A federal judge in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/north-dakota" target="_blank" rel="noopener">North Dakota</a> ruled on Monday that the Biden administration cannot compel Christian employers and health care providers to pay for transgender surgeries and other procedures.
Judge Daniel Traynor for the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota <a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/christian-employers-do-not-have-cover-gender-transition-judge-rules-2024-03-04/">ruled</a> in favor of the Christian Employers Alliance, which had challenged the Biden administration’s interpretation of federal discrimination law. Traynor, a Trump nominee, <a href="https://adfmedia.org/case/christian-employers-alliance-v-us-equal-employment-opportunity-commission">said</a> that the Christian groups were protected under religious liberty protections from being forced to provide “gender transition services.” 
The judge ruled against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Department of Health and Human Services interpretation of discrimination law, which would mandate that every employer covers transgender surgeries. Traynor said that the Christian Employers Alliance&#8217;s “religious beliefs are substantially burdened by the monetary penalties it faces for refusing to violate its beliefs.”
“Here, CEA’s sincerely held religious belief is that male and female are immutable realities defined by biological sex and that gender reassignment is contrary to Christian Values,” Traynor <a href="https://adfmedialegalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/files/ChristianEmployersAllianceOrderSummaryJudgment.pdf">wrote</a>. “As a result, performing or providing health care coverage for gender transition services under the EEOC and HHS coverage mandates impinges upon CEA’s beliefs. CEA must either comply with the EEOC and HHS mandates by violating their sincerely held religious beliefs or else face harsh consequences like paying fines and facing civil liability.”
The Christian Employers Alliance first filed the lawsuit in October 2021 and took issue with the Equal Employment Opportunity commission&#8217;s interpretation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act that employers needed to cover transgender surgeries. It also challenged the Health and Human Services&#8217; interpretation of sex to include gender identity for discrimination purposes. 
The decision was celebrated by the Christian Employers Alliance and the Alliance Defending Freedom, which represented the group. 
“We are overjoyed our members will not have to choose between the biblically based employee benefits and quality healthcare they provide, and the threat of federal enforcement and massive costs for practicing their faith,” Christian Employers Alliance President Shannon Royce said. 
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ADF Senior Counsel and Director of Regulatory Practice Matt Bowman praised the court for blocking the Biden administration’s mandates. 
“All employers and healthcare providers, including those in the Christian Employers Alliance, have the constitutionally protected freedom to conduct their business and render treatment in a manner consistent with their deeply held religious beliefs,” Bowman said. “The employers we represent believe that God purposefully created humans as either male or female, and so it would violate their religious beliefs to pay for or perform life-altering medical procedures or surgeries that seek to change one’s sex.”

A surgical light in an operating room in hospital.

Federal Judge Rules That Christian Employers Do Not Have To Pay For Transgender Surgeries

Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF)

Biden Administration

Department of Health and Human Services

North Dakota

Religious Liberty

transgender surgery

Former President Donald Trump dominated the North Dakota Republican Caucus on Monday as he continues to inch closer to officially securing the party&#8217;s presidential nomination.
The Associated Press called the race with roughly 38% of the votes counted as Trump led former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley 84.4% to 14.6%.
Candidates are eligible to win delegates if they finish with at least 20% of the vote. However, if a candidate wins at least 60% of the vote then that candidate collects all of the state&#8217;s 29 delegates.
The win, assuming Trump stays over 60%, will put the former president at 273 delegates while Haley lags far behind with only 43 delegates. Haley secured her first and only win of the GOP nomination process over the weekend when she won Washington, D.C.
Trump on the other hand has had blowout victories in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho, Michigan, and Missouri.
The former president is heavily favored in the Super Tuesday states that vote tomorrow, which include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia.
Assuming that things continue to go his way, the earliest Trump could wrap up the primary is on March 12 when Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, and Washington hold their contests.
This is a breaking news story; refresh the page for updates.

