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Articles by Dave Olson
Economist bullish on region's economy, but says immigration, tariff crackdowns are sources of worry
WEST FARGO — Matthew Finn says he's optimistic about North Dakota's economy in general, but he has concerns about how policy changes on the federal level may affect the U.S. economy overall. Finn, chief economist at 1834, a division of Old National Bank, gave the keynote address on Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Midwest Economic Outlook Summit held at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds in West Fargo. The event was hosted by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce.
Creepy confessions: Elusive lights, alien sights ... and, of course, the abduction of a hog named Ruthy
Editor's note: This archival article was first published on Oct. 30, 2007. MARSHALL COUNTY, Minn. — Deputy Val Johnson is on patrol in the middle of the night. The Minnesota highway is dark, except for a light that appears to float above the road about a mile away. Curious, Johnson turns his cruiser toward the object. Suddenly, impossibly, the light is upon him in a blinding flash. Brakes slam and just before the deputy blacks out he hears the sound of breaking glass.
Former Fergus Falls State Hospital source of many legends
FERGUS FALLS, Minn. — Not long after the Fergus Falls State Hospital opened in the summer of 1890, a local newspaper reporter took a tour of the place. In an article titled "Among the Lunatics," he gave this account of his visit: I was greeted at the entrance by a patient, who with a lordly wave of his arm announced: "The state welcomes you, sir." "The patients are found sitting around for the most part with an aimless air and appearance.
M State partnering with startup to offer cannabis industry training
MOORHEAD — Minnesota State Community and Technical College, also known as M State, is partnering with a private company to offer specialist certification in three areas of the fast-growing cannabis industry — cultivation, retail sales and cannabis extraction and production.
Tradition at core of Fargo family's apple selling side gig
FARGO — When fall rolls around, Nathan Joraanstad and his wife, Morgan, roll out Freshly Picked, the family's autumnal side gig business of selling fruit, which is all about comparing apples to apples. Nathan said there are the grocery store kind of apples, the wax-coated variety that may have spent a year being refrigerated before reaching hearth and home.
New director named to Fargo Rural Export Center after whistleblower's reassignment
FARGO — The Rural Export Center in Fargo, now known as the National Rural Export Center, has a new director, while the former director was not offered an interview for her old post. Joshua Erickson was named to the job after the center's former director, Heather Ranck, received a two-week suspension in February and was simultaneously assigned to a different position within the U.S. Commerce Department.
Libros que leímos en 2023 para prepararnos para el futuro
Últimascotizaciones Bloomberg Opinión — Han sido 12 meses abrumadores en el mundo de la tecnología. Los rápidos avances en inteligencia artificial, que se dispararon a finales de 2022 con el lanzamiento de ChatGPT, han generado innumerables columnas, mesas redondas y debates políticos. Para quienes deseen contribuir al discurso, nunca ha sido tan importante comprender las cuestiones fundamentales en juego.
Our view: Losing nature's carbon filter
Some of the surest filters of carbon in the atmosphere are all around us, yet as a new report details, we are intent on destroying them. Trees that grow in neighborhoods and parks, and most especially forests, actively capture the carbon dioxide created by cars, livestock, industry and fires, which in turn contributes to global warming.
Our View: Let's repair our social capital
Police intervened at the end of a raucous Andover Select Board meeting in August, with the town’s police chief ordering one person shouting about free speech to pipe down. In May, a crowd of anti-mask protesters caused the Timberlane Regional School Board to retreat from its in-person meeting in Plaistow into an online forum, as one woman was put in handcuffs and charged with disorderly conduct.
Verga has bold ideas
To the editor: We are supporting and voting for Greg Verga in the upcoming Mayoral election. Greg’s leadership style is professional and respectful to those who wish to join him in moving our City forward. Greg has been a dedicated and engaged citizen of Gloucester. His service on the School Committee and as a city councilor for morethan 14 years offers us a unique talent and experience in both leadership and administration.
How we remember - and teach - Sept. 11
The horror of Sept. 11 hasn’t diminished 20 years after the fact, and neither has our resolve to “never forget.” Still, how we teach our children, especially those born after the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, is inadequate to ensure future generations don’t forget, either.
