Today in Minot

As school districts across Texas face hard choices and budget shortfalls, Arlington ISD is rewriting the playbook on financial stewardship. With 54,000 students and 76 campuses, they’ve traded paper bids and lost-in-the-mail contracts for a digital system that finds lower prices, tracks spending habits, and processes invoices ten times faster. AI tools flag better deals; automated reminders keep contracts on schedule. In a climate where public schools are expected to do more with less, Arlington ISD is proving that smarter systems can make every dollar count.

Kaitlyn Levinson with Route Fifty has the full story that only matters in Minot if we care about using tax dollars efficiently and are on the look out for places that are reinventing the way they do their work.

For nearly 50 years, Regina’s Scarth Street Mall has belonged to the people on foot — and after two years of debate, it’s going to stay that way. City council voted overwhelmingly to keep cars off the cobblestone block between 11th and 12th Avenues, preserving it as a pedestrian-only space. The decision reflects strong public support and sets the stage for a refreshed downtown vision: more trees, better lighting, and new seating — all designed to keep the heart of Regina walkable, social, and distinct.

Why does this matter in Minot? It’s a quick chance to look at the values and priorities of a neighboring, and increasingly a competing community. Regina is valuing people over parking spaces. That’ seems like a smart move; when was the last time you met a car that spent money? Cost money, yes. Spend money, not yet. They are learning to drive, though, so who knows.

On family trips to North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Ajith Varikuti noticed the coastline was changing — and not in a good way. Homes he’d seen for years were gone, swallowed by storms and rising seas. So, as a high school freshman, he got to work. His solution? A modular, 3D-printed home designed to withstand harsh weather and move if needed. The project won him a national design competition — and sparked a bigger idea: maybe the best way to protect the places we love is to build smarter from the start.

Nate Berg with Fast Company has the full story on how there’s a good chance the challenges we face today might not be solved by those of us who created them.

Artificial intelligence is already shaping the world students are growing up in — the question for schools isn’t whether to use it, but how. At ISTE+ASCD, educators are being challenged to move beyond using AI for quick fixes or efficiency gains. The goal is bigger: to rethink education itself. From designing more creative learning experiences to addressing equity and building future-ready skills, a national movement is underway to help teachers lead with purpose in an AI-driven world — with students, always, at the center.

If you’re a teacher or the topic ignites a spark of curiosity, this article from EdSurge will help you imagine AI from a higher vantage point.

For decades, Robert Zoellick helped shape America’s approach to the world — open markets, strong alliances, and steady leadership. Speaking this week at North Dakota State University, the former World Bank president warned those principles are slipping. From trade wars with Canada and Mexico to rising global instability, Zoellick questioned whether America’s word still carries weight abroad. His message to the Fargo audience was clear: the choices the U.S. makes now — about trade, trust, and diplomacy — will echo far beyond its borders. David Olson with InForum has the full story.

Minot’s special mayoral election now has its first official candidate. Acting Mayor Mark Jantzer announced he’s running to complete the term left open by former Mayor Tom Ross, who resigned earlier this month. Jantzer has served on the Minot City Council since 2008 and stepped into the acting mayor role on April 1. His announcement sets the stage for voters to choose new leadership in the upcoming special election. No date has been set for the election, but it is expect to be no earlier than late July.

Nebraska is one step closer to requiring age checks for social media accounts. Lawmakers advanced a bill that would make users verify their age before creating an account — and give parents broad control over their kids’ online activity. Supporters say it’s a needed response to rising mental health concerns among young people. Critics argue it’s government overreach that could limit free speech and invite legal challenges. The proposal passed its first round of debate 38-2 and now moves forward for further consideration.

Why does this matter in Minot? The data on on how awful social media has been — not just for kids — but for all of us is just starting to land. And the more learn, the hotter this debate is going to get. Nebraska is one of the states that isn’t waiting to act.