Former President Donald Trump Speaks At Mar-a-Lago In Florida

Trump Wins North Dakota Caucus In Dominant Fashion

2024 Primaries

Donald Trump

Nikki Haley

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/north-dakota" target="_blank" rel="noopener">North Dakota</a> Republican Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/doug-burgum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Doug Burgum</a> said on Monday that he will not seek a third term leading the Peace Garden State this year.
The announcement followed Burgum <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/doug-burgum-suspends-2024-presidential-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ending his long-shot campaign</a> in the 2024 presidential race last month and a little more than a week after he <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-gets-endorsement-from-burgum-former-2024-rival-on-eve-of-iowa-caucuses" target="_blank" rel="noopener">endorsed</a> former President Donald Trump ahead of the Iowa caucuses.
&#8220;Serving as governor and first lady of the great state of North Dakota has been one of the most incredible and rewarding experiences of our lives,&#8221; Burgum said in a <a href="https://www.governor.nd.gov/news/burgum-announces-he-wont-seek-third-term-highlights-progress-made-during-time-governor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>. &#8220;Kathryn and I are eternally grateful to the citizens of North Dakota for twice giving us this opportunity to serve the state we love so much.&#8221;
North Dakota voters elected Burgum, a wealthy former software executive, to serve as their 33rd governor in November 2016. He won another four-year term in November 2020.
In his statement, Burgum touted &#8220;incredible progress&#8221; during his seven-year tenure, including on issues such as taxes, the economy, education, state-tribal relations, agriculture, energy, and fighting addiction.
&#8220;There’s never been a better time to live, work and raise a family in North Dakota. Our state is extremely well-positioned for the future thanks to the efforts of everyone on Team ND to empower people, improve lives and inspire success,&#8221; Burgum said.
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A term limits measure passed in 2022 barred any individual from being elected governor more than twice — though <a href="https://www.kfyrtv.com/2022/11/09/measure-1-projected-pass-term-limits-will-go-into-effect-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the measure noted</a> that service before its effective date would not count toward the limit.
Prognosticators who <a href="https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2024-governor/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">assessed</a> the 2024 governor&#8217;s race last year <a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/governor-race-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">determined</a> the GOP was favored to win. At least one person, former Republican state Sen. Tom Campbell, has <a href="https://www.wdayradionow.com/news/regional-news/72233-former-state-senator-tom-campbell-to-run-for-governor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> he will run for the office.
Burgum&#8217;s current term is set to end on December 14. It was not immediately clear what he would do next, but one person had already floated a possibility.
&#8220;He&#8217;s one of the best governors in our country,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-teases-ex-rival-doug-burgum-hold-important-administration-role-iowa-win" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said at an event last week</a>, appearing with Burgum after Burgum endorsed the former president. &#8220;And I hope that I&#8217;m going to be able to call on him to be a piece of the administration, a very important piece of the administration.&#8221;

Doug Burgum

Doug Burgum Announces He Will Not Seek 3rd Term As North Dakota Governor

2024 Election

Elections

Politics

The son of Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) was charged on Thursday in connection to a crash that killed a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/north-dakota" target="_blank" rel="noopener">North Dakota</a> sheriff&#8217;s deputy this week.
Police received a report of a stolen SUV that was being driven on Wednesday night by 42-year-old Ian Cramer and, when law enforcement approached him, he drove off.
Ian Cramer was charged with felony counts of manslaughter, fleeing a police officer, and reckless endangerment. He also was charged with a misdemeanor count of driving with a suspended license.
Ian Cramer&#8217;s mother took him to the hospital on Wednesday night over concerns about his mental health. When she got out of the car, Ian jumped in the driver&#8217;s seat and took off.
Law enforcement officials spotted the vehicle over an hour later and the situation quickly turned into a high-speed chase with Ian Cramer reaching speeds of over 100 mph.
Deputy Paul Martin took cover behind his patrol car after setting up a tire deflation device on the road. When Ian Cramer saw the device, he swerved and hit the patrol car, thus ramming “directly into Martin’s person and launching him for about 100 feet,” court documents said.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
NDHP honors the memory and sacrifice of Mercer County Deputy Paul Martin and sends condolences to his family, friends and the entire Mercer County community. <a href="https://t.co/54IUB7l26p">pic.twitter.com/54IUB7l26p</a>
&mdash; North Dakota Highway Patrol (@NDHighwayPatrol) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDHighwayPatrol/status/1732810237202067477?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Sen. Cramer addressed the incident in a statement, saying that his son &#8220;suffers from serious mental disorders which manifest in severe paranoia and hallucinations.&#8221;
&#8220;Kris was with Ian when he insisted on going to his brother Ike. Ike died in 2018,&#8221; said Cramer. &#8220;Kris took Ian to the Sanford Health emergency room in Bismarck. When she got out of our vehicle, Ian jumped into the driver’s seat and fled. Our daughter was able to track the car through Kris’ cell phone and lead officers to him in Mercer County, ND.&#8221;
He said that he was focused on getting back to the state so that he could be with his family.
&#8220;We grieve especially for the family of the hero who tried to help Ian, and we pray for our gracious God to show up as He always does in tragedy,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We ask the public for prayers for the lost officer’s family and colleagues who serve us every day and are grateful for all they do for us. We also ask God for healing for Ian. We love him and hurt deeply.&#8221;

