John Hageman
Primary tabs
John Hageman covers North Dakota politics from the Forum News Service bureau in Bismarck. He attended the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities, where he studied journalism and political science, and he previously worked at the Grand Forks Herald and Bemidji Pioneer.
Contact Email
History
- Member for
- 6 years 2 months
Author Content
ND state senator passed along complaints about email that led to commerce commissioner's resignation
BISMARCK — A North Dakota state senator passed along employee complaints about the email former Commerce Commissioner Jay Schuler sent Monday, Oct. 1, that led to his resignation. But Bismarck's Erin Oban said she didn't call for Schuler's resignation and wasn't expecting that outcome.
BISMARCK — North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Jay Schuler resigned Monday, Oct. 1, after reflecting on the contentious Supreme Court nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh in an email sent to his staff. Gov. Doug Burgum, who appointed Schuler in January 2017 and announced the resignation Monday, said in a statement that Schuler “apologized for sending to Commerce Department staff an email this morning that was unacceptable in official communications with team members.”
BISMARCK — More than 1,000 online retailers have registered with North Dakota's tax authorities since the U.S. Supreme Court opened the door for states to require out-of-state sellers to collect sales tax, Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger said Monday, Oct. 1.
BISMARCK — North Dakota state officials may appoint somebody to fill the remaining months of former State Board of Higher Education Vice Chairman Greg Stemen's term after he resigned last week. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler, who chairs a state committee that recommends board candidates, had already announced she was seeking applicants for two board positions when Stemen announced his resignation last week. One of those positions was Stemen's, but he was eligible for reappointment to a new four-year term starting July 1.
BISMARCK — North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, considered one of several Democrats who may vote to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, said she remained undecided Friday morning, Sept. 28, a day after an extraordinary hearing examining sexual assault allegations against the nominee.
BISMARCK — Attorneys representing a group of Native Americans challenging North Dakota's voter identification laws filed an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court Thursday, Sept. 27. This week, a federal appeals court halted part of a lower court ruling that said the state must accept IDs and supplemental documentation with a current mailing address. The appellate court said that could lead to voters casting a ballot in the wrong precinct if they use a post office box as a mailing address.
BISMARCK — Greg Stemen, the vice chairman of the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education, resigned from his post Thursday, Sept. 27, due to "added work responsibilities and increasing personal obligations." Stemen's four-year term was set to expire at the end of June 2019. A resident of Oakes, he's the vice president of the southeast region of First Community Credit Union. Stemen said on top of more responsibilities at work, he has a daughter in high school with a busy athletic career.
BISMARCK — North Dakota Republican Sen. John Hoeven said Judge Brett Kavanaugh should be confirmed to the Supreme Court Thursday, Sept. 27, as the two other members of the state's congressional delegation offered little reaction to the daylong hearing examining sexual assault allegations against the nominee.
BISMARCK — Amid a multi-fronted fight over international trade in the United States, experts said the effect on North Dakota's overall economy and government revenue may be hard to pinpoint. Farmers and business leaders have expressed worry over President Donald Trump's trade moves, including an escalating trade war with China as well as tariffs on steel and aluminum. On Monday, Trump put in place tariffs on another $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, triggering Chinese retaliatory tariffs on $60 billion of American products, the Washington Post reported.
BISMARCK — North Dakota utility regulators approved rate increases for Montana Dakota Utilities' natural gas service and Otter Tail Power Co. electric service Wednesday, Sept. 26. The Public Service Commission approved a settlement boosting MDU's annual revenue by $2.5 million, or 2.3 percent. The company will be required to refund customers based on higher interim rates that were previously approved. MDU originally asked for a 5.4 percent rate increase last year. A company official said it was needed for increased investment in its distribution facilities.