Today in Minot

Some stories of immigration are about determination. Others are about heartbreak. Magdalena Klipfel’s is both. Denied entry to the U.S. twice due to a medical condition, she endured years of hardship—her mother’s death at sea, exile in Belgium and England, and a desperate fight for another chance. She finally reached her family in North Dakota, but not through any official port of entry. The records say she was “debarred,” yet she made it. How? That’s the mystery still unfolding.

Tom Isern with Praire Public has the introduction.

For American whiskey producers, trade wars aren’t just political maneuvering—they’re business-altering decisions. Cedar Ridge Distillery, like many in the industry, faces uncertainty as tariffs threaten to upend international sales. With Europe poised to impose a 50% tax on American whiskey and the U.S. responding in kind, distillers are left weighing their options: stay in the global game or retreat to domestic markets. As brands scramble to navigate shifting policies, one thing is clear—trade disputes may start at the top, but their impact trickles down to every bottle on the shelf.

Jon Kell writing for Fast Company has the story on what people weigh when the consequences are real and they matter more than the political rhetoric.

Muriel Henrickson’s story is woven into the fabric of North Dakota’s Norwegian immigrant heritage, where hard work, faith, and quiet resilience shaped generations. In Dust Yourself Off — The Gravel Road to a Good Life_,_ her son, Tom Sandhei, traces her life from a childhood steeped in the traditions of Fort Ransom’s Norwegian farming community to the hardships and triumphs that tested her strength. Like so many of her time, Muriel balanced the customs of the old country with the realities of the American prairie. Sandhei’s book, and his upcoming talk, offer a glimpse into the endurance and spirit that defined her life.

If you’re looking for some reading that’s off the place, here’s something for you. And of course you know, Main Street Books is the only place to find it; they’ll order it if it’s out of stock.

In Pawnee City, Nebraska, opportunity comes with a front porch and a $50,000 boost. This small town of 878 is betting that new homes and a strong community will attract families looking for affordability and a slower pace of life. With a grant-funded housing initiative and incentives from the Chamber of Commerce, the town is clearing the way for growth—literally. For those tired of rising city prices, Pawnee City isn’t just offering a house; it’s offering a hometown.

Why does it matter in Minot? It speaks to the new problem rural places are starting to recognize — it’s not about jobs, it’s about people. And if we stay focused on an old-fashioned notion of “MAGIC” and “economic development”, we’re going to get passed over by smarter places that are onto the root of the problem.

History isn’t just names and dates—it’s the stories of people and places that once filled the pages of the Grand Forks Herald. In 1921, North Dakota’s state bank was entangled in legal battles over millions in deposits, Bismarck was turning its back on the institution, and a coroner’s jury in Minnesota was puzzling over a body found stuffed inside a stove. These moments, once urgent headlines, now offer a window into the past—one that still echoes in today’s world.

We’re sharing for two reasons. First, the history is fascinating. Second, when the region’s largest media company copies what you’ve been doing, it’s a point of pride. We’ve been highlighting Minot’s past through our On This Day column that resurfaces Ward County Independent stories for nearly a year. Kudos to the Forum Communications for recognizing the treasure trove they’re sitting on and how desperately we need these stories form the past to help guide the future.