Today in Minot
A New Way to do the Local News!
The Future is Coming!
The future is on in “Today in Minot” in all sorts of forms… right now we’ve got a horse race between dystopian and the one George Jetson lived in. And there’s no question: we’re going to land at one or the other, or maybe in the middle. The safest move is to SavorMinot while we get there… and today, that starts with a Demon Pork BBQ from Magic City Hoagies!
Today in Minot
Today is Friday, June 13th. The sun will rise on the 86th day of spring, and the 164th day of the year at 5:44 AM. We will see 16 hours 2 minutes of daylight before it sets at 9:46 PM.
Today is: National Random Acts Of Light Day, National Movie Night, National Blame Someone Else Day, Wear Blue Day, National Kitchen Klutzes Of America Day, National Golf Cart Day, National Sewing Machine Day, National Weed Your Garden Day
Today’s Featured Happenings
Monthly Features
Demon Pork BBQ (June Hoagie of the Month)
Jun. 2nd – Jun. 30th
@MagicCityHoagies | This is how we roll!
Live Music!
2nd Barkfest After Party
Jun. 14th
@BlueRider | Voted North Dakota’s Best Dive Bar!
The news we share here is ForMinot. You can learn more about what guides our editorial decisions here.
It felt like summer finally arrived in Chicago—sunshine, patios, lakefront strolls. But look a little closer, and something’s off. The haze isn’t just humidity; it’s smoke, drifting down from wildfires still burning across Canada. This week, Chicago briefly claimed the worst air quality in the country, a troubling reminder that wildfire smoke is no longer rare or distant. It’s here. And while the skies may clear soon, the bigger warning—about what’s becoming normal—shouldn’t drift away with the wind. That’s the summary, the full editorial is linked below at theChicago Tribune
Legal pressure is tightening around Epic Companies and its founder, Todd Berning. Once a prominent player in redevelopment projects across North Dakota, Epic’s collapse last year led to a wave of lawsuits and bankruptcy filings. Now, the state’s Securities Department has opened a formal investigation into Berning and his associates, adding a new layer of scrutiny. Wendy Reuer with InForum has the story on the latest developments.
A new kind of taxi just took to the skies—this time with a pilot onboard. Archer Aviation, the California-based company developing electric air taxis, completed its first crewed test flight of the Midnight aircraft after more than 400 autonomous runs. The sleek, vertical takeoff craft soared over Salinas at 125 mph and 1,500 feet, hitting key milestones on the path toward FAA certification. With eyes on launching service by the 2026 World Cup in L.A., the era of flying taxis is inching closer to liftoff. Dan Zukowski with SmartCitiesDive has the full story.
Watch the video of the CTOL (Conventional Take-Off) test flight below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOG8asun_Uw
Minot’s newest crabapple trees are more than landscaping—they’re a growing symbol of partnership, recovery, and vision. On Thursday, a team of Hess interns and local volunteers joined the 2,000 Trees for Minot effort in Green Valley Park, planting 13 trees where willows once stood before the 2011 flood. With support from Minot Parks and area businesses, the reforestation push is ahead of schedule and still growing. City Forester Troy Regstad hopes the blossoms may one day bloom into a local spring festival. For now, they mark quiet roots of renewal. Jill Schramm with Minot Daily News has the full story.
Out in the fields near Glen Ullin, a John Deere tractor fires up, rolls forward—and there’s no one behind the wheel. It’s not broken. It’s the future. Gooseneck Implement is test-driving a new autonomous upgrade kit that turns traditional tillage tractors into driverless workhorses. The tech builds on years of GPS and autosteer innovations, but watching a 50-foot machine move on its own is still a shock. For now, it’s just tillage—but with labor shortages looming, the hands-free horizon is getting closer by the acre. Jenny Schlect with AGWEEK has the full story.
