Today in Minot

There’s a quiet revolution happening in Staples, Minnesota—one cut of meat at a time. As small-town butchers retire and centralized meatpacking plants reveal their fragility, students like Parker Witulski and Tay Faber are stepping into the gap. Their training ground? A first-of-its-kind modular meat processing lab at Central Lakes College. It’s more than hands-on education—it’s a blueprint for rebuilding local meat infrastructure. With the Minnesota Farmers Union also breaking ground nearby, the effort is gaining muscle. This isn’t just about jobs; it’s about food resilience rooted in place.

There’s something timeless about a field trip—especially when it involves popcorn and a silent movie at the Fargo Theatre. This week, more than 500 third graders are stepping out of the classroom and into local history, touring downtown Fargo’s landmarks as part of their social studies lessons. From the Plains Art Museum to Hotel Donaldson, it’s a hands-on way to learn where they’re from—and why it matters. As one teacher put it, history sticks better when it comes with a little fun. Hunter Schwartz with InForum has the full story.

What was once pitched as a cost-saving plan—reusing old missile silos for the Air Force’s next-gen Sentinel program—is now being scrapped. Instead, the military is preparing to dig hundreds of new silos across five states, citing risks and cost overruns tied to repurposing aging infrastructure. With the program’s budget ballooning past $140 billion, critics say early planning missteps—and perhaps some wishful thinking—are to blame. As the project is restructured, one thing is clear: the road to modernizing the nuclear arsenal is proving anything but simple. Audrey Decker with Defense One has the full story.

Wyoming is leaning into a future that doesn’t pick favorites—just results. At the Next Frontier Energy Summit, Gov. Mark Gordon called for a “best-of-all-of-the-above” strategy, blending renewables, nuclear, and carbon-scrubbed fossil fuels. With major projects like the Natrium nuclear plant underway and utilities like PacifiCorp eyeing both innovation and pragmatism, the state is positioning itself as a national energy leader. The pitch is clear: invest now, learn as we go, and make Wyoming a hub for reliable, low-carbon power—regardless of who’s in office. Dustin Bleizeffer with WyoFile has the full story.

A city the size of Minot doesn’t need a subway map—but it does need reliable buses. With ridership still recovering from the pandemic and costs soaring, local transit is under real financial strain. A new bus now costs nearly twice what it did five years ago, and a patchwork of grants isn’t keeping pace. North Dakota lawmakers approved a $2 million stopgap, but transit leaders warn it’s far short of what’s needed. Across the U.S., big and small systems alike are asking the same question: how do we keep the wheels turning? Kevin Hardy with Stateline has the full story in which Minot is featured on a national story.

History was made in Vatican City as Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the first American pope, choosing the name Pope Leo XIV. A native of Chicago with deep roots in Peru, the 69-year-old addressed the world in Italian, Spanish, and Latin, offering a message of peace and gratitude. While the outcome surprised many church watchers, the moment brought celebration across continents—from St. Peter’s Square to South America to the U.S. White smoke, ringing bells, and a prayer marked the beginning of a new papacy unlike any before. Sarah Ventre with NPR has the full story.

At Minot’s Milton Young Towers, hot water has been off the menu for nearly a month—and tenants are feeling the strain. From showers to simple cleaning, daily routines have turned into workarounds. Staff say the problem stems from a failing heat exchange system; the fix is ordered but still weeks away. In the meantime, they’re doing what they can to deliver warmer water. For residents like Tabitha Scibek, it’s a waiting game—one that’s getting colder by the day.

In 2025, measles shouldn’t be making headlines—but here we are. Saskatchewan is now part of a fast-growing North American outbreak, with nearly all local cases among the unvaccinated. Health officials say the virus is spreading within households and communities, and they’re urging residents to renew their commitment to vaccination—not just for themselves, but for those too young or vulnerable to be protected. As Dr. Shahab put it, the “social contract” of public health has frayed. Now, it’s up to each of us to stitch it back together. Nykole King with Regina Leader Post has the full story.

The warning signs were there, but Alberta may now be past the point of early intervention. With over 300 confirmed measles cases and doctors forecasting thousands more, the province faces a steep climb. Low vaccination rates and the virus’s extreme contagiousness have turned a preventable disease into a public health emergency. Officials are finally pushing immunization, and uptake is rising—but critics say the response came too late. The next few weeks will determine whether Alberta can regain control—or simply brace for impact. Matthew Scace with The Canadian Press has the full story.