Today in Minot

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality is actively monitoring Canadian wildfires, which are expected to affect air quality across the state in the coming days. Sensitive groups—such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, children, and older adults—should avoid prolonged...

BISMARCK, ND – The North Dakota Mill today reported record profits of over $26.6 million for fiscal year 2025, an increase of 28% from the previous year’s record of over $20.7 million.“The dedicated team at the North Dakota Mill delivered another exceptional year with record shipment...

MINOT, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Transportation is scheduled to begin the Highway 83 culvert replacement project on August 4. This project is designed to improve drainage, enhance safety, and extend the life of the roadway. Improvements include replacing the existing structural steel pipe...

The North Dakota Department of Commerce immediately identified a cost saving Wednesday during the first meeting of the state’s DOGE task force – eliminating bonuses paid to employees during the legislative session. Twenty-nine Commerce employees received pay adjustments totaling $122,000 attributed to increased workload during the...

Beef prices are climbing, but so are cattle weights—and that’s no coincidence. With herd numbers at a 73-year low, ranchers are leaning into genetics and economics to breed heavier cows that can fill the gap. The result? More marbled meat and higher yields, but also rising maintenance costs and oversized cuts that strain both packaging lines and pastures. As the industry approaches a tipping point, some producers are shifting focus from sheer size to smarter efficiency. Noah Grabianski with Missouri Business Alert has the full story.

In my job, I try to consume as much outdoors media as possible. You’ve got your favorites and so do I. I’ll acknowledge my bias with North Dakota OUTDOORS, the Game and Fish Department's official magazine. Many wrongly assume there’s some dark web communication within the...

Two giants of American rail want to join tracks. Union Pacific has proposed an $85 billion merger with Norfolk Southern, aiming to create the country’s first coast-to-coast railroad. Supporters say it would streamline shipping, cut costs, and speed up deliveries. Critics worry it could hurt competition, worsen service, and cost jobs. The plan faces intense scrutiny from regulators, labor unions, and industry rivals—and could spark a final round of railroad consolidation not seen since the 1980s. The stakes for U.S. trade and infrastructure are enormous. Josh Funk with Associated Press has the full story.

After weeks—and in some cases, months—of smoke, evacuations, and uncertainty, some Prairie communities are finally seeing a glimmer of relief. Residents of Tataskweyak Cree Nation and Beauval are beginning their return home, grateful but cautious. Others, like those in Cormorant, are just now being forced to flee. Fires continue to rage across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, with over 10,000 square kilometers scorched. As crews race to contain the flames, the season is already being called the worst in a generation. And it’s far from over.

The Fed held interest rates steady this week, resisting political pressure and signaling a wait-and-see approach as economic growth slows and inflation lingers. While Fed Chair Jerome Powell described the economy as “solid,” cracks are showing—consumer spending is down, credit delinquencies are rising, and internal Fed disagreements are surfacing. Meanwhile, former President Trump’s push for drastic rate cuts—and his not-so-subtle attempts to sway Powell—are stirring concerns about central bank independence at a time when trust and stability are paramount.

We’ve long worried about plastic in our oceans and food, but now it’s the air that’s raising alarms — especially indoors, where most of us spend nearly all our time. A new study reveals we could be inhaling over 70,000 microplastic particles a day, many small enough to lodge deep in our lungs. That’s far more than previously thought, and scientists still don’t know what long-term damage it might cause. One thing’s clear: plastic pollution isn’t just out there anymore — it’s inside us.

What began as a game for so-called misfits has quietly become a source of healing, connection, and even therapy. Dungeons & Dragons, once misunderstood and mocked, is now filling Madison Square Garden and gaining the attention of mental health researchers. From boosting confidence to easing anxiety, D&D’s power lies in storytelling, imagination, and community — the very things many of us longed for during the pandemic. And as the studies show, it’s not just fun and games. It might actually be good for you. Rachel Feltman & Kelso Harper with Scientific American has the full story you can watch below.