Today in Minot
A New Way to do the Local News!
Light Reading
It’s almost a full maintenance day, but we’ve got a few stories for some Sunday reading. Enjoy.
Today in Minot
Today is Sunday, August 17th. The sun will rise on the 59th day of summer, and the 229th day of the year at 6:41 AM. We will see 14 hours 14 minutes of daylight before it sets at 8:55 PM.
Today is: National Massachusetts Day, National I Love My Feet Day!, Black Cat Appreciation Day, National Pineapple Juice Day, National Thrift Shop Day, National Nonprofit Day
Today’s Featured Happenings
Kids & Families
Meet Beast
Aug. 17th – Aug. 23rd
@SVAS Pets | Serving Northwest North Dakota Since 1978!
Let’s Celebrate!
Silobration Street Dance
Aug. 29th
@UnionSilos | A public art project for cementing Minot’s Skyline!
The news we share here is ForMinot. You can learn more about what guides our editorial decisions here.
Housing debates often stall on the question of scale: should solutions come from the state, sweeping aside local barriers, or from cities themselves, learning to govern better from the ground up? Strong Towns argues the latter. State preemption, they warn, may win short-term victories but risks weakening the very communities it aims to help. Real reform, they contend, means equipping local governments to lead — cultivating trust, capacity, and resilience so change can last. Charles Marohn with Strong Towns has the full story.
Certainty may give us comfort, but it’s wonder that keeps us truly alive. Poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer captures this in her piece “Intention,” a reminder that wonder isn’t about reaching an end point — it’s about stepping into the unknown with curiosity. Her words ask us to look at the world with childlike awe, not as a puzzle to be solved but as an experience to be lived, letting play and openness transform how we see ourselves and the world. Maria Popova with The Marginalian has the full story.
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On This Day
On this day in 1807, going against the current got a lot easier. In 1978, going up, up and a long way away had reached a new distance, and 1998 Bill Clinton proved Presidents of low character can come from any party. In 1950 Minot, our local editor had a definition of stupidity that rings true still, we were just starting to route the roads that would prove political a year later, any old mark was good enough for a ballot, David was fighting Goliath in the halls of Washington D.C., and the Dutch Mill was a place to SavorMinot.
On this day in 1807, Robert Fulton’s steamboat, the Clermont, made its first successful trip from New York City to Albany, demonstrating the viability of steam-powered navigation and revolutionizing river transport.
On this day in 1978, the first successful transatlantic balloon flight was completed by Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman in the Double Eagle II, landing in a barley field near Paris after leaving Presque Isle, Maine, six days earlier.
On this day in 1998, U.S. President Bill Clinton admitted in a televised address that he had an “improper physical relationship” with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, leading to a scandal that resulted in his impeachment by the House of Representatives later that year.
Born and Died: Robert De Niro, (Born, 1943) Acclaimed American actor known for his roles in “Raging Bull” and “Taxi Driver,” Sean Penn, (Born, 1960) American actor and filmmaker known for his roles in “Mystic River” and “Milk,” Donnie Wahlberg, (Born, 1969) American singer and actor known for being a member of New Kids on the Block, Austin Butler, (Born, 1991) American actor known for his roles in “Elvis” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” Maureen O’Hara, (Born, 1920) Irish-American actress known for her roles in “Miracle on 34th Street” and “The Quiet Man,” Pearl Bailey, (Died, 1990) American actress and singer known for her Broadway performances.
If we were to fear anything we would fear other men . . . but that would only make us uncomfortable . . . so we have sorted men and arrived at the conclusion that only ignorant men might do anything to us that they would not want done to themselves . . . and now we would fear only some of the stupid asses we hear about but never see . . . given an equal chance it is our belief that the average man can meet his fellow man and get along all right . . . if he wants to . . . and that is our fervent desire . . .
Why we published it: We'll say it again, because it's a remarkable observation, "so we have sorted men and arrived at the conclusion that only ignorant men might do anything to us that they would not want done to themselves."
The fight promises to be bitter. If enough pressure is exerted by small business, especially by small manufacturers, the bill can go through as set up. This would result in healthy local payrolls, with subsequently healthy local business, widely distributed over the entire nation. There are many reasons why supporters of the bill want it passed.
Why we published it: This fight is tipping in favor of the monopolists in our moment. They've been figuring out for decades that control of the government is control of the markets, and they have the means to navigate the red-tape and loopholes they convince the government to create.
People of southwest Ward county, anxious for major improvement of North Dakota highways Nos. 23 and 53, will be pleased to learn that No. 23 has been adopted in the state highway department’s master plan for road development as an important part connecting North Dakota’s highway network at US 83 with the Montana hard-surface road network at Fairview.
Why we published it: It was just yesterday, and also a year later in 1951 that this question -- of where to route the road (Highway 23) -- was still hanging. In 1951, the pressure was becoming a bit more focused. We're sharing for the lesson in decisiveness we always desire, and the pace it which government moves, i.e., when it's thoughtful, it's also slow. While it's annoying at times, with big public projects and public dollars, would we prefer the opposite? It seems likely we'd still have complainers, and we'd probably get worse outcomes. The direct route from Highway 83 to New Town was the correct choice.
YOU CAN MAKE ANY KIND of a mark in your ballot squares when voting, Attorney General Wally Warner says. The ballot calls for an X and sometimes election clerks throw out ballots in which marks other than X’s are used. Warner says they shouldn’t. Any old mark will do. Just keep it clean.
Why we published it: When looking back at what was once common sense in election management, we're invited to think about what would eventually become if we're taken back to the era of paper ballots in a moment of hyper partisanship. How long would it be before we saw a law defining what type of mark was required or what standard should be used to disqualify a ballot?
Orvill Erfert | The finest Piano Player in the Northwest with The Three Tones
Why we published it: A nice little collaboration between local businesses and local media telling local media where to get out and SavorMinot 😉
On True Stupidity
” . . . so we have sorted men and arrived at the conclusion that only ignorant men might do anything to us that they would not want done to themselves.”
— E.C. Fuller, Editor, The Ward County Independent, August 17, 1950
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Upcoming Fun
Fun coming up that’s worth knowing about. Scroll for more at SavorMinot.com.
- PLUM VALLEY BEER RELEASE!
@Atypical | Friday, August 29th - Double D-Haw 2025
@DoubleDHaw | Saturday, September 6th - Magic City Music Fest
@BlueRider | Sunday, September 7th
Today’s Happenings
Hot, New, Fresh
On Tap Right Now! @Atypical
Tuesday, August 12th — Sunday, August 17th
Discover the latest brews at Atypical Brewery & Barrelworks in downtown Minot, where you can enjoy award-winning barrel-aged beers, live music, and food trucks from August 12th to 17th. Don’t miss out on the freshest flavors and vibrant atmosphere! #CraftBeerLovers #LiveMusic #SavorMinot
Kids & Families
Meet Beast @SVAS Pets
Sunday, August 17th — Saturday, August 23rd
Meet Beast, the sweetest feline looking for a loving home at Souris Valley Animal Shelter in Minot! Despite his tough start, this 4-year-old FIV-positive kitty is ready to share his gentle heart with the right family. #AdoptDontShop #CatLovers #SavorMinot
Today’s Features
Sour Sundays! @Atypical
Sunday, August 17th
Join us for Sour Sundays at Atypical Brewery & Barrelworks in downtown Minot on August 17th, where you can enjoy $1 off every sour beer on tap, in cans, or bottles. With live music, food trucks, and award-winning brews, it’s the perfect way to end your weekend! #CraftBeerLovers #SundayFunday #SavorMinot
