Attorney General Wrigley on Crime, Drain 11 Legal Fight, Vaccine Rights, & Flood Defense Innovation
This episode of Open Range features North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley as he shares his thoughts on the sentencing of former State Senator Ray Holmberg. Wrigley also gives a serious warning about the rise of repeat offenders committing violent crimes. He points to early release policies as a major reason for this growing problem. Wrigley believes that letting dangerous criminals out early—without a clear plan to track and report their actions—has led to more crimes and put communities at risk.
Wrigley also dives into the complex legal battle involving the Sargent County Water Resource District and the Drain 11 project. Originally built in 1917, Drain 11 stretches 41 miles through western Sargent County and was redesigned in 2016 to handle more water and prevent flooding. This massive overhaul, which included increasing channel and culvert capacity and adding flood control features, led to disputes over who should pay for the improvements. A reassessment effort aimed to spread the costs across three counties. But Ransom County refused to approve its share of the assessment, leaving bills unpaid. The North Dakota Supreme Court recently ruled that the current cost-sharing model exceeds the legal limits unless a majority of landowners approve it. As a result, new tax levies are expected on landowners' property tax statements this December.
Also on the show, Dr. Jake Schmitz explains House Bill 1454, a new proposal that outlines how North Dakotans can legally opt out of required vaccines. Then, Marlo Anderson from The Tech Ranch introduces an exciting new product called FlowStop. This inflatable flood barrier is custom-made to protect homes and businesses by sealing off doorways, garages, and windows to keep water out. FlowStop offers a fast and innovative way to defend your property from flood damage.
