Buckle up: Enjoy what matters

February 21, 2023

By Gene LaDoucer Director of Public Affairs, AAA-The Auto Club Group in ND Fargo As a group, North Dakotans have a strong appreciation for family, friends and neighbors. They will go to great lengths to protect them from harm and to help during times of need. So why do so many refuse to take a simple step to help protect themselves? Why do 1 in 5 drivers choose not to buckle their seatbelt? I feel it necessary to ask these individuals, “Do you get so much enjoyment of going without a seatbelt you’d give your life for it?” At least 46 North Dakotans would likely ...

Eating Disorder Awareness Week promotes change

February 18, 2023

Kristina Hokenson, Minot Eating Disorder Awareness Week is Monday, February 27th, to Sunday, March 5th. This is an annual campaign started by the national eating disorder association (NEDA). The purpose is to “educate the public about the realities of eating disorders and to provide hope, support, and visibility to individuals and families affected by eating disorders.” The theme this year is “It’s Time for Change.” The awareness colors of green and blue will be lighting up many landmarks across the United States, including the Alerus Center in Grand Forks! According ...

Support legislation that reflects ND values

February 18, 2023

Rev. Ellery Dykeman and Denise Dykeman First Lutheran Church, ELCA Rev. Kathy Hintz Senior Warden All Saints Episcopal Church The Rev. Kim Becker Northwest Regional Coordinator Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota Rev. Rachel Simonson Lutheran Campus Ministry, MSU Rev. Natasha Woitzel-Kolles and Jared Kolles ELCA Rev. Janet Mathistad ELCA (retired) All Minot Rev. Kim Gifford ELCA Burlington Stephanie Fournier Hope Lutheran Surrey Bishop Craig A. Schweitzer Western ND Synod-ELCA Bismarck The Right Rev. Thomas C. Ely, ...

Bill is more seatbelt harassment

February 18, 2023

Ross Hausfeld -, Minot This week our State Senate passed Bill 2362 — an expansion of mandatory seat belt coverage to all passengers of a motor vehicle and more pertinently, granting police power to initiate traffic stops solely for failure to comply. Currently in North Dakota it is law to wear your seat belt in the front seats but an officer may only ticket you incidentally in the course of a traffic stop for a different reason. Now of course with every discussion regarding this topic I have to preface my statements with this: I wear my safety belt and I do so all the time. I ...

ND authors oppose censorship

February 18, 2023

Taylor Brorbym Salt Lake City, Utah The following North Dakota authors, poets, and essayists join me in strong opposition to HB 1205, SB 2123, and SB 2360: Byron L. Dorgan, Heid E. Erdrich, Louise Erdrich, Melanie Hoffert, Martin Keller, Chuck Klosterman, Debra Marquart, Kathleen Norris, Jennie Shortridge, Sarah Vogel, Larry Watson, Clay S. Jenkinson, Lonna Whiting, Dr. Michael Yellow Bird. These bills are unconstitutional, will result in censorship, and violate the freedom of speech for all North Dakotans. They threaten public librarians with criminal charges and imprisonment for ...

Begging for change in WSI oversight

February 18, 2023

Kirsten Reile, West Fargo The purpose of this letter is to bring attention to a very broken system. My husband, Oak Reile, sustained a traumatic, life changing injury while doing his job in May of 2020. Our family is requesting an investigation into the operation of Workers Safety Insurance (WSI) of North Dakota, as the need for change to benefit the residents of our state is long overdue. North Dakota is one of a few states in the country that is monopolistic. This means that they bar the sale of worker’s compensation insurance by private insurers. North Dakota employers must ...