North Dakota
The North Dakota ruling against Greenpeace is a threat to free speech | Sushma Raman and Anthony Romero
The first amendment guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. It will have little meaning if multibillion-dollar corporations can sue peaceful protesters out of existence for their speech. Yet, that’s exactly what was decided in a small courtroom in Morton county, North Dakota.
Energy Transfer – a Dallas-based fossil fuel company that is responsible for the Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL) – sued two Greenpeace entities in the US (Greenpeace Inc and Greenpeace Fund), and Greenpeace International. Energy Transfer was awarded more than $660m in a highly watched, month-long case. Greenpeace will appeal the verdict.
The company sued Greenpeace entities simply for peacefully supporting the Standing Rock protests against the Dakota Access pipeline back in 2016-2017. At issue in the North Dakota case are nine statements made by Greenpeace that are alleged to be defamatory. All of the statements at issue are legitimate expressions under the first amendment, and none of the statements in question were original to Greenpeace.
Energy Transfer also claims that Greenpeace made alleged false statements to financial institutions involved with financing the Dakota Access pipeline – and that based on those statements, the financial institutions took action that cost Energy Transfer hundreds of millions of dollars. The financial institutions, however, had their own commitments and conducted their own due diligence regarding the Dakota Access pipeline.
An initial lawsuit was filed in 2017 in federal court but it was dismissed in 2019. Energy Transfer immediately refiled a virtually identical suit in state court in North Dakota, a conservative state with strong ties to the energy sector. It is a jurisdiction where public sentiment ran against the DAPL protests – which were organized by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and Indigenous water protectors.
The ruling in the Energy Transfer case could have wide ranging consequences on first amendment rights in the US. By attempting to hold Greenpeace liable for everything that happened at Standing Rock, the case attempts to establish the idea that, for any participation in a protest, you can be held liable for the actions of other people, even if you’re not associated with them or if they’re never identified. It’s easy to see how this win for Energy Transfer could chill speech and silence future protests before they even begin.
Greenpeace USA was one of many organizations that supported the Indigenous-led resistance. Answering a request for trainings in de-escalation and non-violence, Greenpeace USA supported a delegation from the Indigenous Peoples Power Project (IP3) to travel to Standing Rock and run non-violence trainings. In no way did Greenpeace direct the Standing Rock protest movement, or engage in (or encourage others to engage in) property destruction or violence.
The legal tactic being used against the Greenpeace movement is a classic example of what’s known as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (Slapp). Slapps are frequently used by wealthy people and corporations – in this case, the oil and gas industry – to silence constitutionally protected free speech.
Rather than a good faith attempt to seek remedies for harm, the goal of these lawsuits is often to bury the defendant in legal fees and waste their time on frivolous litigation. When used to silence criticism – including from whistleblowers, journalists and environmental advocacy organizations like Greenpeace USA and Greenpeace International – they essentially function as a tax on free speech by making it too expensive to speak truth to power. These abusive legal tactics can be used to sue critics into bankruptcy, and they serve as a threat to anyone who may want to speak up in the future.
Although 34 states and the District of Columbia have passed anti-Slapp laws, North Dakota is not one of them. And, while support for federal anti-Slapp legislation is growing in the US, there is currently no federal law on the books. That means that corporations can continue threatening abusive lawsuits in federal court or in states without protections. Without any provisions protecting public protest, corporate operations that harm the social good can proceed without restraint.
Perhaps equally worrisome, this case is an attack on the type of ordinary advocacy that organizations like Greenpeace and the ACLU – alongside many others – rely on to do their work. Everyday actions like attending a protest, signing a letter of support, or supporting communities at risk should never be considered “unlawful”. Otherwise, the future of everyone’s first amendment rights could be at risk.
If corporations can weaponize the court system to attack protesters and advocates for their speech, then any political speech or cause could become a target. And in an environment where the Trump administration is regularly leading dangerous attacks against our basic rights and liberties, including against the press and activists, this threat is all the more serious.
