Jim Shaw On The Record

October 29, 2026: I am sorry to see that Becker County, Minnesota has ended its contract with the F5 project. This is a big mistake. Many people at the lowest points in their lives have enormously benefited from F5 programs, and turned their lives around. Yes, the North Dakota Attorney General’s office found that F5 made some improper financial mistakes. However, F5 has signed a compliance agreement, promising that those mistakes won’t happen again... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)

October 22, 2026: They came to the “No Kings" rally in Fargo last weekend to rightfully voice their anger and frustration as to what’s happening in this country because of Donald Trump and his enablers. They worry about the cost of living, the attacks on our democracy, and the loss of humanity. However, with the midterm elections coming up, they also have hope for better days ahead... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)

October 15, 2026: This November, all North Dakotans, whether they be conservatives, progressives or anything in-between, must vote to keep their rights. The North Dakota Legislature wants to take them away... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)

October 8, 2026: Just in time for National Fluffernutter Day (really) here’s the latest edition of “Reader Feedback.” Often imitated, never duplicated, it’s the column dedicated to you, the readers... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)

October 1, 2026: North Dakota voters have a chance to do something really big to help the state’s families and children. Namely, guarantee that children going to school can get a free breakfast and lunch. The time has come to make that happen... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)

Sept 24, 2026: I’m so sorry to hear that John Kinslow of Valley City passed away. John survived the second deadliest terrorist attack against Americans in history. Sadly, most Americans know little or nothing about this attack... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)

Sept. 17, 2026: It’s sad to see how low North Dakota Senator John Hoeven has sunk. Hoeven had a reputation as a common sense moderate until Donald Trump came along. Now, he serves to appease Trump... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)

Sept. 10, 2026: Jessi Bruce had a unique perspective of the Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton School District. Bruce was an English teacher at the DGF High School for three years, and her son was a student in the district. Bruce’s son was badly bullied there. His classmates stole his phone and contact information, called his friends and relatives, and told them he was a “loser” and a “nerd.”... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)

September 3, 2026: At the Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton School District, several teachers say they have operated in an atmosphere of fear, with little support or communication from district administrators. Meantime, teachers and parents say students face little to no consequences for bad behavior. One current DGF employee told me, “The kids rule the school. They know there are no consequences for their behavior.” DGF Superintendent Shannon Hunstad disagrees... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)

August 27, 2026: Working at the Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton School District became a nightmare for several educators, especially women, in recent years. That’s what I found, as part of a lengthy investigation. The educators called it a toxic and sexist atmosphere, where they were not listened to, treated disrespectfully, and had safety concerns. They also said there’s a lack of discipline against misbehaving students... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)

August 20, 2026: There is no way that convicted murderers Yorie Kahl and Scott Faul should be released from prison now. The idea is a miscarriage of justice, an insensitive insult to their victims and law enforcement, and ignores the merits of the case... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)

August 13, 2026: This is a story that was 80 years in the making. A story of determination, perseverance, and ultimately, of love. It’s the story of a local woman’s arduous journey to find her family. There were disappointments and surprises... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)  

August 6, 2026: Shame on the Detroit Lakes School Board for voting to support bigotry. By a four to two vote, the Board passed a motion to remove all non-school materials that are not funded, sponsored or authorized by the school district. Specifically mentioned in the motion were rainbow stickers, posters, flags, and buttons... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)

July 30, 2026: Say this about Donald Trump. If you’re loyal to his lies and corruption, he is loyal to you. Paul Manafort: Pardoned. Roger Stone: Pardoned. Charles Kushner: Pardoned. And worst of all, about 1500 people who violently tried to overturn a free and fair election on January 6: Pardoned... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)

July 23, 2026: The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota is off to a fabulous start. It’s a spectacular facility. Here’s hoping it’s a huge success. What was not a huge success was Donald Trump’s speech to open the library... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)  

