Today in Minot
A New Way to do the Local News!
Korean BBQ on a Hoagie
Yes, you should probably try it. Yes, there’s lots of other news in today’s edition including editorial wisdom from editors of Christmas’s past, but most importantly, the Korean BBQ…
Today in Minot
Today is Monday, December 8th, 2025. The sun will rise on the 78th day of fall and the 342nd day of the year at 8:23 AM. We will see 8 hours 28 minutes of daylight before it sets at 4:51 PM.
Today is: National Crossword Solvers Day, Pretend To Be A Time Traveler Day, National Brownie Day
Today’s Featured Happenings
Monthly Features
The KOAGIE | December’s Hoagie of the Month
Mon. Dec. 1 — Wed. Dec. 31
MagicCityHoagies | This is how we roll!
Performances & Exhibitions
Holiday Magic
Fri. Dec. 12 — Sat. Dec. 13
MinotSymphony | We’ll see you at the Symphony!
The news we share here is ForMinot. You can learn more about what guides our editorial decisions here.
Rob Port with InForum reads the tea leaves in this political commentary, and what he sees is an important election. It won’t feature high-profile races for governor or U.S. Senate, but beneath that quiet surface may be a major turning point. With few competitive contests at the top of the ballot, attention shifts to legislative races—particularly those involving former lawmaker Rick Becker. After multiple failed statewide bids, Becker and the populist faction he represents may see the Legislature as their path to real power. If they win enough seats to influence leadership, North Dakota’s political balance could change dramatically.
North Dakota’s two U.S. senators are applauding a federal shift affecting nursing homes. The Biden administration’s staffing mandate—requiring facilities to meet minimum daily care-hour thresholds and maintain a registered nurse onsite at all times—has now been repealed. Supporters of the change argue those requirements would have strained rural and smaller long-term care facilities already struggling to hire staff. Senator Kevin Cramer called the rollback a “major win,” pointing to the ongoing challenge of keeping care local and accessible for families across rural communities. Joshua Mathisen with KX News has the full story.
A new report argues Canada is overlooking some of its closest economic opportunities—and they’re not across the Pacific, but just to the south. The Canadian Council for the Americas is urging Ottawa to complement its infrastructure agenda by building deeper partnerships in Latin America. Analysts say Canada already enjoys credibility in the region, from mining to cybersecurity, but has failed to convert that goodwill into meaningful partnerships. The message is clear: build value together, not just trade commodities.
The United States is waging an unusually one-sided campaign in the Caribbean, and the numbers are staggering. Operation Southern Spear has sunk boats tied to drug-smuggling networks, but at a cost that dwarfs the value of the targets themselves. Billions in naval assets, high-end aircraft, and expensive munitions are being deployed against crews reportedly paid just hundreds of dollars. Analysts warn that this imbalance rarely holds for long; history shows that operations built on unsustainable math often end the same way—by scaling up, or walking away.
On This Day
On this day in 1941, the dominos that followed Pearl Harbor began to fall. In 1987, the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. were starting to get along, and in 1993, free trade on the continent was big news. In 1949 Minot, City Council was throwing ‘dead cats’, refills were off the menu, the theaters were full of stories of the old days, the State Mill was competing, the hills outside of Burlington were burning, Bismarck wasn’t coming to play basketball due to what happened in football, and our local editor knew all about the results of government-approved news.
On this day in 1941, the United States and Britain declared war on Japan, officially entering World War II one day after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
On this day in 1987, leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), agreeing to eliminate a whole class of nuclear missiles and easing Cold War tensions.
On this day in 1993, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed into law by U.S. President Bill Clinton, creating a large free-trade zone between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Born & Died: John Lennon, (Died, 1980) Legendary musician and member of The Beatles, Jim Morrison, (Born, 1943) Lead singer of The Doors, Sammy Davis Jr., (Born, 1925) Entertainer and member of the Rat Pack, Gregg Allman, (Born, 1947) Co-founder of The Allman Brothers Band, Kim Basinger, (Born, 1953) Academy Award-winning actress, Nicki Minaj, (Born, 1982) Rapper and pop superstar, Eli Whitney, (Born, 1765) Inventor of the cotton gin, Marty Friedman, (Born, 1962) Former lead guitarist of Megadeth, Pancho Villa, (Died, 1923) Famous Mexican revolutionary general, Golda Meir, (Died, 1978) Former Prime Minister of Israel, Marty Robbins, (Died, 1982) American country music singer known for songs like “El Paso,” Teri Hatcher, (Born, 1964) American actress known for her roles in “Desperate Housewives” and “Lois & Clark.”
New mechanical installations and production improvements are responsible for a vast increase in operation efficiency and economics at the North Dakota mill & elevator, according to R. M. Stangler, general manager. The improvements place the North Dakota firm in an enviable position in the nation’s milling and feed industries.
Why we published it: Stories about the State Mill and Elevator are featured regularly in this column because it is an institution unique to North Dakota. What's also worth noting is that a vibrant private-sector milling industry, while once common, is all but gone. I'm not tying these issues together in cause and effect, but merely pointing out what's been lost. Would we be able to find it again with the experience and knowledge present at the State Mill?
Where the government controls the news the stories get quite far apart in their figures . . . the Russians say one man got killed in that German mine disaster . . . the escaped foreman says 3700 . . . which is quite a spread . . . and some of the stories from Washington are a little like that . . . when you sit here and see tons of them go by . . .
Why we published it: Today, the Secretary of "War" says he won't allow reporters who don't get approval for everything they publish. It sounds like our old editor knew exactly what that meant.
