Today in Minot

After weeks of tough back-and-forth, Minot teachers and school leaders have reached a deal. The new one-year contract keeps the base salary steady but delivers modest raises through step increases and education-based adjustments—anywhere from 1.2% to just over 4%. With retention bonuses now in place and updated benefits, the agreement aims to support stability in the classroom. It’s a nearly $2 million bump in the district’s compensation package—and a signal that even in tight times, retaining educators remains a clear priority. Charles Crane with Minot Daily News has the full story.

It’s not often a living legend comes home. This month, Minot and surrounding communities will welcome back Rev. Robert Polk—now 97—for a celebration of a life devoted to faith, justice, and service. Polk’s journey began here in the 1950s, when he became a rare and courageous presence: a Black spiritual leader in rural North Dakota. What followed was a trailblazing career across the country. Now, his return offers a moment to reflect, honor, and reconnect with a man who quietly helped shape hearts and communities. Minot Daily News has the full story.

Fargo voters are once again at a crossroads in how they choose their leaders. After the state shut down the city’s use of approval voting, residents are pushing for a return to local control—this time by proposing primary elections for mayor and commission races. Advocates say it’s about fairness and majority rule, arguing that no candidate should win with just a fraction of the vote. Whether through primaries, a shift in government structure, or more seats at the table, the call for reform is growing louder. Melissa Van Der Stad with InForum has the full story.

Grand Forks Public Schools is taking a significant step toward addressing student mental health by elevating its support structure. Following the resignation of its mental health coordinator, the district plans to create a new director-level position focused on behavioral health and wellness. The move reflects growing demands from teachers and staff for stronger, more centralized leadership in this area—especially in the wake of the pandemic. The new role will carry broad responsibilities, from staffing and training to crisis planning and community partnerships. Hannah Shirley with Grand Forks Herald has the full story.

When people talk about shaping a city, they often think in terms of policy or politics. But in Minot, one of the most literal shapers is architect Ryan Anderson. Featured in this regional profile of architects who chose to stay rooted in the Dakotas, Anderson stands out for the ways his work is already transforming Minot—from Roosevelt Park Zoo to the Magic City Discovery Center. This is a story about staying close to home, and about building not just structures, but community. Carrie McDermott with Grand Forks Herald has the full story. Carrie McDermott with Grand Forks Herald has the full story.

When a health secretary clears out a full advisory panel, it’s bound to raise eyebrows. That’s exactly what Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has done—removing all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee in a move he says is about restoring public trust. Critics, including major medical organizations, see it differently, warning that Kennedy is dismantling a system built on decades of scientific integrity. With a new committee coming soon, the future of vaccine policy in the U.S. is suddenly uncertain—and under the microscope. Will Stone with NPR has the full story.

Americans may have grown skeptical of national media, but when it comes to local news, trust still runs deep. Even as newspapers shutter and hometown newsrooms shrink, a strong majority still believe local outlets are essential—and accurate. The paradox? People trust it, but most won’t pay for it. As the local press landscape erodes, so does the civic glue it provides: watchdog journalism, election confidence, and shared community identity. The takeaway is simple—if we value local news, we need to support it before it’s gone. Jennifer Hoewe with The Conversation has the full story.

When political power seeks to rewrite the past, George Orwell’s 1984 feels less like fiction and more like warning. In his second term, President Trump has sparked concern from historians and civil rights advocates alike for reshaping official narratives—scrubbing websites, altering curricula, and echoing the very tactics Orwell feared. This piece draws a direct line from memory holes and Newspeak to modern-day efforts to sanitize history, raising an urgent question: Who gets to define truth when power decides what stays on the record? Laura Beers with The Conversation has the full story.

After months of holding the line in a simmering trade war, Saskatchewan is backing off one of its headline countermeasures—resuming purchases of U.S.-made alcohol. The province’s liquor authority confirmed it will restock American booze, despite federal tariffs that still double the cost. Officials frame it as restoring consumer choice, but critics say it’s a political retreat just days after U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel were doubled. With Alberta already reversing a similar ban, Saskatchewan’s move signals a shift in strategy—even if tensions remain. Alec Salloum with Regina Leader Post has the full story.

The clash between President Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom has moved beyond policy disagreement into uncharted constitutional waters. As protests erupt in Los Angeles over immigration raids, the president has federalized the National Guard and floated the idea of arresting the sitting governor—a move experts call unprecedented. Newsom calls it authoritarianism. Trump calls it law and order. What’s clear is that America is witnessing a high-stakes standoff with real consequences for state sovereignty, federal power, and the right to dissent. Michael Wilner and Julia Wick with Los Angeles Times have the full story.