Today in Minot

Fargo is set to welcome a new skatepark, a project long in the making that will significantly expand the existing Hawk’s Nest facility. Located at 302 39th St. N., this indoor space will grow to 3,000 square feet, making it the largest park between Fargo and the Twin Cities. Organizers, led by Tom Kemmer of the North Dakota Skateboarding Association, are eager to start construction, with hopes to open by April. The park aims to serve skaters of all levels while fostering a community spirit through various events and programs.

Why does it matter in Minot? First, we have skateboarders here who likely want to know about this. Second, it’s an example of private investment delivering on a niche need of it’s community.

Downtown Omaha is evolving, and the changes aim to capture the interest of younger residents. The Greater Omaha Chamber has launched an ambitious economic strategy called “A Greater Omaha,” focusing on enhancing job opportunities, attracting skilled workers, and improving quality of life in the region.

Those are all tired cliches in the world of economic development and community marketing, but the undercurrent inside this Nebraska news there is a change — one acknowledges that economic development in the 21s century isn’t about attracting businesses, it’s about attracting people. The Nebraska Examiner has the full story on what’s going on in Omaha — looking the elephant in the room right in the face.

Why does this matter in Minot? We’re currently in the middle of a very-appropriate review of our economic development practices. What remains to be seen is which direction we’ll head at the end.

Minot property owners may soon find a little extra time after winter storms to manage their sidewalks. The City Council has approved an ordinance on first reading that extends the snow removal deadline from 24 hours to 72 hours. This change aims to improve pedestrian safety and ease the burden on residents during snow events. The ordinance also establishes fines for improper snow deposition and includes specific regulations for clearing pedestrian curb ramps. A second reading by the council is still required before the ordinance takes effect.

Iowa is taking steps to limit cellphone use in schools during instructional time, as Governor Kim Reynolds pushes for new legislation. The proposed bill aims to mandate that K-12 schools establish policies restricting personal electronic devices, with a focus on improving student concentration and addressing mental health concerns. Supporting voices in the state emphasize the need for such rules, citing the growing distraction caused by digital devices in today’s classrooms. As this legislation moves forward, Iowans will be watching to see how it impacts educational environments.

North Dakota contemplated a similar bill, but passed the buck down to the local level; it requires local jurisdictions to have a cell phone policy and sets some requirements for that policy. ND HB 1160 passed in the house; the Senate has it next.

School phone policies needed, but not a state ban (news and an editor’s commentary on the topic)

A new strain of bird flu, called highly pathogenic H5N9, has been identified at a duck farm in California. This marks the first U.S. detection of this particular H5N9 variant, distinguishing it from the more common H5N1 strain that has been associated with several human infections. While scientists are closely monitoring the situation, current assessments by health officials indicate that the immediate risk to humans remains low — unless you count the price of eggs as an impact to our lives.

And if you’re a little in the dark on bird flu, this explainer is a good place to start.

Watch: What’s Going on with Bird Flu?

Utility bills are climbing across the U.S., but costs like lobbying fees and corporate advertising are often hidden in those charges. A recent report highlights how some states are starting to tackle this issue, banning utilities from passing on these expenses to customers. In Colorado, Connecticut, and Maine, new laws are already helping residents save significant amounts. As more lawmakers recognize the burden on consumers, the conversation around utility accountability is gaining momentum. Savvy consumers are increasingly asking how their states can follow suit.

Further, the issue calls attention to a noteworthy dichotomy developing. Local municipalities are increasingly hand-cuffed when it comes to advocating for themselves during legislative sessions. But corporate utilities simply package the cost into their services and ask nicely for a rate change. By restricting our local governments, it seems like we’re shooting ourselves in the foot. By ignoring utilities doing the same; we’re staring to look like hypocrites. Grsist has the full story on what’s happening in Maine, Colorado, and Connecticut.

Bill would bar Iowa cities, counties, schools from using tax dollars to hire lobbyists

A simple typo or a lighthearted joke can sometimes take on a life of its own. What started as a small blunder has transformed into a cultural sensation, capturing attention and inspiring countless discussions. This evolution illustrates how social media can elevate even the most unintentional moments into significant trends, leaving many to wonder how far a simple error can go in shaping our conversations and understanding of popular culture.

And if you didn’t know; they’ve been playing the Super Bowl since 1967; owl’s have been prowling the night skies for 52 million years. Enjoy a little light hearted of-the-season fun from NPR.

In Brownsville, Texas, Dolores S. Perez, affectionately known as Ms. D, is dedicating her Fridays to helping young students grapple with reading. Since she began tutoring post-pandemic, her impact has grown significantly. While she brings joy and personalized lessons to her students, recent federal data reveals a troubling trend: reading scores among fourth and eighth graders have dropped for the third consecutive assessment. As educators grapple with this decline, programs like Perez’s may hold a key to bridging the gaps in literacy skills.

The reporting linked at the bottom from EdSurge builds on the education assessment testing result news released last week. Inforum also has a story on this today more directly comparing the results from Minnesota and North Dakota, that article is also linked below. By some measures, it looks like we’re treading water, and those responsible for our education systems are attempting to shade this as rosily as they can. That’s understandable. But by other measures, it’s perfectly clear that we’re losing ground. And if we’re paying attention, all these stories are adding up to a blinking dashboard light.

https://www.inforum.com/news/north-dakota/north-dakota-schools-see-mixed-results-in-national-education-report