NO LONGER WILL THE AFTERNOON and mid-morning coffee drinkers in Mayville get that second cup of coffee for free. From now on the second cup will cost a nickel and Earl Pixley of the Corner cafe says there is a lot of grumbling but it can’t be helped.
Why we published it: Missing out on a free refill wasn't as bad as pass through the wringer, but I bet one got talked about more than the other.
"Riders in the Sky", "Trail of the Yukon", "Gun Law Justice"
Why we published it: These are fun to look at, and some in our readership may remember seeing them live.
However the supreme court decided Tuesday that Mrs. Simpson hadn't had due process of law when she was ordered from her home, and the locks would have to go off until she's had a full trial. In essence, the supreme court of the state is requiring that Judge Gronna prove to them that a mandatory injunction can be heard on a motion by the states attorney rather than by a trial of the case on its merits, and they have indicated by ordering the locks removed that they believe the case must be tried before the court can order something done.
Why we published it: It took our little town decades to fully eradicate the high 3rd St. red light district. There are a couple reasons that may be -- first, perhaps there was less political follow through than needed and the reasons for that are obvious. 😉 The second is bad process. When the government doesn't follow the law, what inevitably follows is having the work undone.
Burlington people are being harassed by a vein of coal on fire in the hillside on the south side of the town. South of that place there is another burning vein of lignite that has been afire for years and which melts snow that falls on the ground above it. The southernmost fire caused a prairie fire which started the timbers burning in the unused mine at the edge of town, and that started the lignite burning, and that started smell and smoke, and that started Burlington people complaining to the state government, which owns the land as part of the Burlington project.
Why we published it: The mythology of the our landscape typically puts these stories in the badlands, but clearly the hills around Burlington were prone to misbehaving, too.
He said Minot is doing the right thing by putting in a complete plant and Layne hopes to bid on selling Minot part of the machinery therefor and continue to drill wells for the city and otherwise do business here as in the past, and they just didn't like the "dead cats thrown at us."
Why we published it: This is a long bit of City business from the old days, but it's colored up nicely by theatrics throughout and it ends with a rhetorical banger!
After the football game Minot fans threatened the officials, who were Bismarck residents. A Minot lad was jailed for threatening a policeman. KLPM and the Daily News have been criticizing the officiating and demanding justice. Minot High Principal Jim Johnson wrote Leifur a letter criticizing the officiating. Leifur wrote Johnson suggesting a break in relations.”
Why we published it: We tend to think of this -- fans behaving badly and berating officials as an entirely modern phenomena -- but if we're to believe the news, it's been happening for much longer than that. Today, and likely in response to incidents like this -- we have the North Dakota High School Activities Association which stands in as a moderator and administrator when these issues arise.
Witham’s addition was designated as residential where multiple housing units are permitted. All the rest was designated AA zone, or residential where sewer and water may not be available yet.
Why we published it: "Water and sewer may not be available yet." This is radically different than we do things today, and yet, it seems to be a mystery why property taxes don't cover infrastructure costs. If we're to trust the news from the past, it never did. And we didn't even try to put it in until these areas were more fully developed. Also, "multiple housing units are permitted." Those who came before also knew how to get the most out of the land where infrastructure had been added.
On Seeing the Difference
“Being a star has made it possible for me to get respect as a human being. But it has also shown me how little respect there is for the human being who isn’t a star.””
— Sammy Davis Jr., Yes I Can (1965)
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
Trivia Night!
Thu. Dec. 11
Atypical | Stop in & Warm Up With a Great Local Beer!
Activities & Events
The House of Horrors Holiday Edition
Fri. Dec. 12 — Sat. Dec. 13
TaubeMuseum | Enriching lives through the visual arts.
Live Music
Luke Hendrickson
Thu. Dec. 18
BlueRider | Voted North Dakota’s Best Dive Bar!
Today’s Happenings
Happy Hour
Pull Tab Happy Hour! @BlueRider
Mon. Dec. 8 — Wed. Dec. 10
Feeling lucky? Join Blue Rider’s Pull Tab Happy Hour from Dec. 8-10 in downtown Minot for a chance to win discounts or free drinks, plus enjoy their daily $7 beer and Fernet shot special. #MinotEats #DiveBarVibes #SavorMinot
Sales & Specials
Monday Madness! (Take Out Specials) @NiteTrain
Mon. Dec. 8
Craving pizza? On Monday, Dec. 8, Nite Train Pizza in South Minot is offering a 16″ pizza for the price of a 12″—dine in or pick up to enjoy this unbeatable deal! #PizzaLovers #MondayMadness #SavorMinot
Weekly Features
We’ve Got Your Christmas Covered With Great Gift Ideas! @BudgetMusic
Fri. Dec. 5 — Thu. Dec. 11
Find the perfect Christmas gift at Budget Music & Video in downtown Minot, featuring thousands of new and used LPs, CDs, DVDs, collectibles, and more. Stop by from Dec. 5–11 for unique gifts and gift certificates to cover everyone on your list! #MinotGifts #HolidayShopping #SavorMinot
Kids & Families
Meet Crookshanks!! @SVAS Pets
Sun. Dec. 7 — Sat. Dec. 13
Meet Crookshanks, a sweet 2-year-old cat who loves cuddles, people watching, and hanging out with other cats! Visit Souris Valley Animal Shelter this week to find out if he’s the perfect laid-back companion for your family. #AdoptDontShop #MinotPets #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
Taste & Experience
Mule Monday! @StarvingRooster
Mon. Dec. 8
Celebrate Mule Monday at The Starving Rooster in downtown Minot on December 8 with $5 handcrafted Moscow Mules all day long! Don’t miss this delicious way to kick off your week with great drinks and good vibes. #MuleMonday #MinotEats #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
