Today in Minot

Across North Dakota, roads and bridges are becoming tributes—silent but enduring reminders of those who gave their lives in service. This legislative session, lawmakers are considering seven bills to name highways and bridges after fallen soldiers, each a story of sacrifice stretching from World War II to Iraq. These efforts, alongside new programs to honor veterans’ graves and recognize POW/MIA service members, reflect a commitment to keeping their legacies alive. With broad support in the House, these bills now move to the Senate for final consideration.

Ann Estvold with the North Dakota Newspaper Association has the full story; it can be found linked below through the North Dakota Monitor.

The League of Women Voters of Plum Valley, in collaboration with the Minot Human Rights Coalition, is inviting the community to gather for a Light for Our Democracy event at Minot City Hall on Tuesday evening. Timed with President Trump’s address to Congress, the event aligns...

A growing number of states have made it easier for doctors who trained in other countries to get medical licenses, a shift supporters say could ease physician shortages in rural areas. The changes involve residency programs — the supervised, hands-on training experience that doctors must complete...

For years, North Dakota’s courts have been bogged down by low-level marijuana cases—thousands of them, each requiring multiple court appearances for offenses that often end in a simple fine. A bill moving through the Legislature aims to change that. If passed, House Bill 1596 would treat possession of less than half an ounce like a speeding ticket: a $150 fine, no criminal charge. Supporters, including prosecutors, say it will free up resources and ease the burden on the justice system. With overwhelming support in the House, the bill now heads to the Senate.

A shrinking newsroom is more than lost jobs—it’s a fading watchdog, a quieter community, a power shift. The decline of local newspapers mirrors something bigger: the systematic dismantling of institutions under the banner of “efficiency.” The same forces that gutted America’s newsrooms are at work in the federal government, cutting not waste, but function. When public trust erodes and accountability disappears, what fills the void? 

This commentary from Justin Glawe writing at The Bulwark captures clearly the trend that’s delivered us to now. The question is will we see it, refuse to see it, or ignore it? Or, have you already been distracted by the information tsunami that hits you every day?

Knowing weather patterns is part of farmers' skillset, helping them protect their land and profits. But a North Dakota producer worries about the future of those tools as the Trump administration cuts staff at the National Weather Service. Reports surfaced late last week that hundreds of...

A college degree before high school graduation? For hundreds of Nebraska students, that’s the reality—one that gives them a head start on their careers while saving thousands in tuition. The state’s dual enrollment program has helped students like McKenzie Murphy, who juggled high school and college courses to earn an associate’s degree before heading to university.

But the program’s future is uncertain. With federal pandemic relief funds running out, Nebraska lawmakers are weighing a bill to keep tuition costs low. Supporters argue it’s a win for students, families, and the state’s workforce, but with budget constraints, funding remains uncertain. Will lawmakers find a way to sustain this pathway to opportunity?

Why does this matter in North Dakota? In a world where we’re seemingly dominated by the idea of efficiency, here’s an opportunity to capture it.