Pat Sweeney

Grand Forks

News Reporter and Sportscaster at KNOX AM and FM

KNOX Radio news reporter 2017-2024; WDAZ-TV sportscaster, 1982-2014; UND TV pbp 1984-2012.

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Articles

Rios’ district GOP echoes call on him to resign after slurs to police in DUI stop

Dec 29, 2023 | knoxradio.com | Pat Sweeney

Local Republican Party leaders in Williston are joining calls for a North Dakota GOP lawmaker to resign after he made profane, homophobic and anti-migrant comments to police during a traffic stop and arrest on a charge of drunken driving earlier this month. Republican state Rep. Nico Rios of Williston has said he has no plans to immediately resign, but he is mulling his future and will seek help for alcohol issues.
Man dies as transport vehicle crashes through ice on Lake of Woods

Dec 29, 2023 | knoxradio.com | Pat Sweeney

A passenger died after a commercial transport vehicle crashed through the ice on a Minnesota lake. Meanwhile, state officials are warning people to be wary of ice that is unusually thin for this time of the winter. The transport vehicle, commonly known as a “bomber,” crashed through the ice Thursday morning on Lake of the Woods. The victim’s name has not been released. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says ice conditions have deteriorated in recent days.
2 men OK after falling through Upper Red Lake ice

Dec 28, 2023 | knoxradio.com | Pat Sweeney

Two men fell through the ice Thursday morning on Minnesota’s Upper Red Lake, but escaped without injury. According to the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, at around 7:30 AM, the men were on an ATV that went through the ice about one-and-a-half miles from the lake’s southern shore. The men were able to get out of the water, but were stranded and couldn’t get back to their resort. Emergency responders were dispatched for an ice rescue, but the resort had been notified, and sent help.
Hall returns as starter in Vikings QB shuffle

Dec 28, 2023 | knoxradio.com | Pat Sweeney

For the fourth time in nine weeks, the Vikings have switched starting quarterbacks. Rookie Jaren Hall gets the call in Sunday night’s home game against Green Bay, replacing Nick Mullens, who threw six interceptions in his last two games. It will be Hall’s second start this season. He was injured in his last start. Minnesota ends the season Jan. 7th at Detroit. The Vikings need wins to keep their playoff hopes alive. They are 7-and-8 after losing four of their last five games. . . . . . AP
ND Rep who used homophobic slurs during arrest has no immediate plans to quit

Dec 27, 2023 | knoxradio.com | Pat Sweeney

A Republican State Representative from Williston (ND) says he does not immediately plan to resign, following a DUI traffic stop in which he used homophobic and anti-migrant language against a police officer. Nico Rios was pulled over on Dec. 15 in Williston and arrested on a charge of drunken driving. In a statement today (Wed), Rios said that he is “seriously mulling all aspects” of his future, and plans to seek help for his issues with alcoholism.
Roseau native Burggraf steps down as PWHL coach in MN

Dec 27, 2023 | knoxradio.com | Pat Sweeney

Roseau native and former UND forward Charlie Burggraf has stepped down as head coach of the Minnesota team in the new Professional Women’s Hockey League…which plays its first game Jan. 3rd. Burggraf said he consulted with his family in reaching the decision, but gave no details. Former NHL defenseman Ken Klee has been named the new head coach in Minnesota. He coached the U.S. women’s national team to world championship titles in 2015 and 2016.
ND House Majority Leader calls for Rios’ resignation

Dec 26, 2023 | knoxradio.com | Pat Sweeney

North Dakota House Majority Leader Mike Lefor is calling for the resignation of a state representative accused of making homophobic and anti-migrant remarks to a Williston police officer who arrested him for driving drunk. When Republican Rep. Nico Rios of Williston was stopped Dec. 15th…the officer said Rios “was verbally abusive, homophobic, racially abusive and discriminatory” toward him. Lefor says Rios tried to use his position as a lawmaker to intimidate the officer and avoid an arrest.
Police: Man on parole in ND arrested for attempted homicide

Dec 26, 2023 | knoxradio.com | Pat Sweeney

Bismarck Police say a man with a criminal history is being held on various charges, including attempted homicide… kidnapping… gross sexual imposition…and burglary. Thirty-six-year-old Edward Harper Jr. is currently on parole in North Dakota for theft and opium delivery. Police say his criminal history shows weapons charges and violent offenses in multiple states. On Saturday morning, a 36-year-old woman told police that the suspect followed her … and entered her house without consent.
Goal of new litter on ice law: Keep MN lakes, rivers clean

Dec 26, 2023 | knoxradio.com | Pat Sweeney

The growing popularity of ice angling on Minnesota lakes has netted some ugly trouble – the dumping of trash… and even sewage on the ice. But a new law is aimed at stopping that problem. This new law requires people on the ice to secure their trash in a container. It also makes clear that depositing human or animal waste is strictly prohibited. Major Robert Gorecki of the Minnesota D-N-R says if it goes on the ice with you, it has to come off, as well.
Bodycam footage: ND lawmaker made homophobic remarks during DUI stop

Dec 25, 2023 | knoxradio.com | Pat Sweeney

Police bodycam footage shows a North Dakota lawmaker from Williston making homophobic and anti-migrant remarks to an officer who arrested him on a charge of driving drunk. Republican State Rep. Nico Rios is due in municipal court on Feb. 5. In a Friday email, he apologized for his behavior. The officer wrote in his report that Rios “was verbally abusive, homophobic, racially abusive and discriminatory” toward him during the stop on Dec. 15.