News – Page 4 – TheMinotVoice.com

Trump to send weapons to Ukraine for first time via presidential power, sources tell Reuters

Summary: MinotVoice | Article: Mike Stone, Reuters

President Donald Trump is preparing to send U.S. weapons directly to Ukraine for the first time since returning to office, signaling a shift in his administration’s approach to the conflict. Using a presidential authority long employed by his predecessor, the move would allow weapons to be drawn quickly from American stockpiles—potentially including Patriot missiles and

Read & Share sourced from: Reuters

Pentagon will be the largest shareholder in a rare earth minerals company

Summary: MinotVoice | Article: Hannah Parker, Quartz

The U.S. Department of Defense is making a major move to secure critical materials for national security, committing $400 million to become the largest shareholder in rare earth miner MP Materials. The deal aims to reduce U.S. reliance on China by fast-tracking domestic production of rare earth magnets—key components in defense systems. A new California

Read & Share sourced from: Quartz

Mayor candidate files federal lawsuit against city police, county sheriff

Summary: MinotVoice | Article: Jill Schramm, Minot Daily News

A new twist has emerged in Minot’s mayoral race. Candidate Josiah Roise, along with family members, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Minot Police Department and Ward County Sheriff’s Office, alleging constitutional violations stemming from a 2019 search and seizure incident. Roise says the lawsuit seeks to expose what he describes as persistent problems

Read & Share sourced from: Minot Daily News

Minot City Manager is a finalist for same position in Pasco, Wash.

Summary: MinotVoice | Article: Staff, The Dakotan

Minot’s city manager, Harold Stewart, is once again a finalist for a top job in Washington state, this time in the growing city of Pasco. It’s the second time in recent months Stewart has been in the running for a Pacific Northwest leadership post, raising local interest about his future in Minot. Pasco’s selection process

Read & Share sourced from: The Dakotan

‘Thursdays Downtown’ celebrated at Citizens Alley in Minot

Summary: MinotVoice | Article: Kyona Rivera, KMOT

A summer favorite in Minot has a new home: Thursdays Downtown made its debut this week at Citizens Alley, a fresh pedestrian corridor in the heart of the city. While a few finishing touches are still underway, the space is already welcoming vendors, artists, and music under the management of the new nonprofit Local Motives.

Read & Share sourced from: KMOT

New measles case confirmed in North Dakota, bringing total to 35

Summary: MinotVoice | Article: Michael Achterling, North Dakota Monitor

North Dakota has confirmed a new measles case—the first in over a month—bringing this year’s total to 35, all in unvaccinated individuals. The latest case, in Williams County, is tied to out-of-state travel and shows no signs of local spread, but health officials remain cautious. With school season on the horizon, the message is clear:

Read & Share sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

North Dakota DEQ Issues Wildfire Smoke Advisory

By: ND Dept. of Environmental Quality

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality is actively monitoring Canadian wildfires. Current forecasted weather conditions are expected to send smoke into North Dakota in the coming days, potentially affecting air quality across the state. Environmental Quality advises residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, to consider limiting prolonged outdoor activities when smoky

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U.S. measles cases hit highest level in 33 years, CDC reports

Summary: MinotVoice | Article: Maria Godoy, NPR

Measles is back in numbers the U.S. hasn’t seen in more than three decades, with 1,288 cases reported this year—driven largely by a major outbreak in Texas. Experts warn that declining vaccination rates are fueling this resurgence, threatening the country’s hard-won elimination status. While many see measles as a childhood rite of passage, it remains

Read & Share sourced from: NPR

YouTube takes aim at mass-produced AI videos

Summary: MinotVoice | Article: Emily Price, Quartz

Over the past year, YouTube has become flooded with low-effort, AI-generated videos designed to earn ad revenue with minimal work. Starting July 15, the platform will tighten its Partner Program rules to weed out this “AI slop,” clarifying what counts as authentic content without penalizing reaction clips or genuine creator work. As spammy voiceovers on

Read & Share sourced from: Quartz

Youth Rise: Brandon’s bold step toward empowering tomorrow’s leaders

Summary: MinotVoice | Article: Betty Sawatzky, Discover Westman

The City of Brandon and Westman Immigrant Services are launching something fresh and meaningful: the Youth Rise Leadership Program, the first of its kind in Manitoba. This initiative invites young people, particularly from immigrant and diverse backgrounds, to explore civic leadership and career paths within the city. Weekly sessions with municipal departments will give participants

Read & Share sourced from: Discover Westman

Pop’s Soda Shack to bubble up in south Fargo

Summary: MinotVoice | Article: David Olson, InForum

A new splash of fun is headed to Fargo: Pop’s Soda Shack, a homegrown North Dakota brand that started in Dickinson just last year, plans to open its doors in south Fargo this September. Founded by Taylor Jones and her mom, Lori Ludwig, this independent venture blends creativity with nostalgia—offering custom sodas, hot chocolate, snacks,

Read & Share sourced from: InForum

Restored Coca-Cola mural brightens downtown ambience in Grand Forks

Summary: MinotVoice | Article: Pamela Knudson, Grand Forks Herald

A faded piece of Grand Forks’ past now beams with new life above Pillsbury Park. Painters Chad Caya and Casey Opstad spent two weeks carefully restoring a hand-painted Coca-Cola mural on the historic Odd Fellows Block Apartments building. Their goal wasn’t perfection—it was authenticity, preserving the mural’s quirks and weathered charm. This project, supported by

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

Grand Forks commission votes to remove mural from ND School for the Blind

Summary: MinotVoice | Article: Matthew Voigt, Grand Forks Herald

A mural outside the School for the Blind in Grand Forks, designed to raise awareness and brighten a public space, now faces removal after the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6–2 to recommend denial of a variance. The dispute centers on permitting and placement rules, even as community members voiced strong support at a packed

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

Bismarck launches home repair program

Summary: MinotVoice | Article: Amber French, KX News

Old homes carry stories, but they often need a fresh coat of life. Bismarck’s Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative returns this year, offering homeowners of 30-plus-year-old houses valued under $300,000 reduced-interest loans from $10,000 to $100,000 for value-adding upgrades. With Gate City Bank and, for the first time, Capital Credit Union on board, the program aims to

Read & Share sourced from: KX News

City council adopts policy for public comments

Summary: MinotVoice | Article: Jill Schramm, Minot Daily News

Minot residents heading to City Council meetings will now follow a clearer process when speaking during public comment. A new state law prompted the council to adopt a formal policy, including speaker cards that list name, address, and topic. The goal? Preserve openness while adding structure.

Read & Share sourced from: Minot Daily News

Army aims to quadruple Patriot missile procurement

Summary: MinotVoice | Article: Meghann Myers, Defense One

For years, the U.S. military has acknowledged the growing need for more robust air and missile defense—but now it’s moving from talk to action. In its 2026 budget request, the Army is pushing to quadruple its Patriot missile inventory, a clear sign that global tensions are reshaping priorities. Recent missile attacks in the Middle East

Read & Share sourced from: Defense One