July 16, 2026: It has been six months since Renee Good and Alex Pretti were murdered by Border Patrol and ICE thugs, and shamefully there have been no charges filed against the killers. How is it that the Justice Department can charge 15 people for impeding the actions of ICE officers in Minnesota, but can’t charge ICE officers with murder?.... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)

July 9, 2026: Just in time for National Sugar Cookie Day (really), here’s the latest edition of “Reader Feedback.” Often imitated, never duplicated, it’s a column about you, the readers. It tells you what readers are saying to me or about me in emails, Facebook, or published comments. About 80% of the comments are wonderful. Here are some of them... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)

June 25, 2026: Jeers to our local Congressional delegation for two disturbing votes in recent weeks. Those votes go against basic American values and decency, but continue to show their blind worship of Donald Trump. On the Senate side, North Dakota Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer inexplicably voted not to kill Trump’s $1.8 billion slush fund... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)

June 18, 2026: When we celebrate the 250th birthday of this great nation on July 4th, the spectacular Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library will open in Medora, North Dakota. It will be a marvelous tribute to our 26th president, with lots of interactive and hands-on learning experiences. It will also be a major tourist attraction, and bring in many people to a state they otherwise would never visit... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)

June 11, 2026: I hope Ben Koppelman is happy. He’s the state representative from West Fargo, who led the successful and shameful effort to eliminate approval voting in Fargo. As a result, Fargo elected a city commissioner, Chad Peterson, with just 17.6% of the vote, and another city commissioner, Nikkie Gullickson, with only 17.2% of the vote... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)

June 4, 2026: North Dakotans should vote no on Measure One in the June primary. That’s the measure that requires initiatives that would amend the state constitution to be limited to a single subject... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.) 

May 28, 2026: I teared up last Thursday when “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” signed off for the final time. Colbert’s show was like a member of the family. I watched him every night. His show was therapeutic. With all the chaos and cruelty coming from the Trump Administration, Colbert had a way of lifting my spirits... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.) 

May 21, 2026: The election for Fargo Mayor is receiving lots of media attention, so it’s time to focus on other Fargo races.... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.) 

May 14, 2026: While the foolish war in Iran continues to generate the headlines, the brutal war in Ukraine seems to sadly have become forgotten. It shouldn’t be. It’s the largest and deadliest war in Europe since World War II. It has been more than four agonizing years since Russia viciously invaded Ukraine. It had no right to do so. Ukraine is a sovereign, independent, democratic and peaceful nation. Vladimir Putin, Russia’s murderous dictator, acts like Ukraine belongs to Russia. It does not.... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.) 

May 7, 2026: I enjoy Jimmy Kimmel. He’s funny and speaks truth to power during these chaotic times. Other people don’t like him. They find him offensive and don’t think he’s funny. That’s fine. Then don’t watch him. Either way, Kimmel is just utilizing his First Amendment rights. One of our precious freedoms.... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.) 

April 30, 2026: Great to see two local Catholic bishops defend Pope Leo and criticize Donald Trump. Their comments were spot on. In recent weeks with the unnecessary war against Iran dragging on, the Pope called for peace. He said we should “pray for peace” and said, “it’s time for peace.” Pope Leo recognized the “Horror and inhumanity of war," “The damage left behind by the madness of war,” and the “benefits of peace.” He demonstrated great leadership with a sense of calm... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.) 

April 23, 2026: While the Trump Administration has successfully slashed illegal immigration, it has also shamefully cracked down on legal immigration. Virtually no new refugees are allowed here now. There’s a deliberate backlog in handling millions of citizenship applications. More than 200 immigration judges have been fired or forced out. And 80% of asylum requests are rejected, a record high.... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.) 

April 16, 2026: Remember the days when voting was easy, and we accepted the results of the elections? Well, Donald Trump wants to end those days.... (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.) 

April 9, 2026 - As I was saying before I was interrupted…The war in Iran is illegal, unnecessary, and a huge blunder...  (Jim Shaw is a veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, ND. Read his weekly column at kfgo.com and listen Thursday afternoons.)