Morning headlines: North Dakota House advances bill to require schools, government boards to host Pledge of Allegiance

Here is your InForum Minute for Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum

BISMARCK — The North Dakota House unanimously approved legislation on Tuesday, Jan. 31, that would require schools and governing bodies to give students and board members a chance to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

House Bill 1120, sponsored by Rep. Pat Heinert, R-Bismarck, would mandate school districts to allow the voluntary recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by students at the start of each school day. The proposal also requires public panels, including school boards, to allow members to say the pledge before meetings. Full story here.

ST. PAUL — Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday, Jan. 31, signed into law a bill protecting access to abortion and reproductive health care in Minnesota, a priority of Democrats who took control of state government at the beginning of the month.

Democrats fast-tracked through the Legislature the Protect Reproductive Options Act, or PRO Act, which supports existing constitutional protections for abortion in Minnesota. Surrounded by dozens of lawmakers and advocates at the signing in St. Paul, the governor noted the speed at which elected officials acted. Full story here.

FARGO — The Osgood Hornbacher’s was evacuated on Tuesday, Jan. 31 after Fargo firefighters were called in to deal with a fire in the store’s bakery.

A caller in the store, located at 4151 45th St. S. in Fargo, called 911 just before 6 p.m., telling dispatchers that the store was filling up with smoke.

Fire crews entered the store near the bakery and were able to knock down the fire, according to a report from the Fargo Fire Department. Heavy smoke was coming from a large exhaust unit over the bakery, the report added. Full story here.