Today in Minot

Math isn’t just about numbers—it’s about discovery. At Breakwater School in Maine, Tom Fisher wants his students to wrestle with problems, embrace confusion, and find joy in solving them. Instead of rote memorization, his approach blends math with play, letting students explore real-world comparisons and patterns. Researchers argue this balance—structured instruction with room for experimentation—could make math more engaging and meaningful. But does play enhance learning, or does it risk sidelining essential skills? As schools rethink math instruction, the role of play is taking center stage.

If the clues are starting to add up, Daniel Mollenkamp unpacks the rest of it at EdSurge.

Reading isn’t just about knowing words—it’s about understanding them. Yet many students struggle with fluency, the ability to read smoothly and with meaning. Dr. Timothy Rasinski, a literacy expert, explains that fluency connects sounding out words to truly understanding what’s on the page. Without it, reading becomes frustrating and slow. He shares simple strategies, like reading aloud with expression and practicing short passages repeatedly, to help students gain confidence. His message is clear: when fluency improves, so does comprehension—and so does a child’s love for reading.

If what you read tickles your interest, you’ll find a deeper dive from Abbie Misha writing for EdSurge.

North Dakota’s debate over tenure took a turn Tuesday as the House passed a bill requiring the University System to formalize its tenure policies—something already in progress. Originally, the bill sought to eliminate tenure at two-year colleges, but that provision was removed. Now, the focus is on regular evaluations, including mandatory post-tenure reviews every five years. Supporters see it as ensuring accountability, while critics worry about standardizing a process that varies by institution. With strong House support, the bill now heads to the Senate for further debate. Jeff Beach with the North Dakota Monitor has the full story. Bill details can be found below.

Artificial intelligence isn’t just a Silicon Valley buzzword—it’s reshaping businesses right here in North Dakota. IN Fargo, a full-day conference hosted by NDSU, local entrepreneurs and professionals explored how AI is changing the way they work, from automation to decision-making. With discussions on both innovation and risk, the event highlighted Fargo’s growing role in this technological shift. As NDSU professor Jeremy Straub put it, there’s “a lot of neat stuff going on,” and this gathering offered a glimpse into the future of AI in the region.

Heads up Minot and Minot businesses.

North Dakota’s Legislature could soon shift to annual sessions, a move supporters say would improve efficiency and broaden participation. The House passed a bill to split the state’s current 80-day, biennial schedule into two 40-day sessions, aiming to ease lawmakers’ workload and allow more time for public input. Advocates argue this change is especially needed with term limits bringing in newer legislators. Critics, however, see it as unnecessary government expansion. With the bill now heading to the Senate, the debate over North Dakota’s legislative future continues.

North Dakota’s push for Education Savings Accounts took a step forward as the Senate narrowly approved a bill to provide all K-12 students with $500 for educational expenses. The proposal, which could cost $58 million annually, would offer more for private school students who meet income limits. Supporters see it as expanding opportunity, while critics argue it lacks clear demand and could strain public funding. With debate heating up, the bill now heads to the House, where its final shape—and fate—remain uncertain. Get the full story form the North Dakota Monitor. Bill details are below.

The Trump administration is taking aim at diversity programs in education, warning schools and universities to eliminate race-based policies or risk losing federal funding. A new Education Department memo gives institutions just 14 days to comply, raising alarms about financial aid, admissions, and even classroom discussions. Supporters call it a push for fairness, while critics see it as a broad crackdown designed to chill diversity efforts. As colleges scramble to assess the impact, the debate over race in education is entering a new, high-stakes chapter.

Get the full story from the Associated Press linked below.

The North Dakota 4-H Consumer Decision Making team from Cass County participated in the 2025 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences National Championship and Conference on Jan. 15-18. Teams representing 13 states competed at the event in San Antonio, Texas. The Consumer Decision Making Contest educates youth about...