The right to protest and speak out must be embraced as a core pillar in a functioning democracy – even when that speech threatens the rich and powerful, and even when it’s speech we don’t agree with.
FARGO — Health officials say influenza cases are surging across North Dakota, hitting hospitals and clinics earlier and more aggressively than usual this season.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking a rise in flu illnesses across the country, with roughly 8% of visits to health care providers labeled as flu-like illness, the highest in more than 25 years.
${t||””}${r?`(${n}: ${r})`.replace(/s+/g,” “):””}
`;var u=n(2799),i=n(974);function o(e,t){const{message:n,code:o}=t,s=r(e.get(“id”),n,e.get(“localization”).errors.errorCode,o.toString()),a=e.get(“width”),c=e.get(“height”),l=(0,u.az)(s);return(0,i.oB)(l,{width:a.toString().indexOf(“%”)>0?a:`${a}px`,height:c.toString().indexOf(“%”)>0?c:`${c}px`}),l}},9926:(e,t,n)=>{“use strict”;n.d(t,{Z:()=>c});var r=n(1776),u=n(2799),i=n(974);const o=[];let s=-1;const a=()=>{(0,r.W)(s),s=(0,r.U)(()=>{o.forEach(e=>{e.view.updateBounds();const t=e.view.model.get(“containerWidth”);e.resized=e.width!==t,e.width=t}),o.forEach(e=>{e.contractElement.scrollLeft=2*e.width}),o.forEach(e=>{(0,i.oB)(e.expandChild,{width:e.width+1}),e.resized&&e.view.model.get(“visibility”)&&e.view.updateStyles()}),o.forEach(e=>{e.expandElement.scrollLeft=e.width+1}),o.forEach(e=>{e.resized&&e.view.checkResized()})})};class c{constructor(e,t,n){const r={display:”block”,position:”absolute”,top:0,left:0},s={width:”100%”,height:”100%”},c=(0,u.az)(”),l=c.firstChild,d=l.firstChild,f=l.nextSibling;(0,i.oB)([l,f],Object.assign({overflow:”auto”},r,s)),(0,i.oB)(c,Object.assign({},r,s)),this.expandElement=l,this.expandChild=d,this.contractElement=f,this.hiddenElement=c,this.element=e,this.view=t,this.model=n,this.width=0,this.resized=!1,e.firstChild?e.insertBefore(c,e.firstChild):e.appendChild(c),e.addEventListener(“scroll”,a,!0),o.push(this),a()}destroy(){if(this.view){const e=o.indexOf(this);-1!==e&&o.splice(e,1),this.element.removeEventListener(“scroll”,a,!0),this.element.removeChild(this.hiddenElement),this.view=this.model=null}}}},4671:(e,t,n)=>{“use strict”;n.d(t,{Z:()=>p});var r=n(6875);const u=[],i=[],o=[],s={};let a,c=!1;const l=(e,t)=>{for(let n=t.length;n–;){const r=t[n];if(e.target===r.getContainer()){r.setIntersection(e);break}}},d=()=>{u.forEach(e=>{e.model.set(“activeTab”,(0,r.Z)())})},f=(e,t)=>{const n=t.indexOf(e);-1!==n&&t.splice(n,1)},h=e=>{o.forEach(t=>{t(e)})};document.addEventListener(“visibilitychange”,d),document.addEventListener(“webkitvisibilitychange”,d);const p={add(e){u.push(e)},remove(e){f(e,u),document.removeEventListener(“visibilitychange”,d),document.removeEventListener(“webkitvisibilitychange”,d),window.removeEventListener(“scroll”,h)},addScrollHandler(e){c||(c=!0,window.addEventListener(“scroll”,h)),o.push(e)},removeScrollHandler(e){const t=o.indexOf(e);-1!