Popcorn Machines Banned From North Dakota State Capitol

Don't you dare bring a popcorn machine to the North Dakota state capitol in Bismark.

Under a 32-year-old policy, toasters, popcorn poppers, frying pans, warming plates and other appliances are banned from the Capitol Complex, according to the Bismark Tribune.

The policy was meant to prevent fire alarms from needlessly going off. Also, no one likes the smell of burning popcorn.

Rep. Mary Johnson, R-Fargo, learned about the policy after the Capitol was evacuated twice on Monday. No one was in danger, but Johnson's popcorn machine managed to set off the fire alarms.

Johnson said she'd remove the popcorn machine, and state politicians seemed a little disappointed.

House Majority Leader Chet Pollert, R-Carrington, didn't know about the policy either. He told the newspaper that the free popcorn helped unite House Republicans who were "a little strained" by the pandemic and other state matters.

"Popcorn cheers people up for a reason," Pollert said. "And now it's gone, and that's the way it goes."

Photo: Getty Images


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