Sen. Kevin Cramer

Senator Kevin Cramer’s Son Charged With Manslaughter Over Killing Of Sheriff’s Deputy

Senator Kevin Cramer's Son Charged With Manslaughter Over Killing Of Sheriff’s Deputy

Crime

Law Enforcement

Mental Health

U.S.

U.S. Senate

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) said his 42-year-old son was involved in a police chase on Wednesday that came to a tragic end, resulting in the death of a sheriff’s deputy.
A Mercer County, North Dakota, Sheriff’s deputy was killed as police engaged in a pursuit of Ian Cramer after the senator’s son reportedly took off with his mother’s car. Ian — who “suffers from severe mental disorders which manifest in severe paranoia and hallucinations,” according to the senator — was taken to the emergency room by Cramer’s wife, Kris, after he told her he wanted to go see his brother who died five years ago. When Kris got out of the car at the hospital, Ian jumped into the driver’s seat and sped off, the senator said in a statement, KFYR <a href="https://www.kfyrtv.com/2023/12/07/mercer-county-sheriffs-deputy-dies-during-pursuit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. 
“Our daughter was able to track the car through Kris’ cell phone and lead officers to him in Mercer County, ND,” Cramer said in a statement. “We don’t have more details right now but will work with authorities to properly inform the public.” 
The Mercer County Sheriff’s Department initially located Ian and the stolen SUV in Hazen, North Dakota, where officers approached him, but the 42-year-old fled, according to authorities. As police pursued him, a Mercer County Sheriff’s deputy stood alongside the road next to a parked patrol car, preparing to deploy a spike strip to deflate the tires of the vehicle Ian was driving. The SUV, however, veered off the road and rammed into the parked patrol car head-on. The crash pushed the patrol car back into the deputy standing on the side of the road, killing him, KFYR reported.  
Ian was rushed to the hospital following the crash before being taken to the Mercer County Jail. No charges have been filed yet as the North Dakota Highway Patrol investigates the incident. Sen. Cramer said he and his family are grieving for their son and the deputy’s family and asked the public for their prayers. 
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“I will take the first flight I can to be with our family as we grieve what has happened,” Cramer added. “We grieve especially for the family of the hero who tried to help Ian, and we pray for our gracious God to show up as He always does in tragedy. We ask the public for prayers for the lost officer’s family and colleagues who serve us every day and are grateful for all they do for us. We also ask God for healing for Ian. We love him and hurt deeply.”

Kevin Cramer

GOP Senator’s Son Involved In Police Chase Resulting In Death Of Sheriff’s Deputy

