Wayne Stenehjem

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Funds provided for missing people database in North Dakota

November 18, 2021 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A database of missing people in North Dakota finally has the funding to get it off the ground.

The state Legislature passed a law in 2019 which created the database. And with $300,000 allocated during the recent special session, the Attorney General's Office has the money to implement the tool.

AG to colleges: Obey law barring ties to abortion providers

By JAMES MacPHERSONNovember 3, 2021 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Higher education officials should comply with a state law that forbids a school from funneling grant money to a person or organization that promotes or performs abortions, North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said in an opinion Wednesday.

State Crime Lab facing challenging staffing issue

November 1, 2021 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A declining number of employees at the State Crime Lab in Bismarck has limited what evidence can be processed for law enforcement agencies, according to the attorney general.

North Dakota can claim pipeline policing costs as damages

By JAMES MacPHERSONOctober 20, 2021 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D, (AP) — North Dakota can continue to pursue reimbursement from the federal government of the millions of dollars spent policing protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline, a judge has ruled.

Audit finds 34 DUI tests given on expired, faulty devices

September 22, 2021 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s attorney general said Wednesday his office is not to blame for results of an audit that found nearly three dozen tests given to people allegedly driving under the influence were expired and therefore invalid.

AG: More time needed for pipeline policing costs negotiation

September 16, 2021 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s attorney general said Thursday that state and federal lawyers need more time to negotiate a settlement for money that the state claims it spent on policing protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline.

Burgum opposes Biden mandate; will look at legal challenges

By JAMES MacPHERSONSeptember 10, 2021 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Gov. Doug Burgum said Friday that Joe Biden’s directive that large companies require COVID-19 vaccinations is overreach, and he said he's asked North Dakota's attorney general to look at legal options to challenge it.

Feds, North Dakota to negotiate pipeline policing costs

By JAMES MacPHERSONSeptember 9, 2021 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Federal and state lawyers will meet in North Dakota next week to negotiate a settlement for money that the state claims it spent on policing protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline.

AG: Lawmakers’ spending control may not stand up in court

By JAMES MacPHERSONApril 27, 2021 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s attorney general said Tuesday that a bill that would give lawmakers more oversight over how federal funding is spent between legislation sessions might not stand up to a court challenge...

Pipeline owner: Shutdown would cause dire financial effects

By DAVE KOLPACKApril 20, 2021 GMT

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The owner of the Dakota Access pipeline that moves oil from North Dakota to Illinois says shutting down the line would have dire financial consequences based on recent economic conditions...

ND officials predicted electoral vote lawsuit would fail

January 16, 2021 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Emails indicate North Dakota’s attorney general signed onto the Texas lawsuit over the presidential election despite expectations from some of his top officials that the legal challenge would fail...

No charges against North Dakota priests accused of sex abuse

By DAVE KOLPACKJanuary 4, 2021 GMT

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's attorney general said Monday his office's 18-month investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse by members of the state's two Roman Catholic dioceses will not result in any charges because too much time has passed to prosecute the two lone living clergy members...

AG: No cost for North Dakota to join Trump loss lawsuit

By JAMES MacPHERSONDecember 10, 2020 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Republican Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem says the state incurred no cost in joining a lawsuit challenging election results in four battleground states won by President-elect Joe Biden.

AG: North Dakota governor can’t fill dead candidate’s seat

By JAMES MacPHERSONNovember 4, 2020 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has no authority to appoint a coal company executive to fill a state House seat won by a Republican candidate who died before the election, the attorney general said Wednesday...

North Dakota Gov. Burgum pardons 16 low-level pot offenders

JAMES MacPHERSONJanuary 17, 2020 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum announced Friday that he has pardoned 16 people convicted of low-level marijuana crimes, the first wave in what may be thousands under a new policy the first-term Republican said gives former offenders a second chance...

North Dakota pardons OK’d under marijuana conviction policy

BY JAMES MacPHERSONNovember 27, 2019 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s pardon advisory board took a significant step Wednesday in wiping criminal records clean for 26 people with low-level marijuana convictions, a first under a new policy aimed at fixing problems the records have caused for people trying to find jobs and housing...

Few North Dakotans seeking pardons on pot offenses

By JAMES MacPHERSONNovember 21, 2019 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Few people have taken advantage of a policy change that lets people with low-level marijuana convictions in North Dakota petition to have their records wiped clean if they avoid unlawful behavior for five years...

Tourist attraction association violated open meetings law

October 24, 2019 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's attorney general says a Jamestown tourist attraction violated the state's open meetings law when it failed to post a notice of a special meeting...

North Dakota clears way for pardons on marijuana offenses

By JAMES MacPHERSONJuly 10, 2019 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's pardon advisory board on Wednesday unanimously backed a policy change that will allow people with low-level marijuana convictions to apply for pardons and have their records wiped clean if they don't commit another crime for five years...