Port: Real people, really hurt

Politics may feel like entertainment these days — a noisy clash of personalities rather than a system meant to solve problems. But as columnist Rob Port points out, the consequences are getting harder to tune out. From soaring health insurance premiums and frozen federal benefits to stalled data and policy under a government shutdown, everyday North Dakotans are starting to feel the ripple effects. The dysfunction in Washington isn’t just a spectacle anymore — it’s beginning to hit home. Read Mr. Port’s full commentary linked below.