Today in Minot

Let me be clear. I did not write what you read next. I prompted it. Sometimes in putting together a daily newsletter, one that's filled with current news, history, quotes, and more, the information one discovers sends them in unexpected directions. Imagine a little of Alice's...

Rolling Stones—Out Of Our Heads“Play With Fire” After a night of song and lightDown in the valley townI look out my darkened windowsAnd down the hill at the townThere is a back rectangle whereAn old closed down hospitalAnd the tallest empty buildingOf business standThe Big M...

A small-town dispute in Iowa has become a textbook case of how free speech works—or should. When 73-year-old Rita Audlehelm wrote a letter to her local newspaper questioning an elected official’s prolonged absence from meetings, she didn’t expect a legal threat in return. But the county attorney’s cease-and-desist letter serves as a stark reminder: the right to criticize government is foundational, not optional. Across the country, democracy depends on citizens who ask tough questions—and officials who remember they serve the public, not silence it.

This story out of Iowa can serve up a Sunday morning warning — if you’re interested in that sort of thing.

Government isn’t known for bold creativity, but what if it were? Across the U.S., artists are stepping into public agencies, not just to decorate, but to rethink how government engages with people. In the Twin Cities, artist-in-residence Amanda Lovelee helped shape a vision for 2050—one where transportation, housing, and public spaces are reimagined through art. From flag-making workshops to Hmong folklore on a city bus, these projects aren’t just visuals; they challenge how policy is written, how government communicates, and who gets a voice in shaping the future.

For more on the often little investments that seem to make local leaders and their places look good, check out this article from Next City.

For the first time since King Tut’s tomb stunned the world in 1922, archaeologists have uncovered the burial site of another pharaoh—Thutmose II, an ancestor of Tutankhamun. Discovered near the Valley of the Kings, the tomb offers a rare glimpse into Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, the golden age of the pharaohs. Though looted centuries ago, fragments of sacred texts and funerary furniture remain. As Egypt prepares to open its Grand Museum, this find reminds us that its greatest stories are still being unearthed.

More on the story and photography of what’s been recovered in this article from Smithsonian Magazine.

Ever wondered how to pronounce Icelandic animal names? Probably not. But just in case, this guide will help you navigate some intriguing vocabulary. For instance, “skjaldbaka” combines words for shield and back, uniquely designating a turtle. Similarly, famed poet Jónas Hallgrímsson introduced terms like “spendýr” for mammals and “mörgæs” for penguin, meaning fat goose. You’ll also discover that “gæsalappir” translates to goose feet, a clever term for quotation marks. Dive into these words and expand your Icelandic lexicon, one delightful term at a time.

This story is shared today as part of goal to make Sunday reading a little less serious and curious content from Scandinavia seems to fit nicely in that niche.

The North Dakota Legislature is considering a resolution called Senate Concurrent Resolution 4013 to proclaim its support for the Electoral College. The Electoral College is our system for electing the U.S. president and is unlike any other election for public office in the country. With this system, the...

Sidewalks are easy to overlook—until they’re missing, crumbling, or impassable. In cities like Denver, where walking is essential for many residents, neglected sidewalks aren’t just an inconvenience; they’re a barrier to mobility, safety, and equity. That’s why Denver is making a bold move, taking full responsibility for its sidewalk network and funding repairs through a new property fee. It’s a first-of-its-kind effort on this scale in the U.S., and if successful, it could challenge the way cities nationwide approach pedestrian infrastructure.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department tested 1,456 animals for chronic wasting disease during the 2024 sampling season. Game and Fish confirmed 17 deer tested positive for CWD, 15 of which were taken by hunters and two were clinical deer confirmed through diagnostic examination.  Positive...

Rural North Dakota is facing big challenges, from housing shortages to struggling grocery stores, but lawmakers are pushing forward with efforts to help small towns stay viable. Three bills aimed at funding housing, local businesses, and community development are making their way through the Legislature, though some have already seen funding cuts. Advocates say these investments are crucial, especially as rural areas struggle to maintain basic services. With key votes ahead, the question remains: Will the state commit to strengthening its rural communities?

The Grand Forks Herald has the full stories on SB 2390, SB 2225, and SB 2228.

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It’s official…the winter blues have hit me hard this year. As a native Texan, I never fare well with the winter but usually manage ok until March. If you are in the same boat as me, then a houseplant, or two, or three, may be your...

For decades, nuclear power has relied on fission—splitting atoms apart to release energy. It’s effective, but it comes with radioactive waste and safety risks. Fusion, on the other hand, works by fusing atomic nuclei together, mimicking the process that powers the sun. It promises clean, nearly limitless energy, but there’s a catch: it requires temperatures of over 100 million degrees Celsius to sustain.

Now, French scientists have set a new record, maintaining superheated plasma for 22 minutes—an important step toward making fusion viable. But challenges remain, and the race to harness star power is far from over.

Minot International Airport travelers will notice some high-tech changes at security. TSA has introduced facial recognition technology to speed up identity verification, along with upgraded scanners that provide a clearer view of carry-on bags. Officials say the goal is twofold: making the screening process more efficient while strengthening security against evolving threats. 

Germany heads to the polls today at a moment of deep uncertainty. A struggling economy, an immigration debate, and shifting global alliances have thrown the country into a snap election months ahead of schedule. At the center of it all is Friedrich Merz, the conservative frontrunner expected to replace Chancellor Olaf Scholz. But with the far-right AfD gaining ground and coalition-building set to be a challenge, Germany’s next government will face tough questions—not just about domestic policy, but about its place in an increasingly unpredictable world.

War has always been a test of strength, but Ukraine’s defense against Russia is proving that agility, innovation, and sheer willpower can rewrite the rules of battle. In just three years, Ukraine’s military has expanded nearly fivefold, turning civilians into highly effective soldiers in weeks. Cheap drones now dismantle tank formations, challenging long-held ideas about battlefield dominance. As military experts analyze Ukraine’s success, one question looms: Is it time to rethink what makes an army truly lethal in modern warfare?

Defense One has the story worth reading on how Ukraine is breaking the molds. Once you read it, you may ask yourself if the Trump Administration’s return to the “warrior culture” advocated by Secretary Hegseth is the path of the future or one that’s clinging to notions of military strength from the past.

Pope Francis remains in a delicate battle with double pneumonia, but the Vatican reports he had a “tranquil” night and is alert. Hospitalized since February 14, the 88-year-old pontiff has required oxygen support and blood transfusions, with doctors closely monitoring his condition. His health struggles, compounded by past lung issues, have sparked deep concern among the faithful. As prayers continue in St. Peter’s Square and beyond, the world watches and hopes for his recovery amid this critical moment in his papacy.

AI has been making headlines for years, but most of what we interact with—chatbots, recommendation algorithms, even self-driving cars—still relies on human guidance. That’s changing. A new kind of AI, called autonomous AI agents, can make decisions and take action on its own, without waiting for human input. This shift could supercharge productivity, but it also raises serious questions about control, accountability, and risk. If AI is moving from tool to decision-maker, how do we make sure it doesn’t go off the rails? Fast Company has the full story that’s a good introduction to what you’re seeing on the horizon.