Car Crash

Congress

Police

A judge in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/north-dakota" target="_blank" rel="noopener">North Dakota</a> has denied a request to block the state’s law that protects children from undergoing life-altering transgender procedures.
On Monday, Burleigh County Judge Jackson Lofgren <a href="https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/north-dakota/north-dakota-judge-denies-temporary-halt-to-transgender-health-care-ban-for-children" target="_blank" rel="noopener">denied</a> a petition from several parents who claim their children identify as transgender to place a temporary restraining order on a North Dakota law banning transgender procedures on children.
“The plaintiffs argue the challenged statutes are subject to strict scrutiny,” Lofgren wrote. “However, this heightened scrutiny hinges upon inclusion in a protected class not previously recognized by the North Dakota Supreme Court or a new application of state constitutional principles.”
Lofgren said the challenged did not present evidence “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the law violated the Constitution.
Robert and Devon Dolney, among other parents, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/judge-denies-initial-request-temporarily-block-north-dakotas-ban-kids-rcna125136" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sued</a> state Attorney General Drew Wrigley in September over <a href="https://www.ndlegis.gov/assembly/68-2023/regular/documents/23-0869-01000.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">House Bill 1254</a>, which bans things like surgeries on children such as double mastectomies on girls who identify as boys and other genital procedures. It also prohibits children from being put on cross-sex hormones or puberty blockers, things that can have long-term impacts on fertility, bone development, and other serious developmental side effects. 
“We’re disappointed in this ruling, but we are confident that when all the evidence has been presented, the court will ultimately find that ending the health care ban permanently is the only just, equitable, and constitutional resolution,” said lawyer Brittany Stewart of Gender Justice, who is representing the parents.
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Lofgren, who was appointed by Burgum, is set to hear more arguments on the suit in January.
“You know one of the main arguments against this bill was that you know, the surgeries aren’t happening here in North Dakota, why are you doing this so early? It’s because, if you just look over the border, in places like Minnesota, it’s happening frequently, it’s happening in states around this country, so we’re taking an approach that we need to start today so that this doesn’t get out of control,” state Rep. Brandon Prichard, one of the bill’s sponsors, <a href="https://www.kxnet.com/news/state-news/governor-burgum-signs-transgender-medical-ban-bill/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> at the time. 
The law was signed in April by Governor Doug Burgum, a 2024 presidential candidate. 
North Dakota is one of the more than 20 states that have passed bills protecting children from transgender procedures. Left-wing legal groups have sought to challenge the laws with various degrees of success. The ACLU, which lost a challenge to Tennessee’s law before the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/aclu-asks-supreme-court-to-strike-down-tennessee-law-protecting-kids-from-transgender-procedures" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has petitioned</a> the Supreme Court to weigh in on the case.

Surgeon picking up surgical tool from tray

Judge Keeps North Dakota Law Shielding Kids From Transgender Procedures In Place

LGBT

Social Issues

Transgender

The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/u-s-air-force" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Air Force</a> has requested that Congress pass legislation to stop wind turbines from encroaching on nuclear missile sites throughout the U.S.
According to the Air Force, underground nuclear missile sites in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Colorado need to be shielded from the growing wind turbine industry for safety and security concerns. The Air Force <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/air-force-asks-congress-protect-nuclear-launch-sites-104685988" target="_blank" rel="noopener">says</a> that 46 of the 450 underground nuclear missile sites have been “severely” encroached upon. Some wind turbines can stand 650 feet tall and present a barrier for helicopters carrying technicians or others who need to access the sites.
“When you think about a wind turbine, and even fields of wind turbines, they’ll stretch for miles,” Staff Sgt. Chase Rose, a UH-1 Huey flight engineer at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, told the Associated Press. “They’re monstrous, and then you have gigantic blades spinning on them as well. Not only is that a physical obstacle, but those turbines, they create the hazards like turbulence as well. That can be really dangerous for us to fly into. So it’s a very complex situation, when you have to deal with those.”
The Air Force is advocating for legislation that would mandate a 2-nautical-mile buffer zone around the hundreds of underground missile launch sites throughout the U.S. The Air Force and the American Clean Power Association drafted the legislation.
“The wind industry recognizes the nuclear missile silo mission is unique,&#8221; said American Clean Power Association spokesman Jason Ryan. “However, one-size-fits-all setbacks do not make sense for other [Department of Defense] missions or assets as site-specific and mission-specific evaluations are necessary to ensure military readiness.”
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Air Force Maj. Victoria Hight, a spokeswoman for F.E. Warren Air Force Base, said the wind turbines can hamper “safe helicopter transit and nuclear security operations” but that the Air Force supports &#8220;renewable energy efforts to include wind turbines, and we continue to work with energy industry partners to ensure the country’s green energy needs are met.” 

The Biden administration has <a href="https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/biden-harris-administration-advances-15-onshore-clean-energy-projects-potential-power" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aggressively pushed</a> a “transition” to green energy, including announcing the development of onshore renewable energy projects across the West.
“Investing in clean and reliable renewable energy represents the [Bureau of Land Management&#8217;s] commitment to addressing climate change and supports direction from the President and Congress to permit 25 gigawatts of solar, wind and geothermal production on public lands no later than 2025,” the Bureau of Land Management said on Monday when announcing plans for 15 major projects throughout the West.

