Today in Minot
A New Way to do the Local News!
Merry Christmas!
After the gifts are opened, the people are fed, the morning is enjoyed, there’s fun to be had downtown and at all Minot’s outdoor rinks, but they’re bring your own skates experiences. And if you’re out looking for lights tonight, Sertoma’s Christmas in the Park will give you a show!
Today in Minot
Today is Thursday, December 25th, 2025. The sun will rise on the 5th day of winter and the 359th day of the year at 8:35 AM. We will see 8 hours 21 minute of daylight before it sets at 4:56 PM.
Today is: A’Phabet Day Or No “L” Day, National Pumpkin Pie Day, Christmas Day
Today’s Featured Happenings
Play & Participate
The Holiday Schedule
Mon. Dec. 22 — Sun. Dec. 28
CitzensAlley | In Our Soft Opening Era!
The news we share here is ForMinot. You can learn more about what guides our editorial decisions here.
In March 1920, a 16-year-old girl named Hazel Miner lay on top of her younger brother and sister as a blizzard raged across Oliver County. She kept them alive. She didn’t survive. It’s one of those North Dakota stories that gets passed down—quietly, reverently—and now it’s a film. “Hazel’s Heart,” shot here with local cast and crew, started streaming this week on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and other platforms. More than a century later, her courage still has something to say. Kevin Wallevand with InForum has the full story. Watch the trailer below, and find more details on the movie’s website here (www.hazelmovie.com).
You’ve heard it a thousand times—that cascading four-note melody that shows up in malls, movies, and church concerts every December. But “Carol of the Bells” didn’t start as a Christmas song. It started as Shchedryk, a Ukrainian choral piece sent to Europe in 1919 as cultural diplomacy for a young nation fighting for recognition. Its composer, Mykola Leontovych, was murdered by a Soviet agent before he ever saw its American success. This is the story of how a song became an act of resistance—and why it still matters. Learn the history from Mariana Hirniak with The Kyiv Independent. Listen as the St. Olaf Choir masterfully carries the message below.
On This Day
On this day in 336, the first recorded celebration of a current holiday was possibly a pizza party. In 1776, George Washington was doing the things that made him a centerpiece in art, too, and 1914 soldiers on the frontlines of the Great War gave each other a day off from fighting. In 1913 Minot, our local editors did not publish a fluffy edition for Christmas. It was all raw news and biting editorial, and they didn’t spare their readers, so we won’t either.
On this day in 336, the first recorded celebration of Christmas took place in Rome, marking one of the earliest known observances of the holiday.
On this day in 1776, George Washington led the Continental Army across the Delaware River, launching a surprise attack that became a turning point in the American Revolutionary War.
On this day in 1914, soldiers on both sides of the Western Front in World War I observed an unofficial Christmas Truce, temporarily stopping the fighting to share greetings and play games.
Born & Died: Sir Isaac Newton, (Born, 1642) English mathematician and physicist, Clara Barton, (Born, 1821) Founder of the American Red Cross, Humphrey Bogart, (Born, 1899) American actor, Anwar Sadat, (Born, 1918) Egyptian president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Charlie Chaplin, (Died, 1977) English comic actor and filmmaker, Dean Martin, (Died, 1995) American singer and actor, Eartha Kitt, (Born, 1927) American singer and actress, George Michael, (Died, 2016) British singer-songwriter, Annie Lennox, (Born, 1954) Scottish singer known as the lead vocalist of Eurythmics, Sissy Spacek, (Born, 1949) American actress known for her role in “Carrie,” James Brown, (Died, 2006) American singer known as the “Godfather of Soul.”
Howard Huston, one of the most prominent students at the state university, arrived in the city Monday and will spend his holiday vacation in Minot and vicinity. Mr. Huston, who is making a remarkable record as a reader, will give a series of entertainments in the surrounding towns during his vacation.
Why we published it:
He just keeps turning up in the news. Mr. Huston was featured most recently in this column just three days ago and eight years later, after he had survived being mispronounced dead in the great war and becoming a leader in League of Nations.
What was evidently the funeral pyre of an unknown murder victim was discovered by two hunters near the bank of the Missouri river, in the northwestern part of McKenzie county.
