Joel Porter

Bismarck

Anchor and Reporter at KX Television

Anchor and Reporter at KXMB-TV (Bismarck, ND)

TV news anchor/reporter, marathoner, cheeseburger eater and garage sale hustler. North Dakota born & raised.

Articles

Raging Rivers Waterpark opens for season at a slower pace

1 week ago | kxnet.com | Joel Porter

MANDAN, ND (KXNET) — A summertime fun destination is now open for the season. On Thursday, parents and kids showed up for opening day at Raging Rivers Waterpark in Mandan. Mandan Parks and Recreation runs the park, and supervisors tell us they’ve hired about 100 workers for the season. For many, this is their first job. The park offers four water slides, a lazy river, and an aqua play area for small kids.
Man charged with theft and assault pleads guilty, avoids trial in Bismarck

1 week ago | kxnet.com | Joel Porter

BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — A man arrested and charged with several crimes in Bismarck will not go to trial. On Thursday, Donnie Lee agreed to an alford plea in Burleigh County court. Police arrested Lee last year after they say he stole a car, was involved in a hit-and-run crash, and then fought with police as they tried getting him out of the car. Police also found stolen goods inside the car Lee was driving.
Talon Metals, Westmoreland Mine leaders sign new agreement in Beulah

1 week ago | kxnet.com | Joel Porter

BEULAH, ND (KXNET) — Leaders from a mining company and Talon Metals met in Beulah to sign the latest agreement that’ll make use of a former coal mine. The agreement means Talon Metals and Westmoreland Mining will partner up to transport metal ore that’s mined in northern Minnesota to the former Beulah mine. That’s where Talon plans to build the Beulah Minerals Processing Facility, which will turn those ores into nickel and key minerals.
Kirsten Baesler now waiting on Senate vote for new role in Washington, D.C.

1 week ago | kxnet.com | Joel Porter

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KXNET) — Right now, North Dakota’s Superintendent of Public Instruction is being considered for a job in President Donald Trump’s cabinet. This month, Kirsten Baesler’s nomination moved forward in the Senate, where she could soon become the Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education. Her name will soon be up for a full Senate vote. North Dakota Senator John Hoeven expects that will happen in the next few weeks.
Sen. Hoeven discusses what's next for Big Beautiful Bill in Senate

1 week ago | kxnet.com | Joel Porter

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KXNET) — Right now, senators are on a holiday break from Washington, D.C., but lawmakers say they have a little over a month to pass what’s known as the Big Beautiful Bill. The bill proposed by President Donald Trump cleared the House by one vote last week. The bill is over a thousand pages long, and South Dakota Senator John Thune has already said the Senate plans to make changes.
Game and Fish focusing more money on expanding wildlife habitat

1 week ago | kxnet.com | Joel Porter

Bismarck, N.D. (KXNET)- Hunters in North Dakota have around a week and a half to send in their applications if they hope to draw a deer license this year. But as we’ve previously reported, deer licenses are once again down this year. And hunters who do draw a tag may notice that there are fewer acres to hunt. “There may come a breaking point if populations can’t rebound. Then something else needs to be done to curb harvests more,” NDGF wildlife division chief Casey Anderson said.
Runners have under a week until Fargo Marathon

1 week ago | kxnet.com | Joel Porter

Fargo, N.D. (KXNET)- Right now, many runners from around the state are logging some miles in preparation for a series of races that happen next weekend. Men and women are getting ready to lace up their shoes for the 21st annual Fargo Marathon. This year’s races begin on Friday evening with the 5K, and then Saturday morning with the marathon, half marathon and 10K. Right now, the Red River in Fargo is under a flood warning, which is expected to expire on Wednesday.
Bismarck city leaders consider building new hotel next to event center

1 week ago | kxnet.com | Joel Porter

Bismarck, N.D. (KXNET)- City commissioners have spent years talking about what should happen next to attract more people and money to the city owned Bismarck Event Center. This week, in a special meeting, spokespeople from Adolfson and Peterson Construction and Ubl Design Group suggested the city commission start gathering proposals to build a new hotel next to the Event Center. Mayor Mike Schmitz says they’re not comfortable spending city dollars on the effort so far.
Public meetings coming up for Highway 85 expansion project

1 week ago | kxnet.com | Joel Porter

BELFIELD, ND (KXNET) — It’s been a project talked about for over 10 years, and next week, people in western North Dakota are invited to get the latest information on a highway expansion near Watford City. The North Dakota Department of Transportation and Apex Engineering are hosting two public information meetings talking about the progress happening to expand Highway 85 from two to four lanes. The meetings will happen in Fairfield and Belfield.
Neighbors call in thick black smoke after burn on Saturday

1 week ago | kxnet.com | Joel Porter

Bismarck, N.D. (KXNET)- Firefighters in Bismarck were alerted by what turned out to be a controlled burn reported by neighbors on Saturday afternoon. Police and dispatchers tell KX News that a property owner was doing a controlled burn just east of Bismarck. Several people called 911 after they saw the black smoke. A dispatcher tells KX News that Bismarck Rural firefighters showed up to check on the burn and ensure it was under control. They say there’s no danger to any property or the public.