Latest news with #NorthDakota
Fox News
a day ago
- Business
- Fox News
Senators go to Canada to meet PM Carney, smooth Trump tariff, 51st-state tensions
A bipartisan group of senators, led by North Dakota Republican Kevin Cramer and New Hampshire Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, recently traveled to Ottawa, Ontario, to help ease rising tensions between the U.S. and Canada. The quintet, which also included Sens. Peter Welch, D-Vt., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Tim Kaine, D-Va., was photographed glad-handing Prime Minister Mark Carney, a liberal who had been aided in his election over conservative favorite Pierre Poilievre in part due to American right-wing overtures. As the lone Republican, Cramer was in the difficult spot of balancing representing the president's party and engendering goodwill with Carney, whose government has been targeted by U.S. tariffs and pledges by President Donald Trump to be made the "51st state." He did not respond to a Fox News request for comment in that regard, but Kaine told Punchbowl News that Trump respects Cramer and his "insight and loyalty." "That means the president can probably hear some things from him that, if I said it, I wouldn't get paid attention to," Kaine said. In a statement, Cramer said the two nations share "more than a border" and that working through challenges requires "frank dialogue." "I was encouraged by the meetings, and the Prime Minister's transparent and thoughtful words were smart and instructive. I look forward to working with our friends, business partners, and neighbors in Canada to strengthen our relationship and address mutual issues facing our great countries," he added. The delegation, joined by Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, a former border-state congressman from Michigan, was geared toward joint defense and economic priorities, according to Cramer. The White House directed Fox News Digital to the State Department when asked about its response to the diplomatic overture from Cramer and the four Democrats. But Foggy Bottom did not provide comment for the record. But Cramer told Punchbowl he didn't want to get in Trump's way and that no trade deal could happen without the White House but that Canada needs to know they have a partner in the U.S. "Hopefully I navigated it OK, but I'll find out on Truth Social," he said. Kaine plans to force a Senate vote on a resolution to block Trump's China tariffs if détente isn't reached between Ottawa and Washington. His office directed Fox News Digital to a Punchbowl story on the matter, where the Virginian was quoted saying that there will be negative effects on the U.S. economy if "this doesn't get sorted out." "I hope I don't need to," Kaine said. The U.S. imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian steel, automobiles and other goods not currently covered under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, according to the Wall Street Journal. Canada retaliated by imposing $43 billion worth of its own tariffs against the U.S. "We've got more that we need to do before we're satisfied that we have a partnership that is in Canada's interest. We've made a lot of progress," Carney said Tuesday after the visit concluded. Every congressional participant except Kaine hails from a state that borders Canada. One report said that annual Canadian visitation to Cramer's North Dakota outnumbers its own population, while Welch has been vocal about Vermont's symbiotic reliance on Canadian residents' dollars, especially in its recreation sector. "The U.S.-Canada relationship has made us all safer and more prosperous, protecting our continent from foreign threats and transforming North America into a hub of global trade, innovation and investment," Welch said in a statement co-signed by the other lawmakers. "The trip has reaffirmed our joint desire to move past current tensions in the bilateral relationship and lay the groundwork for a stronger partnership moving forward."
