Today in Minot

This Earth Day, a small group in Minot made a visible impact. Volunteers from the First District Health Unit stepped out with gloves, bags, and a clear goal: to clean up litter around Oak and Roosevelt Parks. It’s the first time the organization has led a community cleanup, and with help from the City of Minot and Keep North Dakota Clean, they’re hoping the effort sparks a broader movement. As one organizer put it, the goal is simple—give back in a way people can see.

North Dakota is rolling out the welcome mat for major ag development, with the Legislature approving a $30 million incentive bill aimed at jumpstarting projects like the proposed Agristo potato processing plant in Grand Forks. The funding would come in two stages—after construction and once production hits halfway. With an emergency clause included, the measure heads to Gov. Kelly Armstrong for immediate enactment. If signed, it could fast-track Agristo’s first U.S. plant and signal the state’s deepening commitment to ag industry growth. Matthew Voigt with Grand Forks Herald has the full story.

Easton Stick is heading to Atlanta. After six seasons with the Chargers, the former NDSU standout has signed with the Falcons, where he’ll likely compete for a depth role behind rookie Michael Penix Jr. and veteran Kirk Cousins. With Trey Lance now a Charger and Carson Wentz still unsigned, Stick’s move narrows the field of Bison QBs in the NFL—but keeps the legacy alive. The Falcons’ offseason program kicked off this week, and Stick’s fresh start is officially underway.

North Dakota lawmakers have started hashing out the details of a new property tax relief bill, and while there’s agreement on some fronts, the toughest questions are still ahead. The House wants to bump the primary residence credit to $1,650—$200 more than the Senate’s version—and both sides agree on a 3% cap for local tax hikes. But debates remain over funding and whether homeowners should always pay a minimum share. Talks resume Wednesday, and the clock is ticking to find middle ground. Michael Anthony with KFYR has the full story.

When social media rewards bad behavior, it reshapes the incentives for public servants. A new study from a team of computational social scientists suggests that U.S. state legislators who spread low-credibility information or use hostile language—especially during politically volatile periods—can boost their visibility online. But not all harmful content has the same effect. This research raises serious questions about the role platform algorithms play in amplifying divisive or misleading messages, and how that might influence public trust in both the content and the institutions behind it. Yu-Ru Lin with The Conversation has the full story.

Editor’s Note: Mark Twain famously said, “A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” And that was before social media.

A jury has once again ruled that The New York Times did not defame Sarah Palin in a 2017 editorial that linked her political messaging to a mass shooting—a connection the paper quickly corrected. Though Palin argued the error damaged her reputation and spurred threats, the court found no evidence of malice or reckless disregard for the truth. The case, revived after an earlier dismissal, underscored the high bar for public figures in defamation suits—and spotlighted the fragile trust between media and the public. Larry Neumeister with Associated Press has the full story.

In a unanimous vote, the Minot City Council chose to fully cover the cost of replacing century-old decorative street lights in Shirley Court, sparing residents from a hefty special assessment. Council member Rob Fuller called it a matter of fairness, trust, and responsibility—arguing that basic infrastructure, long owned and maintained by the city, shouldn’t come with an extra bill. With parts rusted through and replacements no longer made, the six historic lanterns will be swapped for modern streetlights, funded entirely from city reserves.

Jill Schramm with Minot Daily News has the full story that dives deeper into the nuance of this decision that sets a new precedent for how the City treats lighting infrastructure replacement.

Under mounting federal pressure, the Fargo school board voted 7-2 to abandon four educational justice philosophies meant to support LGBTQ+ students, students with disabilities, and inclusive historical education. The decision came despite public opposition and was driven by fears of losing nearly $20 million in federal funds under Trump administration directives. While district leaders say protections remain in place, critics see the move as a retreat from hard-earned commitments—raising concerns about who gets to shape school values when dollars are on the line. Robin Huebner with InForum has the full story.

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