Sustainable power is the future

Air Force Requests Congressional Intervention Over Wind Turbines Near Nuclear Missile Sites

Arkansas

Energy

Montana

Nebraska

U.S. Air Force

Wyoming

A North Dakota woman has been arrested and charged with murder after she allegedly killed her boyfriend with antifreeze.
Ina Thea Kenoyer, 47, was arrested earlier this week and charged with Class AA Felony Murder in the poisoning death of Steven Edward Riley Jr., 51, of Minot, North Dakota, the Minot Police Department said in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/minotpd/posts/633986248904565" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a statement</a>. Riley died on September 5 at a Bismarck hospital, and an autopsy revealed his cause of death was poisoning.
“This case was extremely complex,” Investigations Commander Capt. Dale Plessas said in the statement. “Thank you to everyone who provided us with information that helped our investigators piece this together.”
The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/31/us/north-dakota-poisoning-murder.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that Riley was poisoned by ethylene glycol, the main ingredient in antifreeze. In an affidavit obtained by the outlet, Riley’s loved ones reportedly said Kenoyer had made comments about poisoning him with antifreeze prior to and after his death.
The couple had been together for 10 years, but Riley was reportedly preparing to leave Kenoyer after he received an inheritance of about $30 million.
On September 3, Riley was about to claim his inheritance when he began to feel ill, People Magazine <a href="https://people.com/nd-woman-accused-poisoning-boyfriend-antifreeze-hours-after-inherited-30-million-8385706" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. On September 4, emergency workers were called to the couple’s home, and Riley was found unresponsive, the Times reported. He was taken to an emergency room before being transferred to the hospital in Bismarck, where he died the following day.
One of Kenoyer’s friends also told police she saw Kenoyer dispose of Riley’s things outside their home on the day he started feeling sick. This same friend said that Kenoyer was upset because she knew Riley was going to leave her after getting his inheritance.
Kenoyer allegedly told police that Riley had a heat stroke and had been drinking, but the autopsy found no alcohol in his system. Police also reportedly found a bottle of window cleaner in the living room that contained liquid believed to be antifreeze.
After Riley died, Kenoyer told authorities that she should receive some of the $30 million because she was his “common law” wife. She claimed she would split the money with Riley’s son. When authorities told her that North Dakota did not recognize her as a common law wife, she became “incensed,” according to the affidavit.
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“This was an intentional and heinous act. This bond is consistent with people with similar charges,” Ward County State’s Attorney Roza Larson said on Tuesday while seeking a $1 million bond, <a href="https://www.minotdailynews.com/news/local-news/2023/11/woman-professes-innocence-in-poisoning/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to the Minot Daily News</a>. North Central District Court Judge Richard Hagar granted the request.
Kenoyer faces life in prison without the possibility of parole if she’s found guilty.

Alexander Uhrin/Getty Images

North Dakota Woman Charged With Murder For Allegedly Poisoning Boyfriend After He Inherited $30 Million

