1. Drew Wrigley submits official resignation as U.S. attorney in North Dakota
The U.S. attorney in North Dakota has submitted his official resignation to President Joe Biden.
In a Tuesday, Feb. 23, statement, Drew Wrigley said he would step down from the position effective Sunday. That’s the deadline Biden gave all U.S. attorneys appointed by former President Donald Trump to leave their offices. First Assistant United States Attorney Nick Chase will become acting U.S. attorney until Biden's nominee is approved by the U.S. Senate, Wrigley said.
"My heart is full of gratitude for having had the opportunity to serve my nation and state as United States Attorney," Wrigley said in the statement.
Read more from The Forum's April Baumgarten
2. North Dakota House approves 'stand-your-ground' bill
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The North Dakota House of Representatives has approved legislation that would significantly loosen the law on using deadly force in self-defense.
The lower chamber voted 77-16 on Tuesday, Feb. 23, to send House Bill 1498 across the hall to the Senate for consideration. The bill would allow anyone to use deadly force against an assailant without attempting to retreat from the situation. The legislation would not apply if the person using deadly force provoked his or her adversary.
The so-called "stand-your-ground" legislation would expand the existing "castle" law that permits the use of deadly force at one's home or workplace but requires an effort to escape the attacker in public places unless one's life is in danger.
Read more from Forum News Service's Jeremy Turley
3. Minnesota House bill would allow prosecutors to review past sentences for long-serving inmates
Criminal justice advocates, law practitioners and legislators are pushing for a number of criminal justice reforms during this year’s legislative session, including a bill that would allow prosecutors to review past sentences of Minnesotans currently serving time in prison.
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Advocacy group Minnesota Second Chance Coalition on Tuesday, Feb. 23, held its 14th annual lobbying day (this year, virtually) to highlight its legislative agenda. A morning news conference focused on one particular bill backed by the group and authored by Rep. Kelly Moller, D-Shoreview, which would allow prosecutors to motion the court for lesser sentences if an inmate is deemed safe to the public and their sentence too long.
Read more from Forum News Service's Sarah Mearhoff
4. North Dakota House approves plan to legalize recreational pot; bill headed to Senate
The North Dakota House of Representatives has advanced a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana use for adults under what would be one of the strictest pot programs in the country.
The lower chamber voted 56-38 on Tuesday, Feb. 23, to send House Bill 1420 to the Senate for consideration. The House also approved legislation that would establish a 15% tax rate for consumers buying marijuana and a 10% levy on retailers selling the drug to dispensaries.
Read more from Forum News Service's Jeremy Turley
5. Radisson Blu Fargo brings 'upper upscale' experience to city's downtown
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The Radisson hotel opened in 1983, but it doesn’t look much like 1983 anymore.
Transformation of the downtown landmark into the “upper upscale” Radisson Blu Fargo is all but complete.
“We had to turn it into something better,” said Steve Martodam, CEO of Brandt Hospitality Group. “It’s a Radisson Blu. It’s a new experience.”
Work to upgrade 201 5th St. N. started last summer and was largely completed in late January, the Radisson Hotel Group recently announced.