==t&&o.splice(t,1)},addWidget(e){i.push(e)},removeWidget(e){f(e,i)},size:()=>u.length,observe(e){(()=>{const e=window.IntersectionObserver;a||(a=new e(e=>{if(null!=e&&e.length)for(let t=e.length;t–;){const n=e[t];l(n,u),l(n,i)}},{threshold:[0,.1,.2,.3,.4,.5,.6,.7,.8,.9,1]}))})(),s[e.id]||(s[e.id]=!0,a.observe(e))},unobserve(e){a&&s[e.id]&&(delete s[e.id],a.unobserve(e))}}},2445:(e,t,n)=>{“use strict”;n.d(t,{ZP:()=>v,qG:()=>F});var r=n(5083),u=n(1569),i=n(6042),o=n(7034),s=n(6577),a=n(6599),c=n(462);const l=”__CONTEXTUAL__”,d=(e,t)=>{const n=e.querySelector(t);if(n)return n.getAttribute(“content”)};var f=n(4737),h=n.n(f),p=n(67),D=n(7164);const g=e=>”string”==typeof e&&/^//(?:content.jwplatform|cdn.jwplayer).com//.test(e),m=e=>`https:${e}`,y=e=>{const t=(0,c.Z)(e.edition),n=e.related,r=!t(“discovery”)||n!==Object(n),u=!n||”none”!==n.displayMode,i=n||{};let o=void 0===i.oncomplete?”none”:i.oncomplete,s=i.autoplaytimer;!1===o||e.repeat?o=”hide”:”none”===o&&(s=0);const a=”autoplay”===o&&s{if(t){e[t.client||(0,D.sb)(n)]=t,delete t.client}},F=e=>{const t=Object.assign({},e.plugins),n=(0,c.Z)(e.edition);if(n(“ads”)){const n=Object.assign({},e.advertising),r=n.client;if(r){t[(0,D.sb)(r)||r]=n,delete n.client}n.bids&&C(t,n.bids,”bidding”)}if(n(“jwpsrv”)){let n=e.analytics;n!==Object(n)&&(n={}),C(t,n,”jwpsrv”)}return C(t,e.ga,”gapro”),C(t,e.interactive,”interactive”),C(t,e.keepWatching,”keepWatching”),t},v=function(e,t){var c;let f=(0,r.ZP)(e,t);const D=f.key||s.default.key,C=new a.ZP(D),v=C.edition();if(“free”===C.edition()&&(f=Object.assign({skin:{active:”#ff0046″,timeslider:{progress:”none”}},logo:{position:”control-bar”,file:h()}},r.ke,(0,i.ei)(f,[“analytics”,”aspectratio”,”base”,”file”,”height”,”playlist”,”sources”,”timeSlider”,”width”]))),f.key=D,f.edition=v,f.error=C.error(),f.generateSEOMetadata=f.generateSEOMetadata||!1,null!=(c=f).enableVideoThumbnails||(c.enableVideoThumbnails=!0),”unlimited”===v){const e=(0,u.getScriptPath)(“jwplayer.js”);if(!e)throw new Error(“Error setting up player: Could not locate jwplayer.js script tag”);n.p=e}var A,E,b;if(f.related=y(f),f.ab&&(f.ab=(e=>{let t=e.ab;return t.clone&&(t=t.clone()),Object.keys(t.tests).forEach(n=>{t.tests[n].forEach(t=>{t.addConfig&&t.addConfig(e,t.selection)})}),t})(f)),f.plugins=F(f),A=f.playlist,(0,i.HD)(A)&&A.indexOf(l)>-1&&(f.playlist=((e,t)=>{var n;const r=null==e||null==e.querySelector||null==(n=e.querySelector(“title”))?void 0:n.textContent,u=d(e,’meta[property=”og:title”]’);let i=encodeURIComponent(u||r||””);const o=d(e,’meta[property=”og:description”]’)||d(e,’meta[name=”description”]’);return o&&(i+=`&page_description=${encodeURIComponent(o)}`),t.replace(l,i)})(document,f.playlist),f.contextual=!0),(0,o.isFileProtocol)()){const{playlist:e,t}=f;g(e)&&(f.playlist=m(e)),t&&g(t.file)&&(t.file=m(t.file))}return f.__abSendDomainToFeeds&&(b=f.playlist,/.jwplatform.com|.jwplayer.com/.test(b))&&(f.playlist=(E=f.playlist)+`${-1!==E.indexOf(“?”)?”&”:”?”