Why we published it:
Sharing both for the true crime intrigue and the news reality of publishing a weekly edition. When the news drips in, you find a place for it in the layout even if you’ve already covered it. The three articles on this event were scattered about the edition; it was obviously a topic that had people talking.
The committee cleared up its differences relating to militant suffragists, advocates of “sabotage” and forms of violence, by adopting an amendment which provides for the deportation of any alien who at any time within three years after entry, shall be found in the United States advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property or advocating or teaching the overthrow of organized government or the assassination of any public official.
Why we published it:
As we once again fight over what’s acceptable and what’s not for immigrants, perhaps these moments from the past are worth a closer look. Seems like “unlawful destruction of property or advocating or teaching the overthrow of organized government or the assassination of any public official” should be easy to agree on, but should posting critical speech on social media get you tossed?
The athletic girl has less chance of marrying than she who displays more dependence. A hard featured, wrinkled woman is not the type that attracts the opposite sex. Such a woman may be more independent but she is not enough of a stay-at-home to suit the average man and master. At least, this is the conclusion reached by an expert on the psychology of the female sex.
Why we published it:
If time has proven anything, it’s that men are happy with all types of women. And climate change is still in the news, though it is a little less speculative and less influenced by earth quakes these days. Also: robber barons were out doing their thing until the government started regulating them.
A great deal of interest is expressed over the state on the third trial of Sam Clark and his partner, Crockard, of Jim Jam Jems at Bismarck. They were indicted by the federal grand jury for matter contained in the magazine and several news dealers over the United States got into trouble for selling the publication. The first trial resulted in a disagreement. In the second before Judge Willard of Minnesota, the jury convicted but recommended the defendants to the mercy of the court. Judge Willard imposed a penitentiary sentence instead of a fine as had been anticipated. There will be a third trial here Jan. 14. The chief contentions of the defendants against the second trial in which they were convicted are that an attorney was admitted as a juror and that he was a personal enemy of the defendants, and that Judge Willard admitted only excerpts in the evidence and not full sentences and paragraphs and the context shows the intent of objectionable phrases.
Why we published it:
The publisher behind the Bismarck paper that made national headlines was a former Minot mayor and newsman for Minot Daily Reporter. This case born in North Dakota was an early test of 1st amendment rights.
After God finished making the rattlesnake, the toad and the vampire, he had some awful substance left with which he made a knocker. A knocker is a two-legged animal with a corkscrew soul, a water sogged brain and a combination backbone made of jelly and glue. Where other men have hearts, he carries a tumor of decayed principles. When a knocker comes down the street honest men turn their heads, the angels weep tears in heaven and the devil shuts the gates of hell to keep him out,” says a Colorado editor.
Why we published it:
They are as old as the hills, but a snake by any other name would bite just as deep.
A Message for Christmas
“We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity.”
— Charlie Chaplin, Final speech, The Great Dictator (1940)
Today’s Markets
These are the commodities that move Minot’s economy. See how they’re doing here.
Upcoming Fun
Fun coming up that’s worth knowing about. Scroll for more at SavorMinot.com.
Play & Participate
Free Skate Rentals!
Fri. Dec. 26 — Tue. Dec. 30
CitzensAlley | In Our Soft Opening Era!
Live Music
Logan Cassell
Sat. Dec. 27
BlueRider | Voted North Dakota’s Best Dive Bar!
Learning & Listening
126th Annual Christmas Bird Count
Sat. Dec. 27
MinotHappenings | Our Hub for User Submitted Happenings!
Today’s Happenings
Play & Participate
The Holiday Schedule @CitzensAlley
Mon. Dec. 22 — Sun. Dec. 28
Celebrate the holidays at Citizens Alley in Downtown Minot with ice bumper cars and FREE skate rentals from December 22 to 28, thanks to Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota. Bring your family and friends for a week full of winter fun and community cheer! #WinterFun #MinotEvents #SavorMinot
Let’s Celebrate!
Sertoma Christmas in the Park @MinotSertoma
Fri. Nov. 28 — Wed. Dec. 31
Experience the magic of the season at Sertoma Christmas in the Park, lighting up Minot’s Oak Park from November 28 through December 31. Enjoy a beautiful holiday light display perfect for family and friends, open nightly with a $5 per car admission. #MinotHolidays #ChristmasLights #SavorMinot