Coupling Selection for Dredge Pumps
Dredging is the removal of sediments and debris from the bottom of lakes, rivers and other bodies of water. Dredging is often focused on maintaining or increasing the depth of navigation channels to ensure the safe passage of boats and ships. Dredging is also performed to reduce the exposure of fish, wildlife and people to contaminants and to prevent the spread of contaminants to bodies of water.
State report details victimization of Minnesota’s American Indian women
American Indian women and girls represent 1 percent of Minnesota’s population, but they make up 8 percent of murdered women and girls in the state. Also, from 2012 to 2020, approximately seven to 54 American Indian women and girls were missing in any given month. Those disturbing statistics are among the findings of a new report issued Tuesday by the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Task Force created by the Minnesota Legislature and signed into law last year by Gov. Tim Walz.
Folio: Pig Express #1, “Eclipse of the Sun” - 1979
Pig Express – community newspaper, vol. 1, February 24, 1979 – Eclipse of the Sun Pig Express – community newspaper, made on a “ditto” mimeograph machine while living in Guildford, Surrey (BC, Canada), in 1979. Indeed the signs of an apocalypse are abundant but we humans are creative and courageous and will persevere for at least another decade or three.
Confrontation led to shooting death of Fargo food truck owner, charges say
FARGO — Prosecutors on Monday filed murder charges against two men arrested in the shooting death of Jason "Jay" Allen Halvorson during an early morning confrontation. Kareem Lee Byrd Jr., 19, and Charles Edward Harris III, 30, both of Fargo, each face one count of murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Halvorson.
Fargo mayor issues 'stay home' directive, says large public gatherings could result in fines
FARGO — As cases of COVID-19 have continued to rise in Cass County, the mayors of Fargo and West Fargo signed directives Tuesday, April 7, asking residents to stay home and comply with public health guidelines to slow the spread of the coronavirus. “This is not a never-leave-your-house order," Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney said during a news conference at City Hall.
Fargo mayor issues 'stay home' directive, says large public gatherings could result in fines
FARGO — As cases of COVID-19 have continued to rise in Cass County, the mayors of Fargo and West Fargo signed directives Tuesday, April 7, asking residents to stay home and comply with public health guidelines to slow the spread of the coronavirus. “This is not a never-leave-your-house order," Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney said during a news conference at City Hall.
Fargo mayor issues 'stay home' directive, says large public gatherings could result in fines
FARGO — As cases of COVID-19 have continued to rise in Cass County, the mayors of Fargo and West Fargo signed directives Tuesday, April 7, asking residents to stay home and comply with public health guidelines to slow the spread of the coronavirus. “This is not a never-leave-your-house order," Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney said during a news conference at City Hall.
Fargo mayor issues 'stay home' directive, says large public gatherings could result in fines
FARGO — As cases of COVID-19 have continued to rise in Cass County, the mayors of Fargo and West Fargo signed directives Tuesday, April 7, asking residents to stay home and comply with public health guidelines to slow the spread of the coronavirus. “This is not a never-leave-your-house order," Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney said during a news conference at City Hall.
Fargo mayor issues 'stay home' directive, says large public gatherings could result in fines
FARGO — As cases of COVID-19 have continued to rise in Cass County, the mayors of Fargo and West Fargo signed directives Tuesday, April 7, asking residents to stay home and comply with public health guidelines to slow the spread of the coronavirus. “This is not a never-leave-your-house order," Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney said during a news conference at City Hall.
The classics never go out of style
The classics never go out of style Posted on September 18, 2012 by Dave Olson I was rooting through one of my bookcases the other day when I came across a book I’ve owned for the better part of my life.
Attorney receives ND bar association's Liberty Bell award for First Amendment advocacy
By Dave Olson Today at 5:41 p.m. Jack McDonald speaks with friends and family before being recognized for work on First Amendment issues with the Liberty Bell Award from the State Bar Association of North Dakota at the Delta by Marriott in Fargo on Thursday, June 13, 2019. David Samson / The Forum1 / 3 Jack McDonald is presented with the Liberty Bell Award from the State Bar Association of North Dakota President Zachary Pelham at the Delta by Marriott in Fargo on Thursday, June 13, 2019.