}page_domain=${encodeURIComponent((0,p.X)())}`),f}},6577:(e,t,n)=>{“use strict”;n.d(t,{default:()=>re});n(5723);var r=n(1096),u=n.n(r);window.Promise||(window.Promise=u());var i=n(1569),o=n(6391),s=n(6593),a=n(670);const c={availableProviders:s.B,registerProvider:a.Z};var l=n(4425);c.registerPlugin=function(e,t,n){“jwpsrv”!==e&&(0,l.fo)(e,t,n)};const d=c;var f=n(6601),h=n(4742),p=n(8348),D=n(3399),g=n(1643),m=n(7411),y=n(328),C=n(7164);const F=[[“vastxml”,”adtag”,”schedules”]],v={googima:F,vast:F,cnx:F,jwx:F},A=(e,t)=>{const n=e.getPlugin(t),r=Object.keys(v);if(-1===r.indexOf(t))throw new Error(`destroyDynamicPlugin must be called with plugins with one of the following plugins: ${r.toString()}`);if(!n)return;if(n.resize&&e.off(“resize”,n.resizeHandler),delete e.plugins[t],n.destroy)try{n.destroy()}catch(t){e.utils.logger.debug(“jwplayer/plugins/dynamic-plugins: “,t)}const u=n.div;null!=u&&u.parentElement&&u.parentElement.removeChild(u),e.trigger(“pluginDestroyed”,{type:”pluginDestroyed”,name:t})},E=(e,t,n,r)=>{const u=(0,C.Nq)(t),i=Object.keys(v),o=((e,t)=>{if(t[e])return t[e];const n=(0,C.sb)(e);if(t[n])return t[n];const r=(0,C.Nq)(e);return t[r]?t[r]:{}})(t,r);if(-1===i.indexOf(u))throw new Error(`setupDynamicPlugin must be called with plugins with one of the following plugins: ${i.toString()}`);A(e,u);const s=((e,t,n)=>{const r=Object.assign({},e),u=Object.assign({},t),i=Object.keys(u).filter(e=>null===e);return i.forEach(e=>delete r[e]),i.forEach(e=>delete u[e]),n.forEach(e=>{e.some(e=>u[e])&&e.forEach(e=>delete r[e])}),Object.assign({},r,u)})(o,n,v[u]);return(0,l.Ve)(t,s,e)};var b=n(8494),w=n(6042),B=n(8762);let k=0;const j=function(e,t){const n=new D.ZP(t);return n.on(g.Rc,t=>{e._qoe.tick(“ready”),t.setupTime=e._qoe.between(“setup”,”ready”)}),n.on(“all”,(t,n)=>{e.trigger(t,n)}),n},P=function(e,t){const n=e.plugins,r=Object.keys(n).map(e=>{const t=n[e];return delete n[e],t}),u=e.utils.logger.child(“jwplayer/api/api”);t.get(“setupConfig”)&&e.trigger(“remove”),e.off(),t.playerDestroy(),r.forEach(e=>{if(e.reset)try{e.reset()}catch(e){u.debug(e)}else if(e.destroy)try{e.destroy()}catch(e){u.debug(e)}}),t.getContainer().removeAttribute(“data-jwplayer-id”)};function S(e){const t=++k,n=e.id||`player-${t}`,r=new m.Z,u={},i=new B.Z(`JWPlayer[${n}]`);let s=j(this,e);r.tick(“init”),e.setAttribute(“data-jwplayer-id”,n),Object.defineProperties(this,{id:{enumerable:!0,get:()=>n},uniqueId:{enumerable:!0,get:()=>t},plugins:{enumerable:!0,get:()=>u},_qoe:{enumerable:!0,get:()=>r},version:{enumerable:!0,get:()=>f.i},Events:{enumerable:!0,get:()=>y.ZP},utils:{enumerable:!0,get:()=>Object.assign({},b.Z,{logger:i})},_:{enumerable:!0,get:()=>w.ZP}}),Object.assign(this,{_events:{},setup(t){return r.clear(“ready”),r.tick(“setup”),s&&P(this,s),s=j(this,e),s.init(t,this),this.on(t.events,null,this)},remove(){return this.getPip()&&this.setPip(!1),function(e){for(let t=o.Z.length;t–;)if(o.Z[t].uniqueId===e.uniqueId){o.Z.splice(t,1);break}}(this),s&&P(this,s),Object.keys(u).forEach(e=>{delete u[e]}),this},qoe(){const e=s.getItemQoe();return{setupTime:this._qoe.between(“setup”,”ready”),firstFrame:e.getFirstFrame?e.getFirstFrame():null,player:this._qoe.dump(),item:e.dump()}},addCues(e){return