Today in Minot

Navigating the halls of power in Washington, D.C., as a young correspondent is exhilarating and daunting. One day, you’re covering a march or a farmer’s protest, and the next, you’re at the heart of a historic debate on the Panama Canal Treaties. This canal, more than just an engineering marvel, symbolized a turning point in U.S. relations with Latin America. And now it’s in the news again.

Jim Shaw was that young journalist covering the Panama canal; this commentary from him is worth the read.

Researchers are digitizing historical records from a Native American boarding school in Bismarck, aiming to bring information closer to the communities affected by its existence. “There’s a hunger to understand this part of our history, to better understand the boarding school era,” said Prairie Rose Seminole,...

Adolescence is a whirlwind of emotions, from crushes to passionate pursuits. At its core, it’s a time of curiosity and introspection, a critical phase where teens don’t just learn facts—they ponder why the world is the way it is. Science now shows that this kind of deep thinking powers their brain development, fostering resilience and shaping their future well-being. It’s less about what teens know, and more about how they think. And in a world that often focuses on academic outcomes, it’s crucial to nurture this unique form of growth.

For the full story on why it’s good for kids to be thinking big and asking why, check out this article from Scientific American (paywall).

Navigating the world of animation can feel like solving an elaborate puzzle, but for Alan Becker and his team, it’s all part of the fun. Welcome to a creative universe where animators transform pixels into magic, and today’s trick is teaching you physics while you watch. For curious minds: look for the button that gets this into full screen and then enjoy the masterful example of educational simplicity.

Have you started planning your garden for this year? I’ve already seen the ads on social media, and the hardware store has their spring bulbs for sale. Seems a bit early to me, but we should be optimistic. Spring will get here. Have you figured out...

Health care is notoriously more difficult to provide for rural communities than urban ones. Rural Americans are less likely to have a health care provider they trust and have more difficulty reaching doctors and hospitals. Nearly two-thirds of rural communities suffer from a shortage of primary...

On July 17, 1939, Alan Lomax reached out to Myra E. Hull, a dedicated ballad collector from Kansas, praising her article on cowboy songs. Their connection was rooted in a shared passion for folklore, exemplified by Myra’s earlier recordings made in Lomax’s presence. As one researcher revisited Myra’s unique rendition of the iconic “Git Along Little Dogies,” it became clear that her voice offered a fascinating glimpse into her life and the rich tapestry of Great Plains music.

Tom Isern captures another of the paririe’s past in this edition of Plains Folk. It’s easy Sunday reading.

Two centuries ago, a small sloop carried 52 brave souls from Stavanger to New York, launching a legacy of Norwegian immigration to America. The boat that delivered them is less-known in American myth, but its legacy in Minot is still evident today. This July, a replica...

Public education funding is a bit like balancing a seesaw. On one side, we have local property taxes, providing stability and control. On the other, state aid offers a lifeline to level the playing field between different districts. But here’s the hitch: property taxes can widen gaps between wealthy and poorer areas, while state aid risks faltering during tough economic times. By blending these funding sources, communities can aim for both equity and local governance, ensuring that all students receive the education they deserve.