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Gateway Fiber Bringing New High-Speed Fiber Internet Service to Residents and Businesses in Fargo, ND
WRIGHT CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 28, 2025-- High-speed internet provider Gateway Fiber is excited to announce its upcoming network expansion into Fargo, North Dakota, offering residents and businesses a fast and powerful new way to connect online. This expansion into Fargo marks the latest step in Gateway Fiber's mission to bridge the digital divide in the Upper Midwest, as it grows its service footprint from Minneapolis into eastern North Dakota. 'Having another excellent internet option available to our community is a big win for the future of our city,' said Fargo City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn. 'We are proud to work with Gateway Fiber to bring 100% fiber connectivity to our neighborhoods and businesses. This investment in our digital future will support economic growth, education, and quality of life for years to come.' Construction is set to begin in June, with Gateway Fiber teams working closely alongside city officials to ensure a smooth rollout. Residents and business owners will receive regular updates on construction timelines with neighborhood door hangers and emails and will be notified as service becomes available in their areas. Gateway Fiber's 100% fiber network delivers symmetrical multi-gig speeds, superior reliability, and scalable capacity to meet the growing connectivity demands of modern life. 'We are thrilled to bring our high-speed, 100% fiber-optic network to Fargo,' said Gateway Fiber Chief Customer Officer John Meyer, whose family has deep connections to the area. 'Our mission is to provide fast, reliable internet with straightforward pricing and industry-leading support. Fargo residents and businesses will soon enjoy the benefits of fiber technology, including enhanced remote work, online learning, streaming, and gaming—all with the bandwidth to power future innovations.' The company's commitment extends beyond speed to empowering residents, businesses, and school districts with seamless connectivity, advanced security features, and innovative tools like cloud-optimized Wi-Fi management. Gateway Fiber is building a stronger digital infrastructure that transforms lives and strengthens communities nationwide. In addition to the new Fargo network, Gateway Fiber has expanded over the last two years into the greater Minneapolis area with high-speed service to the suburbs of Blaine, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Coon Rapids, Maple Grove, Plymouth, and Shoreview. Residents and businesses interested in Gateway Fiber services can visit to learn more, sign up, or receive construction updates. The company will hire salespeople, installation technicians, and customer support staff in the Fargo area. Are you looking for a career in fiber? Check out the Gateway Fiber career page: About Gateway Fiber Gateway Fiber is on a mission to positively impact communities through a better internet. As data requirements for residences and businesses continue to expand, Gateway is creating a leading, national fiber-to-the-home platform to serve this critical unmet need. Gateway provides faster, more reliable internet with a simple pricing model and industry-leading customer service. In February, Gateway Fiber announced a strategic merger with E-Rate leader WANRack and its residential subsidiary, KWIKOM Communications. The merger creates a more powerful, scalable organization with enhanced growth opportunities for its employees while expanding the combined organization's offerings to meet the diverse internet needs of commercial, small and medium-sized businesses (SMB), and enterprise clients. For more information, visit View source version on CONTACT: For more information, press only: David Workman PR & Communications Manager 314-265-8974 [email protected] KEYWORD: NORTH DAKOTA MISSOURI UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: NETWORKS INTERNET HARDWARE TECHNOLOGY TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOURCE: Gateway Fiber Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 05/28/2025 11:55 AM/DISC: 05/28/2025 11:53 AM
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Republican senator admits Trump is Canada's ‘adversary' as DC delegation grovels in Ottawa
Washington's delegation to Canada seemed to have one message in mind: please keep taking us seriously. Months of provocative statements about the Great White North joining America as the 51st state in the Union, however, led the delegation's lone Republican member to admit to reporters that the US president had become an 'adversary' of one of America's two closest neighbors. On Friday, five members of the US Senate were in Ottawa ahead of King Charles's speech to the Canadian parliament. The delegation, typically a routine bipartisan gesture to an American neighbor whose relationship with Washington transcends political divides, was this year split between four Democrats and one lone Republican senator representing a border state — North Dakota. Other Republicans, seemingly fearful of tough questions about Trump's vow to use 'economic force' to coerce Canada into joining the US, stayed home. Kevin Cramer, the GOP 'co-leader', told reporters on the trip that Prime Minister Mark Carney centered him in his conversation with the group, given the senator's relationship with the Republican US president. He told reporters that he sought to encourage Canadian officials to reach a trade deal with the United States. The Trump White House boasted that it would announce 100 trade deals in 100 days as the US president rolled out a slate of so-called 'reciprocal' tariffs this spring; Canada has been a top target of his accusations of unfair practices. 