Array.isArray(e)&&s.addCues(e),this},getAudioTracks:()=>s.getAudioTracks(),getBuffer:()=>s.get(“buffer”),getCaptions:()=>s.get(“captions”),getCaptionsList:()=>s.getCaptionsList(),getConfig:()=>s.getConfig(),getContainer:()=>s.getContainer(),getControls:()=>s.get(“controls”),getCues:()=>s.getCues(),getCurrentAudioTrack:()=>s.getCurrentAudioTrack(),getCurrentCaptions:()=>s.getCurrentCaptions(),getCurrentQuality:()=>s.getCurrentQuality(),getCurrentTime:()=>s.get(“currentTime”),getAbsolutePosition:()=>s.getAbsolutePosition(),getDuration:()=>s.get(“duration”),getEnvironment:()=>p,getFullscreen:()=>s.get(“fullscreen”),getHeight:()=>s.getHeight(),getItemMeta:()=>s.get(“itemMeta”)||{},getMute:()=>s.getMute(),getContainerPercentViewable:()=>s.get(“intersectionRatio”),getPercentViewable:()=>s.get(“visibility”),getPip:()=>s.get(“pip”),getPlaybackRate:()=>s.get(“playbackRate”),getPlaylist:()=>s.get(“playlist”),getPlaylistIndex:()=>s.get(“item”),getPlaylistItem(e){if(!b.Z.exists(e))return s.get(“playlistItem”);const t=this.getPlaylist();return t?t[e]:null},getPosition:()=>s.get(“position”),getProvider:()=>s.getProvider(),getQualityLevels:()=>s.getQualityLevels(),getSafeRegion:(e=!0)=>s.getSafeRegion(e),getState:()=>s.getState(),getStretching:()=>s.get(“stretching”),getContainerViewable:()=>s.get(“containerViewable”),getViewable:()=>s.get(“viewable”),getVisualQuality:()=>s.getVisualQuality(),getVolume:()=>s.get(“volume”),getWidth:()=>s.getWidth(),isReady:()=>s.isReady(),setCaptions(e){return s.setCaptions(e),this},setConfig(e){return s.setConfig(e),this},setControls(e){return s.setControls(e),this},setCurrentAudioTrack(e){s.setCurrentAudioTrack(e)},setCurrentCaptions(e){s.setCurrentCaptions(e)},setCurrentQuality(e){s.setCurrentQuality(e)},setFullscreen(e){return s.setFullscreen(e),this},setAllowFullscreen(e){return s.setAllowFullscreen(e),this},setMute(e){return s.setMute(e),this},setPip(e){return s.setPip(e),this},setPlaybackRate(e){return s.setPlaybackRate(e),this},setPlaylistItem(e,t){return s.setPlaylistItem(e,t),this},setCues(e){return Array.isArray(e)&&s.setCues(e),this},setVolume(e){return s.setVolume(e),this},load(e,t){return s.load(e,t),this},preload(e){return s.preload(e),this},play(e){return s.play(e),this},pause(e){return s.pause(e),this},playToggle(e){switch(this.getState()){case g.r0:case g.Kb:return this.pause(e);default:return this.play(e)}},seek(e,t){return s.seek(e,t),this},playlistItem(e,t){return s.playlistItem(e,t),this},playlistNext(e){return s.playlistNext(e),this},playlistPrev(e){return s.playlistPrev(e),this},next(e){return s.next(e),this},requestPip(e){return s.requestPip(e),this},castToggle(){return s.castToggle(),this},stopCasting(){return s.stopCasting(),this},requestCast(e){return s.requestCast(e),this},createInstream:()=>s.createInstream(),stop(){return s.stop(),this},resize(e,t){return s.resize(e,t),this},addButton(e,t,n,r,u){return s.addButton(e,t,n,r,u),this},removeButton(e){return