North Dakota
Reliance of North Dakota producers on migrant workers
MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) – Farmers and ranchers work with their hands, but sometimes the biggest issue is not having enough.
President-elect Donald Trump will soon be taking office and bringing changes to immigration laws.
When needing an extra hand, producers seek assistance from migrant workers.
These workers go through the H-2A program, granting temporary employment for performing agricultural labor.
Ag Commissioner Doug Goehring said in 2023, North Dakota received 4,600 migrant workers, and that number is expected to grow.
“The margins are even slimmer, so now you have to produce more and you have to produce more acres because of what’s happened with family living,” said Goehring.
He said concerns in the agriculture community aren’t necessarily about immigration, but rather with the Department of Labor, with producers facing lengthy wait periods for paperwork to go through.
“I brought these issues to Sonny Perdue, the Secretary of Agriculture at that time, he actually helped streamline the process,” said Goehring.
He said the public sometimes conflates the issues of illegal immigration and of legal migrants following the correct steps to work here.
“Sometimes the public doesn’t quite understand that, so they think H-2A workers are some of the illegals that are coming across the border. They’re not,” said Goehring.
Goehring added he hopes issues with backlogs in the Labor Department will change when the new administration takes over.
Goehring also addressed the concern of migrant workers taking jobs from American citizens.
He said the processes migrants and employers go through allows plenty of opportunities for American citizens to apply and be hired.
Copyright 2025 KFYR. All rights reserved.
North Dakota
Armstrong directs flags at half-staff Thursday in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Kelly Armstrong has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Thursday, May 14, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in observance of national Peace Officers Memorial Day.
The governor’s directive is in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Donald Trump, who also proclaimed May 10-16 as national Police Week.
Armstrong will join North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley and Supreme Court Chief Justice Lisa Fair McEvers in delivering remarks during a North Dakota Peace Officers Memorial Service at 7 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Hall of the State Capitol. North Dakota’s 69 fallen peace officers will be remembered and honored during the service, and the Capitol windows will be lit to display a “Thin Blue Line” as a mark of respect for all law enforcement officers, past and present.
MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) – Todd Cresap, who has served as a North Dakota district judge since 2009, announced he will retire in July.
Cresap wrote a letter to Gov. Kelly Armstrong, R-ND, he would retire effective July 17.
In the letter, Cresap said he had ‘mixed emotions’ over the decision, calling it an ‘honor’ to serve, but said it was time for someone ‘with a new perspective’ to serve.
A Valley City native, Cresap studied at Minot State University and the University of North Dakota.
Then-Gov. John Hoeven appointed Cresap to fill a judgeship in the Northwest Judicial District in 2009 that was created by the legislature. He served in that district until 2014, when it was split into Northwest and North Central.
Voters elected Cresap to the bench in 2012, 2016, and 2022. He served as a lawyer in private practice before his appointment as judge.
Armstrong can appoint a replacement to fill Cresap’s remaining term from a nominating committee’s list, ask the committee for new candidates, or call a special election.
The North Central District covers Ward, Mountrail, and Burke Counties.
Copyright 2026 KFYR. All rights reserved.
STUTSMAN COUNTY, N.D. (Valley News Live) – A 22-year-old woman was killed May 11 in a single-vehicle rollover crash on a rural road in Stutsman County.
The crash was reported about 8:06 p.m. on 77th Avenue SE, roughly 6 miles west of Kensal.
Troopers said a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado was heading south on the gravel road when it left the roadway, the driver overcorrected and the vehicle rolled.
The Carrington woman, who was not wearing a seat belt, died at the scene, authorities said. Her name has not yet been released.
The crash remains under investigation by the North Dakota State Patrol.
Copyright 2026 KVLY. All rights reserved.
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