Today in Minot

North Dakota State University is taking learning on the road—literally. Launching this May, the new “Bison to the Bakken” course will take students on a 12-day journey across the state, offering firsthand insight into North Dakota’s energy industry. From classroom prep to on-site visits with companies like ONEOK and Chord, students will explore how energy, agriculture, and economics intersect. It’s part education, part career connection, and part boots-on-the-ground experience in one of the state’s most vital sectors. M.K. French with McKenzie County Farmer has the full story.

Bottineau, ND – April 29, 2025 – Dakota College Downtown, located in downtown Minot, is celebrating the completion of its first academic year. Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB) currently offers a one-year Dental Assisting program at this location. In addition, Allied Health and Computer Information Systems...

The 2007 killing of Anita Knutson in Minot will be featured in a segment on this week’s Dateline NBC. The episode airs Friday at 8 p.m. Central and includes interviews with Knutson’s family, friends, and law enforcement. Correspondent Blayne Alexander reports on the case, which drew widespread attention when Knutson was found fatally stabbed in her northwest Minot apartment.

The battle over public broadcasting has entered the courtroom. After President Trump attempted to remove three board members from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting—a nonprofit designed to operate independently of political influence—the CPB is pushing back with a federal lawsuit. Created by Congress to fund local PBS and NPR stations, the CPB argues the White House has overstepped its legal authority. As federal judges take up the case, the broader fight over public media’s independence and funding is only gaining momentum. David Shepardson with Reuters has the full story.

Florida may soon join a small but growing list of places turning away from fluoridated water. A new bill passed by state lawmakers would prohibit the addition of “water quality additives” like fluoride to public water supplies, a practice long credited by health experts with reducing tooth decay. The legislation now awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature. If signed, it would take effect July 1, making Florida the second state to enact such a ban, despite decades of scientific consensus on fluoride’s safety and benefits. Alana Wise with has the full story; the North Dakota legislature defeated a similar bill earlier in this year’s session.

Tucked along the quiet shores of Lake Renwick, Icelandic State Park offers more than just a campsite — it’s a peaceful retreat steeped in North Dakota’s natural beauty and pioneer past. Whether you’re casting a line with the kids, gliding across the water by kayak, or hiking the wooded trails of the Gunlogson Preserve, there’s a rhythm here that’s both calming and rich with discovery. From winter snowshoeing to summer splashing, Icelandic is where nature, history, and memory meet. If you’re hungry for adventure a little further than Fort Stevenson, here’s a North Dakota gem to explore.

Every spring, as the ice recedes and the water warms, North Dakota’s walleye get to work — and so do the biologists. On Lake Sakakawea, the annual walleye spawn is more than a natural event; it’s the backbone of the state’s fishing season. Crews collect millions of eggs to raise and release young fish across North Dakota’s lakes. Without this effort, many waters wouldn’t sustain walleye at all. It’s hands-on conservation, and it helps keep the fishing good — year after year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kHXPpdpwZw

There’s a new way to roll the dice—and grab a slice—in downtown Fargo. Boss’ Pizza and Chicken has partnered with the North Dakota Horse Park Foundation to open a charitable gaming site and sports bar in its lower level. From pull-tabs to paddle wheels, blackjack to dart boards, the space offers games, food, and late-night hours. It’s the latest chapter for a building with deep local history—and a fresh twist that blends entertainment with support for a local cause.

Editor’s Note: The real story here isn’t about the new place in Fargo, it’s about the language in the headline. This is no longer about ‘charitable gaming’, though if you read the article, Mr. Olson throughs a nod to the old ways. This is now about ‘casinos.’

North Dakota’s 2024 pheasant and sharp-tailed grouse harvests were up, while gray partridge was similar to 2023, according to the state Game and Fish Department.Upland game biologist RJ Gross said the overall harvest was likely a result of more hunters, more trips and more birds in...

North Dakota has a new look to match its legendary spirit. Unveiled at the 2025 Travel Industry Conference, the state’s new icon blends bold color with wide-open inspiration—and it’s already earned strong public support. Designed to complement the long-standing “Be Legendary” brand, this new symbol captures...

A proposed casino and resort project from the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa was recently blocked in the North Dakota Legislature—but the story doesn’t end there. In this commentary, the Rob Port lays out a deeper concern: while tribal gaming faces political roadblocks and hints of bias, charitable gaming has quietly exploded into a multi-billion-dollar industry backed by national corporations. The argument? Gambling in North Dakota is thriving—but it’s increasingly controlled by entrenched, powerful interests that are protecting their turf under the banner of charity. Read the full piece at Inforum.com.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong on Thursday signed a bill that prevents K-12 public schools from having all-gender bathrooms. It allows parents to file complaints if they think their child’s school is not following state laws governing accommodations for transgender students. House Bill 1144 updates a law adopted...

North Dakota drivers could soon see an 80 mph speed limit on interstates. The House narrowly passed a bill to raise the limit from 75, reviving it just hours after an initial failure. Supporters say states like South Dakota and Montana have made similar changes without a major rise in fatalities. Opponents remain concerned about safety, truck traffic, and enforcement. The bill, which has been debated for years, now heads back to the Senate for final approval. April Baumgarten with InForum has the full story.

One of North Dakota’s most trusted disability support organizations is facing a crisis. The North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities, based at Minot State University, has lost a third of its staff following abrupt federal funding cuts. Projects that help newborns, support families, and assist people with disabilities in daily life are being paused or eliminated. With 23 staffers let go and key grants drying up, the center is scrambling to stay afloat—while those who rely on its services are left in limbo. Peyton Haug with InForum has continuing in-depth coverage on the story that broke yesterday.

North Dakota ranks near the bottom when it comes to teacher pay—40th in the nation, according to a new report from the National Education Association. With every teaching position now classified as “hard to fill,” education advocates are urging lawmakers to approve more school funding in hopes of raising salaries. As nearby states like Minnesota sit much higher on the pay scale, the pressure is on to make teaching in North Dakota not just meaningful, but sustainable. Kjersti Maday with InForum has the full story; you can also explore the reports’s findings linked below.

Check out the full NEA Report on teacher pay here.

I’ve long appreciated the fact that in North Dakota we can talk about deer and deer hunting any time of year. While fall discussions typically revolve around the deer numbers and the coming hunt, this time of year there’s plenty to discuss about the state’s deer...

Public broadcasting in the U.S. is facing a seismic shake-up. President Trump has signed an executive order directing an end to federal funding for NPR and PBS, accusing both of ideological bias and failing to represent taxpayers fairly. While Congress—not the president—controls the funding stream, the move signals an intensifying political battle over media, speech, and public trust. Leaders from both networks are defending their missions, while legal challenges and FCC scrutiny now threaten the future of free, public access to news, culture, and education. David Folkenflik with NPR has the full story.

On May Day, a small but vocal group gathered along Minot’s Broadway with signs, voices, and a message. They weren’t just observing a global labor holiday—they were calling attention to the tangible local impact of national decisions. Cuts to disability programs, rising prices, and federal layoffs dominated their concerns. As cars passed and honked in solidarity, protestors like Alexandra Deufel reminded the crowd that economic policy isn’t abstract—it’s personal. Jill Schramm with Minot Daily News has the full story.