term as head of North Dakota’s government.
Speculation that Doug Burgum could be Trump’s running mate has grown in recent weeks. Trump has said he knows who he will pick, but he hasn’t said who the finalists are.
Doug Burgum has thrown his support behind Trump and has spent many days out of state campaigning on the former president’s behalf. Kathryn Burgum has often been at his side on the campaign trail for Trump.
Between May 22 and June 11, Doug Burgum appeared at the North Carolina Republican Convention, in New York as a jury ruled Trump was guilty in a hush money trial and in Louisiana to discuss an energy plan with 19 other governors.
The former president attacked absentee and mail-in ballots after his 2020 loss to Biden. He continuously claimed mail-in ballots were used to commit widespread election fraud and that the presidency was “stolen” from him.
Those allegations have been proven false.
Trump has seemingly in recent months changed his stance on absentee ballots.
“Absentee voting, early voting and Election Day voting are all good options,” Trump said recently on social media.
Richard D. “Rick” Langowski, age 78 of Minto, North Dakota passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at his home in Minto.
Rick was born March 10, 1948 in Grafton, North Dakota, the son of the late Julian and Catherine (Wysocki) Langowski. In 1967, he volunteered for the military bringing him to Germany as a Motor Sargent. After an Honorable Discharge he took a job at the International Airport in Grand Forks, ND. His duties included: refueling planes and jets as well as maintaining the grounds. He had the opportunity to meet the famous singer Mr. James Brown.
Rick was united in marriage to Alice Odegard on June 17, 1982 in Minto, North Dakota. The family made their home in Minto where they raised Jason and Angela. Rick was very proud of his children and loved them more than anything. He told everyone and bragged about the children he raised. He cherished his grandchildren and loved to be present in every aspect of their lives.
His career changed to semi driving where he drove for Cenex Transportation for four years and ten years for Valley Transports. His love for the open road directed him into the used car business. He opened Minto Auto Sales and Services in 1987, proudly operating for 39 years. He had the privilege to meet many people and travel to many places. He enjoyed riding his many Harley Davidson Motorcycles. In 2025, he sold the business to his longtime mechanic and friend, Aaron Anderson. In Rick’s opinion, “Minto Auto is one of the best mechanical shops in the area.”
He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Minto, ND. He loved hunting with Jason, watching sports, especially the Yankees and Twins. In 2017, Rick was able to enjoy a father/son trip of a lifetime to Alaska. He thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the trip and thought was the best time of his life.
Rick is survived by his children: Jason Odegard, Reynolds, ND; Angela (Nick) Eppert, Goshen, IN; grandchildren: Ashlyn, Kaia, Annika, Boden and Caelan; sisters: Carol King, Grand Forks, ND; Connie Jones, Argyle, MN; seven nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his very close friend and confidant, Yvette Estep, Grafton, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Robert and Ronald.
Rick’s family would like to extend a very special thank you to Yvette Estep, an employee of Rick’s, affectionately known as “hotrod.” She was there for Rick, along with Aaron for doctor’s appointments, treatments and helped comfort him throughout his battle. Jason and Angela will be forever indebted to her and consider her family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Minto. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Minto, ND. Military Rites will be provided by the Minto American Legion Post and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.
or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard D. Langowski, please visit our
.
By Nehal Malik
Tesla is heading to court to challenge one of the final frontiers of the traditional car dealership model. The automaker has officially filed a lawsuit against the state of North Dakota, seeking the right to open its first two showrooms and service centers in Bismarck and Fargo.
For years, North Dakota law has required vehicle manufacturers to sell their products through independent, third-party franchised dealerships. Tesla, which famously avoids the middleman to sell directly to consumers, argues that these decades-old rules are an unnecessary barrier. According to a report by the Minot Daily News, the case is now in the hands of District Judge Bonnie Storbakken.
A Battle Over Definitions
The core of Tesla’s legal argument relies on a specific reading of state law. Currently, North Dakota defines a “manufacturer” as a person who assembles or imports a vehicle and sells it to dealers in the state for resale. Tesla argues that because it sells directly to its customers and does not use third-party dealers at all, it technically doesn’t fall under that legal definition.
“Tesla just wants to be able to sell its vehicles in North Dakota, and not force customers who would wish to purchase a Tesla vehicle to have to drive to Minnesota or another state to do it,” said Ari Holtzblatt, one of Tesla’s attorneys. Currently, the more than 800 Tesla owners in North Dakota have to leave the state just to take delivery of their cars or receive first-party service.
