Today in Minot

For U.S. universities, international students aren’t just cultural ambassadors — they’re financial lifelines, filling seats, paying full tuition, and fueling research. But under shifting Trump administration policies, that pipeline is increasingly uncertain. Visa revocations, enrollment caps, and funding threats have left schools scrambling to budget without knowing if their most reliable students will even be allowed in the country. Economists warn the fallout could cost billions, tens of thousands of jobs, and America’s standing as a top global education destination, and as fall enrollment numbers start trickling in, we’re going to learn how we’re trending. Jackie Snow with Quartz has the full story.

In North Dakota, fresh vegetables in midwinter have long meant a truck ride from far away. Now, new greenhouse and indoor farming technology is changing that. At the Controlled Environment Agriculture Conference in Bismarck, growers and innovators shared how advanced greenhouses and vertical farms are producing lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and even strawberries year-round. From tribal projects using natural gas and geothermal heat to energy-efficient campus greenhouses, the focus is on local, nutritious food — and on building a more secure, resilient food system for communities across the state.

Ward County’s budget talks have become a high-stakes balancing act. With a new state law capping property tax increases at 3%, commissioners are staring down an $800,000 gap — and running out of easy cuts. Economic aid, historical society funding, and employee benefits are already trimmed, but now programs like juvenile services, a million-dollar operation, are on the table. The choice ahead isn’t just about numbers; it’s about what services the county can afford to keep — and which it may have to let go. Get the full story from Kyona Rivera with KMOT.

Grand Forks is getting a new way to warm up, wind down, and connect. Arctic Lava, a Nordic-Hawaiian mobile sauna, will host its first community event Friday night in the Elks Park Pool parking lot. Founders Madison McCue and Oren Long blend North Dakota’s Nordic roots with Hawaiian “aloha,” offering a wood-fired, cedar-lined sauna that hits 200 degrees — and bans phones to encourage real conversation. It’s about more than heat, they say; it’s about wellness, tradition, and bringing people together. Madison Dame with Grand Forks Herald has the full story.

A new podcast is pulling back the curtain on how $740,000 in North Dakota film grants were awarded — and the picture isn’t pretty. The $740,000 Question, produced by filmmaker-turned-whistleblower Matt Fern, uses records, emails, and legislative audio to show how a process meant to be fair sometimes wasn’t. Beyond the grants, it’s a case study in how transparency tools, like livestreamed hearings and open records laws, can hold power to account — if we’re willing to watch and listen. Rob Port with InForum has the full story.

Banjo may be just four pounds of fur and whiskers, but he’s already winning fans at Minot’s Roosevelt Park Zoo. The four-month-old Virginia opossum isn’t here to rummage through trash — he’s here to change minds. Known for devouring thousands of ticks each summer, Banjo plays a vital role in the ecosystem, and zookeepers hope he’ll soon serve as an Animal Ambassador. With a taste for strawberries and a soft spot for certain keepers, this nocturnal newcomer is ready for his close-up.

North Dakota may hold a key to solving one of America’s biggest economic challenges — a looming shortage of workers. With job openings outpacing available workers and demographics pointing to decades of tight labor supply, the state’s Global Talent Office is gaining national attention for its pragmatic, nonpartisan approach to legal immigration. At its annual summit, experts warned that nearly half of the future U.S. workforce may need to be foreign-born — and that North Dakota’s model could help the country prepare before the shortage becomes a crisis.

A year after its grand opening, the Scheels Aim High Big Sky Aquatic and Recreation Center in Great Falls is still finding its rhythm. The $20 million, 45,000-square-foot facility has become a hub for swimming, fitness, and community events — but revenues have fallen short, prompting city subsidies and staff cuts. Leaders say it’s part of the learning curve for a brand-new, all-in-one recreation center, and they’re banking on fresh programs, creative marketing, and community buy-in to bring the budget — and the vision — into balance. Matt Hudson with Montana Free Press has the full story.

A new Mississippi law requiring all social media users to verify their age — and barring minors from platforms without parental consent — is now in effect after the Supreme Court declined to step in. The law goes far beyond earlier rulings on explicit content, sweeping in sites like Facebook, YouTube, and even neighborhood forums. While a lower court has yet to decide its constitutionality, the ruling signals a high-stakes clash between child protection efforts and free speech rights in the digital age. Nina Totenberg with NPR has the full story.

Air Canada is bracing for a major disruption as a standoff with its flight attendants moves toward a strike — and a lockout. Both sides issued 72-hour notices within minutes of each other, setting the stage for most Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights to wind down over the next three days. After eight months of stalled negotiations, the dispute now threatens to derail travel plans across the country, with each side blaming the other for walking away from meaningful resolution. Hannah Parker with Quartz has the full story.

California’s push to move beyond fossil fuels just hit a hard reality check. Two major refineries are closing — one this year, another in 2026 — cutting 17% of the state’s gasoline refining capacity. Instead of celebrating, lawmakers are scrambling to keep the plants running to avoid price spikes and supply shortages. The closures expose a gap in California’s energy transition planning. Tik Root with Grist has the full story.

For your Friday night entertainment and one night only at the one and only Atypical Brewery… The Cropdusters. Bring a friend. Here’s a teaser from their feature on Prairie Public’s Prairie Musicians series.