s.removeButton(e),this},getMediaElement:()=>s.getMediaElement(),attachMedia(){return s.attachMedia(),this},detachMedia(){return s.detachMedia(),this},isBeforeComplete:()=>s.isBeforeComplete(),isBeforePlay:()=>s.isBeforePlay(),setPlaylistItemCallback(e,t){s.setItemCallback(e,t)},removePlaylistItemCallback(){s.setItemCallback(null)},getPlaylistItemPromise:e=>s.getItemPromise(e),getFloating:()=>Boolean(s.get(“isFloating”)),setFloating(e){s.setConfig({floating:{mode:e?”always”:”never”}})},getChapters:()=>s.getChapters(),getCurrentChapter:()=>s.getCurrentChapter(),setChapter:e=>s.setChapter(e),setupDynamicPlugin(e,t){return e?E(this,e,t,s.get(“plugins”)):Promise.resolve()},destroyDynamicPlugin(e){if(e)return A(this,e)}})}Object.assign(S.prototype,{on(e,t,n){return y.on.call(this,e,t,n)},once(e,t,n){return y.IH.call(this,e,t,n)},off(e,t,n){return y.S1.call(this,e,t,n)},trigger(e,t){return(t=w.ZP.isObject(t)?Object.assign({},t):{}).type=e,h.Z.debug?y.X$.call(this,e,t):y.wj.call(this,e,t)},getPlugin(e){return this.plugins[e]},addPlugin(e,t){this.plugins[e]=t,”function”==typeof t.addToPlayer&&(this.isReady()?t.addToPlayer.call(this,!0):this.on(“ready”,function(){t.addToPlayer.call(this,!1)})),t.resize&&this.on(“resize”,t.resizeHandler)},registerPlugin(e,t,n){(0,l.fo)(e,t,n)},getAdBlock:()=>!1,playAd(e){},pauseAd(e){},skipAd(){},setAdMacros(e){},getAdMacros(){},updateQueryJSAdTargeting(e){},getQueryJSAdTargeting(){}}),n.p=(0,i.loadFrom)();const O=e=>{for(let t=0;t
“);
}
var jwConfig = {
“advertising”: {
“adscheduleid”: “23452342”,
“client”: “googima”,
“tag”: “https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/live/ads?iu=/7021/forumcomm/jamestownsun/health&description_url=__page-url__&tfcd=0&npa=0&sz=400×300%7C640x480&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&env=vp&impl=s&plcmt=1&vpmute=0&correlator=&cust_params=kw%3Dhealth%2Cjamestownsun%2CHEALTH%2CGRAND%20FORKS%2CNORTH%20DAKOTA%2CESSENTIA%20HEALTH%2CCENTERS%20FOR%20DISEASE%20CONTROL%20AND%20PREVENTION”,
},
“aspectratio”: “16:9”,
“autoPause”: {
“viewability”: false
},
“autostart”: false,
“captions”: {
“backgroundColor”: “#000000”,
“backgroundOpacity”: 75,
“color”: “#FFFFFF”,
“edgeStyle”: “none”,
“fontFamily”: “sans-serif”,
“fontOpacity”: 100,
“fontSize”: 14,
“windowColor”: “#000000”,
“windowOpacity”: 0
},
“cast”: {},
“controls”: true,
“defaultBandwidthEstimate”: 2000000,
“displayHeading”: false,
“displaydescription”: false,
“displaytitle”: true,
“floating”: {
“mode”: “never”
},
“ga”: {},
“generateSEOMetadata”: true,
“include_compatibility_script”: false,
“interactive”: false,
“intl”: {
“en”: {
“advertising”: {
“admessage”: “”,
“cuetext”: “”,
“skipmessage”: “”
}
}
},
“key”: “IM4Omh1s2XWzF/Ns4wayJAHka5pwtTjegu3zV0f3lERVG8OOSa2M+uaH3G9ZIMb8”,
“logo”: {
“hide”: true,
“position”: “top-right”
},
“mute”: true,
“ph”: 3,
“pid”: “owKqLLyJ”,
“pipIcon”: “disabled”,
“playbackRateControls”: false,
“playlist”: “//cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/sites/l0XScfRd/media/VMKXw0Ru/playback.json?recommendations_playlist_id=AzB3534T”,
