Today in Minot

It’s not your imagination—local news really isn’t what it used to be. A new study lays it bare: in 2002, there were 40 local journalists for every 100,000 Americans; today there are just over 8. The impact is real and close to home—fewer reporters at school board meetings, city council hearings, and neighborhood events means communities are less informed. The decline leaves a void where misinformation thrives, and civic engagement suffers. If we care about good governance, supporting local journalism must be part of the solution. Dave Busiek with Iowa Capital Dispatch has the full story that matters ore than you might realize.

At a time when misinformation often travels faster than facts, the National Civics Bee is working to shift the focus back to understanding the basics of government. Hosted in North Dakota by the state Chamber of Commerce, the competition just crowned Clara Z. from Minot’s Erik Ramstad Middle School as its state champion. She’ll now advance to the national finals in Washington, D.C. Rob Port writing at Inforum has more on the story and why it matters more now than ever.

General education has been a fixture of college for generations—designed to prepare students not just for jobs, but for life in a democracy. Yet today, as tuition climbs and politics sharpen, many families see it as an expensive detour rather than a foundation. More students are trying to get those credits out of the way early, or avoid them altogether. At its heart, this is a debate about what college is really for: career preparation alone, or something broader that helps us all understand the world—and one another. Kelly Ritte with The Conversation has the full story.

At last Thursday’s local government liaison meeting, Minot officials raised a quiet but important concern about how Ward County is handling property valuation appeals. Decisions to reduce valuations for major properties like Trinity Health and Dakota Square Mall have prompted questions about fairness and consistency. City leaders aren’t dismissing the complexities—they simply want decisions grounded in solid data to ensure taxes are fairly shared across the community. With new limits on tax increases ahead, getting assessments right will matter more than ever. Jill Schramm with Minot Daily News has the full story.

I recently served as the beet thinner and harvester at a community garden where I volunteer. Some of our harvest goes to a local food pantry, while the helpers take home a share of fresh-from-the-garden goodness. Harvesting root vegetables like beets feels like a treasure hunt...

Minot’s back in the national news—but this time the reason is mostly innocent. It’s squirrels. Richardson’s ground squirrels, to be exact: foot-long burrowers whose numbers now rival the city’s population. As the Associated Press reports, local officials and pest control experts are waging a quiet war to protect sidewalks, foundations, and lawns from these prolific tunnelers. The challenge isn’t just the squirrels—it’s also neighborly disagreements about whether they’re adorable or destructive. For Minot, it’s become an unusual but very real urban battle. Jack Dura with Associated Press has the full story.

Medora will feel a little more presidential this weekend, as dozens of Theodore Roosevelt reenactors—called “reprisors”—gather for the annual Badlands Chautauqua festival. You might spot them strolling the streets or sharing stories about the 26th president’s adventurous life. For Joe Wiegand and Kurt Skinner, two of Medora’s resident Roosevelts, this isn’t a competition but a shared tribute to history, where each reprisor brings a different piece of Roosevelt’s legacy to life. Many events are free and open to all—details at medora.com. Jody Kerzman with KFYR has the full story.