Today in Minot

State School Superintendent Levi Bachmeier lauded North Dakota’s improvement on a national financial literacy report card, saying the result strengthens efforts to make North Dakota the nation’s most financially literate state. The report card examined state laws, educational policies, and curricula that affect financial literacy instruction...

Minot police spent November checking how well local businesses are keeping alcohol out of the hands of minors, and most passed the test. Officers carried out compliance checks at 92 licensed establishments across the city, finding 66 fully compliant and 12 in violation — including one...

Efforts to stop illegal drugs at the border took an unexpected turn this week. President Donald Trump pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández — a man U.S. prosecutors once described as central to one of the world’s largest cocaine-trafficking networks. The move is drawing sharp criticism from lawmakers and security experts who say it undermines years of U.S. anti-drug strategy and damages American credibility across Latin America, even as the administration points to regional instability to justify aggressive military actions.

Social media breaks aren’t just a trend — new research suggests they may make a real difference. A study published in JAMA Network Open found that young adults who cut back on social media for just one week saw noticeable drops in anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The findings add weight to a growing body of evidence showing that even short pauses from scrolling can ease mental strain, especially for people already feeling overwhelmed by constant digital noise. Rhitu Chatterjee with NPR has the full story.

As federal officials embark on a sweeping effort to modernize rural healthcare, a central challenge is coming into sharper focus: none of it works without reliable internet. The new Rural Health Transformation Program aims to expand remote care and strengthen rural hospitals, but experts warn that broadband access and digital skills must be treated as core health infrastructure. Without them, virtual care, electronic records, and patient monitoring remain out of reach — and rural communities risk falling further behind. Shawn Daugherty with Route Fifty has the full story.

Utah leaders are sharpening their focus on artificial intelligence, and Gov. Spencer Cox is making one point clear: innovation is welcome, but protecting children comes first. At a statewide AI Summit, Cox urged tech executives to expect firm boundaries when digital tools cross into harmful territory—especially for young users. He also pushed back against federal efforts to override state-level regulations. Even so, Cox unveiled a “pro-AI initiative,” signaling that Utah aims to shape the technology’s future while keeping human needs at the center.

New technology is quietly reshaping life on the range, and some Wyoming ranchers say it’s solving problems they’ve wrestled with for generations. A growing number are turning to virtual fencing—GPS-guided collars that teach cattle to stay within invisible boundaries—to reduce conflicts with wildlife and add flexibility to how herds are managed. Early adopters are seeing benefits from fewer damaged fences to safer elk migrations, and researchers believe the approach could open the door to even broader conservation gains across the West. Christine Peterson with WyoFile has the full story.

McKenzie Health is strengthening its regional footprint while keeping its focus firmly on Watford City. The health system has expanded into Minot with a new orthopedic clinic, marking another step in its broader growth strategy. Leaders say the move helps sustain high-quality specialty care at home by keeping patient volumes strong enough to support top-tier surgeons. The Minot clinic also reflects the following built around orthopedic specialist Dr. Ravindra Joshi, whose work has drawn patients from across western North Dakota since 2018. Steve Hallstrom with McKenzie County Farmer has the full story.

Yes. On Jan. 22, 1943, Spearfish recorded a temperature increase of 49 degrees Fahrenheit in 2 minutes and a temperature drop of 58 degrees in 27 minutes. Both still stand as records more than 80 years later. At 7:30 a.m. on that day, it was minus...

Ward County is gearing up for another packed construction season, as County Engineer Dana Larsen outlined a long list of projects in the county’s 2026–27 Transportation Improvement Plan. From roundabout work west of Minot to culvert replacements, bridge upgrades, and long-delayed paving, the coming year is set to match some of the county’s busiest since flood recovery. Many improvements focus on safety, roadway longevity, and preparing key corridors for future growth. Jill Schramm with Minot Daily News has the full story.