Today in Minot

Minot’s 2026 budget debate is centering on how to ease the pressure of rising property taxes while still funding core services. A proposal from Mayor Mark Jantzer and council vice president Lisa Olson trims just over $2 million from the city’s tax request, shifting some sales tax dollars from economic development to property tax relief and cutting back on street maintenance. Council members remain divided over timing and priorities, with questions looming about how much to spend, what to cut, and when to seek public input. Jill Schramm with Minot Daily News has the full story.

Back-to-school week in Minot brings the usual mix of excitement, routine, and bills — including the quiet but hefty cost of school lunches. At nearly $4.70 a meal, a family with two kids can expect to spend more than $1,600 over the year, a burden that even middle-class households feel. While eight other states have made school meals free for all students, North Dakota lawmakers have stopped short. The debate isn’t just about lunch trays — it’s about whether North Dakota is a place where families can prosper.

As Minot students settle into the new school year, they’ll notice some changes in the lunchroom. The district is tightening sugar guidelines for cereal, yogurt, and milk, part of broader USDA nutrition shifts that will further reduce sugar and sodium by 2027. At the same time,...

Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus has announced that North Dakota’s taxable sales and purchases for the 2nd quarter of 2025 increased by 3.4 percent compared to the same period in 2024. For April, May, and June of 2025, taxable sales and purchases totaled $7.08 billion versus $6.85...

MINOT, N.D. — The U.S. Air Force will host a public town hall meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 5:30 p.m. in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall at Minot State University. The event will provide landowners and community members with information on the Sentinel Program, which involves...

North Dakota fire departments and ambulance services are understaffed and facing financial constraints while at the same time responding to more calls and serving large areas, emergency responders told lawmakers Wednesday. The Legislature has a new interim committee, the Emergency Response Services Committee, that’s working to...

North Dakota is weighing two competing pipeline proposals that could reshape how natural gas flows across the state. The Industrial Commission is set to decide this week whether to back WBI Energy’s “Bakken East” project or a rival plan from Intensity Infrastructure Partners, each seeking up to $500 million in state support. Officials say a west-to-east pipeline would diversify energy supply, support Bakken oil producers, and strengthen economic development in central and eastern North Dakota — while carrying major financial risks if demand falls short. Mary Steurer, Amy Dalrymple with North Dakota Monitor has the full story.

Fargo diners hoping to take home a margarita with their tacos will have to wait. The city’s Liquor Control Board has tapped the brakes on to-go cocktails, citing unanswered legal questions about licensing and container rules. Restaurant owner Lance Thorson of Vinyl Taco said customers frequently ask for take-home drinks, but board members stressed the issue is more complicated than it seems. The city attorney will review state and federal regulations before the idea gets another look. Michael McGurran with InForum has the full story.

BISMARCK, N.D. – The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced the award of $1,999,846 to the University of North Dakota (UND). The university’s NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) program will foster close collaboration with stakeholders to work on projects assessing the status of land and water resources, explore...

North Dakota is carving out a leading role in the future of uncrewed aviation. With a $100 million contract extension, Project ULTRA at GrandSKY is expanding its testing and operations for drones that can carry supplies, support the military, and even deliver lifesaving blood. The project is more than just flights in the sky — it’s a collaboration between local, federal, and private partners that’s pushing boundaries in both defense readiness and rural healthcare, showing how innovation here could shape national capabilities.

Minnesota has joined a growing list of states taking TikTok to court, accusing the platform of deceiving young users with addictive algorithms that fuel mental health problems. Attorney General Keith Ellison says the case isn’t about free speech but about manipulation and failure to warn of known harms. The lawsuit adds Minnesota to roughly two dozen states challenging TikTok, even as national debates continue over ownership and data security. At stake: how much responsibility social media companies bear for the well-being of kids. Steve Karnowski with Associated Press has the full story.

Sweden is taking a major step toward a hydrogen-powered future. The country’s grid operator, Svenska Kraftnät, has proposed building its first two large hydrogen pipelines within the next decade. One would stretch 130 kilometers between Skellefteå and Luleå, while a smaller line would connect Porjus to Gällivare. Both projects are aimed at fueling industries in northern Sweden as they shift away from fossil fuels, positioning hydrogen as a cornerstone of the nation’s clean energy transition. Listen below from Radio Sweden.

City and county leaders are warning Congress that a key line of defense against cyberattacks is at risk. The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which last year blocked more than 25 billion malicious domain connections and flagged over 43,000 potential attacks, has lost much of its federal funding. Local governments say the cuts leave small and rural communities especially vulnerable, forcing them to rely on limited resources just as cyber threats continue to grow in scale and sophistication. Ryan Kushner with SmartCitiesDive has the full story.

Revitalizing American manufacturing has become a political priority. However, there is widespread agreement that the U.S. should reduce its dependence on foreign supply chains, rebuild domestic industrial capacity, and compete more effectively with economic rivals. We can’t just play defense by using trade policy and tariffs;...

In the conversation about how children learn to read, most attention goes to the mechanics — phonics, fluency, vocabulary. But some educators are urging us to look beyond the basics. Dr. Barrie Olson calls it the “cycle of knowledge,” a way of teaching that treats reading not as an end point but as the beginning of deeper thinking. Students don’t just gather information; they create with it and share it, turning knowledge into something active and alive. Ben Weinstein with EdSurge has the full story.

Canadian travel to the U.S. is down sharply — nearly 37% fewer vehicle trips this July compared to last year, and a 17% drop overall since January. For border businesses, that shift is striking. At Bluff Point Golf Resort in Plattsburgh, NY, a parking lot once filled with Canadian plates now sees only a couple a day. The reasons range from political tensions and tariffs to the strength of the U.S. dollar, leaving border economies scrambling to adapt. Joe Hernandez with NPR has the full story.