Author: Jim Fuglie

I think I’ve gone to a political convention of some kind in almost every even-numbered year since 1972. That year, 50 years ago now, I came home from the Navy and went to my district Democratic-NPL convention, and someone said “Hey. We’ve got a Vietnam veteran here today, let’s send him as a delegate to … Continue reading North Dakota Republicans Riding High (But Welcome Back, Potter) (And So Long, Ricky)

The folks out in Billings County in the Bad Lands might get a chance to vote this fall on whether they want their county commissioners to use their power of eminent domain to condemn some of their neighbor’s land to build a bridge over the Little Missouri State Scenic River and roads connecting it to … Continue reading The Little Missouri Bridge: Let The People Decide?

White Sands National Park - One of the most beautiful places in America. “As we write this, America is engaged in an all-hands-on-deck effort to defeat a deadly pandemic and tackle the climate crisis. Our president has laid out a vision and a plan that will repower America with clean energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions … Continue reading America The Beautiful

Ukraine, Feb. 24, 2022 Ukrainians are much on our minds right now, with the Last World War apparently beginning in their country. North Dakota has a smattering of them. I’m going to tell you the best Ukrainian story ever, but first a little background. Where I grew up in Hettinger, in extreme southwest North Dakota, … Continue reading The Best Ukrainian Story Ever (Well, At Least My Favorite)

There are anniversaries, and there are milestones. In the last month or so I’ve noted a couple of them. In December, I celebrated 50 years since my return from Vietnam. In January I celebrated 20 years since I met Lillian, my “current wife,” as Dean Meyer likes to say. Today is another of those red-letter … Continue reading DD 214

(This article first appeared in the February-March issue of Dakota Country magazine, which should be on the newstands now.) I’d like you to take five minutes to read about two non-profit organizations that are doing important work for the North Dakota Bad Lands. Hey, it’s February. It’s cold outside. Get a cup of coffee and … Continue reading Big News For The Bad Lands

North Dakota sits in stunned silence this morning, trying to make sense of the unthinkable loss of a 68-year-old lifetime public servant.             Wayne Stenehjem was my friend for many years—I wonder how many people have said THAT this morning—although that friendship was a little rocky the last few years. The last time we visited … Continue reading So Long, Wayne

If you’ve got any friends or relatives out in Stark or Billings Counties, around Belfield, tell them to start getting ready, because Meridian Energy Group is going to build them a refinery as a neighbor. It’ll be there in just three years, 10 months and 15 days--on Friday, December 12, 2025. That’s what Meridian CEO … Continue reading ‘The Wings Have Come Off This Pig . . .’

Today I am celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Best Day Of My Life. On January 19, 2002 I met the most extraordinary, fascinating, person I have ever known. Two years, two months and two days later I married her, in the same place I met her.  Her name is Lillian Crook. I love her. … Continue reading The Best Day Of My Life

            I’ve written about the proposed bridge across the Little Missouri State Scenic River north of Medora enough times that I don’t need to go into a lot of background to bring you up to date on the project. I decided last week that I needed a little Bad Lands time, and the Billings County … Continue reading Bridges, Oil Wells, And Open Meetings