Today in Minot

Winnipeg’s proposed billion-dollar road extension has sparked a debate over whether it’s worth the cost. A new city report claims the Chief Peguis Trail extension will eventually generate a $1.8 billion surplus—but only if property taxes continue to rise steadily for 75 years. The reality, though, is that this growth model doesn’t pay for itself. Instead, it will push higher taxes, cuts to services, and deferred infrastructure maintenance, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill for a development that may not deliver. Elmwood Guy writing for his beloved Winnipeg unpacks the financial sandwich that’s emptier than the promises of politicians and consulting engineers.

Why does what happens in Winnipeg matter in Minot? Because we’re in the same development-infrastructure-financing trap. We’ve forgotten that the world we live in wasn’t built to completion when it started; it evolved — one slow non-subsidized project at a time. Tonight, Minot City Council will consider two items directly related to this — the heavily subsidized 16th Street redevelopment and a proposed land sale involving Minot Public Schools land that’s asking for a public commitment to infrastructure.

For the first time since its inception, TEDxFargo is making waves on TED’s official platform. Amanda Schneider, founder of ThinkLab, brings a refreshing perspective on Gen Z in the workforce with her talk, “Work is broken. Gen Z can help fix it.” Rather than disrupting, she argues, Gen Z is leading the charge for flexibility, inclusivity, and better work-life balance. Schneider’s talk explores actionable strategies for businesses navigating these changes, offering a look at how Gen Z is shaping the future of work for everyone.

Get the full story from Inforum.com. Watch below.

Shanna Barone’s story is one of warmth, resilience, and an all-too-common struggle against the bureaucratic hurdles of healthcare. After a sudden medical crisis, Shanna’s fight against cancer was met with frustrating delays caused by the insurance industry’s prior authorization process. Despite the best efforts of her oncologists, waiting for approval for life-saving treatments only worsened her condition. Her family now advocates for North Dakota Senate Bill 2280, which aims to limit these delays, hoping to spare others the painful wait that robbed Shanna of precious time.

Emily Bakum shares a personal story in this piece published on the North Dakota Monitor. Bill details on 2280 can be found below.

The Trump administration’s shift towards a more unilateral foreign policy is threatening the stability of the nuclear nonproliferation regime. Once anchored by U.S. security commitments, nations like Germany, Japan, and South Korea now see their reliance on the U.S. security umbrella eroding, prompting many to consider developing nuclear weapons of their own. This shift toward proliferation could lead to a more unstable world, where nuclear-armed states increase the risks of accidents, miscalculations, and outright conflict—fundamentally challenging global security.

Editors Note: This is thoughtful commentary on possible knock-on impact of overturning the economic and military security arrangements that have dominated the past 80 years of foreign policy. We tend to shy away from sharing speculative future-casting, but this is a perspective that is under-represented in the current threads moving through the infoverse.

In a significant move at a virtual summit in London on March 15, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer proposed sending 10,000 peacekeeping troops to Ukraine. The plan, backed by 29 international leaders, aims to ensure security in Ukraine if a peace deal with Russia is reached. While the troop numbers are smaller than initially discussed, the mission will rely on a broad coalition for logistical and intelligence support. The discussion comes amid ongoing ceasefire talks and global efforts to stabilize the region.

If you’re listening closely, you’ll hear the infoverse humming with speculative and diplomatically planted stories about Ukraine. This story is real. It’s a tangible piece of news directly from the Prime Minister of of the United Kingdom. Get the full story from the Kiiv Independent.

The Meat Institute is pushing the Trump administration to pull back on several key regulations, including those designed to protect workers and the environment. Their lobbying focuses on rolling back rules under the Clean Water Act, worker protections, and food safety standards, claiming these regulations drive up costs. However, critics argue that corporate consolidation and greed, not regulation, are the real drivers behind high food prices. This debate raises crucial questions about the balance between corporate profit, worker rights, and consumer safety.

That’s the gist of the story; Nina B. Elkadi writing for Sentient has the full version.

After months of soaring egg prices, there’s hope on the horizon for shoppers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports a steady drop in wholesale egg prices, thanks to a lull in bird flu outbreaks. While this price reduction may not be reflected immediately on store shelves, experts expect relief in the coming weeks. With fewer eggs being bought due to high costs and concerns over future outbreaks, it’s a promising sign that prices could start returning to more familiar levels soon. However, the risk of another bird flu spike remains a key factor.

As many schools across the country face declining enrollment, districts are finding creative solutions for their vacant buildings. One promising idea is repurposing closed elementary schools into early childhood education centers. Oklahoma City is leading the way, transforming former schools into vibrant spaces for infants and toddlers. These converted buildings not only offer much-needed child care spots but also help districts attract and retain families. While the process requires significant investment, it’s proving to be a win-win for both the community and the school system.

Why does this matter in Minot? We’ve got our own recently shuttered schools, and specifically with regards to the former McKinley Elementary School, it’s time to start talking about how to put them to use. Here’s an article to kickstart the conversation; and it comes with ideas that are already proving successful in a place that is similar to Minot in many ways.