Today in Minot

The University of North Dakota led all non-NHL North American hockey teams in attendance last season, averaging 11,614 fans per home game at Ralph Engelstad Arena. It was UND’s 11th consecutive season at the top of college hockey attendance charts and ahead of every AHL, ECHL, WHL, OHL, and QMJHL team. UND even outdrew the NHL’s Utah franchise. Coach Dane Jackson and arena officials credit the consistent fan turnout, especially notable given Grand Forks’ area’s relatively small population of about 100,000.

Iowa’s renewable fuels industry lost $800 million in 2024, with stagnant corn demand and stalled market expansion taking the blame. Industry leaders see carbon capture pipelines, like the controversial Summit project, as key to unlocking new low-carbon markets and securing long-term demand. Opponents argue the pipelines threaten farmland and safety and say there are other ways to decarbonize without using eminent domain. The debate now shapes policy fights at the Iowa Capitol, with the state’s farm economy hanging in the balance. Cami Koons with Iowa Capital Dispatch has the full story that trickles all the way to North Dakota where corn is grown and we fight about carbon capture pipelines.

Alexandra Lange’s thoughtful exploration of how public spaces are designed for families has earned her a Pulitzer Prize for criticism. Her seven-part Bloomberg CityLab series highlights how architecture and landscape design can prioritize children, teenagers, and caregivers—from parks and playgrounds to housing and healthcare settings. Lange’s work stands out for elevating underrepresented voices in design and focusing on spaces that shape daily life, not just iconic buildings. The full award-winning series offers meaningful reading on how cities can better serve families. Check out the full series from Bloomberg here.

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is reporting two measles cases in Cass County, bringing the state’s total to 11 cases in 2025. Both individuals were unvaccinated and acquired measles through international travel. One individual is hospitalized. The two cases in Cass County are not...

The U.S. and China have agreed to sharply reduce tariffs after high-level trade talks in Switzerland, easing tensions that had disrupted global markets. U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods will drop from 145% to 30% for 90 days, while China will cut its tariffs from 125% to 10%. Both sides called the talks productive and pledged to continue negotiating. While importers welcomed the move, business leaders warned that uncertainty remains. The reductions could be reversed if future talks stall. Willem Marx with NPR has the full story.

Measuring which country is safest for newborns isn’t as simple as it seems. Definitions of live births and infant deaths vary, especially regarding extremely premature babies. Using standardized comparisons, Japan, Sweden, and Finland consistently have the world’s lowest infant mortality rates. The U.S. lags behind, with an infant death rate nearly three times higher than top performers. The findings highlight how investments in maternal care, neonatal units, and equal healthcare access make a measurable difference in saving newborn lives. Hannah Ritchie with Our World in Data has the full story.

A complex accounting method used by plastic producers is under fire for overstating recycled content in products. Mondelez, maker of Triscuits, is using a system called “mass balance” to claim up to 50% of its packaging comes from recycled materials, even though actual recycled content may be much lower. Critics, including environmental groups and a shareholder, argue the method misleads consumers and regulators. The debate highlights wider concerns about chemical recycling and corporate claims of sustainability. Mondelez shareholders will vote on the issue this month.

Joseph Winters with Grist has the full story on the topic in which industry continues to obfuscate the results and utility of recycling.

With the goal of supporting working families, state lawmakers this session passed a new tax credit that subsidizes child care for North Dakota businesses. Senate Bill 2282 applies specifically to child care stipends. The tax credit allows employers that offer this benefit to write off 50%...