Attorney receives ND bar association's Liberty Bell award for First Amendment advocacy
By Dave Olson Today at 5:41 p.m. Jack McDonald speaks with friends and family before being recognized for work on First Amendment issues with the Liberty Bell Award from the State Bar Association of North Dakota at the Delta by Marriott in Fargo on Thursday, June 13, 2019. David Samson / The Forum1 / 3 Jack McDonald is presented with the Liberty Bell Award from the State Bar Association of North Dakota President Zachary Pelham at the Delta by Marriott in Fargo on Thursday, June 13, 2019.
Confrontation led to shooting death of Fargo food truck owner, charges say
FARGO — Prosecutors on Monday filed murder charges against two men arrested in the shooting death of Jason "Jay" Allen Halvorson during an early morning confrontation. Kareem Lee Byrd Jr., 19, and Charles Edward Harris III, 30, both of Fargo, each face one count of murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Halvorson.
Confrontation led to shooting death of Fargo food truck owner, charges say
By Dave Olson and Raju Chaduvula / Forum News Service Today at 2:56 p.m. 1 / 5 Kareem Lee Byrd, left, and Charles Edward Harris III, right.2 / 5 Kareem Byrd appears at a hearing via interactive television Monday, June 10, in Cass County District Court in Fargo. He's charged in the killing of food truck owner Jay Halvorson. Michael Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor 3 / 5 Charles Harris III appears at a hearing via interactive television Monday, June 10, in Cass County District Court in Fargo.
Confrontation led to shooting death of Fargo food truck owner, charges say
By Dave Olson and Raju Chaduvula / Forum News Service Today at 2:56 p.m. 1 / 5 Kareem Lee Byrd, left, and Charles Edward Harris III, right.2 / 5 Kareem Byrd appears at a hearing via interactive television Monday, June 10, in Cass County District Court in Fargo. He's charged in the killing of food truck owner Jay Halvorson. Michael Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor 3 / 5 Charles Harris III appears at a hearing via interactive television Monday, June 10, in Cass County District Court in Fargo.
Confrontation led to shooting death of Fargo food truck owner, charges say
FARGO — Prosecutors on Monday filed murder charges against two men arrested in the shooting death of Jason "Jay" Allen Halvorson during an early morning confrontation. Kareem Lee Byrd Jr., 19, and Charles Edward Harris III, 30, both of Fargo, each face one count of murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Halvorson.
Confrontation led to shooting death of Fargo food truck owner, charges say
FARGO — Prosecutors on Monday filed murder charges against two men arrested in the shooting death of Jason "Jay" Allen Halvorson during an early morning confrontation. Kareem Lee Byrd Jr., 19, and Charles Edward Harris III, 30, both of Fargo, each face one count of murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Halvorson.
Minnesota inmate, 19, died from care so inadequate it shocks the conscience, lawsuit alleges
MOORHEAD, Minn. — Abby Rudolph died in 2016 at the age of 19 when she was an inmate in the Clay County Jail. The circumstances of the Fargo, N.D., woman’s death are the subject of a civil lawsuit that’s making its way through U.S. District Court. The lawsuit asserts that after nearly four days in jail Rudolph died on Nov.
William Hoehn appeals his sentence in ND Supreme Court
Crime and Courts Hoehn was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the kidnapping Savanna LaFontaine Greywind's baby, Haisley Jo. Written By: Rob Manch and Dave Olson | May 29th 2019 - 2am. William Hoehn during his October sentencing hearing in Cass County District Court in Fargo.
Vice President Pence arrives to warm welcome in Fargo
By Dave Olson Today at 11:32 a.m. 1 / 2 Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, at a picnic for military families on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, July 4, 2018. (Samuel Corum / The New York Times / Copyright 2018)2 / 2 FARGO — Vice President Mike Pence landed in Fargo Thursday morning, May 9, to a warm reception before his motorcade left the North Dakota Air National Guard base headed for a farm in rural Glyndon, Minn.
Former ND U.S. attorney among more than 700 former prosecutors who say Mueller findings support obstruction of justice charge
By Dave Olson Today at 5:31 p.m. Michael Botticelli, acting director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, speaks at a press conference Aug. 19, 2014, in Minot, N.D., as North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem (far right) and U.S. Attorney for North Dakota Tim Purdon listen.
