Today in Minot
A New Way to do the Local News!
Playing for a Good Cause
A trio of local musicians will be posting up at the Blue Rider tonight, the hat will be passed, the proceeds go to Independence Inc. If you need a night out to kick-start your holiday spirit… everything about this one aligns nicely.
Also in today’s edition, a story out of Winnipeg that seems likely to redefine what it means to be a first responder. Everyday we deliver it… meaningful local news from near and far.
Today in Minot
Today is Thursday, December 4th, 2025. The sun will rise on the 74th day of fall and the 338th day of the year at 8:19 AM. We will see 8 hours 33 minutes of daylight before it sets at 4:52 PM.
Today is: National Cookie Day, Santa’S List Day, Wildlife Conservation Day, National Sock Day, National Dice Day, Cabernet Franc Day
Today’s Featured Happenings
Live Music
Live Music Fundraiser
Thu. Dec. 4
BlueRider | Voted North Dakota’s Best Dive Bar!
Performances & Exhibitions
Handel’s Messiah
Sun. Dec. 7
MinotHappenings | Our Hub for User Submitted Happenings!
The news we share here is ForMinot. You can learn more about what guides our editorial decisions here.
North Dakota’s growing investment in homegrown startups is back in the spotlight after new details emerged about the public dollars funneled into Thread, a once-promising Grand Forks tech company now facing financial trouble. The firm received far more in state-backed loans and venture investments than initially reported, raising fresh questions about how taxpayer support is tracked — and whether the public can meaningfully scrutinize where economic development money goes. The situation is prompting renewed calls for greater transparency and a searchable statewide database of business incentives. Rob Port with InForum makes the argument worth reading.
Costco is taking the federal government to court, pushing to protect its chance at a refund if the Supreme Court ultimately rejects President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs. The company argues that, without intervention, a looming deadline could cut off its ability to recover money it paid under a tariff program now facing a constitutional challenge. With billions in duties at stake across U.S. importers, the lawsuit underscores how much hinges on whether presidents can impose sweeping trade penalties without Congress. Alex Daniel with Quartz has the full story.
Winnipeg is taking a significant step toward reshaping how it handles mental health emergencies. Mayor Scott Gillingham is pushing for a dedicated crisis-response service—one that sends trained, trauma-informed professionals instead of police to wellness checks and other non-violent calls. With well-being calls now the city’s most common 911 request, Gillingham argues the shift is overdue. His motion would begin formal planning with a consulting team experienced in Manitoba’s health system, aiming to ease pressure on police while giving residents more appropriate support. Brittany Hobson with The Canadian Press has the full story.
North Dakota’s early winter hasn’t delivered the steady cold needed to build reliable ice, and that’s keeping game wardens on alert. In a new video, Game Warden Supervisor Jackie Lundström walks hunters and anglers through the real risks of thin ice and the steps that can prevent a rescue from becoming a tragedy. From freeze-thaw effects to safe thickness guidelines, she stresses one theme throughout: plan ahead, carry the right gear, and treat every outing as if the ice might surprise you. Watch the full guidance below, it may save your life.
Minot’s long-standing bond with the Air Force was front and center Monday as the commanders of the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing publicly thanked the city for its unwavering support. Speaking before the Minot City Council, Col. Jesse Lamarand and Col. James Schlabach highlighted both the base’s $650-million economic footprint and the everyday gestures that make Minot feel like home to thousands of airmen and families. Their message was simple: the mission succeeds because the community stands with them.
On This Day
On this day in 771, Charlemagne became the sole ruler of the Frankish Kingdom after the death of his brother Carloman, paving the way for the Carolingian Empire and his later role as Holy Roman Emperor.
On this day in 1872, the British ship Mary Celeste was found abandoned and drifting in the Atlantic Ocean with no crew on board, becoming one of history’s most famous maritime mysteries.
On this day in 1991, journalist Terry A. Anderson, the last American hostage in Lebanon, was freed after nearly seven years in captivity, ending a long and painful chapter in U.S.-Middle East relations.
