Today in Minot

In western Alaska, the Kuspuk School District relies on planes to connect its far-flung schools — and on teachers from the Philippines to keep them running. Roughly 60% of its certified teachers are international hires working under special visas. But a new federal proposal to charge $100,000 per H1B visa could upend that balance, making it nearly impossible for small, rural districts to fill classrooms. For places where education already depends on resilience and reach, the cost of connection may soon grow even higher. Erica Meltzer with Chalkbeat has the full story.

BISMARCK, N.D., Oct. 3, 2025 -- Kirsten Baesler, North Dakota’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction, was confirmed Friday by the U.S. Senate to serve as assistant secretary of elementary and secondary education in the U.S. Department of Education. The position oversees federal policy for the nation’s...

A government shutdown might feel distant until it reaches your own backyard — and for Minot Air Force Base, it just did. Around 600 civilian employees are being furloughed, pausing much of the day-to-day work that keeps the base running. Essential operations tied to national security will continue, but base officials warn that a prolonged shutdown could ripple into readiness and modernization. It’s a reminder that even in matters of defense, politics in Washington still lands close to home. Joe Skurzewski with KMOT has the full story.

MINOT, N.D. – The St. Olaf Orchestra, conducted by Chung Park, will perform at Minot State University’s Ann Nicole Nelson Hall on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. The St. Olaf Orchestra is a full symphony orchestra rich in international artistry and tradition and known for...

Nebraska’s property tax burden has a quiet culprit — state mandates that counties must fund without state dollars. Lawmakers are once again studying how these “unfunded mandates” add up, with counties saying they spend millions each year on state-required services like probation, courtroom security, and university extension programs. The intent, says Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, is to bring more attention — and maybe reform — to how state decisions ripple down to local taxpayers. As one official put it, “Those pennies add up.” Erin Bamer with Nebraska Examiner has the full story.

Imagine yourself watching your favorite sport, whether at home in your favorite chair or at the game in the stands. What snack might you be enjoying? How about a beverage choice? As the game proceeds, you may have discovered your bag is empty. You might not...

AI’s appetite for power is growing faster than the grid can keep up — data centers now use as much electricity as some countries. But a new technology may offer a path out of this energy crunch: quantum computing. By processing information in entirely different ways, quantum systems could make AI models more efficient, data centers smarter about power use, and even help utilities stabilize the grid. The race to harness AI’s potential, it turns out, may depend on quantum thinking.

Artificial intelligence is transforming North Dakota faster than most expected. Across the state, large data centers are being built to power the technology, bringing with them new jobs, new infrastructure, and new challenges. These projects consume enormous amounts of electricity and land, raising questions for local leaders about regulation, transparency, and fairness. As counties and townships work to adapt, the conversation is shifting from opportunity to balance — how to welcome growth without losing control of the communities that make it possible. Peyton Haug with InForum has the full story.