Entries by Tyler Axness

North Dakota Legislature to Sue Governor Doug Burgum

For the first time in state history, the Legislative body went into executive session, barring the public from their discussion. The closed-door meeting allowed the Legislative Management Committee to hear from outside legal counsel and ask questions about how to proceed in litigation against Governor Doug Burgum. Following the executive session, Legislators voted 12-4 to […]

Chancellor Hagerott’s Accusations of Intimidation Should Shock No One

Last Friday, North Dakota’s University Chancellor Mark Hagerott called into KFGO’s News and Views with Joel Heitkamp. It was the Chancellor’s first public comments following the firing of Lisa Feldner and a compromising 2016 compliance report. The unscheduled call by a heated Hagerott exposed a troubling claim; Republican legislators and partisan power brokers tried to intimidate […]

Russian Hackers Targeted North Dakota. Information not Forthcoming

During a Friday afternoon news dump, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a list of which states’ elections system had been targeted by Russian hackers. Twenty-one states were on the list. North Dakota was one of them. At the moment, it is unclear the outcome of the attempted hack. In fact, it appeared […]

Did Burgum Ask His State Medicaid Director About Graham-Cassidy Concerns?

Did Governor Doug Burgum ask his Director of Medicaid Services what her thoughts were on proposed Medicaid changes under the Graham-Cassidy bill? Did he walk down the hall, knock on Maggie Anderson’s door, and ask if there were any concerns about the long-term implications this bill would have on state administration of Medicaid Services? How […]

FISA Warrant Means Agents are Trying to Catch Spies – Former U.S. Attorney

Former U.S. Attorney for North Dakota, Tim Purdon, joined me on “Afternoons Live” to break down the bombshell report that Donald Trump’s former campaign chair, Paul Manafort, was under surveillance. According to multiple sources, Paul Manafort was the subject of a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant in 2014 and again in the later part […]

Last-ditch Effort on Health Care Repeal Quietly Gains Momentum

Republicans in the U.S. Senate are quietly inching closer to repealing and replacing Obamacare. The last-ditch effort comes after failed attempts earlier this summer. According to reports, the latest version already has 49 GOP votes and only needs one more with the help of Vice President Mike Pence to pass. North Dakota’s Senator John Hoeven […]

It’s Official: Senator Heidi Heitkamp Announces Re-Election

This morning Senator Heidi Heitkamp made it official, she is seeking re-election. The first term Democrat from North Dakota beat Congressman Rick Berg in 2012 by a narrow margin. However, since being elected, Heitkamp has gained popularity across the state. A poll released earlier this year from Morning Consult showed Heitkamp with at 60% approval […]

Staff Shake Up in Governor Burgum’s Office

Readers of ND xPlains have contacted me about a shake up going on in Governor Doug Burgum’s office. I’ve been told by more than one source there has been at least one firing and that Burgum has requested more resignations. Rumor is, if those resignations are not turned in within the week, they will also […]