(Bismarck, ND) – The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) has released its monthly report detailing airline passenger traffic at the state's eight commercial service airports. In January 2025, North Dakota’s commercial service airports recorded 105,587 passenger boardings, making it the busiest January in state history. This...

An Alabama House committee recently convened to discuss two proposed bills aimed at restricting social media access for minors. The first bill, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, would prohibit anyone under 16 from creating accounts, while a second bill by Rep. Ben Robbins seeks to expand limitations to include 18-year-olds with additional parental controls. While proponents highlight concerns like cyberbullying, opponents argue these measures could infringe on free speech and privacy rights. The committee has yet to decide on the future of these proposals.

We’ve been covering the regional efforts to restrict cell phone usage in classrooms; Alabama is looking at a step further. This is likely just the opening salvo in this debate.

North Dakota is one step closer to overhauling its guardianship system. The Senate narrowly passed a bill to create an Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, granting it broad oversight of professional guardians and conservators statewide. Supporters argue the move is long overdue, addressing accountability gaps and a shortage of guardians, while critics worry about judicial overreach and unnecessary bureaucracy. With a $15 million price tag and a razor-thin 24-23 vote, the bill now heads to the House, where the debate is far from over. Grant Coursey with the Bismarck Tribune has the full story.

A bill that would have tied local infrastructure funding to support for state-approved energy and agricultural projects failed in the North Dakota Senate. Lawmakers rejected the measure 19-27 after a debate over local control and economic priorities. Supporters argued that communities benefiting from oil and gas taxes should not obstruct major projects, while opponents warned of government overreach. With tensions between industry and local governance at play, the debate underscored a larger question: Who gets to decide North Dakota’s energy future? Joey Harris with the Bismarck Tribune has the full story.

The Pentagon is set to cut 5,400 civilian jobs next week—the first wave in a broader effort to shrink its workforce by up to eight percent. With a focus on probationary employees, the move aligns with a White House push to eliminate roles deemed non-essential. Officials insist it’s about efficiency, but concerns remain over the impact on readiness and veteran employees. As the cuts take effect, a hiring freeze and further reviews will shape the future of the Defense Department’s civilian workforce.

Will the impacts of this action push all the way through to Minot? The answer to that seems likely to come soon; Minot Air Force Base employs civilian employees in considerable numbers.

A shake-up is underway at the Pentagon. President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are replacing top military leaders, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chief of naval operations, and several other key officials. The move comes amid broader efforts to roll back diversity initiatives and streamline the military’s leadership. With a wave of firings and planned job cuts, the administration is reshaping the Pentagon’s future—raising questions about priorities, leadership, and the direction of the armed forces.

Among those released was Airport Vice Chief James Slife who was in Minot earlier this week.

Access to Starlink has been a lifeline for Ukraine, but now it’s part of a high-stakes negotiation. U.S. officials have reportedly pressured Kyiv to open its critical mineral reserves—offering continued access to Elon Musk’s satellite network in return. With Ukraine rejecting a demand for $500 billion in mineral wealth, tensions between President Zelenskiy and the Trump administration are escalating. As Starlink remains essential for Ukraine’s military operations, the question looms: how much leverage does the U.S. hold, and at what cost?

Minot’s business community could see another boost as city leaders consider adding $250,000 to the Business Accelerator Fund (BAF). Administered by Souris Basin Planning Council, the fund helps local businesses secure state-backed interest buydowns, unlocking millions in additional investment. With demand holding steady, officials estimate at least $750,000 will be needed annually. While the goal is for the fund to sustain itself over time, for now, continued MAGIC Fund support is key to fueling business growth in Minot and beyond. Jill Schramm with the Minot Daily News has the full story.

“I am probably adding five years onto my life eating this Mediterranean food,” my husband remarked. He was enjoying a bowl of tomato basil soup. It looked and smelled delicious. I chuckled as I took a bite of my equally healthful salad. It featured mixed greens,...