North Dakota’s only women’s prison might be closing

KFYR News: "The only women’s prison in North Dakota might be closing. Lawmakers heard a proposal to move adult inmates from the Dakota Women’s Correctional Rehab Center to the Youth Correctional Center in Mandan."

N.D. Attorney General opinion: July 15

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the City of Fargo violated the law when it redacted information from an email because the contents of the email did not fit within the exceptions to the open records law.

1st North Dakota tribal youth services pact deemed 'sustainable'

Bismarck Tribune: "Early results show promise for the first agreement providing state court services to tribal youth in North Dakota."

N.D. Attorney General opinion: July 8

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that an executive session discussion between the Williston Public School District #1 and its attorney met the definition of attorney consultation, and was authorized by law.

Dakota Datebook: Suffrage Symbols

Prairie Public: "In 1914 in Fargo, the suffragists sold a common symbol, a 'dainty yellow rose' that made for 'attractive button-hole bouquets.'"

N.D. Attorney General opinion: July 7

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the Williams County School District #8 and Williston School District #1 did not violate the open meetings laws because the discussions during special meetings were within the context of the posted agenda items.

Lyle Kirmis 1949-2020

Longtime Bismarck attorney Lyle W. Kirmis, 70, of Plymouth, Minn., died June 28. A University of Minnesota law graduate, he was admitted to the North Dakota bar in 1974. A Celebration of Life in Bismarck is being planned.

Job Announcement - Legal Secretary

A job announcement for a full-time Legal Secretary with Legal Services of North Dakota in Grand Forks has been posted.

2019 drug arrests down, homicides up, North Dakota report shows

Bismarck Tribune: "North Dakota drug arrests in 2019 were down for the first time in 10 years but homicides reached an all-time high, surpassing the previous record by four, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said Tuesday."

Job Announcement - Legal Assistant

A job announcement for a Legal Assistant for the Bismarck City Attorney department has been posted.

Dakota Datebook: Pembina Bill and suffrage in 1874

Prairie Public: "In 1874, the Pembina Bill was proposed to the territorial legislature. This bill would carve a new Territory out of Dakota Territory called Pembina."

Dakota Datebook: Suffrage amendment passes

Prairie Public: "The Federal Suffrage Amendment to the Constitution passed through the U.S. House and Senate on June 4th, 1919; and thereafter, suffragists rallied, cajoled, hoped and prayed that their united dream would triumph as the bill was sent out to the states to be approved by a three fourths majority."

Job Announcement - Attorney II Public Defender

A job announcement for an Attorney II Public Defender with the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents in Minot has been posted.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: June 10

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that state law provides authority for a county correctional facility to contract with the ND DOCR to house a pretrial detainee who has unique medical needs.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: June 8

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that current law does not provide a mechanism for a political party to forego the primary election and place its candidate directly on the election ballot.

North Dakota’s top prison official resigning after 15 years

Associated Press: "North Dakota’s top prison administrator is resigning to take a job in the private sector, Gov. Doug Burgum announced Thursday."

As North Dakota slashes its prison population amid pandemic, other states lag behind

Forum News Service: "North Dakota has done more than any other state in the U.S. to reduce its prison population during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a nonprofit group's analysis."

Richard “Richie” E. T. Smith 1952-2020

Longtime Wahpeton attorney Richard “Richie” E. T. Smith died May 22. A Creighton law school graduate, he was admitted to the N.D. bar in 1977. A drive by funeral parade will be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 from 3-5 p.m. on Augustana Drive on Otter Tail Lake, Minn.

Dakota Datebook: Peggy Lee’s war with Disney

Prairie Public: "Peggy Lee was born on this date in 1920 in Jamestown, North Dakota. She is known for her singing, movie, and television career. She is not well known for her war with the Walt Disney Company."

Dakota Datebook: Votes for Women League

Prairie Public: "The Votes for Women's League began to establish itself in North Dakota in 1912. Fargo was the first community to form a Votes for Women League on February 4."

N.D. Law Review seeks articles for upcoming issues

The North Dakota Law Review is beginning the process of gathering articles for Volume 96 and is inviting submissions of written work.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: May 20

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the Williams County School Board #8 did not violate the law when a board member made a suggestion about an alternate option during the discussion of a properly noticed agenda item.

N.D. Attorney General opinions: May 18

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued two opinions: that the city of Napoleon violated the law when it discussed personnel matters during an executive session and that students who are athletes may receive Higher Education Challenge Grant scholarships so long as the basis for the scholarship is academic rather than athletic.