Press Releases

***Click here to download media resources.*** MINOT, N.D. – Under Secretary of the U.S. Air Force Melissa Dalton visited Minot Air Force Base (AFB) this week to see firsthand the capabilities of the bomber and missile enterprise and meet with airmen, Minot Group Command Teams, and Task Force 21 Civic Leaders. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) invited Dalton to North Dakota during her confirmation hearing. Minot AFB is home to two major Air Force units and is the only base to house two out of... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced members of his staff will hold mobile office hours in New Town on Thursday, August 29. “Since it’s not always possible for people to travel to my in-state offices, these mobile office opportunities help bring the services we offer closer to the constituents who need them,” said Cramer. “Having members of my staff in New Town will give North Dakotans more chances to explore solutions to the problems they face with people who are in a position... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $249,997 to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians through its Center for Mental Health Services. This award will address substance abuse treatment, prevention and mental health. CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – The National Park Service (NPS) announced an award of $575,000 to the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). This funding will support the renovation of Icelandic State Park by replacing 30-amp electrical service with 50-amp service and installing water service and hydrants on each renovated site. Since 1965, the NPS has provided more than 40,000 LWCF grants, primarily funded with federal offshore oil and gas lease revenue, to... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download audio.*** GRAND FORKS, N.D. – North Dakota is set to receive officers from the U.S. Navy at Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB). U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced the Navy will be assigning officers, referred to as billets, to join U.S. Air Force and Space Force officers at the Space Development Agency (SDA) Operations Center in Grand Forks. The first Navy billet will arrive in a few weeks with more set to arrive over the next year. Cramer recently secured the... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for media resources.*** GRAND FORKS, N.D. – During a meeting with University of North Dakota (UND) faculty on Thursday, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and the team from Space Development Agency (SDA) highlighted SDA’s latest investments in Grand Forks. UND is an innovation hub and essential piece of the defense ecosystem in the Grand Forks community and North Dakota. Cramer and SDA’s meeting with school faculty centered on workforce development and the educational initiatives... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download media resources. Click here for photos.*** GRAND FORKS, N.D. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) flipped the switch on Wednesday to bring the Space Development Agency (SDA) Operations and Networking Center at the Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB) online. The center will support the agency’s Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) tracking and transport satellite missions. The first tranche of satellites is expected to launch late this year or early 2025. “I am honored to flip the switch... CONTINUE READING

Optimistic about the Future of the Grand Forks Air Force Base ***Click here to download media resources. Click here for photos.*** GRAND FORKS, N.D. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined a meeting with Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski and committee members to discuss strategies for base retention and enhancement at the Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB). Cramer, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), discussed ways the community can enhance the support network provided to... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the award of $3,088,705 to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. This grant will provide funding for the Money Follows the Person program, which supports community inclusion of individuals with disabilities. CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – The U.S. Department of Education announced the award of$2,285,395 to North Dakota tribal nations under the American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program. The funding will be distributed to the following tribes:  $966,149 to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.  $671,442 to the Spirit Lake Tribe.  $647,804 to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program provides vocational rehabilitation services to American... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – T he National Science Foundation (NSF) announced an award of $443,325 to North Dakota State University (NDSU) and the University of North Dakota (UND). The NSF announced a total of $425,094 to NDSU. The funding will be distributed to the following programs and initiatives: $236,193 to fund the acquisition of an advanced ultrasound platform for collaborative research in fluid and material science. $188,901 to support efforts to address the existing gap in rural science, technology,... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.***  BISMARCK, N.D. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced he will be meeting with officials from the Space Development Agency (SDA) and University of North Dakota (UND) this week to talk about three new efforts of collaboration on educational opportunities and workforce development. The first is an Educational Partnership Agreement between SDA and UND. This agreement will permit SDA to loan defense laboratory equipment, transfer... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** BISMARCK — Employees of Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Canadian National Railway (CN), represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, voted in June to authorize a strike for railway workers in Canada. The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ruled last week that any resulting work stoppage would not cause an immediate threat to public health and safety, clearing the way for a work stoppage as early as August 22.   On... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the award of $51,000 to North Dakota State University (NDSU). This funding will allow the university to develop and maintain a comprehensive pesticide applicator program addressing all aspects of pesticide applicator certification, training, and outreach and education. CONTINUE READING

***Click here for media resources.*** FARGO – The North Dakota Peace Officers Association’s (NDPOA) annual conference is underway in Fargo, gathering law enforcement officers from across the state to acknowledge their service and honor those who have fallen in the line of duty. The NDPOA has a history dating back to 1911, evolving from the Sheriffs’ Association to become a unified voice for the entire criminal justice system in North Dakota. During this year’s NDPOA conference, U.S. Senator... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced tech billionaire and defense entrepreneur, Palmer Luckey, will be his guest at this year’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Summit and Expo in Grand Forks, Oct. 8 and 9. Luckey is best known for founding Oculus VR and designing the Oculus Rift, a virtual reality head-mounted display, when he was 20 years old. At age 22, he sold the company to Meta for $2 billion in cash and stock. His most recent defense start-up is now turning heads and... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $431,400 to North Dakota State University as part of the Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for the Undergraduate-Focused Institutions program. This program supports projects with an emphasis on providing biomedical research experiences for undergraduate students and enhancing the research environment at applicant institutions. CONTINUE READING

***Click here for media resources.*** MEDORA - U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) participated in a beam signing ceremony on Wednesday to mark the significant progress on the construction of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora. Construction began in the summer of 2023 and the library is slated to open in 2026.  “It’s hard for me as a former tourism director to exaggerate the impact the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library will have,” said Cramer. “You cannot overstate the... CONTINUE READING

Project on Schedule for 2025 Visitors ***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** ***Click here for media resources*** MEDORA – For the past five years, a six-mile section of the South Unit Scenic Loop Drive in Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) has been closed as the result of sinkholes and landslides, which eroded the road and made it impassable for residents and visitors. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) visited the park on Wednesday to see the progress on reconstruction... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the award of $6,699,627 through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for projects at several airports across North Dakota. The funding will be distributed to the following locations: $3,963,337 to Hector International Airport $1,086,796 to North Dakota to update its state and regional system plan $481,761 to Robert Odegaard Field Airport $450,000 to Mandan Regional Airport - Lawler Field $365,573... CONTINUE READING