Today in Minot

North Dakota’s oil boom once filled the state’s coffers, but the landscape is shifting. Nearly half of the state’s oil wells now qualify for a tax exemption designed for low-producing wells, cutting into tax revenue faster than lawmakers anticipated. Even if production picks up through new technology, those wells will keep their exemption under current policy. As legislators review budget forecasts, some are asking hard questions: Is this tax structure sustainable, and what does North Dakota get in return? With billions at stake, the debate is just beginning.

Amy Dalrymple with the North Dakota Monitor has the full story. HB 1483 is tangentially related; it would expand tax credits for certain oil wells.

Improvements are underway at Minot Air Force Base. With more than $177 million in construction projects approved, the base is making major upgrades—including a $141 million helicopter operations facility to house the new MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters. Other projects include expanded vehicle maintenance, dorm renovations, and upgrades to the Child Development Center. These investments ensure mission readiness and improved quality of life for personnel. As construction moves forward,

Eloise Ogden with the Minot Daily News has the full story linked below.

For 355 years, Hudson’s Bay has been a cornerstone of Canadian commerce, evolving from a fur-trading empire to a high-end department store chain. Now, the country’s oldest retailer is fighting to stay afloat. Struggling with debt, declining foot traffic, and economic pressures, the company has sought creditor protection in a bid to restructure. Once a retail giant, Hudson’s Bay now faces an uncertain future—another casualty of shifting shopping habits and financial headwinds reshaping the industry. NPR has the full story.

The University of North Dakota is one of 45 colleges now under federal investigation for allegedly using race-based criteria in graduate programs. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is probing whether partnerships with organizations like The PhD Project violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. UND officials acknowledge the investigation but have offered no further comment. The case is part of a broader federal effort to scrutinize university policies on race, free speech, and campus inclusion, adding to an already heated national debate.

Joshua Irvine with the Grand Forks Herald has the full story.

North Dakota’s part-time Legislature could see a major change. Lawmakers are considering a resolution to expand legislative days and allow annual sessions—a shift that would require voter approval. Supporters argue more frequent meetings would improve efficiency, while others worry about added costs and lost time in session transitions. A separate bill proposing annual sessions without expanding legislative days has already cleared the House. As the debate unfolds, the question remains: Should North Dakota’s government meet more often, or stick to its biennial rhythm?

Grant Coursey with the Bismarck Tribune has the full story. Bill details can be found below.

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As North Dakota lawmakers explore nuclear energy, a familiar challenge looms—what to do with the waste. Senate Bill 2159, which removes restrictions on nuclear waste research, passed the Senate with little opposition but is now facing pushback from farmers and environmental groups. The debate reflects a broader national struggle: while nuclear offers steady, low-carbon power, long-term waste storage remains unresolved. With bipartisan interest in advanced reactors, North Dakota must decide if the benefits outweigh the risks—or if history is bound to repeat itself.

Joey Harris with The Bismarck Tribune has the full story. Bill details can be found below.

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Denver’s housing crisis isn’t about parking—it’s about people. As the city grows, officials are rethinking outdated parking mandates that drive up costs and stall development. By removing these rigid requirements, Denver hopes to make housing more affordable and flexible, allowing developers to build for actual demand rather than arbitrary rules. Other cities have already proven it works. Now, Denver is considering the same shift, recognizing that space for cars shouldn’t take priority over space for people to live.

If you’re wondering why this matters in Minot, start paying attention to all the empty parking spaces you see around town; parking spaces that — about 98% of the time are always empty. We are all paying for those. Everyday. And when zoning regulations subsidize or force development in a certain patter, the negative impacts and costs ripple out through our communities for generations. Strong Towns has the full story on Denver getting smart.

While politics and trade disputes come and go, the International Peace Garden remains a quiet testament to the deep ties between Canada and the U.S. Straddling the border, it continues to welcome visitors from both nations, offering a space where cooperation takes root. CEO Tim Chapman sees today’s tensions as an opportunity to reflect on the Garden’s history—one shaped by leaders like William Udall and Judge John Storman, who worked to preserve a friendship that, even now, stands resilient against political storms.

For a closer look at why the International Peace Garden endures and remains important, this article from Betty Sawatzky writing for Discover Westman is a refreshing reprieve.

Meta didn’t wait for Careless People to hit the shelves before trying to discredit it. The company’s preemptive strike against former executive Sarah Wynn-Williams’ memoir only fueled curiosity, and now the book is climbing the bestseller charts. It’s not an exposé with groundbreaking revelations, but a deeply personal account of Meta’s leadership culture—one that, according to Wynn-Williams, was defined by recklessness and indifference. Meta dismisses her claims as exaggerated and self-serving, but their aggressive response raises a question: What, exactly, are they trying to bury?

Steven Levy with Wired has the full story.