Murder

A former <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/north-dakota" target="_blank" rel="noopener">North Dakota</a> Republican state senator pleaded not guilty to federal child sex abuse charges on Monday — months after the lawmaker resigned following a <a href="https://www.inforum.com/news/north-dakota/north-dakotas-longest-serving-state-senator-exchanged-72-texts-with-jailed-child-porn-suspect" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> revealing he allegedly texted a man in jail for possessing child pornography.
Ray Holmberg, 79, one of the nation&#8217;s longest-serving state senators, faces charges in U.S. District Court in Fargo for traveling to Europe with the intent of paying for sex with a minor and receipt and attempted receipt of child pornography, <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-north-dakota-state-senator-charged-traveling-intent-engage-illicit-sexual-conduct" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to the Department of Justice.
Court documents allege Holmberg traveled from North Dakota to Prague, Czech Republic, from June 2011 through November 2016 for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts with a minor. The indictment also suggests Holmberg received material depicting a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct from November 2012 to March 2013.
Mark Friese, attorney for Holmberg, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-dakota-senator-indictment-ray-holmberg-prague-8c30a68285dff5ee66668340deb4effc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> The Associated Press in a text message that authorities investigated his client &#8220;for 2 years or more and allege nothing recent. The conduct they allege is from more than a decade ago.&#8221;
Friese added that authorities released Holmberg with conditions, and the judge did not require him to post any bond.
Holmberg faces a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison if convicted. Authorities <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-nd/pr/former-north-dakota-state-senator-indicted-child-sex-tourism-and-child-pornography" target="_blank" rel="noopener">set a trial</a> date for December 5.
The former state senator served more than 45 years in North Dakota until he resigned in April 2022 after The Forum, a local newspaper, reported he exchanged 72 text messages with Nicholas James Morgan-Derosier, a landscaper whom authorities jailed on charges of possessing child pornography. Morgan-Derosier pleaded guilty to seven counts of possession and distribution of child pornography in September.
It was unclear at the time what the two individuals exchanged in the text messages.
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According to an Associated Press <a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-north-dakota-ae29f1793062487dd3b9a744e3e71e18" target="_blank" rel="noopener">review</a> of Holmberg&#8217;s travel records, the ex-lawmaker received approximately $126,000 in reimbursements for about 70 out-of-state trips between 2013 through April 2022. The outlet reported Holmberg&#8217;s travels included four dozen U.S. cities, Canada, Puerto Rico, and several European countries.
In 2021, authorities seized video discs and additional items from Holmberg&#8217;s residence in Grand Forks.
Former North Dakota Republican Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, who served as a lawmaker for the state with Holmberg for nearly 25 years, told The Associated Press if authorities convict Holmberg, his time in public office would &#8220;be forgotten about, and only the negative things will be remembered.&#8221;
&#8220;Here&#8217;s a situation where a man was a public servant and did a lot of positive things for the state of North Dakota, and now, I don&#8217;t know what&#8217;s going to come of this thing, but this really neutralizes all the good,&#8221; said Wardner.

The North Dakota state flag waving along with the national flag of the United States of America

Former North Dakota State Sen. Indicted On Child Sex Abuse Charges

Child Sex Abuse

Senate

Actor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/celebrities">Josh Duhamel</a> said he’s happy to have left <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hollywood">Hollywood</a> behind.
The 50-year-old actor discussed his thoughts on returning to his home state of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/north-dakota">North Dakota</a> and how he’s changed since getting divorced from Black-Eyed Peas singer Fergie.
“I don&#8217;t think I ever really got comfortable with all of it,&#8221; he said during a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW5qT4HIAd1ZrvSJxrSf8gD9H8dTiJJz0">conversation</a> on “In Depth With Graham Bensinger.”
&#8220;It was just a lot. I just missed the simplicity of who I really am. I&#8217;m just not a guy who is comfortable going to red carpets, doing all the Hollywood stuff. I don&#8217;t hate it; I&#8217;m better at it now than I was, but it just took me a long time really feel like I fit in.&#8221;
Duhamel was married to Fergie from 2009 until 2019. He shares a son with her and says their relationship is friendly, but he doesn’t regret leaving the lifestyle behind. 
&#8220;We had a great time, but I think we kind of just outgrew each other and had very different interests,&#8221; the actor continued. &#8220;The older I got, the more I wanted to come back [to North Dakota] … [but] this is not for her. But I’ve got no hard feelings for it. I truly don’t.&#8221;
He added, &#8220;Hollywood, LA, and that whole lifestyle can suck the soul out of you if you&#8217;re not careful. I find myself sometimes when I&#8217;m there that I need to find a healthy outlet to get my hands dirty, to do something that gives me some kind of purpose.”
Duhamel has been married to Audra Mari for over a year. He said they’re ultimately better for each other because of their shared goals. 
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&#8220;Now, I’ve had a lot of success there, it’s afforded me a lot of things, very grateful for that, but it doesn’t mean I have to live that lifestyle,&#8221; Duhamel said of leaving Los Angeles.
He continued, &#8220;Having this place out here almost helps my career because I can get back to being who I really am. If I’m there and I get caught up in that world, you start to lose track of who you are. And I don’t think I’ve ever done that, thankfully, but there’s been moments where I could have gone off the grid for sure.&#8221;

Josh Duhamel

Josh Duhamel Says Hollywood Can ‘Suck The Soul Out Of You,’ Discusses Reasons For Divorcing Fergie

Josh Duhamel Says Hollywood Can 'Suck The Soul Out Of You,' Reveals Reasons For Divorcing Fergie

