Today in Minot

The present federal executive and legislative branches are operating at warp speed under the supposition that they have a "mandate." In reality, the party presently in power has a 53-47 majority in the U.S. Senate and a 217-215 majority in the U.S. House. Our current President...

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is once again offering free seed for the 2025 growing season to landowners interested in planting wildlife food plots for pheasants. Rather than a traditional corn or sunflower food plot, Game and Fish is offering a seed mix that...

Malls across the country are struggling, but Bismarck’s Kirkwood Mall is finding success by leaning into what makes it unique—its local businesses. Mighty Missouri Coffee Company and Halberstadt’s are just two of the locally owned shops helping to reshape the mall’s identity, offering shoppers more than just big-name stores. Owner Brian Jackson sees his café’s presence as a sign of change, and with a mix of regional staples and homegrown brands, Kirkwood Mall is proving that adaptability is key in the evolving retail landscape.

There it is spelled out clearly. It’s the small, unique, local places that are slowly but surely becoming economic engines for places.

The Minot Area Chamber of Commerce has released this month’s issue of The Communicator, featuring updates on local events, economic reports, and legislative developments. This edition covers the Women Connect Vision Board Workshop, the Energy Committee’s collaboration with Bakken API, and the 2024 MAFB Economic Impact...

A Fargo state lawmaker is calling on North Dakota legislators to hold a special hearing focused on state impacts from federal funding cuts. “We are hearing from our citizens. We are hearing from our nursing homes. We are hearing from people on Medicaid. We are hearing...

Regina’s long-running fluoride debate may not be settled after all. Ward 10 Councillor Clark Bezo is asking city council to reconsider its 2021 decision to introduce fluoride into the city’s water supply, delaying implementation until more evidence on potential health risks is reviewed. The fluoridation program, endorsed by major health organizations, is set to begin in late 2026 after upgrades to the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant. Bezo’s motion, if successful, would reopen a contentious issue Regina voters have weighed in on for decades.

Why does it matter in Minot? What a difference an arbitrary line — a boarder — makes in the how an item is adopted by a community. Across North Dakota, we adopted the use of fluoride in water nearly a hundred years ago, but it remains in the public discourse with some believing it should be removed. The Grand Forks City Council recently debated the topic and narrowly approved continuing to add it to their water supply.

The North Dakota Legislature took up HB 1605 which would have prohibited local jurisdictions form adding it. It failed, but the vote was close. And in Canada, they’re also fighting, but this time to continue implementing a voter-approved program to only now begins adding fluoride to their water.

For decades, farmers have faced an uphill battle when it comes to fixing their own equipment, often forced to rely on manufacturers for costly and time-consuming repairs. Now, momentum is building for change. More than a dozen states have introduced right-to-repair bills in 2025, following a major lawsuit against John Deere & Co. for allegedly restricting independent repairs. Advocates say these laws would level the playing field, ensuring farmers have fair access to the tools and technology needed to keep their equipment running—without being locked into manufacturer-controlled service options.

Investigate Midwest has the full story. Around North Dakota, Montana has already passed right-to-repair bill; Minnesota and South Dakota are considering bills this session. According to data gathered by Investigate Midwest, no similar bill has been introduced in North Dakota.

BOTTINEAU, N.D. – A longtime advocate for environmental education in North Dakota is receiving national recognition for her contributions to sustainability and forest literacy. Angie Bartholomay, a professor of science at Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB), has been named a recipient of the Project Learning Tree...

For more than a century, Minot’s federal courthouse has stood as a landmark in the city’s downtown. Now, it finds itself on a different kind of list—one evaluating federal properties for possible sale. The Bruce M. Van Sickle Federal Building and Courthouse, home to FBI offices, IRS staff, and North Dakota’s congressional representatives, is under review by the General Services Administration as part of a broader effort to trim underused government properties. Officials stress that no sale is imminent, but the discussion raises questions about federal priorities, local impacts, and the future of historic buildings in Minot.

Jill Schramm with the Minot Daily News has the full story.

Colorado lawmakers could add buffalo, also known as bison, to a long list of wildlife that have been restored to their natural habitat across the Centennial State. Senate Bill 25-053 would classify wild roaming buffalo as wildlife, to be managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife the same as...

Industrial farming practices could be boosting the spread of bird flu. Avian influenza has been detected in poultry across the country, including in North Carolina, where 3.3 million birds had to be culled because of the disease at one farm alone in January. Rania Masri, co-director of...

For North Dakota’s medical cannabis patients, a new debate is unfolding at the Capitol—one that could bring edibles into the mix. Representative Steve Vetter’s bill, which cleared the House with strong support, argues that edibles offer a safer, longer-lasting alternative to smoking. But with a similar Senate bill proposing stricter dosage limits, lawmakers are weighing how best to regulate potency while ensuring patient access. As legislators compare both measures, the discussion reflects a broader shift in how medical cannabis is treated in the state.