Today in Minot

A movement once dismissed as fringe is finding its voice in the mainstream. The hosts of The War on Cars podcast have spent years challenging America’s dependence on automobiles — and their new book, Life After Cars, takes the conversation further. Co-hosts Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon say the goal isn’t to ban cars, but to imagine cities where people can thrive without them. From bike lanes to parking reforms, their message is gaining traction: freedom doesn’t always have to come with four wheels. Read more about the upcoming book in this interview by David Zipper with Bloomberg.

In Florida’s Hernando County, artificial intelligence is doing the paperwork—faster. A new AI system called SwiftGov has helped cut zoning review times for single-family homes from 30 days to just two, saving the county an estimated $1 million. Developed by Swiftbuild.ai, the tool scans permit applications for errors and code issues, speeding up recovery efforts after last year’s devastating floods. County leaders say the project could become a national model for how local governments use AI to work smarter, not slower. Ryan Kushner with SmartCitiesDive has the full story.

A splash of community pride is making waves in Williston. The city’s new Water World project has earned a statewide award for improving quality of life, recognizing years of local effort and private fundraising. Led by the Williston Community Builders, the outdoor water park opened in July after millions were raised through grassroots support. President Amanda Colebank says the project is proof of what’s possible when a community comes together to turn an ambitious idea into a shared success. Michael Anthony with KFYR has the full story.

Ukraine’s president says Europe may soon have a new energy partner. In his latest address, Volodymyr Zelensky claimed the United States is ready to supply “as much gas and oil as needed” to replace Russian imports. The pledge, if confirmed, would mark a major shift in the continent’s energy landscape. As the EU works toward phasing out Russian fuel by 2028, Zelensky urged greater cooperation with the U.S. — a move that could reshape both energy policy and political alliances across Europe. The Kyiv Independent has the full story.

Downtown Moorhead’s transformation is revealing the messy secrets buried beneath decades of progress. Construction crews building new streets and utilities have uncovered 3,000 tons of petroleum-soaked soil—leftovers from old gas stations and repair shops that operated before the mall era. The city planned for this discovery, but now faces a $225,000 cleanup bill to haul the contaminated dirt to an approved landfill. It’s a reminder that moving forward sometimes means dealing with what was left behind. Ingrid Harbo with InForum has the full story.

On Oct. 18 at approximately 3:04 p.m., the Minot Police Department was dispatched to a residence in the 10 block of 39th Avenue SE for reports of gunshots. Officers located a male victim, Lance David Phillips, 38, of Minot, who was transported for injuries sustained in...

On Oct. 18, at approximately 5:46 a.m., the Minot Police Department was dispatched to a southeast Minot residence for a report of individuals burning garbage outside of the residence. Through the officers’ initial investigation, they located evidence consistent with Molotov cocktails being thrown, which had started...

As talk of new farm payments circulates, one agricultural columnist asks whether the industry has grown too dependent on government help. With crop prices lagging and trade disputes fueling uncertainty, some producers are once again looking to Washington for relief. But do repeated bailouts risk reinforcing the same market imbalances they aim to fix? Read the full commentary from Jenny Schlecht withAGWEEK linked below.

Seventy-five years after Alan Turing asked whether machines could think, scientists are asking a different question: should we even be trying to measure it that way? At a Royal Society event in London, researchers argued that the famous Turing test has outlived its purpose. Instead of asking whether AI can mimic humans, they say, we should be asking what it can do safely and usefully. The new goal isn’t imitation—it’s building technology that genuinely serves people. Elizabeth Gibney with Nature has the story on the old test that’s revealing a need to think in new terms.