Today in Minot

An automatic fire alarm alert prompted a swift response from the Minot Fire Department at the Minot International Airport this morning. At approximately 9:15 a.m., firefighters arrived at the terminal to find significant smoke emanating from a ground floor office space. While flames were minimal, heavy...

Bruce Cockburn--Salt, Sun and Time "It Won't Be Long"the petals from the geraniums we brought indoorslitter the oak floor after I vacuum the roomwhen I take the huge ferns down for waterthey leave a drift of leaves beneathdo not doubt the beauty of nature in winterKeep a...

In the heart of Duluth, amid the echo of Lake Superior’s waves, Dan Larson is spinning tales from wood and gut at Gamut Music. His handcrafted instruments don’t just play; they sing centuries-old stories. Larson’s passion for history and craftsmanship resonates through every violin and gut string he creates. Each piece, born from hand-selected woods and painstakingly crafted gut strings, offers a unique voice to musicians worldwide.

Why does this matter in Minot? First, it’s a fascinating story. If we were making bets, this is just the type of profession that is likely to flourish in the age of AI that is coming. And if a place were making little economic development bets, it might make sense to look at little niche vocations like this and figure out how to help them thrive.

In a significant stride for energy innovation, Wyoming has greenlit TerraPower’s Natrium nuclear plant. Nestled near Kemmerer, this project marks the nation’s first state permit for a commercial advanced nuclear facility. While awaiting federal approval for nuclear components, TerraPower is forging ahead with non-nuclear construction, leveraging local infrastructure and workforce.

Founded by Bill Gates, TerraPower aims to transform the energy landscape, offering a potential model for future plants worldwide. Get the full story on the quickly evolving energy frontier in this article from WyoFile.

For an alternate viewpoint, see “Counterpoint: The Electoral College Must Be Reformed.” The Framers of the U.S. Constitution designed a unique system to choose our president in 1787: the Electoral College. More than two centuries later, it remains an invaluable institution that helps safeguard us against the...

For an alternate viewpoint, see “Point: The Electoral College Protects Minority Views and Discourages Fraud.” How we elect our presidents has never been more broken — and that’s saying something for an Electoral College system subject to more proposed constitutional amendments than any other topic. We urgently...

Russia’s campaign against dissent takes another grim turn. Three former lawyers of Alexei Navalny, the late opposition leader, have been sentenced to prison on “extremism” charges for their connection to his Anti-Corruption Foundation. This move, following Navalny’s mysterious death in 2024, signals an intensifying crackdown on critics of the Kremlin and its war in Ukraine. With trials behind closed doors and accusations of fabricated charges, the fate of these lawyers highlights the growing peril for voices challenging Moscow’s power.

As a Washington-led peace effort in the Ukraine War begins with the next administration, it’s important to remember not only the stakes, but the character of the parties who will be sitting at the table.

Bill Gates recently found himself across the table from Donald Trump, engaging not in politics, but in a conversation about global health. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Gates shared that he was "impressed" by Trump’s interest in these critical issues. It's not every...

In 1872, long before the 19th Amendment gave women a voice at the ballot box, Victoria Woodhull shook America by running for President, with none other than Frederick Douglass as her running mate. Born into poverty and adversity, Woodhull was a force of nature. Her campaign was bold, her ideas revolutionary, and she challenged societal norms with a vision for equality that still resonates today. Her story is an inspiring reminder of the power of determination and the enduring fight for justice and equality.

For her full, detailed, and inspiring story, Mara Popova delivers some delicious Sunday reading at The Marginalian.

The federal government is stepping up efforts to protect Americans from a growing threat: bird flu. With $590 million in new funding, Moderna will accelerate the development of a vaccine targeting pandemic influenza, including the unpredictable H5N1 virus. While bird flu has mostly impacted livestock, human cases are rising, with 67 confirmed infections. Outgoing HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the urgency of staying ahead of potential outbreaks, calling it a critical priority. Public health risks remain low, but vigilance is key.

Beneath a sea of orange shirts, North Dakota’s hunters gathered at the Capitol, rallying for a cause close to their hearts. They want Senate Bill 2137, a concise legal proposal, to lift the restrictions on using bait for deer hunting. Proponents argue that these restrictions, designed to prevent chronic-wasting disease, have overreached, impacting traditional hunting practices. Critics from the Game and Fish Department caution that easing restrictions could heighten disease risks. It’s a classic debate: tradition versus precaution.

It’s not the first story of the week on this topic either, the story linked below out of Wyoming highlights the growing threat CWD presents.

Wyoming confirms first case of chronic wasting disease inside an elk feedground (and why it matters in North Dakota)