Today in Minot

The places we live shape how much we move, often more than willpower ever could. A new study finds that when people relocate from car-centric cities to walkable ones, they gain about 1,100 extra steps a day — nearly 11 more minutes of activity. The reverse is also true: moving to a less walkable area cuts daily steps by the same amount. Researchers say the lesson is clear: sidewalks, safe crossings, and nearby shops aren’t just amenities, they’re investments in public health. Matt Simon with Grist has the full story.

“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” — Sir Winston ChurchillChurchill made this point in 1943 as Parliament debated how to rebuild the bombed-out House of Commons. He insisted it be restored to its original, narrow form — not for efficiency, but for its formative...

The North Dakota Industrial Commission on Thursday awarded WBI Energy an up to $500 million financial guarantee to build a pipeline that will bring natural gas to the state’s eastern communities. WBI’s project, which it calls Bakken East, is expected to transport about 1 billion cubic...

“I thought that eggs were the problem in raw cookie dough!” someone exclaimed to me after a webinar. “Now the flour can make us sick?” “Yes, we have to be careful with flour,” I replied. “Flour is a raw commodity, and some outbreaks have occurred due...

This summer’s mosquito season started slow, but it’s finishing strong. Public health experts say sprays from the air and ground help, but individual protection is still key. The most effective tools are science-backed: backyard foggers with synthetic pyrethroids, repellents containing DEET, and thermacells. Less effective are citronella candles or homemade remedies. When mosquito numbers soar, sticking with proven products can make all the difference in reclaiming your backyard. For a quick take on the best defense, this article by Kortney Lockey with Valley News Live will point the way.

Minot has a new face on the bench. Local attorney Steven Lautt, appointed by Governor Kelly Armstrong in June, was sworn in as district judge for the North Central Judicial District, succeeding longtime Judge Douglas Mattson. Lautt, a Minot native with 13 years in civil law at Pringle & Herigstad, called the oath both “solemn and sobering,” but also a source of joy. Surrounded by family, colleagues, and state leaders at the Ward County Courthouse, he pledged to uphold a justice system he described as “excellent and worthy of preserving.” Megan Topping with KX News has the full story.

Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Tuesday he’s suing TikTok for illegally exploiting young users. The lawsuit resembles a similar suit filed by more than a dozen bipartisan attorneys general last year. They allege that TikTok’s addictive algorithm, which delivers personalized content in a never-ending scroll of...

High school sports aren’t just played in gyms and fields anymore — they’re streamed to living rooms across the region. What began as a niche effort less than a decade ago has exploded into a full-blown industry, with companies, schools, and student-led teams bringing hundreds of games online each year. From YouTube broadcasts to subscription services, the appetite for live streaming keeps growing. Broadcasters say the payoff is clear: more fans, more opportunities for athletes, and a front-row seat for anyone, anywhere. Andrew Haugland with InForum has the full story.

Killdeer High School’s agricultural education program is earning statewide recognition for the way it blends classroom learning with real-world skills. Led by instructors David Leier and Erik Johnson, the program has received the Innovative Program Award from the North Dakota Association of Career and Technical Education. Students explore everything from welding and construction to meat science and natural resource management — lessons that stick whether they pursue agriculture careers or not. The goal, say the teachers, is simple: spark curiosity, build skills, and foster lifelong awareness of where our food comes from. Evan Butow with Dickinson Press has the full story.

North Dakota has a habit of hiring outsiders to fill top jobs, often after paying consultants six figures to conduct “national searches.” State Board of Higher Education chair Kevin Black is suggesting a different path: skip the search and keep Brent Sanford, the interim chancellor already doing the work. Sanford’s deep local roots and experience in government make him a strong candidate, but the larger point runs deeper — North Dakota has talent of its own, and it may be time to trust it more. Read Mr. Port’s full commentary on InForum

TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain, but for now President Donald Trump is keeping the app alive. Despite a congressional ban requiring its Chinese parent, ByteDance, to sell, Trump has extended the deadline three times and signaled he’ll do it again ahead of Sept. 17. He downplayed national security concerns, calling them “highly overrated,” while praising TikTok’s popularity with young people — and even his own campaign. With public opinion divided, the likelihood of an outright ban appears to be fading.

For two decades, the Rural Energy for America Program has helped farmers cut costs and earn extra income by installing solar panels. That era is ending. The Trump administration has moved to block funding for most farm-based solar, barring large ground-mounted arrays and disqualifying projects that use components from China — which is nearly all of them. Since 2014, REAP has funneled billions into rural solar, but new restrictions could halt that momentum, reshaping how farmers power their operations and balance their budgets.