The state’s Assistant Attorney General, Michael Pitcher, isn’t buying it. He argued during a recent hearing that “Tesla can operate in North Dakota the same way that every other manufacturer does. They can appoint dealers, they can enter into franchise agreements, and they can sell through that.” From the state’s perspective, the law isn’t stopping Tesla from doing business; it’s just regulating how the company’s cars get into owners’ hands.
Challenging the Franchise Model
Tesla has a long history of fighting these “protectionist” franchise laws across the U.S. In many cases, Tesla’s legal victories have paved the way for other EV startups like Rivian and Lucid to secure their own direct-sales exceptions. In some of the more restrictive states, Tesla has even found innovative workarounds by partnering with Native American tribes to open stores on sovereign tribal land.
The direct-to-consumer model is vital for Tesla because it allows the company to control the entire customer experience and maintain higher margins by cutting out dealer markups. For the customer, this often translates to a more transparent buying process without the high-pressure sales tactics or hidden fees associated with traditional dealerships.
The Road Ahead for North Dakota
North Dakota has historically lagged behind in EV infrastructure, though the state is slowly catching up with a growing number of Supercharger locations and charging ports along the I-94 corridor. Tesla’s attempt to establish a physical presence in the state is a clear sign that the company sees untapped potential in the region.
If the court rules in Tesla’s favor, it won’t mean instant licenses, but it will give the company the green light to reapply with the Department of Transportation. As the automotive world shifts toward an electric future, these legal battles in North Dakota will likely determine how much choice consumers actually have when it comes to how they buy their next car.
By Nehal Malik
Tesla is gearing up for its first major financial check-in of the year. The company has officially scheduled its Q1 2026 earnings call for after the bell on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Ahead of the event, Tesla has shared its company-compiled earnings consensus for the quarter, which aggregates estimates from 20 top sell-side analysts, including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Wedbush.
According to the data, analysts are expecting average total revenues of approximately $21.4 billion for the quarter. On the profitability side, the consensus for GAAP Earnings Per Share (EPS) sits at $0.16, with an adjusted non-GAAP figure of $0.33. While the company noted it “does not endorse any information, recommendations or conclusions made by the analysts,” these numbers provide a clear benchmark for what Wall Street expects from Elon Musk and his team.
Setting the Stage for Q1 Results
This earnings report follows a quarter in which Tesla’s delivery numbers came in slightly below analyst projections. The company delivered 358,023 vehicles, just missing the initial analyst consensus of 365,645. Even with the slight miss, deliveries grew about 6.3% compared to the first quarter of last year.
To put these new earnings estimates in perspective, we can look back at Q1 2025. In that first quarter of last year, Tesla reported an adjusted EPS of $0.27 and revenue of $19.34 billion. While the Q1 estimates show a healthy gain in earnings that aligns with the year-over-year growth in deliveries, the focus during the call will likely be on margins and future growth rather than just the raw revenue numbers.
A Roadmap Beyond the Model S and X
The Q&A session with executives is expected to be one of the most eventful in years, especially since Model S and Model X production has officially ended. Tesla is currently offering its final Signature Edition units as a tribute to its flagship legacy, leaving a “premium-shaped” hole in the lineup that many investors hope will be filled by a new high-end SUV (CyberSUV, anyone?) or the long-awaited next-gen Roadster.
We also expect significant updates on Tesla’s AI and robotics divisions. Musk recently confirmed that the AI5 chip design is complete, with work already beginning on AI6 and Dojo 3. Additionally, the Cybercab robotaxi is slated to enter mass production this month, and investors will be looking for a firm timeline on the first unsupervised autonomous rides.
What to Watch For
Beyond the balance sheet, the call will likely touch on the Optimus humanoid robot. Tesla is rumored to be close to unveiling a production-ready prototype later this year, and any mention of “Optimus in the factory” will surely move the needle.
As Tesla transitions from a traditional car manufacturer to an AI and robotics powerhouse, this earnings call will serve as a pulse check for that transformation. We’ll be covering the call on April 22 to see if Tesla can beat expectations and provide a clear vision for its hardware-heavy roadmap through 2027.
By Nehal Malik
Tesla’s Spring 2026 Software Update (version 2026.14 and later) is officially here, and while the “flashy” features like the new “Hey Grok” wake word are getting most of the attention, the vehicle’s user interface is also getting a massive glow-up. Tesla has updated the parked vehicle visualizations, bringing improved vehicle models to the center touchscreen.
