Today in Minot

Steve Forbes is bringing his trademark mix of sharp economics and plain talk to North Dakota this month. Ahead of his October 23 lecture at NDSU, the former presidential candidate and longtime Forbes Media editor didn’t mince words on tariffs—calling them “just another tax” that punishes both producers and consumers. He also criticized “weak dollar” policies, arguing for a stable currency as the key to lower rates and less inflation. For Forbes, the message is clear: strong money and fewer taxes fuel prosperity. Rob Port with InForum has the quick recap, or you can watch the full interview below.

At first glance, a college course devoted to death might sound grim. But at the University of Tennessee, “Death, Dying, and the Undead” uses literature to explore what it means to live. From Wilfred Owen’s wrenching war poetry to Poe’s “Masque of the Red Death” and Shelley’s Frankenstein, students wrestle with fear, loss, and the mystery of mortality. The lessons reach beyond the page: reflecting on death, it turns out, helps students think more deeply about how to live. Molly Ryder Granatino with The Conversation has the full story that’s a perfect segue

Stormwater projects aren’t usually something you’d stop to admire. But in Omaha, a new development has turned flood control into art. The Heartwood Preserve spans 500 acres, with 14 limestone basins designed to capture up to 55 million gallons of water while doubling as sculptural landmarks. Marked with flood levels and shaped to echo the prairie’s natural rhythms, they’re as educational as they are functional. It’s infrastructure that protects the land, restores habitat, and proves that utility can carry its own beauty. Watch and learn below from FC Explains.

The Dakota skipper may be small, but it carries big meaning for North Dakota’s prairies. This tiny brown butterfly, now listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, depends on a fragile mix of native grasses and wildflowers to survive. Biologists say its presence signals a healthy prairie, yet decades of habitat loss have caused steep declines. Conservation teams are working field by field to track populations, protect habitat, and ensure these butterflies continue their brief but vital flight each summer.

Minot’s search for a new city manager is officially over, and the choice came from within. Tom Joyce, who has served as interim since July and as assistant city manager since January, was unanimously appointed to the role by the city council. Joyce says the vote of confidence is gratifying and that he’s ready to step fully into the position, leaning on years of leadership experience. For Minot, it marks both continuity and a renewed focus on steady leadership at city hall. Megan Topping with KX News has the full story.

Iowa Soybean Association President Tom Adam urged the Trump administration, in a statement Thursday, to prioritize a trade deal with China and to support soybean farmers who are without their biggest market. China typically buys 60% of global soybean exports, and the U.S. used to be...

In Regina, city leaders are weighing a proposal to raise recreation fees and add a surcharge for non-residents who use city-run pools, parks, and programs. Supporters say the change isn’t only about revenue but about fairness — residents already pay taxes that help fund these facilities. The plan would also give residents first access to program registration, addressing long waitlists. It’s a reminder of how cities everywhere balance rising costs with the principle of who should pay for shared community resources. Larissa Kurz with Regina Leader Post has the full story.

Vaccines are a vital tool that saves millions of lives annually. Concerningly, the U.S. government wants to cut funding for a key organization that saves lives worldwide through immunization. Amid vaccine safety debates, the world is witnessing a rise in measles cases. The politics of the...