Dakota

North Dakota Lawmakers Deliberate Secretly on Lawsuit Amid Veto Misstep Threatening Housing Funds

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BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota’s legislative leaders are set to meet this week in a closed session to explore the possibility of a lawsuit following an error related to a veto by Governor Kelly Armstrong. The matter concerns significant missteps involving funding intended for housing initiatives, raising concerns about transparency and accountability among lawmakers. The interim Legislative Management Committee is considering the next steps, which could include legal action or the convening of a special session. The complications arose after Governor Armstrong mistakenly vetoed not only $150,000 earmarked for a Native American homeless liaison, but … Read more

Union County Jury Convicts Man of First-Degree Murder in Dakota Dunes Stabbing Case

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Dakota Dunes, South Dakota — A man was recently convicted of first-degree murder in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred in Dakota Dunes. Alfredo Castellanos-Rosales, 41, was found guilty by a Union County jury, according to South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley. The incident involved the death of 23-year-old Jordan Beardshear, whose body was discovered in an apartment in June 2023. Prosecutors presented evidence that Castellanos-Rosales was responsible for the stabbing. Following the incident, he fled to Mexico, where he was later apprehended. Attorney General Jackley expressed relief at the jury’s decision, stating that … Read more

Greenpeace Challenges $667M Jury Award in High-Stakes Dakota Access Pipeline Case

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BISMARCK, N.D. – Greenpeace has filed a motion to reduce a jury’s substantial award of $667 million in a recent trial concerning the Dakota Access Pipeline, arguing that the damages are excessively high. The case emerged from events that unfolded during the pipeline’s construction, which sparked significant controversies and protests. The jury’s decision to impose such a hefty financial penalty came in response to claims filed by Energy Transfer Partners, the company behind the pipeline. This decision was intended to address losses the company allegedly suffered due to direct actions taken by Greenpeace activists. The … Read more

Judicial Controversy: North Dakota Judge’s Columbia University Boycott Raises Ethical Questions Amid Campus Protests

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BISMARCK, N.D. — A federal judge in North Dakota has sparked a significant debate over academic hiring practices after announcing he will not recruit law clerks from Columbia University. This decision stems from the university’s handling of protests related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The chief judge of the Eighth Circuit expressed concern that the judge’s actions may set a troubling precedent, yet he also dismissed an ethics complaint against the judge’s boycott. This measure taken by the North Dakota judge draws attention to the larger national discourse surrounding free speech and academic freedom, … Read more