Installed on 0.9% of fleet
Last updated: Apr 18, 2:05 pm UTC
The new look was first showcased by Tesla enthusiast @sergiumogan on X, who posted a direct comparison between the old and new interfaces. The difference is immediately apparent, with improved lighting and the car model and the surrounding scene looking significantly more realistic.
First Before & After look at Tesla’s v2026.14.1 Spring Update. Parked vehicle visualisation comparison (white color ).#teslaupdate #tesla pic.twitter.com/qZwyhiPf3i
— Sergiu Mogan (@sergiumogan) April 17, 2026
Higher Fidelity via Unreal Engine
The jump in quality is thanks to Tesla’s integration of Unreal Engine into its software stack. This technology was previously used on the flagship Model S and Model X, but it is now trickling down to the rest of the fleet. The car model itself is higher quality, with improved lighting effects that make reflections on the paint and glass far more noticeable.
The environment around the car has also been completely redesigned. Instead of a simple gray void, the “park scene” now features a professional, studio-like atmosphere. There is a cool fog-like effect over the windscreen, with spotlight-style lighting shining down on the car, creating a sense of depth that was missing in previous versions. This level of polish makes the car feel like a premium piece of tech even when it is just sitting in your garage.
Hardware Requirements and Compatibility
Currently, this high-fidelity visualization is only showing up for the new “Highland” Model 3 (2024+) and the 2025+ Model Y (Juniper). However, there are plenty of reasons for owners of older vehicles to be optimistic. This feature will likely become available for some other models in a future update, such as the Cybertruck, roughly 2022+ Model 3, and 2022+ Model Y, provided they are equipped with the AMD Ryzen-powered MCU 3 infotainment unit.
The processing power required for these lighting effects and high-res textures means that older Intel Atom-based cars (MCU 2) will likely be left out of this specific visual upgrade. While this might not be the most “exciting” functional feature, it proves that Tesla is working on all aspects of the user experience. The company isn’t just pushing its self-driving software to the limits; it is making sure the car looks and feels modern every time you step inside.
It’s not just the parked screen; these improved models are also used on the vehicle visualizations.
A Strong Start to the Spring Update
The Spring 2026 Software Update has delivered on its promises in spades. Between interactive maps for the rear screen and the rebranding of Dog Mode to Pet Mode, not to mention a brand new Self-Driving App that brings subscriptions, tutorials, and usage stats under one umbrella, Tesla is keeping its fleet feeling fresh.
As the Spring Update continues to roll out to more owners globally, we expect to see even more hidden UI tweaks discovered. Tesla has successfully turned its cars into evolving platforms where a simple over-the-air update can make your three-year-old vehicle feel like a brand-new model.
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – A new streaming series about the late John F. Kennedy Junior, along with a congressional campaign by John F. Kennedy’s grandson, has once again put the Kennedy family back in the headlines. This summer, a former bodyguard of Jackie Kennedy will be in the spotlight. He’s originally from North Dakota and recently passed away.
Clint Hill came from a small town in North Dakota but landed on the world’s stage after he protected First Lady Jackie Kennedy after her husband, the President of the United States, was assassinated.
And now, decades later, members of the Washburn American Legion revere Clint Hill for his heroic service to five Presidents.
“He was involved in that infamous assassination in Dallas, which certainly affected his life, but he came out of it. And his support of God and country never wavered through all of this,” said John Schulz, monument organizer and member of Washburn American Legion Victor B Wallin Post #12.
To honor this North Dakota son, Schulz and others have spent the past year organizing a grand dedication and monument for Hill.
“We’ll have a nice carved-in flag on the left side of the monument,” said Shulz.
The monument will be made of polished granite and weigh 12,000 pounds.
It will be six feet tall and five feet wide, and will include a bronze plaque of the Zapruder photo of Hill covering Jackie Kennedy during the JFK assassination.
Shulz worked alongside Hill’s widow, Lisa McCubbin Hill, to design sections of the monument.
Shulz believes this dedication is long overdue.
“I think it’s important to honor someone who served his country well. He served under five Presidents and did a wonderful job taking care of them,” said Shulz.
There will also be multiple plaques summarizing important points of Hill’s life on the back side of the monument.
The dedication will happen on Aug. 1 at Washburn’s Veterans Memorial Park.
Three to four hundred people will be in attendance, including Hill’s widow, past and present state governors and various Hill relatives.
So far, the legion post has raised $60,000 of its $100,000 goal, but feels it will have no problem reaching that fundraising number.
Copyright 2026 KFYR. All rights reserved.
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