Born & Died: Jay-Z, (Born, 1969) Influential American rapper and entrepreneur, Tyra Banks, (Born, 1973) American supermodel and TV personality, Jeff Bridges, (Born, 1949) Academy Award-winning American actor, Samuel Butler, (Born, 1835) English author of “Erewhon”, Cassandra Wilson, (Born, 1955) Grammy-winning American jazz singer, Frank Zappa, (Died, 1993) Iconoclastic American musician and composer, Marisa Tomei, (Born, 1964) American actress known for her Oscar-winning role in “My Cousin Vinny,” Hannah Arendt, (Died, 1975) German-American philosopher and political theorist known for her works on totalitarianism, Rainer Maria Rilke, (Born, 1875) Renowned Austrian poet.
A Minot man, Dr. Palmer Wood, member of a party of three Minot hunters who made their headquarters in Willow City, shot his deer on the Lower Souris game reserve the first day of the season. The third deer was bagged by the third member of the party on the second day and when the trio went to load the game preparatory to leaving for Minot, it was learned that Dr. Wood's tagged deer had been stolen from the Willow City basement where it had been placed for safe keeping.
Why we published it: The luxury of our time may be the simple fact that a dead deer is not something we think of as likely to be stolen. But people are never more than a few hours from being hungry, and if food security dips, we'll all be adding food security.
Enough revenue to build five battleships of the U.S.S. North Carolina type, or 690 patrol bombers, or 7700 medium tanks was paid to the Federal Government by the distilling industry in the fiscal year ended June 30, 1940. Russell R. Brown, President of The American Distilling Company, Inc., displays a chart showing graphically what the total taxes of $356,477,006 paid that year by his industry would buy in defense materials. Since the founding of this Company fifty years ago in 1892 the industry has paid over six billion dollars in taxes.
Why we published it: This was days before the attack on Pearl Harbor... when those taxes -- and every other dollar that could be raised -- would be put to work double time on exactly these items...
Chairman Hatch of the senate investigating committee stated Tuesday that formal consideration of action on a protest against the seating of Senator Langer would be delayed until after the funeral Thursday of the late Senator Adams, democrat, of Colorado. The committee was to have met in formal session on Thursday, but a new date will be set for the “earliest possible” time, probably next week. In the meantime the committee has study the copy of the proceedings of the hearings, now in printed form. The proceedings comprise 835 pages with close to half a million words.
Why we published it: He is North Dakota's most infamous politician and the competition isn't close, and we share the stories of his career as we come across them. In this challenging moment, he was seated in the Senate and served until his death in 1959.
L. L. Stone, who in October purchased the self-service Piggly Wiggly store in Minot, announces the formal opening of his store on Friday and Saturday of this week. Mr. Stone has had a force of decorators busy at his store, completely redecorating the place and he has added fruit and vegetable counters and making other improvements. Mr. Stone before coming to Minot, operated the Quality Grocery in Dickinson for nearly five years and prior to that time, was engaged in the food business in Moorhead, Minn.
Why we published it: The Piggly Wiggly holds an almost mythological place in both Minot and across the country. If anyone understands why, I'd love to know.
WAR ON WASTE IS AID FOR DEFENSE. IT’S AS SIMPLE AS THIS: EVERYBODY WHO PREVENTS A FIRE — EVERYBODY WHO PREVENTS OR AVOIDS AN ACCIDENT — EVERYBODY WHO CONSERVES OR PRESERVES — IS DOING HIS BIT OR HER BIT.
Why we published it: Even before the war, we had a sense of what would be needed. The calls to conserve and reuse elevated rapidly once America was fully in it.
Fargo’s parking meters went into operation recently. Installed in the business district, the meters are expected to provide better parking conditions in the city. Charge to car owners is five cents per hour. Regulations apply to out-of-town visitors with guest tags as well as residents of Fargo.
Why we published it: The whole list is worth running -- gambling, parking, bees, Norway, the Capitol completion date, Velva's flowers, oil exploration. But of most note, that we understood clearly that the only equitable way to manage parking was to make people pay for it. Not many years later, we would go the other direction completely -- we would socialize it. And the results for North Dakota's downtown districts would be consequential and echo out even until now.
Disclosed following the death of Emil Krauth at Hebron, is one of the strangest stories regarding war's dislocation of a family which has come to light in North Dakota. It concerns the Fred Conrath family of Hebron, stranded in Germany and unable to return home. Mrs. Conrath is a daughter of Mr. Krauth.
Why we published it: Somewhere a descendant of this family has a heck of a story to tell.