Former ND U.S. attorney among more than 700 former prosecutors who say Mueller findings support obstruction of justice charge
By Dave Olson Today at 5:31 p.m. Michael Botticelli, acting director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, speaks at a press conference Aug. 19, 2014, in Minot, N.D., as North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem (far right) and U.S. Attorney for North Dakota Tim Purdon listen.
Former ND U.S. attorney among more than 700 former prosecutors who say Mueller findings support obstruction of justice charge
By Dave Olson Today at 5:31 p.m. Michael Botticelli, acting director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, speaks at a press conference Aug. 19, 2014, in Minot, N.D., as North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem (far right) and U.S. Attorney for North Dakota Tim Purdon listen.
Vice President Pence to visit Clay County farm this week
By Dave Olson Today at 10:53 a.m. Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, at a picnic for military families on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, July 4, 2018. Samuel Corum / The New York Times / Copyright 2018 GLYNDON, Minn. — Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to visit a farm near Glyndon on Thursday, May 9, according to a Star Tribune report.
Tires blow out as commercial jet tries to take off from Fargo airport
By Dave Olson Today at 1:40 p.m. A commercial jet sits askew after a mechanical failure Thursday, May 2, at Hector International Airport in Fargo. Michael Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor 1 / 2 Two tires blew out on this airliner as it attempted to take off from a runway at Fargo's Hector International Airport on Thursday, May 2.
Highways reopen in Richland, Wilkin counties as flooding eases on North Dakota-Minnesota border
By Dave Olson Today at 11:14 a.m. TENNEY, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Transportation reopened Highway 55 west of Tenney in Wilkin County from U.S. Highway 75 to the North Dakota border on Monday, April 22. The road was closed late last week due to flooding on the North Dakota side of the Red River, where the road becomes North Dakota Highway 11. North Dakota transportation officials reopened Highway 11 from Fairmount to the Minnesota border.
Flooding closes roads in Wilkin, Richland counties
By Dave Olson Today at 10:48 a.m. TENNEY, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Transportation closed Highway 55 west of Tenney, Minn., in Wilkin County from U.S. Highway 75 to the Minnesota-North Dakota border on Friday morning, April 19, due to flooding. Likewise, North Dakota transportation officials temporarily closed state Highway 11 from Fairmount, N.D., in Richland County to the Minnesota border due to water over the highway. Drivers must use alternate routes.
Slow-moving storm to hit Fargo-Moorhead Thursday afternoon making travel hazardous
By Dave Olson Today at 11:23 a.m. The Minnesota State Patrol took this photo of a crash on Highway 10 north of St. Cloud Thursday morning, April 11. Special to The Forum1 / 3 Joe Didier walks through the beginning of a snowstorm Thursday, April 11, in downtown Fargo. Though most of the snow is expected to fall Thursday, there is a chance of more snow through Friday.
Harwood residents urged to make final preparations for overland flooding
F1376ABF-FA9C-439D-9A72-8AF6873AB802.MOV1 / 8 F1376ABF-FA9C-439D-9A72-8AF6873AB802.MOV2 / 8 The Sheyenne River swells from its channel Friday, April 5, west of where it joins the Red River northeast of Harwood, N.D. Michael Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor5 / 8 Flood waters of the Red River cover the bridge Friday, April 5, south of Oxbow, N.D. Michael Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor 6 / 8 A ditch is filled with water along Cass County Road 15 north of Kindred on Thursday night, April 4.
Flood protection ramps up as rising waters shut down area roads, bridges
By Dave Olson on Apr 4, 2019 at 10:41 a.m. City of Fargo street department workers install flood gate panels in anticipation of rising Red River floodwaters on Thursday, April 4. It's the first time the gates and new Second Street flood wall are expected to have river water lapping at them. In past floods, the flooding river was held back by emergency clay levees.
Cass County to start building levees, road closures likely
By Dave Olson Today at 10:41 a.m. Bulldozers shape clay into a levee on Fargo's Second Street North along the Red River in 2013. Forum file photo FARGO — With the risk of overland flooding growing, Cass County officials announced Thursday, April 4, that contractors would start building flood levees in several areas. The areas include: Forest River Drive, 76th Avenue South (east of University Drive), and Chrisan Boulevard. The work was to start Thursday and take three to four days to complete.
