Today in Minot

Walk through the streets of a historic city like Annapolis, and you’ll feel it—every alley, every irregular building tucked into a forgotten corner tells a story of adaptation and growth. These places weren’t built all at once; they evolved, making the most of every inch of land.

Contrast that with modern suburban sprawl, where vast setbacks and rigid layouts leave little room for change. If we rethink how we use space—designing with flexibility and long-term growth in mind—our communities could mature with the same character and resilience that make historic cities so captivating.

If you’ve ever experienced a place that just made you feel good, you might like this story from Strong Towns that shines light on the unseen features of places that seem to do a good job of attracting people. What’s the secret? It’s closer to chaos than organized planning. But if we’re thoughtful, we can incorporate them both.

Minot athlete Maggie Fricke has committed to play college basketball in at home in North Dakota for the University of North Dakota. Following the announcement she joined Dom Izzo on Hot Mic for an engaging conversation on February 17, 2025. Watch below.

Minot Air Force Base is at the heart of a major modernization effort, and North Dakota leaders want to keep the upgrades moving swiftly. Sen. John Hoeven is pushing for simultaneous improvements at all three ICBM bases—Minot, F.E. Warren, and Malmstrom—arguing that concurrent construction will save time and money as the aging Minuteman III missiles are replaced with the new Sentinel system.

With Minot’s unique role in the nuclear triad, Hoeven also pressed for funding to upgrade facilities for the next-generation Long-Range Standoff cruise missile. The stakes are high, and North Dakota’s defense leaders want no delays. Eloise Ogden with The Minot Daily News has the full story getting Minot closer to the starting line on this vital project

Belcourt is preparing to welcome home Leonard Peltier after 49 years behind bars. A meal in his honor, hosted by NDN Collective, will take place February 19 at Sky Dancer Casino, with the full event beginning at noon.
Peltier, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and a longtime activist with the American Indian Movement, was granted clemency by President Biden last month. Supporters have long argued his conviction was flawed. KX News has more on the story linked below.

The Minot Public School District is weighing a significant decision regarding 70 acres of land near Erik Ramstad Middle School, which was originally gifted to them. Superintendent Scott Faul shared that discussions are ongoing, with an assessment of the land pending. While 23 acres are off the table, the district is considering selling the remaining 50 acres to pave a gravel road used by the school. The sale could also provide funding for building projects and maintenance needs within the district.

Get more on the story from KMOT News.

North Dakota lawmakers have voted to cut state funding for Prairie Public Broadcasting, a move that supporters call a step toward government efficiency and opponents warn could harm public access to educational programming. House Bill 1255, which passed the House 48-41, would strip the broadcaster of $1.2 million in state funds and prevent future public funding.

Supporters argue Prairie Public can sustain itself through membership and charitable gaming, while critics say the cut will reduce local programming, particularly in underserved communities. The bill now moves to the Senate for further debate. Jeff Beach with the North Dakota Monitor has the full story. Bill details can be found below.

North Dakota lawmakers are looking to trim government waste—or at least find out where it might be hiding. House Bill 1442, which passed overwhelmingly in the House, would create a new task force to review state programs and recommend cost-cutting measures.

Supporters say the effort is long overdue, while some wonder if finding efficiencies will ironically require expanding government oversight. The bill now heads to the Senate, where lawmakers will weigh whether this new layer of scrutiny is a path to savings or just another bureaucratic addition. Amy Dalrymple with the North Dakota Monitor has the full story linked below.

North Dakota lawmakers are weighing a resolution that challenges same-sex marriage, but opposition is strong. House Concurrent Resolution 3013 calls on the U.S. Supreme Court to redefine marriage as solely between a man and a woman, citing states’ rights.

Supporters argue the 2015 Obergefell ruling overstepped federal authority, while opponents say it strips away legal protections, from tax benefits to end-of-life decisions. With the Judiciary Committee recommending against passage, the resolution faces an uphill battle—but the debate over marriage rights in North Dakota is far from over.

The reporting on this from Inforum which is linked below indicates the resolution got a Do Not Pass recommendation. However, the bill’s legislative record in committee from the legislative website records a Do Pass recommendation. In either case, the bill will still have a full vote on the House floor at an upcoming session.

North Dakota’s Legislature is revisiting a proposal to invest $40 million in gold and silver after a narrow initial defeat. House Bill 1183 seeks to direct the state treasurer to allocate 1% of general fund deposits into these metals for the 2027-2029 period. Proponents argue this could enhance the state’s economic stability, citing significant potential gains from past investments. However, concerns linger over storage, safety, and existing investment authority. The bill now moves to the Senate following a revised vote of 54-35. Peyton Haug with Inforum has the full story; bill details can be found below.

North Dakota lawmakers have shut down a proposal that could have reshaped the state’s gaming landscape. Senate Bill 2376, which would have allowed the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa to open a casino near Grand Forks, was rejected in a 29-15 vote, ending—at least for now—what supporters saw as an opportunity for economic growth.

At the heart of the debate is a contradiction: gaming is already widespread in North Dakota. Charitable gaming, particularly electronic pull-tabs, has exploded in recent years, generating billions in revenue across the state. Yet when a tribe sought to expand its operations without subsidies or tax breaks, lawmakers said no. The decision raises larger questions about where the state draws its gaming boundaries—and why some forms of gambling flourish while others are blocked. The Grand Forks Herald Editorial Board is predictably on board with Grand Forks developing another tourist attraction for the community; they believe down the road this bill deserves another look. Read their opinion linked below.

Editor’s Note: We continue to share this story because gambling and charitable gaming is among the bigger factors reshaping North Dakota right now. By the Senate’s recent vote, we appear to have found a line — at least momentarily — that we’re not willing to cross. That’s worthy of a extra attention.

Who should decide who sits on North Dakota’s highest courts—the governor or an independent commission? That’s the question behind House Concurrent Resolution 3021, a proposal that would strip the governor of judicial appointment power and reshape the state’s legal system.

Supporters, like Rep. Lori VanWinkle, argue it’s about accountability and citizen recourse, though specifics were scarce. Critics, including the governor’s office and the State Bar Association, warn it’s unnecessary and could undermine judicial independence. The resolution remains in committee, but if it advances, voters will have the final say. Bill details can be found below.

Editor’s Comment: If you want to see what a power grab looks like, this article from Grant Coursey and the Bismarck Tribune on HCR 3021 is a good place to start. Sometimes they come under the guise of “let the people vote on it.”

Moderates in Montana’s state Senate made headlines during a late-night session by asserting control over key proceedings, signaling frustration with the Republican leadership’s pace. This coalition of 18 minority Democrats and nine Republicans pushed through 20 motions to advance stalled legislation, despite the GOP’s majority. The surprising developments included a breakthrough on Medicaid expansion, stirring debates about control and priorities within the Senate. The session was marked by humor and tensions, reflecting the complexities of partisan dynamics in the chamber.

Why does this matter in Minot? Political expediency seems to have won out — for the moment — over the traditional partisan entrenchments. And at moment when we’re in a Ground Hog Day loop, anything different is worth noting. Also, thought it hasn’t been specifically called out as such, this is happening in North Dakota on a regular basis — the Republican legislators splitting on many issues, some you’ll find in the news today.