Midsund firefighters protest ambulance cuts

The Møre og Romsdal news from 4 and 5 November 2026 is dominated by the anger of the Midsund firefighters against the cuts decided in the county’s ambulance service. Two important cases round out the period: the possible closure of the Innlandet school in Kristiansund and the announced resignation of Sunndal mayor Ståle Refstie. Regional sports and cultural life brings two positive appointments, with Molde Elite’s victory in handball and Bjørn Eidsvåg’s appearance at Moldejazz in 2027.

Møre og Romsdal news: Midsund firefighters threaten to resign

At the Midsund fire station, the corridors are empty at the moment, reports NRK Møre og Romsdal. The fire brigade consists of part-time employees at small stations, who mostly work elsewhere. These volunteers do not only respond to fires: in the event of acute illness in this island community, the crew can help ambulance staff.

The firefighters are now threatening to resign to protest against cuts to the ambulance service. “The crew simply does not want to accept this,” says local fire chief Aksel Hole to the Romsdals Budstikke newspaper.

Earlier in the year, Helse Møre og Romsdal decided to reduce the provision of ambulances in several parts of the county in order to save money. In Geiranger, Midsund and Harøya, conventional ambulances must be replaced by vehicles staffed by a single paramedic (NRK Møre og Romsdal). On Wednesday at 20h, Romsdals Budstikke devoted an article to criticism of the health trust, against a backdrop of local disagreement over the organisation of emergency services (Romsdals Budstikke).

Kristiansund: Innlandet school could close within four years

The municipal chief executive of Kristiansund, Arne Ingebrigtsen, presented his draft economic plan for 2027-2030, according to the newspaper Tidens Krav via NRK Møre og Romsdal. The document states that Innlandet school could close within four years and that its pupils would be transferred to Allanengen school on Kirkelandet. The latter is about twice as large.

According to Tidens Krav, adapting Allanengen to accommodate Innlandet school’s pupils would cost several million kroner. The project stems from a strained municipal economy. The case must still undergo further review before a final decision is made.

Sunndal: Ståle Refstie will not seek a new term

The mayor of Sunndal, Ståle Refstie (Ap), has decided not to seek a new term in next year’s elections, Driva reports. He also does not wish to be re-elected to Sunndal municipal council.

Mr. Refstie has been mayor since 2009. He is the longest-serving among the current mayors of Møre og Romsdal and the longest-serving mayor in Sunndal’s history. In a statement, he writes that the job has been both demanding and educational, but that “it’s time for everything” (NRK Møre og Romsdal).

Handball and culture: Molde Elite wins, Bjørn Eidsvåg comes to Moldejazz

On Wednesday evening at home, Molde Elite defeated Tertnes 30-20 in the women’s elite handball league (NRK Møre og Romsdal). Clara Petersson Bergsten and Johanne Halseth Nypan each scored six goals. The club is provisionally fifth in the standings after nine matches played.

The Moldejazz festival also announced that Bjørn Eidsvåg will perform at the 2027 summer edition, accompanied by, among others, Zimmermann and Rigla. Composer and saxophonist Marius Neset is already set to play a central role (NRK Møre og Romsdal).

📌 Local briefs

Finally, the Møre og Romsdal news for the period includes three miscellaneous and legal items, grouped together here. In Ørsta, a person was taken to St. Olavs Hospital after falling several metres from a ladder while working inside the shopping centre. Operations manager Ragnvald Knut Rasmussen told NRK that no information was available on the person’s sex, age or what happened; an investigation has been opened, and no witnesses to the fall have been reported (NRK Møre og Romsdal).

A man in his fifties was sentenced by the Sunnmøre court to 15 days in prison for speeding at a measured 141 km/h in a zone limited to 80 km/h, on Sunnmøre. He loses his driving licence for 10 months and will have to retake the driving test. The court found that it was daylight and that driving conditions were good (NRK Møre og Romsdal). Sunnmørsposten also reported on Wednesday evening that the police had carried out laser speed checks (Sunnmørsposten).

Sources: NRK Møre og Romsdal, Sunnmørsposten, Romsdals Budstikke, The Local Norway — Period: 04 November 2026 and 05 November 2026