'I don't want to get in Donald Trump 's way. There's no [trade] deal that happens without his involvement. But at the same time [I want to] be an encourager to Canada and their officials and try to be a partner in some way,' said Cramer after the meetings Friday, according to Punchbowl News. He added, jokingly: 'Hopefully I navigated it OK, but I'll find out on Truth Social.' Cramer did not take a beating on Truth Social, much to his relief — even though he did lay the blame for the fraying of ties squarely on Trump's shoulders. 'We have an obligation to stop the offenses,' the Republican senator told reporters, speaking of the United States. 'For the moment, the United States has become an adversary to the Canadian people because of the offense that so many have felt,' he continued. 'What I would stress with the president would be, let's keep our eye on the common adversary and how much stronger we can be.' The tone of Cramer's outreach veered sharply towards outright groveling in an interview with Canadian newscast The West Block. 'I'm just here to say thank you, and then to encourage Canadians to take another look and give us another chance,' said Cramer. Democrats on the trip had notably little to offer the conversation. Tim Kaine, according to Punchbowl, pitched Carney on his bill to block US sanctions on Canada — which even he tacitly acknowledged was going nowhere in the Senate. Senator Jeanne Shaheen said that she hoped some of the 'cracks' in the bonds between the US and Canada could be healed. But she added: 'Ultimately it's the prime minister and the president who will decide to reset the relationship.' Their visit is not likely to shift the dynamic one way or the other. Carney, elected on a Liberal Party mandate to stand up to the US president, flew to Washington in early May after telling the BBC in an interview that Canada would negotiate with America 'on our terms'. Rather than pursue a unilateral response to Trump's tariffs, the Canadian prime minister reportedly invited Claudia Sheinbaum to the upcoming G7 summit in Kananaskis next month. The Mexican president's attendance would allow Carney to pursue a discussion with Trump aimed at salvaging the USMCA trade agreement signed during Trump's first term. A defiant Carney told Trump that Canada was 'not for sale' during their meeting at the White House in early May. The US president, avoiding another Zelensky-like blowup, declined to challenge him. On Tuesday, the US president wrote on Truth Social that he presented Canada's government with a $61bn price tag to be involved with the US's proposed 'Golden Dome' missile defene system, adding that it would be free if Canada relented and became a state. 'They are considering the offer!' Trump said. And on Tuesday, the visit of King Charles provided another opportunity to Canada to celebrate its own growing political distance from the United States. In an address scripted by the Canadian government, Charles declared that Canada, under Carney's government, would bond with 'reliable trading partners and allies' — a clear warning shot for Washington. He'd add that Canada's government was determined to protect the right to 'self-determination' for the country. 'We must be clear-eyed: the world is a more dangerous and uncertain place than at any point since the Second World War,' said Charles on Tuesday. 'Canada is facing challenges that are unprecedented in our lifetimes.'
The Drive
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
This Cursed Road Near a North Dakota Oil Field Swallows Up Any Truck That Tries It
The latest car news, reviews, and features. There's a seemingly ordinary dirt road in North Dakota's Bakken oil fields that's nigh impossible to traverse when wet. Despite looking like a normal route most of the time, Williston's 'Road of Shame' is made from some of the softest, loosest soil I've ever seen, and it swallows up even the most capable off-road vehicles like they're nothing. Tacomas and Jeeps are no match for it—and heck, not even the equipment they deploy to rescue stuck trucks is safe. The old-fashioned wagon trail is a local legend of sorts, with a Facebook group dedicated to the brave but ultimately foolish souls who attempt to take on the Road of Shame, officially known as 135th Ave NW. Few of them make it out without a rescue of some sort. Admittedly, when the road is bone dry, it's not so bad; however, when it seems to be even a little bit wet, all vehicles just sink into the mud with no hope of getting out. It's tough for me to say exactly why the dirt is so soft, but it's proven that soil near oil extraction sites is subject to worsened erosion due to increased runoff. Either way, it's like quicksand when wet. Devin Davis Like with so many other obstacles featuring tough terrain, off-roaders want to take it on just because. There's a shocking number of social media and YouTube videos of this road, despite it being remotely located in the middle of North Dakota, since optimistic enthusiasts can't help but try to earn legendary status for slaying the muddy dragon. Other people just sit back, watch, and record all of the attempts, waiting for others to get stuck for some Internet gold. Unfortunately—or fortunately, depending on how you look at it—that gold mine is deep and plentiful. One local, Devin Davis, has been watching people get stuck on the Road of Shame for about 10 years. He told The Drive that he's seen over 300 cars stuck in the infamous road's mud during that time. Part of the problem is that Google and Apple Maps direct people through the road, and they follow their navigation instructions, unaware of the danger. It's hard to blame them, as it seems odd that Google would lead anyone down a random dirt road. Apple Maps even shows vehicles stuck on the road, and yet it