A promotion, a quiet tip, and a trail that kept being ignored. That’s the backdrop to a troubling story out of Ward County, where a detention officer—later promoted to lieutenant—admitted to years of illegal steroid use and distribution only after a separate harassment complaint triggered an internal investigation. Despite early warnings, including findings during a suicide probe of another officer, those in charge declined to act—until the evidence became undeniable. What followed was a cascade of firings, demotions, and questions that may not be fully answered anytime soon. Rob Port has the full story; this one can be read at Dickinson Press with a Forum Communications subscription.
In Los Angeles, the streets echo with voices, not violence. Residents gathered peacefully to protest immigration raids, but their chants were met with the sight of armed National Guard troops. The message from protesters is clear: this isn’t about chaos—it’s about community, dignity, and the right to speak out. In interviews captured by AFP, Angelenos questioned the show of force, pointing to what they see as a performative overreaction. Their plea is simple: protect families, not optics. Watch the video below or follow the source link to watch on Youtube.
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On This Day
On this day in 1392 a few had had enough of taxes and oppression revolted against them. In 1966 our right to not say anything at all was enshrined in precedent, and in 1971 the news was saying things that the government didn’t like. In 1946 Minot, we were taming the Missouri, we were lighting up the sky so we could fly at night and celebrate a birthday!
On this day in 1381, during the Peasants’ Revolt in England, rebels led by Wat Tyler entered London and seized the Tower of London, marking a significant moment in the uprising against feudal oppression and high taxes.
On this day in 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark ruling in Miranda v. Arizona, establishing that criminal suspects must be informed of their rights to an attorney and against self-incrimination before police questioning, a practice now known as “Miranda rights.”
On this day in 1971, The New York Times began publishing the Pentagon Papers, a classified government report detailing the U.S. political and military involvement in Vietnam, which exposed government deception and fueled public opposition to the Vietnam War.
Born and Died: Tim Allen, (Born, 1953) American actor and comedian known for his roles in “Home Improvement” and “Toy Story,” Benny Goodman, (Died, 1986) American jazz clarinetist and bandleader known as the “King of Swing,” Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, (Born, 1986) American actresses and fashion designers known for their work as child stars, Martin Buber, (Died, 1965) Austrian-born Israeli philosopher known for his philosophy of dialogue, Chris Evans, (Born, 1981) American actor known for his role as Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Geraldine Page, (Died, 1987) American actress known for her work on stage and screen, Kat Dennings, (Born, 1986) American actress known for her roles in “2 Broke Girls” and “Thor,” Stellan Skarsgård, (Born, 1951) Swedish actor known for his roles in “Good Will Hunting” and “Mamma Mia!”
These are the reservoirs to be created by the dams with which man will at last tame, harness and use the mighty Missouri river for a magnificent new source of power, irrigation and flood control, as planned by authority of the 1944 federal flood control act.
Why we published it: Few things have altered our landscape and our lives (fishing, lake cabins, state parks, camping) as much as the federal flood control act of 1944. Here it is before it was.
4. The great reservoirs not only will hold back the floods, but they will hold enough water so that a minimum stream depth for navigation can be preserved in dry periods. This will afford an opportunity to promote cheap, reliable water transportation, and to benefit communities from the head of navigation, near St. Louis, to the head of navigation above Sioux City, Iowa, and into the Missouri river. Furthermore, the reservoirs in the lower Missouri, Mississippi river, and its tributaries will provide navigation on the Mississippi river to benefit the great area served by boats which ply that stream.
Why we published it: After accounting for the tribes and farmers loss of land, one of the tangible gains was in quality of life opportunities created by the reservoirs. But that was not contemplated in the original analysis. It was navigability that the system preserved; recreation was not in the operating plan. This would become contentious later on and is only recently beginning to change.
