Today in Minot

The nation’s largest flood insurance program has now lapsed, leaving millions of homeowners in limbo. With the National Flood Insurance Program shut down, new policies and renewals are frozen, putting real estate deals in flood-prone areas on hold and leaving families exposed in the heart of hurricane season. Florida and Texas are expected to feel the sharpest impact, but the ripple effects will reach across the housing market. The lapse highlights both Congress’s gridlock and the growing urgency of reform. Gabriela Aoun Angueira with Associated Press has the full story.

NEW TOWN, N.D. – Gov. Kelly Armstrong, Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden and state agency representatives met today with leaders and members of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation, discussing challenges, opportunities, and shared priorities for state-tribal relations.The visit was part of the governor’s commitment to...

Minot’s future roads, rails, and sidewalks are taking shape on paper, and residents once again have a chance to weigh in. The draft Metropolitan Transportation Plan maps out priorities through 2050, from upgrades along Broadway to a proposed roundabout near Burlington. It also considers how federal dollars could be used to fund improvements across Minot, Surrey, and Burlington. Officials stress that every comment counts — shaping not just today’s fixes, but the transportation system the region will rely on for decades. Kyona Rivera with KMOT has the full story; view the plan and take the survey at the links below.

View the plan here. Take the survey here.

The University of Mary is celebrating record enrollment this fall, with nearly 4,000 students — the largest in its 66-year history. Growth is spread across undergraduate, graduate, and online programs, drawing students from all 50 states and 20 countries, though North Dakota still leads the way. An 83% freshman retention rate signals strong student satisfaction, while major investments like the $45 million Marauders Athletics Complex and the launch of the Catholic Montessori Institute highlight the university’s long-term vision for education and community impact. Sebastian Mendoza with KX News has the full story.

North Dakota farmers are staring down a tough road ahead, squeezed by rising health insurance costs and falling crop prices. With Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire in 2025, many farm families could see premiums jump more than 75%—a blow for households already carrying heavy debt loads. At the same time, soybean growers are facing shrinking export markets as China turns to Brazil and Argentina, leaving bins full and buyers scarce. The combination of higher costs, lower prices, and limited storage is deepening concerns about farm solvency heading into 2026. Michael Standaert with North Dakota News Cooperative has the full story.

Prairie Public, North Dakota’s longtime public broadcaster, is facing its toughest test yet. This week the organization announced a nearly 20% staff reduction after losing both federal funding and a large portion of its state support. Leaders warn that some programming and services may be scaled back, though they pledge to keep serving communities across the region. The cuts underscore a larger debate: whether public media should be sustained by taxpayer dollars or left to rely solely on listener and viewer support. Michael Achterling with North Dakota Monitor has the full story.

While national Republican leaders tout a booming economy under Donald Trump, North Dakota officials are painting a very different picture. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring describes farmers squeezed between low crop prices and soaring production costs, much of it worsened by tariffs. Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread warns that Trump’s signature health care law could trigger steep premium hikes, pushing coverage out of reach for many. Unlike Washington, state leaders can’t paper over problems with deficit spending — they’re dealing with the fallout up close. Rob Port with InForum has the full story.

North Dakota is home to more than 400 managed fishing waters, but keeping them healthy is an ever-changing challenge. On the latest NDO podcast, fisheries manager Scott Gangl explains how lakes evolve over time — from booming with new nutrients to slowly filling with silt —...

Today, Minister responsible for the Water Security Agency (WSA) Daryl Harrison provided an update on three major infrastructure projects that were completed around Rafferty Dam this summer, totaling an investment of more than $15 million. “Rafferty Dam is an important piece of infrastructure, serving and protecting...

Americans throw away more than a billion dollars’ worth of aluminum cans each year, a loss that now carries new weight as tariffs reshape the market. With imports suddenly more expensive, scrap has become the industry’s lifeline — cheaper, cleaner, and far less energy-hungry than smelting raw metal. But the shift isn’t without turbulence: shipments are down, workers are being laid off, and producers are split over trade policy. For now, the nation’s aluminum future may hinge on how much we recycle. Maria Gallucci with Canary Media has the full story.

A Facebook post accusing Fargo police of “cowardice” in handling a reported assault quickly gained traction, prompting the department to release bodycam details and clarify its officers’ actions. Police say when they arrived, both the man and woman involved denied anything was wrong, leaving them without a cooperative victim or clear evidence to make an arrest. While the incident has sparked criticism and questions, officials stress that they must balance public concern with the legal threshold required to act. Tasha Carvell with InForum has the full story.

I am not, nor have I ever been, a Scandinavian. I’m half German and half human. That said, I must confess to being a fan of the Norsk Høstfest. It is a Minot creation and the brainchild of the late Chet Reiten. Reiten was an owner of radio and television stations, a mayor of Minot, and a Republican state senator from Minot. He was a big thinker.

Since its inception in the 1970s, predictably, things have changed. There have been several adversities: Covid, the big flood, Epic, the Canadian dollar valued at only seventy-three cents, many Canadians boycotting the USA because of trade issues and recent insults, current gloom regarding the farm economy, and competition for big entertainment from casinos.

That said, the same toughness and bravery of the immigrants who built this city are to be remembered and emulated. The Norsk Høstfest has survived as long as it has because of its corporate sponsors. Their support is needed to keep ticket prices reasonable. The other key has been and continues to be the many volunteers who donate their time and talents. The number of volunteers is impressive. Not very many communities of this size could pull that off.

The value of the basic ticket price this year was only forty-five dollars. An extra fifteen dollars would gain one entry to the stage show. Try that anywhere else. The local talent was amazing. The Western Plains Children’s Choir consists of local kids. They are wonderful. Teho performed, a fiddling duo from Finland, who had jaw-dropping talent. They are touring the USA and left a day early for a performance in Bloomington, Indiana.

A cameo appearance was made by Jenny Lynn Stewart of New York City, who was here as a tourist. She sang a song with such power that you could hear a pin drop. Gordy Lindquist was gracious enough to give her some space during his performance. Socks were knocked off. Don’t be surprised if she is on the program next year. Her voice is a gift from God.

The MHA Nation dancers were one of the biggest draws. That was nice to see. There were various talented musicians playing such unique instruments as the nyckelharpa and the Hardanger fiddle. There is much more, but these are just a few of the highlights.

In closing, it was really nice to see all of the young people from our local schools at the Høstfest. Getting them to experience real people and performers is a blessing. Would we rather have them on their cell phones? The people who got them to the Hostfest and got them to participate in song and dance deserve high praise.

See ya der den next year, by golly.