Today in Minot

Minot’s police force is stretched thin, and city leaders are looking for creative solutions. A new partnership between the Minot Police Department and Minot State University aims to ease the burden while giving students hands-on experience in law enforcement. The proposed Community Service Officer program would place students in key support roles—handling non-emergency tasks and learning on the job—while also covering much of their educational costs. If successful, the program could help fill officer shortages and create a pipeline of future law enforcement professionals in Minot.

Jill Schramm with the Minot Daily has the full story. You can watch the full presentation in the video below (if the video does not start directly at the police discussion; skip to the 2:26;44 mark of the video.

About 1,000 silent protesters read from their books in front of North Dakota libraries Saturday to protest a bill that would force the removal of sexually explicit and obscene content from school and public libraries. Senate Bill 2307, sponsored by Sen. Keith Boehm, R-Mandan, would force...

Starting a business can be an isolating journey, and in North Dakota, that challenge is even greater outside the Fargo-Moorhead area (you know, where Minot is 😉 ). A new bill aims to change that. House Bill 1191, now headed to the Senate, would create an Office of Entrepreneurship to connect and support small business owners across the state. With backing from national and local advocates, the proposal seeks to expand resources, provide technical support, and help entrepreneurs navigate state agencies. If approved, it could mean a stronger foundation for new businesses statewide.

David Olson with Inforum has the full story. Bill details can be found below.

In small towns, community spaces aren’t just buildings—they’re where neighbors become friends, where stories are shared, and where history lives on. In Driscoll, that place is the old high school gym, now a gathering hall in need of serious repairs. Ashley Peyer and the _Save The Hall_ nonprofit are rallying the community to restore it, from kitchen upgrades to a much-needed roof replacement. It’s a daunting task, but with fundraisers, donations, and a little hometown pride, they’re proving that when a town comes together, anything is possible.

Get the full story on the effort from the Bismarck Tribune linked below.

The U.S. military’s cyber operations against Russia have been put on pause, a decision that’s already raising alarms in Washington. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered U.S. Cyber Command to stand down on cyber- and information-operations planning, reportedly as part of an effort to bring Russia to the negotiating table over Ukraine. Critics argue the move weakens U.S. security at a time when Russian cyber threats remain active. With Congress demanding answers, this shift in policy could have far-reaching consequences for national and global stability.

David DiMofletta has the full story linked below from Defense One.

The Trump administration is exploring ways to ease sanctions on Russia, a move that could reshape U.S. foreign policy and its role in the Ukraine war. The White House has asked officials to draft a list of potential sanctions relief, signaling a shift toward diplomatic and economic negotiations with Moscow. While the details remain unclear, the discussions could have major geopolitical and economic consequences, from energy markets to international alliances. With Congress likely to weigh in, the debate over this approach is just beginning.

Get the full story from Reuters.

Trade tensions are escalating fast. President Trump’s new tariffs—25% on imports from Mexico and Canada, and a doubling of duties on Chinese goods to 20%—are already triggering retaliation. Canada and Mexico are preparing their own tariffs, and China is hitting back with new duties on U.S. agricultural products and restrictions on American firms. With North America’s deeply integrated economy at stake and global markets reacting sharply, business leaders warn the move could lead to job losses, higher consumer prices, and even recession. The consequences are just beginning to unfold.

Get the full story from Reuters linked below.

Measles was supposed to be a problem of the past. But as vaccination rates decline, this dangerous disease is making a comeback. Texas is in the middle of an outbreak, and now, North Dakota’s numbers suggest it could be next. Exemptions for school-required vaccines have more than doubled in the state since 2017, fueled by misinformation and shifting political winds. No cases have been reported yet—but if these trends continue, it may only be a matter of time.

Rob Port with Inforum.com has the full story.