Today in Minot

North Dakota kept a lighthearted tradition alive this week as Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden granted a full pardon to Ruben, a 40-pound turkey who seemed determined to narrate the ceremony himself. The annual event isn’t just pageantry — it highlights the state’s agricultural backbone and supports local charities with a sizable donation of turkeys. With food insecurity heightened after the recent SNAP disruption, the gesture lands at a meaningful moment for the organizations feeding hundreds each day.

As hunting season fills western North Dakota’s fields, game wardens like Zach Shukart are logging long days alongside the growing number of hunters heading outdoors. Most are following the rules, he says, but a few familiar violations still show up each year—from unplugged shotguns to missing sex identification on birds. With pheasant season in full swing, Shukart’s checks focus on licenses, equipment, and legal harvest limits. His message is simple: enjoy the tradition, respect the laws, and make it home safely at day’s end.

North Dakota agriculture is set for a major boost, and NDSU will be at the center of it. During a roundtable with researchers and producers, Sen. John Hoeven outlined more than $50 million secured for FY 2026 — funding aimed at everything from crop science and autonomous ag technology to data security and risk management. The package also supports ranchers navigating new federal ID rules, wildlife-damage mitigation, and disease prevention, marking a broad investment in the region’s agricultural backbone. Joshua Mathisen with KX News has the full story.

Minot’s push for a cleaner, more sustainable future is picking up momentum again, and this time it comes with resources to help. The Sustainable Minot business program, relaunched after a two-year pause, is inviting local businesses, schools, churches, and organizations to take small, practical steps that add up — from trimming waste to encouraging more walking and biking. Organizers say those everyday choices can shape a community where young families and professionals want to put down roots. Kyona Rivera with KMOT has the full story.

Medora is gearing up for another leap forward, as the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation unveils plans for a new lodging and event development alongside the Bully Pulpit Golf Course. The Ranch at Bully Pulpit will bring cabins, an event center, and a 20-unit motel to one of North Dakota’s most visited destinations, offering golfers and vacationers a closer stay-and-play experience. With the Presidential Library opening in 2026, the project reflects Medora’s growing appeal—while keeping its character and mission at the center of the expansion. Carter Dooner with Dickinson Press has the full story.

South Dakota’s health care landscape is about to change in a big way. Speaking softly but with unmistakable pride, philanthropist Denny Sanford announced his latest gift — a $300 million contribution toward a new medical campus in Rapid City. It’s the newest chapter in nearly $2 billion he’s invested in his home state. The project will bring a major hospital, expanded services, and new partnerships to a region already bracing for rapid growth. Local leaders say the investment couldn’t come at a better time. Bart Pfankuch with South Dakota News Watch has the full story.

The Air Force just took a notable step toward its vision of pairing fighter pilots with autonomous wingmen. During an October test over Nevada, an F-22 pilot used a simple tablet to direct an MQ-20 Avenger drone—an early, real-world look at manned-unmanned teaming that defense contractors have been racing to deliver. The demonstration, unveiled as companies compete for the service’s future drone wingman program, shows how quickly this technology is advancing and why the F-22 remains central to shaping the next decade of air combat. Thomas Novelly with Defense One has the full story.

The City of Minot is moving to recoup $350,000 in taxes tied to a southwest development that never lived up to its end of a Tax Increment Financing agreement. After progress at The Tracks stalled—and developers signaled they won’t build the promised public plaza, rink, or other amenities—the council voted unanimously to claw back the tax break. The step doesn’t recover spent funds, but simply restores the taxes that would have been owed, underscoring how the city handles incentives when promised improvements fail to materialize.