Today in Minot

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) was notified Tuesday of a malfunction in the Keystone Pipeline, operated by South Bow, that resulted in the release of an unknown volume of crude oil. The pipeline was shut down immediately after the leak...

Minot’s police department wants new tools to fight crime—and they’re looking to license plate readers to help. The proposed system would snap still images of passing vehicles, flagging plates linked to crimes or missing persons. Supporters say it could speed up investigations and enhance public safety. But some council members raised concerns about privacy and the potential for abuse. For now, the council has pressed pause, asking for a clearer policy before moving forward with a $61,500 contract in next year’s budget.

Kyona Rivera with KMOT has more on the story. You cant watch the presentation and discussion below.

North Dakota is one step closer to welcoming public charter schools. A bill clearing the House this week would allow these independently run, publicly funded schools to open outside traditional school districts—if communities want them. Supporters see new opportunities, especially in areas where schools are at risk of closing. Critics worry about funding being stretched too thin. As the bill heads back to the Senate, the debate continues: is this innovation in education, or division of already limited resources?

With the legislation seemingly headed to Governor Armstrong after concurrence, we’re about to move the debate out of politics and into the real world where we’ll find out for sure. That is, if we’re paying close attention and remember how we got here. Michael Achterling with North Dakota Monitor has the full story. Bill details are below.

Fargo voters embraced approval voting years ago, hoping for a fairer, more representative local election process. Now, that experiment may be coming to an end. Lawmakers have passed a bill that would ban approval and ranked-choice voting statewide—despite Fargo’s clear support for the method. Supporters of the ban say it’s about preserving trust and simplicity. Opponents say it overrides local choice. The bill now awaits the governor’s decision, with Fargo’s trailblazing system hanging in the balance.

Why does this matter in Minot? It’s evidence that we’re on the slow train to central control. And when we usurp local control in favor of Bismarck decision makers, what we lose is the ability to solve problems that are unique to our communities. Peyton Haug with InForum has latest on the lawmaking in Bismarck; bill details are below.

When Chris Klieman speaks up, people in college football tend to listen—and right now, he’s sounding the alarm. The former NDSU coach and current Kansas State head man isn’t just venting about wins or losses. He’s calling out the system itself. Between looming roster limits tied to the NCAA’s legal settlement and the chaos of the transfer portal, Klieman says the soul of the game—the walk-ons, the grinders, the late bloomers—is being pushed out. For him, this isn’t just policy; it’s personal.

Jeff Kolpack with InForum has the full story.

In North Dakota politics, winning the Republican endorsement is often the same as winning the election. So it matters—deeply—how those endorsements are decided. But right now, there’s no single rulebook. Local party districts are skirting state GOP guidelines, locking out challengers and keeping party leadership from enforcing transparency. Even in Minot, we’ve seen it: candidates denied participation, others protected from competition. That’s the synopsis; Rob Port with InForum has the full commentary on where the real power in North Dakota politics is gravitating toward.

For international researchers in Norway, a major obstacle may soon be lifted. The government is backing away from a rule that required non-Nordic PhD students and postdocs to complete mandatory Norwegian language training — a policy many feared would deter global talent. While some still view language as a cultural bridge, critics argued the law went too far. Now, with a new minister at the helm and reforms on the table, Norway seems poised to rethink how it welcomes the world’s scientists.

Why does this matter in Minot? It’s about removing barriers, and that’s lesson that applies every place all the time. If we want something to happen, we have to remove the barriers preventing it before it can start. Kudos to Norway for tearing down one that was in the way of their goal.

The Yankees aren’t just swinging for the fences—they’re swinging smarter. Faced with the dominance of modern pitching, the team turned to science, reshaping bats to better match where players make contact. The result? A “torpedo bat” with a bigger sweet spot, a lighter feel, and some eye-popping results. It’s not a magic fix, and not every player is sold—but for a team built on big moments and big ideas, this quiet innovation might just be the loudest thing in baseball right now.

For more on the bat that’s taking balls out of the park, Louisa Thomas with The New Yorker has the full, fun story.

When local music thrives in Fargo, it echoes in places like Minot, too. A recent stretch of hard-hitting Fargo shows at The Aquarium—just upstairs from Dempsey’s—was more than a good weekend of rock, punk, and metal. It was a reminder: live music lives and breathes because communities show up. The venues, the bands, the people behind the scenes—all of them depend on local support.

That’s the message of Ellie Keppel writing for NDSU’s student newspaper The Spectrum. Why does this matter in Minot? It invites a questions for all who enjoy music: do we yearn for the mega-star who see’s themself above playing in North Dakota or only shows up if we pay an exorbitant guarantee? Or is something a little less famous but a lot more authentic a more rewarding experience? One thoughtful young writer in Fargo is sharing an answer worth hearing.

Out of an abundance of caution the Minot Park Board has made the decision at a Special Board meeting held at Roosevelt Park on Monday, April 7 at 1:00pm to close the Roosevelt Park Pool for the 2025 Summer Season. The decision came after a tour...