North Dakota

North Dakota raw milk producers cautious as federal authorities raise concerns

Published

2 years ago

May 5, 2024

North Dakota raw milk producers cautious as federal authorities raise concerns

BISMARCK — Raw milk from North Dakota dairy cows carries a low risk of avian flu contamination, local producers say, but they are still increasing precautions.

The so-called bird flu has been detected in dairy cows in nine other states,

including South Dakota,

and the Food and Drug Administration has advised against drinking raw milk.

This issue comes less than a year since

the North Dakota Legislature lifted a rule against selling raw milk in the state,

though sales can only be at the direct consumer level, not to wholesale or retail outlets or across state lines.

There are currently about two dozen raw milk producers in the state.

One is Peter Bartlett of Bartlett Farms, Bottineau, who said he received a cautionary notice from the North Dakota Milk Producers Association. The notice advised caution when buying cows and to keep a close watch for illness in the herd. He said customers are not deterred.

“A pasture-based farm that’s not confining its animals in more close confinement like a conventional dairy would be a lot less susceptible,” Bartlett said.

Bartlett said he already follows three levels of safety protocols to ensure the health of his cows.

Since the restrictions were eased on sales of raw milk last year, Bartlett has seen a steady and growing interest from consumers.

“In the past six months, we seem to have had almost twice as many inquiries about milk,” he said. “So that’s a good sign. I think that now that the law passed, people look at it as a valid option.”

Ty Petersen of Bev’s Best Dairy, Monango, agrees that larger dairy farms with confined cows are more at risk from transmission and that smaller operators have a better grip on the health of individual animals.

He said he isn’t greatly concerned about avian influenza infecting his cows.

“Just being a fussy producer helps a lot, that’s a big part of it, and you know just being around them cows all day you notice stuff lickety split.”

Ava Brokaw of Brokaw Ranch, Kulm, said she is very meticulous about the cleanliness of her cows and quality of her raw milk.

“If I question anything, I dump it,” she said. “I would never sell anything where I questioned whether my cow was sick or not.”

Brokaw said she’s had “a ton of people reach out” since the restrictions were lifted, and people should do their research on whatever it is they are consuming.

“I’ve got kids and I want to make sure that everything that I’m giving them is good, you know, so I read up on the risks on it,” Brokaw said. “But for us, we’ve had more problems with store-bought milk than raw milk.”

North Dakota’s Department of Agriculture regulates production of pasteurized milk, but not raw milk.

The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services can only offer guidance, according to Heather Steffl, communications manager of the Public Health Division.

“Pasteurization is the safest choice,” Steffl wrote in response to an inquiry from the North Dakota News Co-op.

State veterinarian Ethan Andress said consuming raw milk has “inherent risks” aside from the possible transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

“There are organisms that contaminate raw milk that have the potential to cause people to get sick and occasionally die.” He said it’s the same risk for all raw food, from oysters to meat.

Andress advised raw milk producers to minimize contact with wild birds and to ensure feed is protected from exposure to wild birds because it is hard to know if they are infected.

Milk production is a key indicator of a cow’s health. “The most common sign (of illness) is a drop in milk production,” Andress said.

But even with precautions, some infected cows may not show signs of sickness.

“I think the most frustrating part of this is the asymptomatic part, that some of these cows have an infection but aren’t getting sick,” Andress said. “Just like people when we get influenza, you have varying levels of how bad people get sick and the same thing occurs in cows.”

The closest the avian influenza virus H5N1 has been found in dairy cows is in South Dakota. Other states where it was detected are Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas.

There have been no cases of avian influenza detected in North Dakota, according to the North Dakota Department of Agriculture. Most cases from 2023 occurred in the fall.

Transmission risks still undetermined

Federal officials believe the virus is spreading among cows due to contact with milk from other infected cows but that further testing is needed.

It is also unknown if humans can contract the virus through consuming raw milk from infected cows.

Pasteurization of milk inactivates the virus, according to the FDA. The agency has tested commercially produced pasteurized milk and other dairy products in 38 states and found no live, infectious virus in pasteurized milk.

A recent study published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that cats that consumed raw milk from avian influenza-infected cows became sick and some died.

Dr. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, told NDNC that while “we don’t know if people can get H5N1 from drinking raw milk,” due to the high levels of viral loads, “it’s very much a possibility.”

Animals such as cats, dogs, and bears that eat dead birds have gotten diseased, and some died, from that consumption, Rasmussen said.

An FDA statement from May 1 said the agency is continuing to test samples of pooled raw milk routed to pasteurization and processing for commercial use. The FDA “advises strongly” against consuming raw milk and recommends the industry does not manufacture or sell raw milk or raw milk products.

The FDA has also recommended that precautions be taken when discarding milk from infected cows so it does not become a source of further spread.

