North Dakota
Port: President Obama should apologize to North Dakota
MINOT — It’s been a long time coming, but North Dakotans are getting some justice for what was perpetrated on them by left-wing extremists during violent protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline.
First, a jury in Morton County found Greenpeace civilly liable,
to the tune of some $660 million,
for assisting the frequently unlawful protests. The plaintiff in the case was Energy Transfer Partners, the company that built and operates the pipeline.
Now, a federal judge has found the federal government, then under the control of President Barack Obama,
liable for more than $37 million in costs
incurred by the state of North Dakota while responding the protests (the court awarded roughly $28 million, subtracting a $10 million grant awarded during President Trump’s first term in office).
Judge Dan Traynor excoriated the federal government in his ruling. “The United States left North Dakota alone to defend itself from the violent and tumultuous protests,” he wrote.
“While North Dakota was drowning in the chaos of the Protests, the United States dropped an anvil into the pool and turned up the turmoil,” he continued.
The Obama administration “encouraged [and] supported protesters to remain and be at the DAPL Protests,” and because of these things, the federal government is liable for the heavy costs incurred by North Dakota taxpayers as a result of the months-long demonstrations.
Traynor found that the federal government allowed protesters to occupy federal land illegally, against its policies, despite being fully aware that the land was being used to launch violent and unlawful attacks against the pipeline project and law enforcement.
The Obama administration did not intervene to assist our state in putting a stop to the violence, despite apparent unlawful activity and a clear federal nexus. They didn’t enforce the law when protesters used federal land as a launch pad for their attacks. The Obama administration even
refused to send federal law enforcement resources to assist.
This was a dereliction of duty on par with President Donald Trump watching,
on television,
his supporters violently assault Congress on Jan. 6, 2021. But the Jan. 6 riot went on for a day. The Dakota Access Pipeline protests lasted for months.
Nor was it only the Obama administration that chose to stand aside while North Dakota burned. Our state’s law enforcement resources were completely overrun, yet when our state put out a call to other states for personnel, many states with Democratic leadership refused to assist,
bowing to pressure from left-wing activists.
“Early on, we had a number of states support our request for peace officer support,” Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann of the North Dakota National Guard
told me in a December 2016 interview
. “Unfortunately, all jurisdictions that supported us were subject to protest in their own cities and capitols for providing support to North Dakota, along with intense pressure from various groups to not support North Dakota’s efforts to maintain the peace and rule of law.”
President Obama could have helped put an end to the protests swiftly and peacefully, but he didn’t.
As the nation’s top elected Democrat, he could have urged state-level Democrats to put politics aside and help, but he didn’t.
For that, he owes North Dakota an apology.
MAPLETON, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Casselton Fire responded to a shop fire in rural Mapleton on Saturday afternoon, according to Casselton Fire Chief John Hejl.
Casselton Fire was dispatched to the scene at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Windy conditions escalated the fire before crews arrived, Hejl said.
Firefighters used defensive and offensive lines to control the fire upon arrival.
Casselton Fire was assisted by Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Casselton Ambulance, West Fargo Police Department, Davenport Fire and Mapleton Fire.
Copyright 2026 KVLY. All rights reserved.
A do not use water advisory issued by the City of Finley, North Dakota. April 2026.
FINLEY, N.D. (KFGO) – The city of Finley, North Dakota has been without potable water since Friday due to a suspected water main leak. Steele County Emergency Management says it is unclear how long it will take to restore water services in the city.
The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality says the available water in Finley has been deemed unusable for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing dishes or laundry.
The water system will need to be flushed and samples that say the water is safe will need to be collected for the water advisory to be lifted.
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
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