A bill aimed at reducing out-of-pocket costs for breast cancer screenings fell short in the North Dakota Senate on Friday. House Bill 1283 would have made mammograms, MRIs, and other diagnostic exams free for state employees covered by the Public Employees Retirement System. Supporters called it a step toward removing financial barriers to early detection. Despite clearing committee with a strong recommendation, the bill failed in a close 24-22 vote, leaving current cost-sharing requirements in place.

Record Store Day is here — the unofficial holiday that turns music fans into early risers, line campers, and crate diggers. This year’s celebration lands a little early, but the tradition holds: exclusive vinyl releases, rare live recordings, and limited pressings that draw collectors to local shops across the country. For Midwest music lovers, there’s added excitement with special releases from Prince, The Replacements, Soul Asylum, and The Jayhawks — proof that the local sound still spins with lasting influence. Get there early. Flip slowly. It’s part of the ritual.

Erik Thompson with MPR has the full story on some of the special releases you might find if you let your fingers take a walk today, but don’t sit on the chance too long. No word yet on whether the line outside of Budget Music on Main Street has reached Off The Vine or all the way to Rick’s Jewelry.

While measles has grabbed the headlines, another preventable disease is quietly surging — and it’s claiming lives. Whooping cough, or pertussis, has roared back across the country, with cases rising more than 1,500% since 2021. Babies are especially at risk, and recent deaths in Louisiana, Washington, and other states are a grim warning. Health experts say the cause is clear: falling vaccination rates, growing pockets of unprotected communities, and a public health system weakened just when it’s needed most.

Duaa Eldeib and Patricia Callahan with ProPublica has the full, in-depth, data-driven story from ProPublica.

Cities across the U.S. are rethinking how streets can serve people, not just cars — and they’re doing it without waiting years for big-budget projects. From Jersey City’s pop-up bike lanes to small towns in Appalachia testing new ways to draw visitors downtown, “tactical urbanism” is becoming a go-to strategy. A new study backs up what many have seen firsthand: when streets become places to gather and explore, local businesses benefit. Temporary street changes aren’t just experiments — they’re investments that pay off.

Asia Mieleszko with Strong Towns has the full story.

Icelandic companies are finding themselves caught between two sets of rules — their own country’s laws promoting equality and the U.S. government’s push to ban DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) policies from federal contracts. Businesses working with the U.S. Embassy in Reykjavik are now being asked to certify they don’t operate under DEI guidelines — even though Icelandic law requires them to. It’s a collision of legal cultures, and Iceland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs is stepping in to figure out how — or if — these conflicting demands can coexist.

The idea of bringing back an extinct animal sounds like science fiction — but it’s happening. Using ancient DNA and modern gene editing, a Dallas-based company has bred three pups modeled after the legendary dire wolf. And a piece of that story might lead back to North Dakota. Leaders from the MHA Nation are in early talks with the company, exploring the animal’s cultural significance and potential role in tribal history. For now, the pups are growing up on a private preserve — but their story is just beginning. Joe Skurzewski with KMOT has the local connection to an emerging global story.

Minot’s leaders are leaning toward keeping tax incentive programs as part of the city’s economic development strategy — but they want to be smart about it. A review committee signaled support for tools like the Renaissance Zone and property tax exemptions for builders and homeowners, noting their role in revitalizing downtown and supporting new projects. At the same time, some committee members say it’s time to look harder at how these programs are funded — and whether sales tax dollars, not property owners, should cover the cost of growth. Jill Schramm with Minot Daily News has the full story.

For the Minot Police Department, cameras aren’t just about catching wrongdoing — they’re about getting the story right. For over a decade, every officer has worn a body camera, capturing moments that might otherwise come down to one person’s word against another. Linked with patrol car cameras, the system offers a wide-angle view of every call — a tool for truth, accountability, and sometimes tough lessons. Now, the department is looking to expand its tech toolkit with license plate readers — but only after setting clear rules for their use.

With the Police Department recently bringing the use of license plate reading to City Council for consideration, this story by Will Albert with KX News provides a timely deeper look at how the department has been integrating new technology.