This story was originally published on NewsCoopND.org

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North Dakota

Blizzard warning issued in Dakotas

Published

50 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

article

The view through a North Dakota Highway Patrol squad’s windshield. (Facebook)

(FOX 9) – Blizzard warnings are in for parts of both North and South Dakota, creating hazardous conditions for drivers on Thursday morning.

Blizzard warning in effect

What we know:

In North Dakota, the blizzard warning covers most of the northern two-thirds of the state, stretching into northwest Minnesota.

In South Dakota, the blizzard warning only covers three counties in the far northeast part of the state, including Day, Marshall, and Robert counties.

The National Weather Service is only forecasting between one and four inches of snow in North Dakota and two inches of snow in South Dakota, but whipping winds up to 70 miles per hour will greatly reduce visibility and cause damage to trees and power lines.

READ MORE: White-out conditions reported in NW Minnesota

What they’re seeing:

North Dakota Highway Patrol shared photos showing the blizzard conditions along Interstate 94 just east of Bismark. In the photos, it appears you can only see a few feet past the front bumper of the squad.

Another post shows snow whipping in the high winds in Grand Forks County. Troopers are urging residents to stay home in North Dakota if they are able.

Travel restrictions in place

Big picture view:

A travel alert is in effect for western parts of North Dakota while no travel is advised for central and eastern parts of the state. Troopers have restricted oversized loads from roads in the northwest and northeast regions of the state as of 5:30 a.m. and empty or light-loaded high-profile vehicles due to the high winds and icy conditions.

In South Dakota, officials warn that there are reports of multiple downed powerlines and trees blocking roadways. No travel is advised in Day and Marshall counties.

The Source: This story uses information from the North Dakota Highway Patrol and the National Weather Service.

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North Dakota

Florida fraud suspect arrested in North Dakota

Published

13 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Florida fraud suspect arrested in North Dakota

FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – A 24-year-old suspect wanted on fraud charges in Florida was arrested in Bismarck following a multi-state investigation into alleged economic crimes targeting St. Lucie County, Florida residents in 2024.

Kylen Running Hawk was arrested on Tuesday, Dec. 16, by Bismarck authorities working with the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office. Running Hawk is being held at the Burleigh County Jail pending extradition to Florida.

Kylen Running Hawk was arrested on Tuesday, Dec. 16, by Bismarck authorities working with the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.(St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office)

Running Hawk faces three charges under Florida law:

Fraud/swindle: Defrauding to obtain property valued at less than $20,000
Fraud/impersonation: Use or possession of another person’s identification without consent
Grand theft: Property valued at $750 or more but less than $5,000

Detective Cpl. Redler coordinated the cross-state apprehension, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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North Dakota

Seven from Grand Forks region honored by Prairie Business

Published

1 day ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

GRAND FORKS – Seven professionals from the Grand Forks region have been named to the Prairie Business magazine’s 2025 list of “40 Under 40.” Honorees must be 40 or younger by the end of the year.

They are: Dustin Fanfulik, civil engineer and vice president at Widseth in East Grand Forks, Minnesota; Travor Fredrickson, senior project manager and senior electrical engineer with CMTA in Grand Forks; Kelby Laxdal, principal civil engineer at Houston Engineering, Inc. in Grand Forks; Courtney McNamee, director of Revenue Cycle and Reimbursement at Altru Health System in Grand Forks; Maggie Melvin, director of Admissions at University of Minnesota Crookston in Crookston, Minnesota; Geoff Slick, Rural Water practice leader at AE2S in Grand Forks; and Sean Sorteberg, MultiMarket Semiconductor director at Digikey in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.

They will be honored at an event in the fall, along with Prairie Business magazine’s other honorees for “Top 25 Women in Business” and “Leaders and Legacies.”

The 40 Under 40 list highlights exceptional professionals, including industry executives, administrators, community leaders, entrepreneurs and more.

Dustin Fanfulik

Contributed

As a civil engineer and vice president at Widseth, Fanfulik, 36, is known for his professionalism and sound engineering judgment. He prioritizes client needs and consistently delivers high-quality results.

He serves as consulting city engineer for Pembina, North Dakota, and several northwest Minnesota communities. His work includes master planning for development, feasibility studies, assessments, design, inspections, and comprehensive project management. His experience spans infrastructure and extends to schools, campground expansions, and commercial and industrial developments across both states. He has also collaborated with the Minnesota and North Dakota Departments of Transportation on major infrastructure projects.

As a shareholder, Fanfulik brings vision, integrity, and a collaborative spirit to his work. His dedication to mentorship, community involvement and engineering excellence makes him a vital contributor to Widseth’s success and a standout young professional in the field.

Travor Fredrickson.jpg — Travor Fredrickson

Fredrickson, 37, is a senior project manager and senior electrical engineer with CMTA’s paper Midwest office in Grand Forks.