“preload”: “metadata”,
“repeat”: false,
“skin”: {
“controlbar”: {
“background”: “rgba(0,0,0,0)”,
“icons”: “rgba(255,255,255,0.8)”,
“iconsActive”: “#FFFFFF”,
“text”: “#FFFFFF”
},
“menus”: {
“background”: “#333333”,
“text”: “rgba(255,255,255,0.8)”,
“textActive”: “#FFFFFF”
},
“timeslider”: {
“progress”: “#F2F2F2”,
“rail”: “rgba(255,255,255,0.3)”
},
“tooltips”: {
“background”: “#FFFFFF”,
“text”: “#000000”
}
},
“width”: “100%”
}; // end config
(function(playerConfig, testConfig) {
}(jwConfig, “”));
jwplayer(“botr_VMKXw0Ru_zeRw0rgh_div”).setup(jwConfig);
}());
DICKINSON — Property tax bills are arriving, and as inflation, taxes and property values continue to rise, many North Dakota homeowners are feeling the strain of higher household expenses.
Two state programs — the primary residence credit and the homestead property tax credit — aim to ease that burden by reducing, and in some cases eliminating, property taxes for eligible homeowners.
The primary residence credit provides a flat credit of up to $1,600 for qualifying homeowners, regardless of age or income. The homestead credit, meanwhile, reduces the taxable value of a home for seniors and individuals with disabilities, significantly lowering or eliminating their tax bill.
Eligible households may apply for both credits, further reducing the amount owed.
Primary residence credit: Who qualifies and how much is available
The primary residence credit was originally capped at $500 in 2023. In 2025, lawmakers increased the credit to $1,600 after Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed House Bill 1176 into law on May 3, 2025.
To qualify, a homeowner must own and occupy a home in North Dakota as their primary residence. Eligible properties include houses,
mobile homes
, townhomes, duplexes and condominiums. Homes held in trust also qualify. There are no age or income limits, and only one credit is allowed per household.
The credit may be applied up to the amount of property tax owed.
“We’re asking the public to take just a few minutes — please come to us, tell us who you are,” State Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus said during a press briefing at the Capitol on Dec. 19. “That is the difference between applying the credit across the board and diluting it for everyone or having a larger credit amount of $1,600.”
Armstrong also highlighted the impact of the expanded credit in an
opinion column
.
“Since we more than tripled the credit to $1,600, the number of households paying no property taxes in 2025 has increased to 50,000,” he wrote.
Homestead property tax credit: Using health expenses to qualify
Unlike the primary residence credit, the homestead credit reduces the taxable value of a qualifying home.
To be eligible, applicants must be 65 or older or have a permanent or total disability, own and occupy the home as their primary residence, and have a household income of $70,000 or less. There is no age requirement for individuals with disabilities. Only one spouse may apply if a married couple lives together.