Fargo preps flood barriers with Red River predicted to crest late Monday
A new floodgate is closed Wednesday, April 3, in the floodwall along Fourth Street at Fourth Avenue North in Fargo. Michael Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor 1 / 2 The National Weather Service stated on Wednesday, April 3, that the Red River could possibly crest late Monday, April 8, at 35 feet.
Red River in Fargo now expected to reach 34.3 feet early next week, but crest not yet predicted
FARGO — The Red River could rise to 34.3 feet in Fargo-Moorhead by early Monday, April 8, according to a flood forecast issued late afternoon Monday, April 1, by the National Weather Service in Grand Forks. Major flood stage in Fargo-Moorhead is 30 feet.
Northern Cass students reach national contest finals after designing app to give 911 callers options
By Dave Olson on Mar 22, 2019 at 4:32 p.m. Northern Cass School eighth-graders Halle Crockett, left, Noelle Erickson and Olivia Anderson are part of a social studies class whose project is a finalist in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest. Special to The Forum1 / 2 Mary Jodock works on a class project at Northern Cass School that is a finalist in a national contest sponsored by Samsung. The project involves an app that helps first responders communicate with 911 callers.
Volunteer badly hurt during '09 flood now pitches in as first responder
Shawn O’Donnell holds his framed Purple Heart award given to him by the Fargo Police Department. O’Donnell was seriously injured as a volunteer directing traffic in north Fargo during the 2009 flood. David Samson / The Forum1 / 3 Shawn O’Donnell displays a keepsake baseball signed by the late Fargo mayor, Dennis Walaker, and former sheriffs Paul Laney and Bill Bergquist at his home in north Fargo. O’Donnell was seriously injured as a volunteer directing traffic in north Fargo during the 2009 flood.
Possible historic blizzard will bring 'crippling' impacts to region Wednesday evening through Friday morning
By Dave Olson Today at 4:41 p.m. Fargo-Moorhead area metro residents are bracing for another round of precipitation as a winter storm is set to hit the area on Wednesday. 1 / 4 Members of the West Fargo Fire Department use snowblowers to clean off the roof of their building at 106 1st St. in West Fargo on Tuesday, March 12, 2019. 2 / 4 Snow and ice are removed from the Morris Painting Contractor building at 2503 1st Ave. N. in Fargo on Tuesday, March 12, 2019.
N.D. Supreme Court to consider reducing life sentence for convicted teen killer of West Fargo woman
By Dave Olson Today at 10:29 a.m. Steven Mottinger represents Barry Garcia during his sentencing hearing July 2, 1996, for the murder of Cherryl Tendeland. Dave Wallis / Forum News Service The North Dakota Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Tuesday, March 26, as part of an appeal brought by Barry Garcia, who is seeking a reduction of his life sentence in the 1995 killing of Cherryl Tendeland of West Fargo.
Weather service: Possible historic blizzard will bring 'crippling' impacts to region Wednesday evening through Friday morning
By Dave Olson Today at 4:41 p.m. Fargo-Moorhead area metro residents are bracing for another round of precipitation as a winter storm is set to hit the area on Wednesday. 1 / 4 Members of the West Fargo Fire Department use snowblowers to clean off the roof of their building at 106 1st St. in West Fargo on Tuesday, March 12, 2019. 2 / 4 Snow and ice are removed from the Morris Painting Contractor building at 2503 1st Ave. N. in Fargo on Tuesday, March 12, 2019.
ND native Clint Hill's memoir about Secret Service experience boosted on Amazon bestseller list thanks to Mike Rowe
By Dave Olson Today at 8:09 a.m. Former U.S. Secret Service Agent Clint Hill, right, talks with North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum while standing next to his portrait after receiving the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award on Nov. 19, 2018.1 / 3 TV host Mike Rowe, seen here during a visit to North Dakota, has helped sales of North Dakota native and former Secret Service officer Clint Hill's book, "Five Presidents," by posting about the book on his Facebook page.
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