Today in Minot

Beneath the Nevada desert, in tunnels once used for full-scale nuclear tests, scientists are quietly studying the aging core of America’s nuclear arsenal. While the U.S. hasn’t detonated a nuclear bomb since 1992, new experiments—using high-powered X-rays and particle bombardment—aim to keep its stockpile reliable without breaking the global testing moratorium. But as tensions rise, with Russia and China expanding their test sites, some U.S. officials are calling for a return to live detonations. The question now: Will the world’s nuclear powers hold the line, or will testing resume?

For the full, in-depth story, Geoff Brumfiel with NPR has it linked below.

Minot musician Chloe Raye has released her new country single, “Blame It On Where I Grew Up.” Within days, the song caught the ears of radio stations across the globe, showcasing her roots in North Dakota. Drawing inspiration from local landscapes, Raye spent three years crafting this piece with two national songwriters. She reflects on her journey from Minot while staying connected to her community. Fans can catch her live performances at various venues, including Arthur’s Barn on February 28 and Bottineau Winter Park on March 15.

With local newspapers facing mounting challenges, a new initiative aims to secure their future in North Dakota. The Rural Development Finance Corporation has launched the _Future of Local News Initiative_, a study designed to assess the struggles of local papers and find ways to expand coverage in underserved areas. Partnering with the North Dakota Newspaper Association, the project will gather input from publishers and readers to develop solutions. With a steering committee in place, the first steps begin this month, with final recommendations expected in the fall.

Get the full story from KX News.

North Dakota’s House has approved three major property tax relief bills, each taking a different approach to cutting costs for residents and businesses. House Bill 1176 expands the primary residence tax credit and caps local tax increases at 3%, offering $503 million in relief. House Bill 1168 focuses on reducing school district taxes and limiting tax hikes, providing $120 million in cuts. House Bill 1575 lowers taxable values for all properties while expanding relief programs, totaling $703 million. With near-unanimous support in the House, the Senate will now weigh its options.

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North Dakota lawmakers have rejected two bills that would have significantly changed how candidates qualify for the ballot. **House Bill 1446** sought to eliminate party endorsements as a path to candidacy, requiring all candidates to gather signatures instead. Supporters argued it would make the process more open, while opponents defended party vetting. Meanwhile, **House Bill 1424** aimed to do the opposite—making endorsements mandatory for candidates running under a party label. Both proposals failed, leaving the state’s current system intact as lawmakers continue debating how parties should shape elections.

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The North Dakota House sent a clear message on Monday, rejecting two bills that would have reshaped the state’s ethics oversight. Lawmakers overwhelmingly defeated House Bill 1360, a proposal to give the Ethics Commission greater control over its investigations, citing concerns about unchecked power. A separate bill, aimed at shielding legislators from criminal conflict-of-interest charges under certain conditions, also failed. The votes reflect ongoing tensions over how ethics laws should be enforced—balancing oversight with legal safeguards for public officials.

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In a packed legislative session, North Dakota lawmakers debated seven gun-related bills, but only two made it through. One, House Bill 1588, allows local governments to ban guns in public buildings and increases penalties for crimes involving binary trigger firearms—a measure some see as a tribute to a slain Fargo police officer. Another, House Bill 1326, denies self-defense claims for those using illegal firearms. Meanwhile, efforts to loosen gun restrictions, including church carry and red flag law bans, failed to gain traction. The debate over firearm policy remains far from settled.

Inforum.com has the full story.

In North Dakota’s legislature, a debate over marriage rights is reigniting tensions that many thought were settled a decade ago. House Resolution 3013, which urges the U.S. Supreme Court to redefine marriage as between a man and a woman, passed with strong support—but for Rep. Austin Foss, the fight is personal. Less than a year after his own wedding, he stood on the House floor defending his right to exist and be happy. While the resolution carries no legal weight, Foss warns it sends a clear message. His response? Stay, fight, and be heard.

Michael McGurran has the full story on Rep. Foss’s call to action.

North Dakota is poised to take a major leap in drone technology. With an $11 million investment, the state will integrate its unmanned aerial system with the FAA, vastly expanding commercial drone operations beyond visual line of sight. This move could transform industries like agriculture, energy, and emergency response, making North Dakota a national leader in drone innovation. But alongside this progress, questions loom over security concerns and potential bans on Chinese-made drones. As the industry evolves, North Dakota is setting the stage for what comes next.

Michael Standaert with the North Dakota News Cooperative has the full story that’s give a clear look at the horizon of North Dakota aeronautics.

When schools struggle to find teachers, the problem is visible. But another staffing crisis is unfolding quietly—one that affects nearly every aspect of school life. North Dakota’s schools are facing a growing shortage of paraprofessionals, bus drivers, and other non-licensed staff, essential workers who support classrooms,...

High in Norway’s melting glaciers, history is surfacing—one artifact at a time. As the ice recedes, archaeologists are uncovering well-preserved relics of ancient travel, trade, and survival, from delicate arrows with intact fletching to mysterious wooden objects lost to time. The Lendbreen ice patch, once a bustling route for Viking-era traders and hunters, yielded some of its best discoveries yet this past summer. With each find, researchers piece together the story of those who once braved these frozen paths—and they’re eager to return for more.

This story form Science Alert is a journey into the past of our Scandinavian ancestors and it comes with a lot of pictures to see the discoveries.

When you buy beef at the grocery store, do you know where it came from? Iowa farmers say you should—and they’re pushing Congress to bring back country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork. The rule once required meat to be labeled with its source, but it was repealed in 2015 after trade disputes. Now, advocates like Barb Kalbach argue that clear labeling would not only help consumers make informed choices but also support local ranchers who want fair compensation for their products. The debate now moves to Washington.

Tucked deep in the Arctic permafrost, a vault unlike any other holds the world’s most precious insurance policy: seeds. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, opened just three times a year, is humanity’s safeguard against a changing climate and uncertain future. This week, scientists from around the world arrived to deposit over 14,000 new samples, reinforcing a growing collection designed to outlast wars, disasters, and time itself. As extreme weather threatens food security, the vault stands as a quiet but critical defense against scarcity.

Get the full story from Ayurella Horn-Muller writing for Grist.