Today in Minot

There’s no better time to reconnect with the land than spring in the Badlands. To mark National Park Week, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is opening its gates—literally—with free admission on April 19 and a trio of events that invite all ages to explore, learn, and lend a hand. Whether you’ve got curious kids, sturdy hiking boots, or a heart for stewardship, there’s something waiting for you in the wide-open spaces that once inspired a president. Edward Segal with KX News has the full story and all the details.

A proposal to shake up North Dakota’s gaming commission didn’t make it past the Senate. House Bill 1525 aimed to rework who sits on the five-member panel and require more frequent meetings—but critics said letting people tied to the industry oversee it raised red flags. With charitable gaming now a $2 billion enterprise, lawmakers are treading carefully. A separate bill, Senate Bill 2224, already passed the Senate by a narrow margin and would eliminate the commission entirely, shifting oversight to the attorney general’s office. Joel Porter with KX News has the full story.

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With Mayor Tom Ross stepping down, the question now is how his replacement should be chosen. By law, voters have 15 days from his resignation to petition for a special election. If enough signatures are gathered, the city would hold an election—though not until later this summer and at a cost of more than $20,000. Without a petition, the city council will appoint one of its own to serve as mayor. Petitions are available today at The Spot and Saturday at Broadway Bean & Bagel. Jill Schramm with the Minot Daily News has the full story.

The U.S. Department of Education is turning up the pressure on states, giving them just 10 days to certify that every K-12 school complies with a federal directive limiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. At stake: continued federal funding. The order builds on a February letter warning schools against race-conscious programs, drawing on the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling. Teachers unions say the directive is overreach and legally shaky, and legal battles are already underway. For schools, the clock is ticking—and the consequences could be steep. Shauneen Miranda with Iowa Capital Dispatch has the full story.

This story out of Iowa has national implications; we’ll be following up with Minot Public Schools.

Should time served mean time locked up—or time spent preparing to reenter society? That was the heart of North Dakota’s most debated bill this session. Senate Bill 2128, backed by Attorney General Drew Wrigley, sought stricter prison terms for violent and serious offenders. Supporters said it was about accountability. Opponents warned it would strain packed prisons and ignore rehabilitation. In the end, the House said no—but the debate over justice, safety, and second chances is far from over. April Baumgarten with InForum has the full story on what has been one of the more vigorously debated bills of the 2025 session.

For thousands of North Dakotans, the bus isn’t just a ride—it’s the route to work, school, and daily life. But after a pandemic-era dip in ridership cost Fargo a big chunk of its federal funding, transit systems like Matbus are facing hard choices. A new bill on the governor’s desk could offer a lifeline: $2 million in state support and a plan for the future. Whether that lifeline is extended now rests with Governor Kelly Armstrong. Kjersti Maday with InForum has the full story.

The data we give away online has built empires—and now, one Minnesota lawmaker says it’s time those empires paid rent. Senator Ann Rest is pushing a new tax on social media giants, targeting the platforms that profit from Minnesotans’ personal data. With a looming budget shortfall, she calls it a fair share. Critics see it as a dead-on-arrival tax hike. Whether it’s bold policy or political long shot, the debate brings a bigger question to the table: What is our data really worth?

This is the beginning. Social media is such a fast-moving cultural juggernaut at this moment that governments don’t understand what to do with it — tax it, regulate it, leave it be, nationalize it. One this is certain, elected leaders through government will try. Dan Ferguson with MPR has the story on a first attempt that is gathering up in Minnesota.