Today in Minot

The Great Lakes may look endless, but their water supply isn’t. A new report warns that rising demand from agriculture, mining, and especially data centers is straining groundwater resources that feed the lakes. With less than 1% of their water replenished each year, conflicts over wells are already emerging in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana. The concern is not tomorrow’s problem — it’s today’s. Without stronger regional planning and clearer rules on industrial water use, the region’s drinking water, farms, and businesses could all be at risk. Annie Baxter with MPR has the full story.

The University of North Dakota is about to welcome the largest freshman class in its history — more than 2,500 students set to move in during Welcome Weekend starting Aug. 23. For UND staff, it’s the campus equivalent of New Year’s, full of energy after a quiet summer. Volunteers will help families unload cars and carry boxes, while events across campus aim to spark friendships and ease the transition. President Andrew Armacost calls himself the “chief welcomer,” reminding students that community begins on day one.

North Dakota’s rural economy is showing mixed signals. The state’s Rural Mainstreet Index dipped to 50.4 in August, pointing to a slight slowdown, even as hiring surged and farmland prices inched higher. Exports, however, told a different story: agricultural sales abroad fell by $24 million in the first half of 2025, a 5% decline from last year. Mexico remained the top buyer, taking more than half of the state’s farm and livestock exports, underscoring both the opportunities and vulnerabilities in the market.

North Dakotans are paying wildly different prices for the same medical care, and Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread says it’s driving up health insurance costs. A colonoscopy that costs $1,775 in Bismarck can run more than $5,000 elsewhere. A C-section in Minot might be $5,000, while the same procedure in Fargo can top $30,000. Godfread argues that without real transparency, patients can’t shop for care the way they shop for gas. A recent bill to require hospitals to post prices failed — leaving the problem unresolved. Read Rob Port’s coverage of our Insurance Commissioner’s startling disclosure at Inforum.com.

Trustworthy economic data is the backbone of financial markets and government policy — and right now, that trust is under strain. The firing of Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer and the nomination of Heritage Foundation economist EJ Antoni have raised fears that jobs and inflation figures could become partisan tools. Economists warn that once official statistics lose credibility, markets expect bias, borrowing costs rise, and uncertainty deepens. What’s at stake isn’t one report, but the reliability of the nation’s economic compass. Read the full opinion of the Editorial Board at Bloomberglinked below.

Every AI query comes with an invisible cost — in electricity, water, and carbon. Google’s new research shows that a single text prompt on its Gemini apps uses just 0.24 watt-hours of energy, about the same as watching nine seconds of TV, and emits 0.03 grams of CO₂. That’s far lower than some outside estimates. Efficiency gains have already cut Gemini’s footprint by more than 95% in the past year, but as AI use explodes, even small impacts could add up quickly. Adele Peters with Fast Company has the full story.

Downtown Minot drivers should plan for delays as work begins Monday on the Third Street Bridge, a structure that’s been carrying traffic for more than 80 years. Crews will repair worn concrete and replace a bridge bearing, with northbound traffic closed to ease strain on the structure. Southbound traffic will stay open for now, though further closures are possible. City engineer Lance Meyer says the project is aimed at keeping the bridge safe and functional, with repairs expected to wrap up by October.

A school bus driver carrying students from Minot Air Force Base to Minot schools was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of driving under the influence. Authorities say 65-year-old Tomas Podolski was stopped after citizens and base officers reported erratic driving near a gate. No injuries were reported, and students were quickly transferred to another bus. Podolski, employed by Northland Bus Services, has since been fired. School officials stressed student safety remains their top priority as they review transportation protocols following the incident.

The IRS is reversing course on planned layoffs, opting instead to rebuild parts of its workforce through hiring and reassignments. After shedding more than 26,000 employees this year and initially preparing for deeper cuts, the agency now says it must fill “mission-critical” gaps created by earlier reductions. Employees who had been offered deferred resignations are being invited back, while others are being reassigned across departments. The shift reflects broader federal struggles to balance downsizing goals with the need to keep essential services running.