Today in Minot

New tariffs on imports from Canada and dozens of other countries are rippling through North Dakota’s farm economy, raising equipment and fertilizer costs while stalling key export orders — especially from China, the state’s largest soybean customer. Local ag leaders say the uncertainty makes it nearly impossible to plan for the season ahead, and the effects go far beyond the fields, touching equipment dealers, rural businesses, and community economies. Farmers want fair trade deals, but above all, they’re asking for stability in a market that’s anything but.

Minot’s buses are getting busier. Ridership on the city’s transit system has jumped 25% over last year, with more than 50,000 trips taken in the past seven months. City staff credit the new downtown transit center and two added routes — one to Trinity Hospital and another to the city’s north side — for the boost. More riders could mean more funding, and a new transit development plan will soon invite public input on where the system should grow next. Kyona Rivera with KMOT has the full story.

One of my favorite spots at home is in my front yard. Between my driveway and the front walk there is a two-foot-wide patch of soil where I grow wildflowers. This is a test of my own plant identification skills, but also of my patience. Every...

Life today can feel like a never-ending “Choose Your Own Adventure” book — only the choices aren’t about caves or treasure maps, they’re about which version of reality you want to believe. The internet has made it effortless to find a community that will affirm even the most unfounded ideas, turning misinformation into a shared identity. From federal vaccine policy to small-town elections, the refusal to accept inconvenient truths is reshaping public life — and the consequences reach far beyond online arguments. To sum it up: Rob Port’s latest commentary at Inforum.com dives into the topic of stupidity gaining momentum and reading it will be worth your time.

As summer winds down and travel plans take shape, etiquette expert Elaine Swann has some clear advice for being the kind of houseguest who’s always welcome back. It starts with respecting your host’s space, keeping visits short, and communicating your plans ahead of time. Thoughtful gestures, tidy habits, and self-sufficiency go a long way, while overstaying or overstepping can sour even the warmest invitation. In short — leave your host smiling when you walk in, and even happier when you head home. Andee Tagle with NPR has the full story.

Chevron’s $53 billion acquisition of Hess this summer isn’t just Wall Street news — it hits close to home in Minot. By adding Hess’s Bakken holdings to its portfolio, Chevron has planted deeper roots in western North Dakota, tying local jobs, drilling activity, and tax revenues to the company’s long-term strategy. While the deal comes with workforce cuts, Chevron’s focus on efficiency, steady production, and strong shareholder returns suggests it’s in for the long haul — a key development for communities linked to Bakken oil. That’s the analysis of one financial Journalist, read the full report at AINVEST

Public media was built on the promise of “something completely different” — programs that opened minds, broadened horizons, and connected communities in ways commercial outlets rarely could. Now, with federal support shrinking, its future will depend less on government budgets and more on public commitment. Veteran producer Douglas Chang argues that survival alone isn’t enough; stations must pool resources, embrace creativity over polish, and reinvest in people. The goal: to restore public media as a scrappy incubator of ideas worth tuning in for. Read the full commentary from Douglas Chang writing at Current.

At the dawn of the 20th century, the world seemed to be spinning faster than ever — and not just because of the new machines on its roads and in its skies. The bicycle, the automobile, and the airplane remade daily life in a matter of decades, sparking both exhilaration and anxiety. Artists and thinkers wrestled with what it meant to be human in an age obsessed with speed, while doctors warned of “American Nervousness.” A century later, their debates over technology’s promise and peril feel strikingly familiar. Derek Thompson dives in on the look-back project on his Substack.

North Dakotans who are found not guilty or have charges dismissed will now see those records sealed from public view, thanks to a new law that took effect Aug. 1. The change aims to prevent wrongful damage to reputations from background checks that reveal arrests without convictions. For older cases, defendants must file a simple petition to close their records. Supporters say it’s a fair fix for the “court of public scrutiny,” while critics worry it could make it harder for journalists to track case outcomes. April Baumgarten with InForum has the full story.