Prairie Beat

Journalists, witnesses and North Dakota’s attorney general packed into Courtroom 1 at the federal courthouse in downtown Fargo to bear witness to the almost seven-hour sentencing hearing of former State Senator, Ray Holmberg. Holmberg pleaded guilty in September 2024 to one count of intent to travelling to engage in illicit sex acts. Ann Alquist and Erik Deatherage share analysis and context from Dane DeKrey and Bruce Ringstrom, both defense attorneys, in this special episode of In Session.

Who should decide about what’s appropriate to read and where it should be located in school and public libraries? Senate Bill 2307 has crossed over into the house after a 27-20 vote on the senate floor. On this week’s episode of In Session, Erik and Ann look at the complicated questions of defining and regulating pornography and the legal ramifications for teachers and librarians if the bill is signed into law.

If you still read a print newspaper, you’ll see public notices. Since the founding of the United States, newspapers have been tasked with publishing announcements on hearings, government budgets, minutes of government meetings. This week, we look at Senate Bill 2069 and if it passes the House, how it could set the stage for less transparency in all aspects of North Dakota government.

This episode of In Session, Erik and Ann take a step back from the day to day of the 69th legislative session to look at North Dakota’s Legacy Fund, and how other countries and indeed, other states have grappled with what to do with their own funds.

Crossover is that time during the legislative session when our elected officials take a break before coming back March 5 to keep moving bills that passed on either the House or Senate floors. We look at what failed, and preview hot button issue bills “crossing over”.

A few bills making its way through committees and on to floor votes reveal the tension between Bismarck and local governments. In this episode, we look at SB 2208, which would affect local governments having access to the Prairie Dog fund for roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects. Also, Fargo’s special style of holding elections irked some lawmakers enough for an overwhelming majority of the House to end “approval voting”.

This episode, we look at things that are free, or could be free depending on legislation being debated in Bismarck.

This episode, we’re back in school. Legislators narrowly voted down a bill (SB 2241) to authorize public charter schools. You can hear how and why charter schools are controversial - and why North Dakota continues to be one of five states that doesn’t have them.

The strange environmental and oil industry bedfellows of carbon capture, a pipeline and the battle over eminent domain.

North Dakota entered the national fray this legislative session with a bill requiring public schools and universities to post the 10 Commandments in every classroom. On this week's episode, we hear from the bill's supporters and opponents.