Celebrities

divorce

Entertainment

Hollywood

North Dakota Republican state Senator Doug Larsen, his wife, and their two young children died in a plane crash in Utah on Sunday night, officials said.
&#8220;I&#8217;m not sure where the bereavement starts with such a tragedy, but I think it starts with prayers for the grandparents, surviving stepchild of Senator Larsen, and extended family of Doug and Amy,&#8221; North Dakota Republican Senate Majority Leader David Hogue <a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-plane-crash-moab-killed-a7064a4f3a883be6f920fb647d10c6ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> in the email to senate colleagues obtained by the Associated Press on Monday. &#8220;Hold your family close today.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Rest in Peace ND State Senator Doug Larsen and family, him and his family died in a plane crash on Sunday north of Moab Utah <a href="https://t.co/WhQCECbOPp">pic.twitter.com/WhQCECbOPp</a>
&mdash; Harrison Krank (@HarrisonKrank) <a href="https://twitter.com/HarrisonKrank/status/1708921572021412111?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Hogue said the crash occurred after the Larsen family stopped to refuel the aircraft in Utah after visiting family in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Grand County Sheriff&#8217;s Department <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=624695623187102&amp;set=a.205247185131950" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> on Facebook that the plane crashed shortly after taking off from Canyonlands Airfield about 15 miles north of Moab — a tourist city of approximately 5,300 people known for its gateway to massive red rock formations in Arches National Park — and confirmed that all four people on board the plane did not survive.
Authorities reportedly said they dispatched emergency responders after receiving a call from a witness who witnessed &#8220;a plane going into the ground shortly after taking off from the Canyonlands Airfield north of Moab,&#8221; <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12584327/Four-people-killed-small-plane-crashed-taking-Canyonlands-Field-Airport-Utah.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to The Daily Mail.
National Transportation Safety Board officials reported that the crash of the single-engine Piper was being investigated.
A spokesperson from the safety board said that an investigator was on the scene Monday &#8220;to begin to document the scene, examine the aircraft, request any air traffic communications, radar data, weather reports and try to contact any witnesses&#8221; and would &#8220;request maintenance records of the aircraft, and medical records and flight history of the pilot.&#8221;
It&#8217;s unclear who was piloting the aircraft at the time of the crash. The Associated Press reported a Facebook post from Larsen in December 2020 showed a picture of a small, orange plane that noted his wife, Amy, had &#8220;her first flight as a pilot.&#8221;
Larsen became a North Dakota state senator in 2020, where he represented approximately 14,000 people in District 34 and chaired the state&#8217;s Senate&#8217;s Industry and Business Committee, according to reports.
&#8220;As a legislator, he was a tenacious advocate for individual rights and the freedoms he defended through his military service. We extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to his family and friends,&#8221; North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, also a Republican presidential candidate, said in a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/darreonnadavis/2023/10/02/north-dakota-state-senator-and-family-killed-in-plane-crash/?sh=787197645fa3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> shared with Forbes.
Larsen served 29 years in the North Dakota Army National Guard, where he mobilized twice, to Iraq from 2009-10 and to Washington, D.C., from 2013-14, and received several honors, including Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Service Star, and Army Aviator Badge, according to Burgum&#8217;s office.
North Dakota National Guard Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann reportedly said, &#8220;I cannot think of a more tragic loss for one family, and the North Dakota National Guard sends our condolences to all of [the Larsens&#8217;] friends and family.
&#8220;Doug was a true patriot who dedicated his life, both in and out of uniform, to serving others. I had the distinct pleasure to call him a Brother in Arms,&#8221; Dohrmann said.
Larsen and his wife also co-owned a local homebuilding company called Apex Builders and were majority owners of a local hotel.
A Facebook post from his 2020 campaign reportedly displayed him and Amy at a construction site with the caption, &#8220;My wife Amy &amp; I are a team. Together, we run a business, and together, we build things.&#8221;
&#8220;The most important thing anyone can build is a strong family,&#8221; the post reads.

