Today in Minot

Canadian beekeepers are raising fresh concerns about a fast-spreading parasite overseas and urging policymakers to act before it reaches North America. The tropilaelaps mite, already found in parts of Asia and the Caucasus, can wipe out hives by attacking young bees. Industry leaders say Canada’s dependence on imported bees leaves the country vulnerable, and they’re calling for tighter controls — and even a halt on offshore imports. A Conservative MP is also pushing to revisit Canada’s long-standing ban on packaged bees from the U.S., but regulators say the risks remain too high. Sarah Ritchie with The Canadian Press has the full story.

A new ballot measure in North Dakota is set to spark a lively statewide debate: Should the state pick up the full cost of school meals? Supporters say shifting from a fee-based system to a state-funded model would ease pressure on families, especially as costs rise. Critics argue it undermines parental responsibility or veers into “socialism,” but backers counter that it’s simply a different way of delivering an existing public service. With inflation squeezing households, the proposal could become a defining conversation about what conservative, efficient government looks like today. Rob Port with InForum has the full story.

Every November, Black Friday arrives with big claims of massive savings and “one-day-only” deals. We are bombarded with offers that seem too good to pass up. But beneath all this lies something far more strategic. Black Friday is not simply about a day (now more than...

Garrison is gearing up for its signature Dickens Village Festival, a tradition that turns the town into a Victorian-era holiday scene for three festive weekends. Visitors can expect everything from street-food vendors and craft shows to horse-drawn rides and the charming “Queen Elizabus.” Each evening wraps with the Parade of Lights at dusk, a highlight that draws families back year after year. With live performances, reindeer visits, and the enduring production of A Christmas Carol, the festival continues to anchor the season with small-town warmth and wonder.

The University of Minnesota is doubling down on its fruit-breeding legacy with six new apple and grape varieties, offering small growers a fresh edge in an increasingly competitive market. Through its Superior Fruit Innovations program, the creators of the Honeycrisp are opening access to standout newcomers like the Big Flirt apple, the LumiGlo grape, and a Honeycrisp successor called SuperSnap. The model is simple: growers pay a modest fee per tree, and the royalties cycle back into research—fueling the next wave of Midwest-born flavor.

Black Friday may still draw attention, but its grip on holiday shopping is slipping. Retail analysts say consumers are spreading out their purchases, driven by early discounts, dynamic pricing, and the rise of AI-powered product discovery. Retailers are adapting, shifting from one-day doorbusters to season-long strategies built around logistics, loyalty programs, and data-driven deals. The result is a quieter but more calculated shopping season — one where Black Friday remains part of the mix, just no longer the main event. Brian O’Connell with Quartz has the full story.