Households earning $40,000 or less may qualify for a 100% reduction in taxable value, up to $9,000. Those earning between $40,001 and $70,000 may qualify for a 50% reduction, up to $4,500.
Out-of-pocket medical expenses can be deducted when calculating household income. Eligible expenses include unreimbursed medical costs paid during the prior year for the homeowner, spouse or dependents. Subtracting those expenses may move applicants into a lower income tier or help them qualify.
Stark County Auditor and Treasurer
Karen Richard
said the credit has eliminated tax bills for many approved applicants.
“Out of the 725 approved homestead credit applications, there were 355 applicants who had a zero-dollar tax bill just from receiving the homestead credit,” Richard said.
She added that participation remains low.
“There are most likely many more seniors who qualify but do not realize the homestead credit exists,” Richard said. “Any way possible to get the word out could really help individuals living on fixed incomes.”
Applying for both credits
Some households qualify for both programs. The homestead credit is applied first, followed by the primary residence credit.
“By applying for and receiving both credits, an additional 149 applicants received a zero-dollar tax bill,” Richard said. “Out of 725 approved homestead applicants, 504 owed nothing for 2025 property taxes.”
It’s also important to note that either credit applies to special assessments, which may still result in a balance owed.
Applications for both credits must be submitted to a local assessor or county director of tax equalization between Jan. 1 and April 1 of the year the credit is requested. For 2026 taxes, the deadline is April 1, 2026.
Sarah Ruffin, who processes homestead and veterans credit applications for Stark County, encouraged seniors to seek assistance if needed.
“If you are over 65, own your home and earn under $70,000 per year, come talk to me about the homestead credit,” Ruffin said.
Homestead credit applications are available at
tax.nd.gov/homestead
.Primary residence credit applications must be completed online at
tax.nd.gov/prc
.
“The pen is mightier than the sword.”
As a professional writer with more than 10 years of experience, Kelly lives by these words. With a bachelor’s degree in communication, majoring in broadcasting and journalism, and a fiery passion for writing that began in childhood, she uses the power of words to make an impact in the community — informing, educating, and entertaining a wide range of audiences.
As a journalist, what Kelly loves most about her job is the ability to bring unique stories to the public and give people a voice that can be heard around the world. Whether through print or digital platforms, her goal is to share stories people enjoy reading while spreading valuable information that supports the welfare of southwest North Dakota and its people.
Murder charge filed in aftermath of altercation outside Detroit bar
San Francisco supervisors call for hearing into PG&E’s massive blackout
Brandon Williams’ game-winning 3-pointer tops Kings, breaks Mavericks’ road losing streak
Florida-based breakfast chain makes Boston debut with newest location
Sandwich shop owed more than $40,000 in taxes before seizure, city says
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Wyoming Supreme Court rules laws restricting abortion violate state constitution
How strong are Latin America’s military forces, as they face US threats?
Trump says Venezuela will turn over 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to US | CNN Business
Video: Nvidia Shows Off New A.I. Chip at CES
Pelosi heir-apparent calls Trump’s Venezuela move a ‘lawless coup,’ urges impeachment, slams Netanyahu
-
World1 week agoHamas builds new terror regime in Gaza, recruiting teens amid problematic election
-
News1 week agoFor those who help the poor, 2025 goes down as a year of chaos
-
Business1 week agoInstacart ends AI pricing test that charged shoppers different prices for the same items
-
Health1 week agoDid holiday stress wreak havoc on your gut? Doctors say 6 simple tips can help
-
Science1 week agoWe Asked for Environmental Fixes in Your State. You Sent In Thousands.
-
Technology1 week agoChatGPT’s GPT-5.2 is here, and it feels rushed
-
Business1 week agoA tale of two Ralphs — Lauren and the supermarket — shows the reality of a K-shaped economy
-
Politics1 week agoThe biggest losers of 2025: Who fell flat as the year closed