The Minot park board is now discussing plans to remodel the airport administration building and has decided to construct a ticket office, a storage room and a communications office in the building. In preparation for night flying in the future, the board has got from private companies estimates on lighting the field. The board has purchased a rotating light for $225 from a Pennsylvania company, the light to be installed near or on the administration building. The board is entertaining bids for graveling part of the automobile roadway at the airport. Additional gasoline pumps at the airport will be provided by board authorization of new installation there.
Why we published it: The early airport was a Park District institution. Early "recreation" was a City institution. Now they've flipped and are more appropriately homed, but early on to get them out of the gates, it took anyone willing to take the reigns. And also, if you want to fly at night, you're gonna need lights 😉
Fireworks on the Fourth!
Why we published it: The event was not officially sanctioned as the "State Fair" by the state until 1966, but locally, we knew better much earlier 🙂 And though the fair is now a little later in the summer, there are still going to be -- dry-conditions-allowing -- fireworks on the fourth thanks to the Minot Fireworks Association.
On Flying Blind
“I tell you, I could fly around this room with my eyes closed!”
— Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story (1995)
Get in Touch!
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Upcoming Fun
Fun coming up that’s worth knowing about. Scroll for more at SavorMinot.com.
- – WILD HORSES –
@Atypical | Thursday, June 19th - Mythtickle
@BlueRider | Friday, June 20th - Fiddler on the Roof
@MSUSummerTheatre | Tuesday, June 24th — Sunday, June 29th
Today’s Markets
These are the commodities that move Minot’s economy. See how they’re doing here.
Today’s Happenings
In Theaters
Nunsense @MSUSummerTheatre
Tuesday, June 10th — Sunday, June 15th
Join the MSU Summer Theatre for a side-splitting performance of “Nunsense” from June 10th to 15th, as the Little Sisters of Hoboken put on a hilarious benefit show to solve their convent crisis. Don’t miss this fan-favorite event kicking off the 60th Anniversary Season! #Nunsense #MSUSummerTheatre #SavorMinot
Timely News
Meet Max! Pet of the Week @SVAS Pets
Wednesday, June 11th — Sunday, June 15th
Meet Max, the adorable Pet of the Week at Souris Valley Animal Shelter in Minot, ready to find his forever home! Visit us from June 11th to June 15th to give Max the love he deserves. #AdoptDontShop #PetOfTheWeek #SavorMinot
Kids & Families
Ice Cream Social & Milkshake Bar @MagicCitySweets
Monday, June 2nd — Sunday, August 31st
Dive into summer fun at Magic City Sweets Ice Cream Shop’s Ice Cream Social & Milkshake Bar, where families can enjoy custom ice cream creations and free retro arcade games in downtown Minot. Rated as the chillest spot, it’s the perfect hangout for kids and families until August 31st! #IceCreamFun #FamilyHangout #SavorMinot
Monthly Features
June Hoagie of the Month – Demon Pork BBQ @MagicCityHoagies
Monday, June 2nd — Monday, June 30th
Indulge in the flavors of summer with Magic City Hoagies’ June Hoagie of the Month, the Demon Pork BBQ, featuring Carolina Chaos Mustard BBQ Sauce and a medley of savory toppings. Available in downtown Minot from June 2nd to June 30th, don’t miss this mouthwatering creation! #BBQLovers #MinotEats #SavorMinot
Hot, New, Fresh
On Tap Right Now! @Atypical
Tuesday, June 10th — Sunday, June 15th
Discover the latest brews at Atypical Brewery & Barrelworks, where award-winning barrel-aged beers meet live music and food trucks in downtown Minot. Don’t miss out on the fresh flavors available from June 10th to 15th! #CraftBeer #LiveMusic #SavorMinot
Specials & Sales
Custom Framing Sale On Diplomas And Graduation Photos @Artmain
Wednesday, May 14th — Monday, June 30th
Celebrate your achievements with Artmain’s custom framing sale on diplomas and graduation photos, happening now through June 30 in downtown Minot. Don’t miss this chance to showcase your success in style! #FrameYourSuccess #DowntownMinot #SavorMinot
