University of North Dakota

Researchers look at producing rare elements from N.D. coal

June 19, 2022 GMT

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Researchers are looking at whether it might be possible to recover some of the rare elements used to make magnets for electric motors and cell phones, batteries and other high-tech products from North Dakota's coal seams.

Report says North Dakota’s 2022 economic outlook is strong

May 24, 2022 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The latest economic outlook report for North Dakota is showing continued improvement for 2022, despite a national economy that shrank in the first quarter and is showing signs of entering a recession.

Feds drop appeal in Sjodin killing, still seek death penalty

By AMY FORLITIMarch 25, 2022 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Federal prosecutors are dropping their appeal of a judge's decision to overturn the death sentence for a Minnesota man convicted in the 2003 kidnapping and killing of Dru Sjodin, but they said they still intend to seek the death penalty when he is resentenced.

Feds to appeal reversal in North Dakota death penalty case

March 6, 2022 GMT

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Federal prosecutors plan to appeal a ruling that overturned the death sentence for a Minnesota man convicted of kidnapping and killing a University of North Dakota student.

A jury in 2006 convicted Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., of Crookston, Minnesota, in the killing of 22-year-old Dru Sjodin, of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota.

UND athletic director signed to 4-year contract extension

March 1, 2022 GMT

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — The University of North Dakota athletic director has signed a four-year contract extension, the school announced Tuesday.

Bill Chaves came to the Grand Forks college from Eastern Washington University in 2018.

University of North Dakota offers esports bachelor’s degree

February 25, 2022 GMT

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — The University of North Dakota says it will be the first among the state's postsecondary schools to offer a bachelor's degree in competitive gaming.

The State Board of Higher Education recently approved the Bachelor of Science degree in esports at UND.

1 dead in early-morning house fire in Valley City

January 24, 2022 GMT

VALLEY CITY, N.D. (AP) — Authorities say one person died in a fire that gutted a home in Valley City over the weekend.

Valley City Fire Chief Scott Magnuson said the blaze was reported about 3:30 a.m.

University will end draft work on gender inclusion policy

January 21, 2022 GMT

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — The University of North Dakota plans to end its work on a policy for gender inclusion and has no plans to implement it.

The policy that was being drafted required use of a transgender person’s preferred pronouns and the use of locker rooms, bathrooms and other living facilities that align with a person’s gender identity.

North Dakota bishops oppose UND gender inclusion policy

By JAMES MacPHERSONJanuary 20, 2022 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A group that represents North Dakota’s Roman Catholic bishops is opposing a proposed gender inclusion policy at the University of North Dakota.

The policy, which is still in draft form, would require the use of a transgender person’s preferred pronouns and the use of locker rooms, bathrooms and other living facilities that align with a person’s gender identity.

Univ. of North Dakota leader defends gender inclusion plan

By JAMES MacPHERSONJanuary 15, 2022 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The president of the University of North Dakota on Friday defended a proposal that would allow students to use restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity, saying the intent is to align the Grand Forks-based school with existing laws and to better protect LGBTQ students from harassment and discrimination.

Judge: Rodriquez can’t use intellectual disability as factor

January 9, 2022 GMT

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A federal judge says defense attorneys cannot use intellectual disability as a factor in the second death penalty debate for a man convicted in the killing of University of North Dakota student Dru Sjodin.

Ex-UND student accused of stealing from COVID-19 relief fund

November 29, 2021 GMT

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — A former University of North Dakota student is accused of stealing more than $330,000 in federal coronavirus relief money, according to federal court documents.

Enroy Duncan allegedly devised a scheme to defraud the government by filing a false application for Paycheck Protection Program funds.

Investigators find no mechanical problems in UND plane crash

November 1, 2021 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Federal airplane crash investigators have found no mechanical problems with the plane in a crash that killed a student at the University of North Dakota’s aerospace school last month.

Prosecutors begin round 2 of arguing Rodriguez death penalty

October 31, 2021 GMT

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Prosecutors in North Dakota's first and only death penalty case say defense attorneys are wrong by claiming the judge didn't go far enough in explaining why he threw out the sentence for the man convicted of kidnapping and killing University of North Dakota student Dru Sjodin.

Aerospace school halts flights after student dies in crash

October 19, 2021 GMT

BUXTON, N.D. (AP) — The University of North Dakota’s aerospace school has cancelled all flight activities after a student pilot from Chicago died in a plane crash.

The University of North Dakota plane went down about 8:30 p.m.

Colleges collaborate to preserve tribal language, culture

October 17, 2021 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The tribal college on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation and the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks are working together on a project to digitally preserve Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara language and culture.

UND med school exec named Roosevelt library foundation COO

September 14, 2021 GMT

MEDORA, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota native and former executive at the University of North Dakota medical school was named Tuesday as chief operating officer of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation.

University of North Dakota student named to higher ed board

May 17, 2021 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A University of North Dakota student has been named to the state Board of Higher Education, Gov. Doug Burgum announced Monday.

Gracie Lian, a senior studying business administration, will be the board's student representative for a one-year term.

Eastern Washington ponders next move as Bill Chaves introduced at North Dakota

Jim AllenJanuary 17, 2018 GMT

While his current employer was making tentative plans to search for a successor, Bill Chaves was introduced Tuesday as the new athletic director at the University of North Dakota.

“You are now part of the frozen chosen,” UND president Mark Kennedy proclaimed as Chaves was introduced to fans and media in Grand Forks, North Dakota.