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When the calendar flips to January, a number of states will increase their minimum wage levels – but just like recent years, North Dakota won’t be among them. Those pushing for changes plan to try again.

North Dakota’s minimum wage hasn’t gone up in 15 years, standing firm at $7.25 an hour – also the federal level.

Meanwhile, many other states in this part of the country have gradually boosted theirs above $10.

State Representative LaurieBeth Hager – D-Fargo – said she made this a big priority while serving in North Dakota’s Legislature.

She echoed what some in the research community have noted, about giving low-income populations the power to lift themselves out of poverty.

“If people are making more, and have more buying potential, more earning potential,” said Hager, “their whole life and their whole dreams can be entirely different.”

And while researchers say these moves might not lead to big job losses, there are lingering concerns about employers turning to automation.

Hager said she doesn’t have a firm number for a forthcoming bill this session, but she said she plans to keep it around $9 to make it easier for small businesses to absorb.

Republicans still control both chambers, and Hager said she plans to seek approval in placing the issue before voters – as opposed to a simple Legislative vote like last session.

Citizen-led ballot questions also are options and have worked in other conservative-led states – but Hager said that can be a thorny issue in North Dakota, even if voters say yes.

Meanwhile, Landis Larson – president of the North Dakota AFL-CIO – said skeptics might argue about costs being passed along to consumers or other drawbacks.

But he added that not making adjustments for low-wage earners can be felt in other ways.

“You know, if you look at it another way,” said Larson, “most of those people are on some kind of government programs that actually everyone pays for in the long run.”

A 2021 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that millions of American adults earning low wages rely on federal programs, like Medicaid, to meet basic needs.

Nationwide, more than 20 states and nearly 40 cities will increase their minimum wage rates when the new year begins.

FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – We’re kicking off our coverage of the 2025 Miss America competition!

VNL’s own Sophia Richards took to the skies on Friday, flying to Orlando, Florida to compete as North Dakota’s state delegate.

The 23-year-old is from Hope, ND. She tells us she had 8 students in her class.

“Growing up on a farm, everyone in my family just had such strong work ethic and that’s something I’ve grown up with my whole life,” says Sophia.

“I’m kinda the odd ball out of my family. We’re a big sports family! So when I was first interested in pageants everyone in my family was a bit apprehensive, like what are we getting into?”

Sophia was 16 years old when she competed in her first pageant, taking the title of Miss West Fargo before winning Miss ND.

She adds,“it took me 3 years to win miss north Dakota, I was a non-finalist my first year, then I was first runner up, then my third year I was the winner.”

“I was such an awkward kid, and I went to my first pageant where I saw all these beautiful, confident young women and that’s something I didn’t see in myself. I thought…. That’s exactly what I want to be like when I grow up.”

“Even if you don’t know me, or any of the other contestants, it’s such a testament to female empowerment.”

The notion of female empowerment doesn’t just exist on the stage for Sophia; she’s been building confidence and grace in young women around the state for the past three years

She says, “Biogirls is my community service initiative, nothing in my life has been more impactful. The self esteem crisis in young women is truly troubling. It’s something I’ve personally experienced and I want to make a difference. It’s a North Dakotan organization, so I’m really excited to bring it to the national stage and get it some recognition.”

When she’s not wearing the sash, she’s wearing a microphone

“I already landed my dream job hosting the lifestyle TV show North Dakota Today. I love my career at Valley News Live, I really don’t see myself anywhere else.”

“I’m not gonna lie to you, it’s been really hard this year. A lot of girls, when they win their state title, will actually quit their job or quit going to school for the year… and that just wasn’t in my nature.”

With only 6 days until the miss America competition, her focus hasn’t left the crown

“I’ve had things done, pulled out of my skin, and teased waxed, tanned and sprayed that I never thought I would before.”

“I’ve been having my friends ask me questions, I’ve been doing mock interviews… but I think the most important thing is to just be incredibly in tune with myself.”

She’s got a little help from friends, family and even some guardian angels.

“I have a stuffed animal that my aunt gave me before she passed away. And all the pageants I’ve won, my mom has actually had that stuffed animal sitting with her in the audience so she can ‘watch me’.”

“You are actually more likely to have a son compete in the Super Bowl than have a daughter compete in Miss America. I mean it’s hard. When you’re in a pageant and getting up on stage, you’re telling the judges: this is who I am, take it or leave it.”

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Funeral Service for LaVon Getz, 82, of Dickinson, will be 10:00 am, Saturday, December 28, 2024 at Stevenson Funeral Home with Pastor Lisa Lewton and Pastor Mary Wiggins officiating. Burial will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan.

Visitation will take place 1:00 – 6:00 pm, Friday, December 27, 2024 with family receiving friends from 4:00 – 6:00 pm  at Stevenson Funeral Home. 

LaVon A. Getz passed away peacefully in Dickinson, North Dakota, surrounded by the love of her family, in the early morning hours of Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024, from complications of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.

LaVon A. Jensen (Getz) was born January 11, 1942, in Bowman County, North Dakota, the daughter of Alvin and Leola (Sipma) Jensen. She grew up and attended school in Scranton, graduating from high school in 1960. 

LaVon married Lewis Getz on December 27, 1961. To this union two children were born, Michael of Dickinson, and Michelle (Kovash) also of Dickinson.

LaVon worked as a secretary at the Scranton Public Schools. After she and her husband returned from Lawton, Oklahoma, where Lewis was stationed in the U.S. Army, she worked for the First National Bank in Scranton and Bowman for many years. She worked for Peterson Law Firm while living in Beach, and later for Dakota Western Bank with the Dakota 50 Club in Bowman. She was employed with Satrom Travel and Tours in Bismarck as Tour Manager and escorted group’s travel which she loved doing until she retired. She was a “people person” and enjoyed life. She and Lewis had the opportunity to do a lot of traveling during this time, which they thoroughly enjoyed. She enjoyed being busy helping family and friends. She thoroughly enjoyed her family, family reunions, and any get together with friends. Her home was always open and made welcome to all who stopped by for coffee, to visit, or overnight. She treasured her many friendships that she had made during the years. She always felt that if you were able to call on family and friends at any time or during a crisis that you were the “richest person in the world” and she truly felt she was very blessed.

LaVon was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Scranton and is now a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Dickinson. She was a member and officer of the American Legion Auxiliary Units in Scranton, Beach, Cando, and Dickinson. She was also a member of PEO, CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson Medical Center Auxiliary, and volunteered at House of Manna, as well as being active in many other organizations during the years.

LaVon’s family would like to thank the Alpha-1 Foundation for their support and kindness as she battled this rare disease over the years.

LaVon is survived by her husband, Lewis; son, Michael and Ellen (Baird) Getz; daughter, Michelle and Keith Kovash; grandchildren, Christopher, Kelsey (Barth), Macklynn, and Addilynn Kovash of Dickinson; sister, Patricia and Ron Moe of Grand Forks; sisters-in-law, Kay Jensen Luken of Council Bluffs, Iowa, JoAnn Getz of Penguilly, Minnesota, and Patsy Getz of Bowman.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Leola Nibbe; step-father, Marvin Nibbe; father, Alvin Jensen; grandson, Matthew Allen Kovash; brother, Andrew C. Jensen; brothers-in-law, James Haag, Dwaine (Sonny) Getz, and Leary Getz; sisters-in-law, Darleen and Gerald McLaughlin and Margie and Robert Silbernagel. 

Remembrances and condolences can be shared with the family at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com

Stevenson Funeral Home – Dickinson