What North Dakota needs is a united front. All this farmer against the town folks is the finest of folly. Out of our population of 682,000 there are 600,000 or more of us in the same boat. We want clean government, honest handling of state funds, sensible use of the taxes we pay. Some of the rest — and sad to say we call them politicians — make use of the class division to pit us one against the other so they can elect themselves to office.
Why we published it: Our local editor gave considerable space to the issue of the moment -- the question of seating Langer in the Senate. So it made sense to call out the depth of thoughtful comment that was common in our little country weekly. No doubt other editors across the state also gave this issue column inches, and what was the result? A well-informed, well-educated electorate capable of meeting the challenges of the moment. Just days later, a "challenge of the moment" would emerge that was much more substantial.
A dramatic six-day battle to save the life of Anton Weigel ended in failure early Sunday when the victim died. A son, Eddie, 20, remains in a serious condition. The iron lung rushed from Minot prolonged the father’s life several days.
Why we published it: This was -- sadly -- a fairly common story in the old days. Food preparation science and equipment has reduced the risk, but botulism remains dangerous, and is among the reasons home-food preparation is regulated. The best medicine is prevention.
On Our Freedom It Depends
“On the diffusion of education among the people rests the preservation and perpetuation of our free institutions.”
— Daniel Webster, Address before the New York Historical Society, February 23, 1852
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.
Let’s Celebrate!
Renaissance Feast
Fri. Dec. 5 — Sat. Dec. 6
MinotChamberChorale | The Renaissance Feast Returns!
Performances & Exhibitions
Midwest Murder Live!
Fri. Dec. 5
DickensFestival | Where Christmas Begins!
Kids & Families
Christmas at the Zoo!
Sat. Dec. 6
RooseveltParkZoo | Let the world surround you at Roosevelt Park Zoo.
Today’s Happenings
Today’s Features
Nacho Average Thursday @BlueRider
Thu. Dec. 4
Kick off your Thursday with stiff drinks, free popcorn, and endless nachos at Blue Rider’s new tradition—Nacho Average Thursday. Doors open at 4 PM in downtown Minot, so come for the vibe and stay for the flavor. #NachoAverageThursday #BlueRiderVibes #SavorMinot
Performances & Exhibitions
Festival of Arts Exhibition @TaubeMuseum
Sat. Nov. 29 — Sat. Dec. 20
Celebrate local creativity at the Festival of Arts Exhibition, featuring a diverse collection of fine art, jewelry, prints, and more at the Taube Museum of Art in downtown Minot. Join the opening reception on November 29 and shop unique holiday gifts while supporting local artists through December 20. #SupportLocal #MinotArts #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
“Hot, New, Fresh”
On Tap Right Now! @Atypical
Tue. Dec. 2 — Sun. Dec. 7
Discover the freshest brews on tap this week at Atypical Brewery & Barrelworks, featuring award-winning barrel-aged beers, live music, and delicious food trucks in downtown Minot. Don’t miss out on this hot, new lineup from December 2 to 7! #CraftBeer #MinotEats #SavorMinot
Live Music
Live Music Fundraiser @BlueRider
Thu. Dec. 4
Join us at Blue Rider on Thu. Dec. 4 for a night of live music with Jared Schumaier, Rick Watson, and Drew Hanson, plus stiff drinks, free popcorn, and pizza. Support Independence, Inc. through a “Pass the Hat” fundraiser benefiting youth programs for young people with disabilities. #LiveMusicMinot #SupportLocal #SavorMinot
Monthly Features
The KOAGIE | December’s Hoagie of the Month @MagicCityHoagies
Mon. Dec. 1 — Wed. Dec. 31
Taste the bold flavors of December’s Hoagie of the Month at Magic City Hoagies—The KOAGIE, a Korean BBQ roast beef hoagie loaded with cheddar, kimchi slaw, and garlic Sriracha aioli. Celebrate the season with this fresh, flavorful sandwich available all month long in downtown Minot! #HoagieLove #MinotEats #SavorMinot
Performances & Exhibitions
INT’L All Media @NorthwestArtsCenter
Thu. Oct. 23 — Sat. Dec. 20
Celebrate 30 years of creativity at the Northwest Arts Center’s INT’L All Media 2025 exhibition, featuring over 40 diverse artworks from the U.S. and Japan. Join the free opening reception on October 23 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to meet juror Melissa Monroe and experience innovative art in all mediums. #ArtExhibition #MinotArts #SavorMinot
