Today in Minot

A Minot man was arrested following an investigation into drug exposure involving a four-month-old child who tested positive for methamphetamine, according to a statement released by the Minot Police Department on June 25, 2025. The investigation began on June 19, when Ward County Child Protective Services...

Two officers from the Minot Police Department have been awarded the Medal of Honor by the North Dakota Chiefs of Police Association. Officers Cullen Hall and Tyler Burtch received the recognition for their actions during an officer-involved shooting in October 2024. The Medal of Honor is...

North Dakota’s oil industry held relatively steady in April, with average daily production at 1.17 million barrels—slightly down from March but still 6.5% above revenue forecasts. The price of oil hovered around $65 per barrel, reflecting continued global volatility driven by geopolitical tensions. While rig counts...

In a time when national politics feels like a shouting match, two former governors are reminding us of something quieter: conversation still works. Larry Hogan and Steve Bullock—Republican and Democrat—say the real power to break gridlock may rest not in Washington, but with the governors who still have to solve problems close to home. Their message? More collaboration, less theater. And if governors can find common ground, maybe the rest of the country can, too. It starts not with agreement, but with a willingness to sit down and talk. Darrell Ehrlick with North Dakota Monitor has the full story.

On a quiet Saturday in Monticello, something powerful happened: Iowans gathered—not to shout, but to listen, question, and connect. The Grassroots Iowa Network brought together citizens, candidates, and former officials for a workshop rooted in the First Amendment freedoms too often taken for granted. The event wasn’t flashy, but it echoed the founding spirit of this country—respectful dissent, honest dialogue, and civic duty. In a time of noisy division, this kind of neighborly engagement might be exactly what democracy needs most. The commentary writtten by Randy Evans and republished by the Iowa Capital Dispatch is worth a read.

June is National Pollinator Month and a local agricultural group which aims to empower women in conservation is bringing awareness to how prairie restoration can aid the declining population of bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Through its Wisconsin Women in Conservation program, the Michael Fields Agriculture...

The CEO of Rodale Institute learned about food as medicine the hard way—through a mysterious illness that doctors couldn’t diagnose for months. Jeff Tkach’s personal health crisis led him to a deeper understanding: the way we grow food doesn’t just affect our plates, it affects our bodies and the land itself. Now he’s leading a charge to transition one million acres to regenerative organic farming by 2035, arguing that our current industrial agriculture system is creating a public health crisis. His message is straightforward—when we damage soil with synthetic chemicals, we damage ourselves. The solution? Farming methods that rebuild soil health naturally, creating nutrient-dense food that nourishes rather than harms. Jeff Tkach with Fast Company has the full an an old practice that’s newly in the news again.

Minot-based AGT Foods is once again expanding its footprint—and its role in the global pulse-based food market. The company is seeking $269,230 in interest buydown support from the MAGIC Fund to help finance a $12.75 million expansion of its Extrusion Center of Excellence. With consumer demand...

Dane Jackson is reshuffling his coaching staff as he takes over as UND’s head coach. For the first time since 2006, Jackson won’t be running the penalty kill—that responsibility goes to associate head coach Matt Smaby. Assistant coach Dillon Simpson will handle the power play and work with defensemen. Jackson will focus on forwards while he and Smaby split duties on overall team systems. The Fighting Hawks are also working to hire former Hobey Baker finalist Jean-Philippe Lamoureux as director of player personnel, a non-coaching role that would still allow him to contribute to practices and game planning. Brad Elliott Schlossman with Grand Forks Herald has the full story.

A remarkable cactus collection that started in a Minot man’s backyard has earned international recognition for architecture. The International Peace Garden Conservatory, which houses Don Vitko’s donation of over 5,000 rare cacti and succulents, recently won Canada’s prestigious Prairie Design Award for its expansion project. Vitko, a longtime North Dakota resident, spent 50 years building what’s considered one of the world’s most diverse indoor collections before gifting it to the Peace Garden in 2010. The award-winning expansion nearly doubled the building’s exhibit space and created the perfect environment to preserve and display this extraordinary botanical treasure that draws visitors from around the globe.

The North Dakota School for the Blind is getting a vibrant new mural that superintendent Paul Olson hopes will do more than just brighten up a busy Grand Forks intersection. The colorful artwork, painted by artist Trey Everett on the building’s north wall, features symbols like Braille, the state flower, and a clever “empowering people” message within a magnifying glass design. But there’s a catch—the project accidentally sidestepped a new city mural ordinance, and Olson now has to plead his case to the Planning and Zoning Commission. If denied, the beautiful wall might have to be sandblasted off, which would be a real shame for both the school and the community already calling it “beautiful.”

After two mild winters and well-timed spring rains, North Dakota’s pheasants are bouncing back in a big way. Biologist R.J. Gross from Game and Fish reports that overwinter survival is up and breeding roosters are crowing in strong numbers—especially in the southwest, where counts hit their...

Three Minot residents are worried about something you might not think about much: local voter turnout. David Gipson, Jesse Watson and Zachary Sherwood see too many neighbors sitting out elections, especially with a mayoral race coming up in August. Their solution isn’t complicated—they’re connecting people with local groups like the Human Rights Coalition and League of Women Voters, plus hosting Saturday coffee meetups where anyone can learn about city issues. Their message is refreshingly straightforward: local politics is where your vote actually moves the needle, and city leaders can’t fix problems they don’t know exist. Jill Schramm with Minot Daily News has the full story.