still directs people through it. With what Davis calls the 'oil boom,' and countless newcomers driving through for work, it's a never-ending parade of stuck vehicles. @ Something blew and it wasnt good #mudding #vortexoptics #muddin #fyp #chevy #greatoutdoors #environment #great #letsgo ♬ original sound – ROAD OF SHAME However, the most common vehicles found stuck in the mud are necessary ones: UPS and FedEx trucks, semi trucks, and various other work vehicles that use the road because they have to, not because they want to. Davis has even seen tractors stuck and flipped on their sides. Although it's a dead-end road, it leads to a number of homes and businesses, so some trucks do need to use it. Another big part of the problem is how the road slopes off into sneakily deep ditches on either side. So when drivers try to avoid the deep mud puddles in the middle of the path, they slide off and either get stuck or tip over. 'Even people who know how to drive in the mud, as soon as it gets a little wet, it gets so slippery [that] people slide off the side,' Davis told me. So, whether you live in North Dakota or you're just passing through, make sure to avoid the Road of Shame at all costs. And if you think you have a rig that can handle anything, well, maybe think again. Got tips? Send 'em to tips@
Gizmodo
3 days ago
- General
- Gizmodo
North Dakota Joins Growing League of States Requiring Age Verification for Porn
Moral panic laws have popped up across the United States in the 2025 legislative season. Recently, North Dakota joined the growing league of states requiring age verification for porn. But critics warn that North Dakota's regulations, which won't go into effect until August 1, are another shining example of First Amendment violations. Last month, North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong (R) signed Senate Bill 2380 and House Bill 1561 which both introduced age verification requirements for websites containing a 'substantial portion' of 'sexual material harmful to a minor on the internet'. These sites must use 'reasonable' methods, like a digitized identification card or having someone submit a government-issued ID. If a website fails to comply with age verification or deletes data, it can be held liable for damages. What counts as porn is wide under the new regulations. Obviously, actual depictions of sexual intercourse, masturbation, etc, are covered. However, the bill also extends to simulated or animated acts, and it includes depiction of pubic hair, genitals, and the nipple of a female breast, specifically. Beyond that, North Dakota's legislation is aimed at material that 'lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value' and that which the 'average individual applying contemporary community standards' would consider as appealing to the 'prurient interest'. According to the Age Verification Providers Association, over twenty states have passed age verification laws to access pornography. Recently, a woman from Kansas used her state's law to sue multiple porn websites after her teenage son watched porn on her old laptop. Of North Dakota's regulations, Rep. Steve Swiontek (R), chief sponsor of HB 1561, said, 'The thought was there should be some requirement and expectations that these adult' entertainment sites who are getting paid for this…that they should be mandated and required to verify age. I think we have a moral obligation for these kids.' Per the North Dakota Monitor, Swiontek noted that the state's laws are modeled after legislation that Utah passed in 2023. In addition, legislators passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 4017, which requests that the Legislative Management Committee 'consider studying the detrimental impacts of pornography.' The version of SB 2380 and HB 1561 that North Dakota's legislators passed is toned down from its introduction. Originally, the bill required 'covered manufacturers' (which included device manufacturers and app stores) to 'determine or estimate the age of the primary user upon activation of a device'. At the time, Rose Feliciano, executive director of TechNet, said that the bill's requirements were 'vague, cumbersome, and ineffective.' The toned down regulations still raise significant First Amendment concerns, though. As NetChoice's director of state and federal affairs, Amy Bos, wrote, 'While states may (and should) protect minors, states lack, as Justice Scalia memorably put it, 'a free-floating power to restrict the ideas to which children may be exposed.'' She added that age verification places barriers on 'constitutionally protected speech' that 'cannot survive judicial review.' Per Bos, laws in California, Utah, Ohio, Arkansas, and Mississippi 'have recently failed to withstand legal scrutiny.' In addition, Texas' HB 1181, which is similar to North Dakota's new regulations, is now at the center of a Supreme Court case. Bos warned, 'Implementing such a measure in North Dakota would likely meet the same fate and lead to costly legal challenges without providing any real benefit to the state's residents.' Age verification bills are also a privacy nightmare. Although North Dakota's regulation requires all data collected for age verification to be deleted, companies often hold onto data they shouldn't, and age verification companies still get hacked. Besides, age verification generally isn't effective at blocking access to content. But as the Electronic Frontier Foundation tracked, these laws have spiraled far beyond 'protecting minors from porn'. For example, states have introduced age verification requirements for skincare, dating apps, and diet pills. EFF cautioned, 'While the intent to protect children makes sense, the unintended consequence is a massive erosion of privacy, security, and free expression online for everyone.'