North Dakota State Senator Doug Larsen Killed In Plane Crash With Wife, Two Young Children

National transportation Safety Board

Plane Crash

Authorities sentenced a North Dakota man to 5 years in state prison on Friday after he fatally hit an 18-year-old with his car — following his expression of concern about the teenager&#8217;s alleged connection to a &#8220;Republican extremist&#8221; group.
Shannon Brandt of Glenfield, North Dakota, pled guilty to manslaughter in May after fatally running over Cayler Ellingson with his 2003 Ford Explorer on September 18, 2022, in McHenry, North Dakota.
A state district court judge reportedly gave Brandt the sentencing with nearly a year of credit for time served under house arrest, including three years&#8217; supervised probation and a yearlong suspension of his driver&#8217;s license. The maximum penalty for such charges is 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both, according to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-dakota-hit-run-argument-death-sentence-2a81fc37edab4ed083b3eab26dc199f6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Associated Press</a>.
Ellingson&#8217;s mother, Sheri, reportedly requested the judge hand down the maximum sentence for Brandt.
&#8220;Shannon, you took a piece of our family that&#8217;s not replaceable,&#8221; she said, according to <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/shannon-brandt-sentenced-prison-death-north-dakota-teen-cayler-ellingson?intcmp=tw_fnc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fox News</a>. &#8220;When you chose to take Cayler&#8217;s life and happiness, you took ours too. You have caused our family endless pain, heartache, sleepless nights.
&#8220;Our days, months, and years will never be the same because of your selfishness,&#8221; Ellingson added.
The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/north-dakota-man-pleads-guilty-to-manslaughter-after-hitting-teen-he-feared-was-linked-to-republican-extremist-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener">case</a> quickly became controversial after an affidavit from police suggested that Brandt had run down Ellingson following a political disagreement, a claim investigators backtracked later after little evidence supported the assertion.
Foster County State Attorney Kara Brinster said Brandt had been drinking and arguing with Ellingson before the incident.
Brandt claimed in a 911 call that he had felt threatened by Ellingson over the teen&#8217;s alleged connection to a &#8220;Republican extremist group&#8221; and was urging others to attack Brandt after a political argument, according to the call.
&#8220;He was threatening me with something to have to do with — something with an extremist Republican group. And then he made a phone call. He made a phone call saying, &#8216;I thought he was Republican (background noise) or something. You&#8217;re going have to come here and handle him.&#8217; I got scared to death. I didn&#8217;t know what to do,&#8221; a transcript of Brandt&#8217;s 911 call says.
Brandt said that he accidentally hit the teen while trying to get away from him during a crowded event in McHenry.
An autopsy report said that Ellingson&#8217;s fatal &#8220;injuries weren&#8217;t caused from being struck by Shannon Brandt&#8217;s vehicle and were caused by being run over&#8221; once he was on the ground.
Authorities initially charged Brandt with criminal vehicular homicide, but Forster County State&#8217;s Attorney Kara Brinster later upgraded those charges to murder, according to Fox News. The charges were later reduced to manslaughter, to which Brandt pleaded guilty on May 18.
Before the judge sentenced Brandt, he addressed the court and apologized to everyone impacted by his actions.
&#8220;I&#8217;m here to take responsibility for the role I played in this tragedy,&#8221; Brandt said. &#8220;I&#8217;m very sorry to the Ellingson family, my family, and anybody else that has been affected by my actions. I have always enjoyed seeing the Ellingsons and would never have intentionally caused harm to any of them.&#8221;
&#8220;I am truly devastated by the impact this has had on the entire community,&#8221; Brandt added.
Defense attorney Mark Friese told The Associated Press that Brandt &#8220;is relieved to have finally been able to offer his apology and to allow the Ellingson family to move forward. It&#8217;s been a very difficult year for everyone involved.&#8221;
&#8220;It got exacerbated by false information making it into the media and people using this tragedy to advance their political platforms,&#8221; Friese said.
Brandt reportedly was diagnosed with autism, which Foster County Judge Bradley Cruff mentioned during the sentencing.
&#8220;You didn&#8217;t intentionally run him over,&#8221; Cruff said. &#8220;I acknowledge that. I understand what the experts in this case are saying about how your mind works. And you didn&#8217;t intentionally kill Cayler.&#8221;
&#8220;But he did die,&#8221; Cruff added. &#8220;And that&#8217;s a result of your alcohol consumption. You recklessly pushed Cayler to the ground with your SUV, you recklessly ran him over, and you recklessly killed him.&#8221;
Leif Le Mahieu contributed to this report.

Shannon Brandt

North Dakota Man Gets Five Years For Running Over And Killing Teen With His Car Over Concerns He Was A ‘Republican Extremist’

Political Violence

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