Today in Minot

You might not expect a visit to the art museum to enhance legal arguments, but Patrick Barry’s “Art and Advocacy” course does just that. This unique class intertwines the art of storytelling with the craft of persuasion, drawing intriguing parallels between curating an art exhibit and presenting a legal case. As participants explore works from Monet to Wiley, they learn to balance emotion with evidence. In today’s fast-paced world, the best advocates are those who guide thoughtfully, much like skilful curators, engaging and enlightening their audience.

Catch the rest of the story that we put in front of you for a reason at The Conversation 😉

West Fargo’s school district is facing a critical decision. With student numbers surging and space running short, voters will soon decide on a bond referendum that could shape classrooms for the next decade. A $99.6 million plan—expanding schools, adding security upgrades, and improving special education facilities—is the first step. Without it, boundary shifts could disrupt students and larger class sizes could become the norm.

Growth isn’t slowing, and neither is the need for space. The vote on Feb. 17 isn’t just about buildings—it’s about the future of education in West Fargo.

Why does it matter in Minot? It’s both a perspective and a reminder. While Bismarck debates school bathrooms, voting preferences, and how much they can spend — local jurisdictions are simply solving problems. The question we need to be asking — does the work in Bismarck help or hurt their ability to do this?

Ever notice how your southern friends bundle up in what you’d call “light jacket weather”? A North Dakota native’s winter visit to North Carolina reveals just how relative our experience of cold can be – and offers a humorous look at how regional perspectives on weather shape our daily lives. What’s considered frigid in one place might feel downright balmy in another, as this story of cross-country temperature culture shock shows.

Understanding the intricacies of energy efficiency can be a complex task, particularly when discussing Jevons Paradox. This concept illustrates a counterintuitive reality: as technology improves and resource efficiency increases, consumption of that resource often rises instead of falls. It raises important questions about our approach to sustainability. This primer will help clarify the paradox and its implications, shedding light on why better efficiency doesn’t always lead to reduced consumption and what that means for our energy future.

In Grand Forks, the University of North Dakota is seeking legislative support for a significant investment in its medical school, proposing a $55 million bill to construct a new 95,000-square-foot facility. This redevelopment aims to bring together various health disciplines, fostering collaboration and enhancing educational experiences, particularly in simulation training. With aging buildings in dire need of repair, proponents argue that this addition could better prepare future healthcare professionals, especially for rural environments. A careful examination of funding needs will accompany the proposal’s progress.

Why does it matter in Minot? Well, matters of education in North Dakota matter everywhere in North Dakota. But there’s the other matter, too — the one where the state’s institutions of higher education are points of state investment. Minot has benefited from this recently with the Hartnett Hall renovation investment, but diverging factions and ideologies within the ruling Republican party could easily see a shift in the success of these proposed higher education investments.

Montana is taking another step to preserve its Indigenous languages. A bill passed in the Senate this week strengthens a decade-old program by giving tribes more control over language revitalization efforts. Instead of working through school districts, tribes will have direct agency over their initiatives, with materials securely archived for future generations.

For many, language is more than words—it’s identity, history, and survival. With some tribal languages critically endangered, this bill offers hope that future generations will have the chance to learn, speak, and carry their heritage forward.

Local control is a popular argument—until it isn’t. North Dakota lawmakers are debating spending caps on local budgets and restrictions on ranked-choice voting, sparking pushback from those who say the state is overreaching. But the reality is, local control is often a matter of convenience.

Take property taxes: local governments resist state-imposed spending caps but have long relied on the Legislature to absorb blame for rising tax bills. Election laws? The state has a vested interest in consistency. The debate isn’t about local control—it’s about where it makes sense.

That’s the gist of Rob Port’s latest commentary on a hot topic in the current legislative session. His full commentary linked below is worth the read as is continued debate on the topic.

Education savings accounts (ESAs) took center stage at the North Dakota Legislature this week, sparking debate over school choice and public funding. Supporters see ESAs as a way to give parents more control over their children’s education, while critics warn they divert public money away from already underfunded schools.

Multiple bills propose different approaches, from direct state funding to tax-advantaged savings programs. With concerns over cost, constitutionality, and impact on public education, lawmakers now face a crucial decision—one that could reshape the future of schooling in North Dakota. Bill details can be found below. Full coverage at the Bismarck Tribune.

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In Minot, nine-year-old Steven Gray is making waves in the boxing world after earning a second-place finish in the National Silver Gloves competition. A newcomer to the sport, he started boxing at just eight years old and quickly climbed to the national level. Guided by dedicated coaches, Steven emphasizes the importance of hard work and smart training, showing that the journey in sports is as vital as the destination. Kyona Rivera with KMOT has the fun full story.

North Dakota lawmakers are doubling down on school bathroom policies. The House voted 73-18 to ban all-gender bathrooms in K-12 public schools, even single-occupancy ones, and put enforcement in the hands of the Attorney General’s Office. Schools that don’t comply could face fines of up to $2,500 per violation.

Supporters say the bill strengthens an existing law, while critics argue it eliminates a practical solution to safety concerns. The debate now shifts to the Senate, where the measure will face further scrutiny.

The North Dakota Legislature is considering two significant bills that aim to change how candidates access the ballot. One proposal, introduced by Rep. Mike Nathe, would eliminate party endorsements, requiring statewide candidates to gather 2,000 signatures and legislative candidates 167. Nathe argues this promotes inclusivity and reduces insider influence. Meanwhile, Rep. Ben Koppelman proposes a contrasting approach that would maintain the option of signatures only if the party doesn’t endorse a candidate. These proposals reflect evolving tensions within North Dakota’s political landscape.

One is a more open elections system, one is a party-controlled election system. This a re radically different philosophies; both proposals come from within the Republican Party. Michael Achterling with the has the full story. Bill details on each follow below.

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Montana lawmakers are evaluating two bills designed to tighten property tax benefits meant for agricultural landowners. House Bill 27 seeks to require owners of large properties to provide proof of farm income to qualify for agricultural status, while Senate Bill 4 proposes adjusting how homes on agricultural land are taxed, particularly those near high-value areas. This legislative push follows concerns that some property owners are misusing tax designations, allowing them to pay significantly less than their neighbors. As discussions unfold, both supporters and opponents are voicing their perspectives.

Why does this matter in North Dakota? It’s another approach. Property Taxes are the mostly hotly debated topic in North Dakota coffee clubs and the legislature. So far, the North Dakota approach to addressing high taxes is cap and spend, as in cap local budgets and spend state funds. With these bills, Montana is taking a different approach — attempt to make sure everyone is paying their appropriate share.