Today in Minot

A Ward County couple, Dalton and Amber Hattem, have been charged with multiple felonies related to the sexual abuse and exploitation of cognitively impaired adults at a Minot facility between April and December 2024. Amber, a former Certified Nurse Assistant at Minot Health and Rehab Center, allegedly engaged in sexual acts with two patients and recorded explicit videos while on duty. Dalton is accused of encouraging her actions and receiving the recordings. Both face serious charges as the investigation continues. KX News has the full story.

Randy Hedberg, a Parshall native and longtime college football coach, has been named grand marshal of the 2025 North Dakota State Parade. Set for July 19 in Minot, the 43rd parade will honor Hedberg’s remarkable 45-year coaching career, which included 11 seasons as NDSU’s quarterbacks coach, where he helped develop NFL talents like Carson Wentz and Trey Lance. Hedberg’s deep ties to Minot State and his impact on North Dakota football make him a fitting choice to lead this year’s celebration. Read more at the Minot Daily News.

UND’s Treysen Eaglestaff and NDSU’s Jacari White are the latest to enter the transfer portal, part of a growing trend in college basketball. With over 1,000 men’s players currently in the portal and eight UND women’s players following suit, programs are facing constant roster turnover. NIL opportunities are a major factor, with collectives like UND’s 1883 Collective helping athletes secure financial deals. As the portal reshapes college basketball, coaches at all levels are adjusting to the reality of building—and rebuilding—teams each season.

For more on how this relatively new program is reshaping college teams, this article from Ryan McNamara at Inforum is a quick read.

In a surprising turnaround, the North Dakota Senate voted Wednesday to approve a bill establishing academic tenure guidelines after rejecting it the day before. House Bill 1437 requires higher education institutions to implement tenure policies, including regular evaluations of faculty, with post-tenure reviews every five years. Critics argue the bill overreaches into higher education governance, while supporters say it adds accountability. The bill now returns to the House for concurrence before heading to the governor for approval or veto. Get the full story from Inforum; bill details are below.

The North Dakota Senate voted 45-2 on Thursday to override Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s first veto, rejecting his concerns about a proposed tax credit for prison industries. Senate Bill 2261, which creates a tax credit to support Rough Rider Industries at the State Penitentiary, faced criticism from Armstrong for potentially giving an unfair advantage over out-of-state manufacturers. Despite the governor’s concerns, the Senate advanced the override effort. The House now needs a two-thirds majority to finalize the veto override.

Deanna “Dee” Decimus Holmes, founder of All Embracing Home Care, has been named North Dakota Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Holmes, who started her in-home care business in 2019, now serves over 100 clients across nine North Dakota counties and recently expanded to Arizona. Her dedication to providing quality care and her success as an entrepreneur will be recognized during National Small Business Week in Washington, D.C., where she hopes to gain insights to better serve her clients.

Spring is bringing new life to the International Peace Garden, where staff are preparing for a vibrant season of planting and volunteer events. Annuals grown at Saddler’s Greenhouse will arrive in late May, just in time for volunteer planting days on June 14 and 21. This year’s outdoor garden theme, “Peace,” will feature colorful designs with imagery of doves and peace signs. Mother’s Day, May 11, kicks off the season with a special lunch and a preview of the stunning blooms to come.

Paleontologists have identified a new dinosaur species, _Duonychus tsogtbaatari_, discovered in Mongolia’s Gobi desert. What sets this 90-million-year-old herbivore apart is its massive, fully preserved claw—nearly 30 centimeters long—and its unusual two-fingered hands, a rarity among therizinosaurs. Researchers suggest the claws were adapted for grasping vegetation, offering a stronger, more controlled grip. The fossil, unearthed in 2012, includes parts of the pelvis, arms, and vertebrae, but its two-fingered anatomy and preserved keratin claw sheath make it a unique find. James Woodford at New Scientist has the full story.

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Thailand and Myanmar midday Friday, collapsing a high-rise under construction in Bangkok and forcing mass evacuations. A 6.4 magnitude aftershock followed. Authorities are assessing damage across Bangkok and parts of Myanmar, including Mandalay’s historic royal palace. No casualty reports are confirmed yet, and aftershocks remain a concern. The Associated Press has ongoing coverage linked below.