Today in Minot

The U.S. economy showed surprising strength this spring, expanding at a 3.8% annual pace after an earlier report pegged growth much lower. Consumer spending proved far stronger than expected, while a sharp drop in imports gave GDP a boost. The rebound follows a first-quarter contraction tied to President Trump’s trade policies, which have injected both volatility and uncertainty into the outlook. With hiring slowing and the Fed weighing further rate cuts, the latest data offers a complicated snapshot of resilience amid headwinds.

I crunched through the dried leaves on our sidewalk as I looked up to admire the glorious orange, red and yellow leaves on trees in our colorful autumn season. When I walked into our house, I picked up dried leaves from a rug. Our dogs had...

At Minot’s Norsk Høstfest, tradition and memory come alive inside the Livets Loft, a new space celebrating the festival’s history and the people who shaped it. Among them is pianist Gordon “Crazy Fingers” Lindquist, who has performed here for nearly 40 years. For him, the festival is simple joy: “the happiest place in the world,” where smiles and music create a wonderful feeling. Kyona Rivera with KMOT has the full story.

North Dakota State University’s music programs just received a major boost with more than $9 million in upgrades to their facilities. The Reinecke Fine Arts Center, now rededicated as Challey Hall, features a new 10,000-square-foot addition with rehearsal areas, recording studios, and renovated spaces that students say will transform their education. The improvements were made possible by a significant gift from the Challey family, whose support students credit with strengthening both the program and their sense of community. Drew Berg with InForum has the full story.

In Carmel, Indiana, a city councilman’s unease with the tone of local politics has grown into a national call for civility. After Jeff Worrell discovered a book on the subject that struck a chord, he launched Project Civility, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching communities how to “disagree better.” This weekend, leaders from 16 states gather in Carmel for the first Project Civility National Summit, where voices from across the spectrum will explore how respect, empathy, and common ground can reshape public life. Robyn Griggs Lawrence with SmartCitiesDive has the full story.

Canada’s busiest port is moving record volumes as businesses look beyond the United States for new markets. The Port of Vancouver handled 85 million metric tonnes in the first half of 2025, up 13% from a year earlier, driven largely by crude oil exports boosted by the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. With most cargo bound for countries other than the U.S., the numbers reflect both diversification and resilience in Canada’s supply chains — and a signal to Asia-Pacific partners that Canada is a reliable trade partner. Lauren Krugel with The Canadian Press has the full story.

Across Kansas, a new art project is holding up a mirror to the fading world of local newspapers. Photographer Jeremiah Ariaz has spent years capturing the offices, presses, and people who embody community journalism, then compiling them into The Kansas Mirror, a publication and exhibition that blends striking images with poetry and prose. His work isn’t nostalgia—it’s a meditation on loss, resilience, and the fragility of press freedoms, inviting Kansans to see what vanishes when a community’s voice falls silent. Eric Thomas with Kansas Reflector has the full story.

Editor’s Note: the cover image above was provided courtesy of photographer Jeremia Ariaz via the “Kansas Reflector.”

Ward County residents could see modest relief on their property tax bills next year under a budget adopted Friday by county commissioners. The owner of a $225,000 home would pay about $22 less on the county’s share, while farmland owners would see a similar percentage cut. The $67.5 million budget raises slightly more in taxes overall but stays well under the state’s 3% cap, leaving room for future needs. Most of the levy supports county operations, with portions dedicated to boards and local programs. Jill Schramm with Minot Daily News has the full story.

Minot, ND – September 23, 2025 — The Minot Symphony Orchestra (MSO) proudly announces the opening concert of its landmark 100th season on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 7 pm in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall at Minot State University. This milestone performance will celebrate a century...