Today in Minot

Montana’s property tax system is under scrutiny, and for good reason. A recent investigation revealed that thousands of million-dollar homes — including Gov. Greg Gianforte’s — benefit from agricultural tax breaks, paying far less than comparable residential properties. This loophole allows high-end real estate on large parcels to qualify for reduced land taxes, shifting the burden onto other taxpayers.

That article, published from the Montana Free Press in January, raises a different question about property taxes — is the real issue less about local spending and more about who pays and who gets off easy?

In North Dakota, the legislature has taken a different approach. A bill likely to become law trades a cap on local budgets for a large infusion of state money aimed at easing the burden on homeowners. Since the legislative session began in January, this outcome has been the primary focus, leaving many other important tax reform questions untouched.

It all leads to a larger question: When it comes to property taxes, are we addressing the symptoms, or have we even begun to tackle the root of the problem?

The U.S. Supreme Court is weighing a case that could reshape how states challenge federal environmental regulations. At the heart of the dispute is whether lawsuits over EPA decisions should be heard in the D.C. Circuit — known for handling national issues — or in regional courts where states can argue that local factors matter. Justices raised concerns about the potential for conflicting rulings across circuits, underscoring the stakes for how environmental rules are reviewed and enforced nationwide. Alex Brown writing for Stateline has the full story.

Esports is redefining what it means to be part of a team, and for 268 North Dakota high school students, the state tournament at UND was their chance to prove it. Among them was Minot North sophomore Evan Guilmino, competing in Super Smash Bros and gaining confidence with each match. Esports not only hones skills like strategy and communication but also opens doors to future careers. As the energy filled the Memorial Union, it was clear — this is more than just gaming.

Pamela Knudson with the Grand Forks Herald has the full story.

Fargo may soon see a major shift in its downtown landscape. Commissioner John Strand is proposing that the city’s new convention center be built on one of several prime city-owned properties, including the vacant Mid America Steel site or a cluster of underused buildings near Third Avenue North. With a $40-$45 million price tag and hopes of attracting large events that often bypass Fargo, the project could reshape the city’s core. If approved, these sites will be part of an ongoing request-for-proposal process, inviting bids to bring this vision to life.

The “Keeping Up With the Jones” phenomena applies to cities, too. Except, the consequences are different when one place fails to keep pace with the places around it — the actual Jones family moves to the nicer, more economically successful place, and the old street they lived on loses a neighbor and community member.

Donald Trump is once again floating the idea of a third term — and this time, he insists he’s not joking. In a recent interview with NBC News, Trump suggested there are “methods” to bypass the constitutional limit imposed by the 22nd Amendment, which restricts presidents to two terms. While he didn’t offer specifics, Trump hinted at options, including a scenario where Vice President JD Vance could “pass the baton.” With 2029 still far off, Trump’s comments raise serious questions about the boundaries of presidential power.

Chris Megerian with The Associated Press has the full story linked below.

A grim search continues in Lithuania as U.S. and allied forces work to recover four U.S. Army soldiers whose vehicle has been submerged in a swamp for over five days. The M88 Hercules, a 70-ton armored vehicle, is buried 13 feet underwater and trapped in over 6 feet of thick mud, making extraction extremely difficult. Despite the challenges, a U.S. Navy dive team has successfully attached a line to the vehicle, marking a critical first step. The mission now is to bring these soldiers home.

Julia Kim with NPR has the full story.

A new study says agriculture co-ops are a strong economic force in states like South Dakota – but their future is murky, because of federal tax cuts set to expire.

Farm cooperatives have been around for more than a century, allowing smaller farmers to pool together resources to buy supplies and market their products.

South Dakota State University Ness School of Management and Economics Associate Professor Matthew Elliott helped lead research into co-op profits in North and South Dakota and Minnesota.

Even though corporations and industrial farms have a growing presence in agriculture, he said co-ops have staying power.

“There is consolidation going on to achieve efficiencies, but generally we see cooperatives still maintaining a good business volume in these industries,” said Elliott, “and that’s been pretty consistent, steady, for a long time.”

He said co-ops benefit from the tax cut law enacted during the first Trump administration by allowing income from member sales to be taxed at lower rates.

The study says in 2022, that newer deduction helped generate $255 million in economic activity in South Dakota farming towns.

Republicans in Congress want to extend the broader tax cuts. But skeptics say that would require drastic spending cuts, which would harm rural communities and eat away at farmers’ profits.

When focusing solely on the co-op tax deduction, Elliot said it’s likely a more effective tool in this part of the country.

“It can be a struggle to get investment interested in our region,” said Elliott. “It’s one of those ways the dollars we do generate, we can keep here and keep multiplying and growing our economy.”

He said those are extra dollars farmers can use to boost worker pay or buy equipment from local dealers at a time when small towns struggle with population loss.

If the deduction expires, observers say these farmers will have higher tax bills.

Overall, the planned extension of the Trump tax cuts has renewed debate about whether they mostly benefit wealthier Americans, and leave middle- and low-income workers behind.

Read the study from SD Extension Service here.

Pollinators — the tiny workers behind much of our food and thriving ecosystems — are in serious trouble. A comprehensive new study reveals that over 20% of pollinator species in North America face the risk of extinction. Bees are the hardest hit, with nearly 35% of species teetering toward disappearance. Habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change are driving this alarming trend. While Canada’s vast landscapes provide some protection, pollinators tied to fragile habitats in southern Ontario and the prairies remain vulnerable. The stakes are high — as these species vanish, so do the plants that rely on them.

Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass is more than poetry — it’s a timeless meditation on the solitary work of becoming oneself. Whitman understood that no one can walk the path of self-discovery for another, just as no teacher or prophet can relieve us of the responsibility to look within. His words remind us that life is a reflection of what we make of it — the love, the teaching, and the giving all return to the giver. At the heart of it all lies the self, waiting to be known.

If you’re looking for a little respite from the “news”, this piece from Maria Popova provides a little softer, more reflective reading.