Today in Minot

You don’t need a boat, a trophy catch, or even a fishing license (at least not on June 7–8) to join the fun. North Dakota’s Fish Challenge—now in its fourth year—is less about landing the biggest walleye and more about discovery, stewardship, and connection. Whether it’s cleaning up a shoreline, teaching a friend to cast, or cooking your catch, this year’s “Total Catch Challenge” invites anglers of all ages to engage with the outdoors in fresh, meaningful ways. Hook a memory. That’s the real prize.

In the heart of Stockholm, a pop-up sauna village is bringing a steamy slice of Finnish culture to the public. Part festival, part homage, it’s a three-day celebration sparked by Finland’s comedy trio KAJ—this year’s Eurovision representatives for Sweden. With birch branches in hand and wood-fired heat at their backs, festival-goers are embracing the humid, soul-cleansing tradition of the Finnish sauna. For many, it’s more than a cultural export—it’s a return to something elemental, warm, and deeply familiar. Get the full story below.

It wasn’t a volcanic eruption or financial collapse that put Iceland in the global spotlight this time—it was a scandal. The resignation of Minister Ásthildur Lóa Þórsdóttir stirred headlines worldwide, but the deeper story isn’t about tabloid drama. It’s about democracy doing what it’s supposed to do: airing uncomfortable truths, debating accountability, and refusing to sweep controversy under the rug. In a time when transparency is in short supply, Iceland’s messy but public reckoning is a reminder that healthy democracies don’t hide the mess—they face it head-on. Ish Sveinsson Houle with Reykjavik Grapevine has the full story that will resonate with how many in North Dakota are feeling recently.

NDSU students are gearing up for an adventure filled with discovery and opportunity as they head west for the inaugural Bison to the Bakken experience. The immersive, 12-day summer program offers a unique chance for students to dive into the heart of North Dakota’s energy sector...

MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University and the MSU Development Foundation proudly announced the completion of a major milestone. In just five and a half years, the EMPOWER Capital Campaign raised $54.8 million, the largest comprehensive fundraising effort in the University’s 112-year history. “The successful culmination...

The most common form of abortion in the U.S.—a two-pill regimen approved over two decades ago—is now under fresh scrutiny. Prompted by white papers backed by anti-abortion groups, the Trump administration has ordered a review of the safety of medication abortion, despite overwhelming peer-reviewed evidence supporting its safety. Critics call the move politically motivated, based on flawed data and undisclosed sources. With access to reproductive care already limited in much of the country, this FDA review could redefine the national landscape of abortion rights—without new science to justify it. National reporter Sofia Resnick has the full story shared with the North Dakota Monitor.

A group of Minot singers is packing their sheet music—and passports—for a journey that blends heritage and harmony. Twenty-five members of the Minot Chamber Chorale and MSU Choir are headed to Norway for a 10-day tour filled with parades, performances, and cultural connection. As they visit Skien, Minot’s sister city, they’ll honor the 200th anniversary of Norwegian emigration to the U.S.—reminding us that in a divided world, music still speaks a shared language across oceans and generations. Lindsey Miller with KMOT has the full story.

Omaha’s North Side is being invited to help shape its own future—and this time, voices from the community will be heard from the start. A $30 million state grant is backing a new Innovation District aimed at spurring inclusive economic growth, and planners want public input before the first blueprint is drawn. With past projects criticized for leaving residents out of the loop, this meeting marks a chance to shift the process—and the power—toward the people who live there.

If you’re wondering, Nebraska’s “Innovation Districts” are areas targeted for reinvestment—comparable in spirit to North Dakota’s community-led Renaissance Zones, but broader in scope. In many ways, they may represent a more evolved version of the same idea.

The federal government is quietly redrawing the disaster recovery map—and states may soon be footing a much larger share of the bill. FEMA’s new director, David Richardson, says a 50/50 cost split is coming, doubling what states currently pay for natural disaster response. The shift, part of a broader push to narrow FEMA’s role, could leave state budgets—and storm-battered communities—under even more pressure.

Doug Burgum may have stepped into a national role, but his roots—and investments—remain firmly in Midwestern soil. Now serving as Interior Secretary, the former North Dakota governor disclosed ownership of multiple farmland properties across North Dakota and Minnesota, while pledging to divest from others tied to oil, gas, and crop ventures. The ethics filings show compliance, but also raise familiar questions: How do public officials navigate personal assets in a region where agriculture is both livelihood and legacy? Jenny Schlecht with InForum has the full story.

When agriculture thrives, rural communities do too—and Manitoba is betting big on that connection. With $120 million in combined funding and bridge financing, the province is jumpstarting construction on Assiniboine College’s Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture. It’s more than a building—it’s a workforce pipeline for tomorrow’s ag jobs, tailored to Manitoba’s growing needs. From value-added processing to child care built into the plan, this project is planting the seeds for long-term economic and social resilience across Westman and beyond. Betty Sawatzky with Discover Westman has the full story.

When floodwaters rise, they don’t just take homes—they erode the very foundation of community stability. That’s what happened across Appalachia last Valentine’s Day, when a brutal mix of rain, snowmelt, and stripped land led to deadly floods, mass evacuations, and destruction still being tallied. But the deeper crisis might be what follows: insurance gaps so wide, recovery becomes unreachable. As premiums spike and coverage vanishes, a new idea is gaining ground—community-based insurance. It won’t stop the rain, but it might help communities weather the storm together.

For a reminder on why both flood protection and flood insurance are Minot realties, this article from Non Profit Quarterly is worth a read. And if our flood protection for some reason comes up short for some, there’s a model here to consider.

For more than 75 years, the International Artist Series of Minot brought world-class music to a local stage, enriching the cultural life of the community with handpicked talent from around the globe. From its beginnings as the Minot Community Concert Association in 1948 to its final bow this April with the Bachelors of Broadway, the series has been a labor of love. As the curtain falls, its legacy endures—in the memories of performances that turned a small city into a stage for the world. Elizabeth Hendrickson with Minot Daily News has the full story.

This summer, some Canadians are pitching their tents with a little extra pride—and maybe a political edge. With tensions stirred by U.S. tariffs and talk of annexation, many are opting to camp, canoe, and bike closer to home, trading border crossings for national parks. While some shrug off the politics, others see outdoor recreation as a quiet act of patriotism. The result? A surge in domestic bookings, anxious camp operators, and a renewed appreciation for Canada’s wild, open spaces—elbows up, and coolers packed. Fakiha Baig with The Canadian Press has the full story.

When KJ Muldoon was just days old, his future seemed heartbreakingly uncertain. Diagnosed with a rare and often fatal genetic disorder, his options were limited to a liver transplant or an untested gene-editing treatment. His parents chose the unknown. That decision has now made KJ the first person in history to receive a fully personalized Crispr-based gene therapy—an infusion tailored to his exact mutation. It’s a breakthrough not just for him, but potentially for thousands with rare genetic diseases that have long defied treatment. Rob Stein with NPR has the full story, or watch the recap from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia below.

The College of Cardinals of the Catholic Church have done a favor not just to America, but to the world. Whatever one's opinion may be regarding the dogma and tradition of the Catholic Church, it is safe to assume that its Cardinals are men of good...