Today in Minot

Minot High didn’t wait long to find its next basketball leader. Less than a month after Dean Winczewski’s retirement, Jeremy Brandt is stepping in as head coach of the Magicians. A familiar face in North Dakota basketball, Brandt brings nearly 500 high school wins and a state championship to the role. He’s spent the past year as an assistant at Minot State, but his coaching roots run deep—just like his ties to the community, where he also teaches tech education in the public schools. John Jacklin with KMOT has the full story.

Some people chase a dream. Ethan Wiley decided to photograph his—literally. What started as a quiet challenge to take one photo each day has become a daily ritual of growth, creativity, and discipline. Through his lens, he’s not just capturing moments; he’s sharpening skills, defining a style, and uncovering the hidden beauty in everyday life. With a full-time job and a young family, Wiley’s commitment is inspiring others to see passion not as a luxury, but as a choice worth making.

Lindsey Miller with KMOT has the full story. Check Mr. Wiley’s work via Facebook here.

Coal Creek Station in Underwood, North Dakota—one of the state’s largest power plants—is among nearly 70 coal-fired facilities nationwide now exempt from federal rules limiting toxic emissions like mercury and arsenic. The exemptions, granted under a Trump administration order, aim to boost coal in the name of energy security and grid reliability. Supporters see it as a lifeline for a fading industry. But critics say it trades clean air for corporate gain, rolling back protections meant to safeguard public health and the environment. Keith Darnay with KX News has the full story.

The North Dakota House has passed a bill that could reshape health coverage for state employees — but not without controversy. In a 55-37 vote, lawmakers advanced Senate Bill 2160, aiming to move the state’s insurance plan into compliance with the Affordable Care Act. Supporters say it offers savings and flexibility without costing employees more. Opponents aren’t so sure, warning it could open the door to future premiums. The bill now heads back to the Senate for a concurrence vote. Mary Steurer with North Dakota Monitor has the full story.

What started as an effort to eliminate North Dakota’s Gaming Commission has instead turned into a plan to revive it. On Wednesday, the House overwhelmingly passed an amended version of Senate Bill 2224, aiming to strengthen—not scrap—the commission. The bill, originally introduced by Sen. Janne Myrdal, now ensures the commission meets quarterly, maintains five active members, and outlines clearer enforcement procedures. After years of dormancy, the message is clear: if the Gaming Commission is going to exist, it needs to function.

North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong has signed a bill banning ranked-choice and approval voting across the state, ending the use of alternative voting systems in all elections. Supporters say the move will ensure consistency and protect trust in the electoral process. The law directly impacts Fargo, the only city in North Dakota using approval voting—a system where voters can choose multiple candidates. That system wasn’t imposed; it was adopted by voters through a 2018 ballot measure, passing with 64% support. Peyton Haug with InForum has the full story.

The Minneapolis Fed, like all branches of the Federal Reserve System, doesn’t set trade policy—but it must respond to its effects. That’s the tension explored in a series of new research papers unpacking how tariffs and trade influence the Fed’s dual mandate: stable prices and maximum employment. Drawing on deep theoretical models, economists show that trade benefits are larger and longer-lasting than previously thought—especially for low-income households and developing countries. But the most striking finding? When tariffs hit, the greater threat isn’t inflation—it’s economic slowdown.

Editor’s Warning: reading economic research journalism may result in napping on the job. With that risk fully acknowledged, we still felt it important to share this information. 😉

Cutting carbon emissions often feels like a task for policymakers or corporations—but one small pilot on Cape Cod is proving that real change can begin at home. The Cape and Vineyard Electrification Offering is bringing solar panels, heat pumps, and batteries to low- and moderate-income households in a single, streamlined package. It hasn’t been seamless, but it’s working—and more importantly, it’s teaching. With nearly half the country now aiming for clean energy, this community-scale model is a blueprint in development.

Utah knows drought isn’t a matter of if, but when. That’s why state leaders are accelerating efforts to secure the future of water in one of the nation’s driest states. At the center is the Great Salt Lake Basin Integrated Plan, a massive, data-driven push to manage supply, demand, and ecology across dozens of agencies. Construction wrapped on the first pilot homes this year, and the state’s 2026 deadline is looming. The goal? A resilient water system that works, even when the snow doesn’t fall. Chris Teale with Route Fifty has the full story.

Starting next year, North Dakota will have a new law in place that covers local zoning restrictions for animal feedlots. The bill's passage follows a spirited debate about the presence of industrial agriculture in small towns. Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed a bill drafted in response to discussions led...

Paying for college is tough enough—textbooks shouldn’t be the surprise expense that breaks the budget. That’s the thinking behind North Dakota State University’s new Bison Ready program, which rolls out this fall. With a flat rate for all course materials—$325 per semester for undergrads, $55 for grad students—students will automatically get everything they need, from textbooks to lab kits. It’s a shift toward simplicity, with options to customize or opt out entirely. The goal: fewer barriers, more learning. Austin Erickson with WDAY has the full story.

In a quiet but powerful shift, Stockholm is trading concrete and steel for timber—and rewriting the rules of urban development in the process. Dubbed Stockholm Wood City, this bold project aims to become the largest modern district built entirely from wood. For developers, it’s not just about aesthetics or speed—though both are perks—it’s about slashing carbon emissions. As buildings rise faster and cleaner, Sweden may be showing the world that sustainable cities don’t have to be a distant dream.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will temporarily close or scale back operations at several North Dakota recreation areas beginning May 1, 2025, due to staffing and resource constraints. In North Dakota, full or partial closures are planned for East Totten Trail, Wolf Creek, Hazelton, Cattail...