Fredrickson began his career at Ulteig Engineers in Fargo as a substation engineer, designing substations and windfarm grounding systems. He joined CMTA in 2013 to help grow the Grand Forks office and has since designed electrical systems for hospitals, wellness centers, schools and commercial buildings. He focuses on delivering innovative, sustainable solutions that reduce carbon footprints by combining proven design principles with the latest green technologies.

Passionate about mentoring the next generation, Fredrickson regularly shares his expertise with engineering students, emphasizing that much of real-world engineering is learned on the job. His outreach has helped recruit several local engineers from UND and NDSU. He’s also active in the Grand Forks–East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce, supporting both business development and broader community initiatives.

Laxdal, 37, is a principal civil engineer with Houston Engineering, Inc. (HEI) in Grand Forks, bringing nearly two decades of experience in transportation and municipal design across North Dakota and Minnesota. Specializing in urban, multimodal transportation corridors, Laxdal is known for his leadership in shaping infrastructure that supports vibrant, connected communities.

He began his career with CPS in Grand Forks, contributing to major urban reconstruction projects including Columbia Road, 42nd Street, and 48th Street, along with a variety of municipal utility and transportation initiatives.

Joining HEI in 2018, Laxdal quickly advanced from project engineer to principal, managing key projects for the North Dakota Department of Transportation and the City of Grand Forks. His portfolio includes I-94 reconstruction near Beach, North Dakota, highway improvements, and numerous city infrastructure upgrades. Currently, he leads several transformative efforts such as the U.S. Highway 81 reconstruction, southwest Grand Forks master planning, and the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Project in Minot.

Courtney McNamee.jpeg — Courtney McNamee

McNamee, 34, is the director of Revenue Cycle and Reimbursement at Altru Health System. Since joining Altru in March 2024, she has combined a patient-first mindset with strong financial leadership, introducing programs that reduce costs for patients and advancing e-payment technology through MyChart. Her ability to balance patient needs with organizational goals has quickly set her apart as a leader who drives both innovation and results.

McNamee is committed to developing people. Her team demonstrates strong engagement, and under her leadership, more staff across multiple departments have earned professional finance certifications.

Her influence extends beyond Altru. As the former president and active member of the Minnesota Healthcare Finance Management Association, she is recognized across the industry as a thought leader. She is frequently invited to speak on critical issues, such as price transparency, patient engagement, the No Surprises Act and reimbursement enhancement, representing both Altru and the broader healthcare community.

Melvin, 29, director of Admissions at the University of Minnesota Crookston, brings energy, vision and a genuine commitment to helping students find their path.

Melvin began her career at the University of North Dakota School of Law, serving as director of Admissions and Records. There, she gained valuable experience working with diverse students and faculty, learning how thoughtful admissions practices can shape a university’s culture. At UMN Crookston, she leads the admissions team with a focus on making the process welcoming and accessible for all.

Melvin is pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a specialization in Higher Education, expecting to graduate in 2026. Her commitment reflects both personal development and a desire to advance the field for others. Through her leadership and dedication, Melvin is shaping admissions today while paving the way for future generations of students and educators.

Slick, 39, began his career at AE2S as an intern and during the past 16 years has risen to Rural Water practice leader. In this role, he leads a team of engineers and technical staff providing specialized expertise to rural water districts across the Midwest. Slick’s experience spans management, mentorship, project leadership, hydraulics and strategic planning, with a focus on concept planning, funding development, project coordination, regional system planning, mergers and construction management.

He has worked with over 20 rural and regional water clients, often acting as an extension of their staff. Notable projects include the Red River Valley Water Supply Project, the Western Area Water Supply Project, and the development of Minnesota’s first new rural water district in over 40 years — the West Central Regional Water District serving Clay, Norman and Polk counties.

Slick serves on the North Dakota Water Users Board and volunteers as a youth hockey coach. He is committed to continuous professional growth and is active in the National Rural Water Association, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the North Dakota Rural Water Association and the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society.

Sorteberg, 36, is an accomplished leader in the supply chain and semiconductor industries, currently serving as director of Multi-Market Semiconductor at DigiKey. In his role, he directs global product segment strategy, leads a comprehensive semiconductor portfolio designed to outperform market growth expectations and oversees all product management and asset management functions. He manages aggressive business performance metrics across cross-functional teams, while building trusted relationships with supplier executives and key partners.

With more than 13 years of progressive experience in supply chain management, Sorteberg has demonstrated expertise across distribution, manufacturing and procurement. Before his current director role, he served as the manager of the technology business at DigiKey, overseeing all procurement activity in the semiconductor business unit.

Sorteberg is a strong leader on DigiKey’s supplier management team. He excels at helping his team members grow and collaborating with other departments to achieve mutual goals. He also excels at developing strong relationships with executive-level connections at many of DigiKey’s supplier organizations, building engagement and collaboration across companies.

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