Today in Minot

It’s fun to grow new fruit crops. Common fruits like apples and strawberries are okay, but there’s nothing special about them. It’s more exciting to grow—and taste—an exotic, new fruit. I have seen lots of promising fruits over the past 15 years in North Dakota. These...

After months of darkness, sleet, and soul-level chill, summer in Iceland doesn’t arrive quietly—it explodes. With every fleeting hour of sun, Icelanders chase joy like it’s a limited-time offer. Festivals erupt in remote towns. Beaches fill at 10°C. Hot tubs bubble in the rain. And under skies that never fully darken, the nation collectively exhales, unravels, and tries to feel everything. The Grapevine asked locals to share what these sun-soaked weeks mean to them. The result? A love letter to a season that saves us, if only for a little while. Jóhannes Bjarkason with Reykjavik Grapevine has the full story.

Wyoming’s trails are seeing more boots, bikes, and skis than ever before—and the state is struggling to keep pace. Lawmakers heard this week that demand for non-motorized trails has outgrown current funding, leaving state officials weighing new ways to pay for future paths. Ideas on the table include tapping lottery funds and adding fees to state park use. With outdoor recreation now a $2.2 billion pillar of Wyoming’s economy, the question isn’t whether the trails matter—it’s how to build more without falling behind. Katie Klingsporn with WyoFile has the full story that savvy North Dakotan might read and wonder, “will that trend be coming our direction?”

The federal government has sent 2,000 National Guard troops into Los Angeles, marking a significant escalation in its immigration enforcement strategy. What began as targeted ICE raids has now spiraled into tense street clashes, with protesters and federal agents facing off in areas like Paramount. State leaders are pushing back, calling the move inflammatory and unnecessary. As the smoke settles and flash-bangs fade, one thing is clear: this isn’t just a legal debate—it’s a high-stakes test of power, policy, and public trust in America’s largest immigrant communities. The Los Angeles Times has the full story that was produced by multiple journalists.

Some trophies collect dust. The Stanley Cup collects stories. In a world increasingly defined by screens and fleeting moments, the NHL’s most prized possession remains heavy with history—literally and figuratively. It’s not just passed to champions; it’s lived with, dented, celebrated, and remembered. This week, as the Panthers and Oilers clash in a rematch with national pride on the line, the Cup waits—not for a winner, but for the next chapter in its myth. Because in hockey, legacy isn’t built in ad campaigns. It’s etched in silver. For more on mythos of the Stanley Cup, Paul Mueller with Fast Company has the full story.

For years, Spirit Lake leaders struggled to keep tribal members informed while juggling the demands of governance. That changed in March, when the council hired Vicki Alberts as their first public relations specialist. In just a few months, she’s become a vital link between leadership and the community—on and off the reservation. From law clerk duties to printed updates delivered with meals, Alberts is helping Spirit Lake find and share its voice. It’s a small shift with big implications for trust, transparency, and tribal pride. Sav Kelly with Grand Forks Herald has the full story.

Across the country, Job Corps centers are going quiet—and the impact is being felt in places like Minot and St. Paul alike. After decades of helping vulnerable youth find stability through education and job training, the St. Paul center is also closing its doors. The decision, driven by mounting deficits and concerns over safety, cuts off a lifeline for students who rely on the program for far more than a diploma. It’s a pause, officials say—but for many, it feels like something’s been taken mid-stride. Jaylan Sims with MPR has the full story that’s a mirror one that could be written locally.

It was a weekend steeped in bubbles, brass, and North Dakota pride. Lawrence Welk—once dismissed by some as kitsch—got his due in Bismarck with a packed documentary premiere, the unveiling of a bronze statue, and a full-on recreation of his TV show that left audiences misty-eyed and smiling. With a sweeping new biography on the way and hundreds gathering to celebrate his legacy, the Welk Homestead is no longer just a stop on the prairie—it’s a testament to a homegrown icon’s place in American cultural history. Tom Isern with Prairie Public News has the full story.