Today in Minot

A bill that sought to legalize conversion therapy in North Dakota met its end in the Senate, where lawmakers narrowly defeated it 22-25. Sponsored by Rep. Lori VanWinkle, R-Minot, the bill aimed to allow counseling that aligns with “traditional” views on sexuality and gender, but it faced fierce opposition from social work professionals who argued the practice is ineffective and unethical. Even an amended version, which reinforced the current ban on conversion therapy, failed to convince critics who saw the bill as unnecessary and potentially harmful. Mary Steurer with North Dakota Monitor has the full story; bill details are below.

Sweden is preparing to make a major investment in nuclear energy, with the government and Sweden Democrats proposing a plan to help finance the construction of four new reactors. The state would lend companies SEK 300 billion to cover most of the estimated SEK 400 billion cost. While supporters see it as a step toward securing long-term energy stability, the plan faces strong opposition from the Left Party and the Greens, who are raising concerns about environmental and financial risks.

A proposal to reshape North Dakota’s charitable gambling rules met a swift and decisive defeat in the state House, where lawmakers voted 87-4 against it. Senate Bill 2035 aimed to change which organizations could operate charitable gaming, removing eligibility for some groups while allowing them to receive donated proceeds instead. Concerns over a lack of input from stakeholders and the absence of protections for existing operators led the House Education Committee to unanimously recommend rejection. Lawmakers weren’t willing to gamble with an industry vital to many small communities. Get the full story from the North Dakota Monitor; bill details are below.

A federal judge has dismissed the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s latest effort to shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline, ruling that the tribe must wait until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completes its long-delayed environmental impact study. Despite frustrations over years of inaction, Judge James Boasberg said the tribe cannot yet bring another legal challenge. The decision echoes a familiar legal stalemate, leaving the pipeline operational on Corps land without an easement while concerns about environmental risks and tribal sovereignty remain unresolved.

Utah has become the first state to ban adding fluoride to drinking water, a move signed into law by Gov. Spencer Cox that shifts control from local governments to individuals. While proponents frame the decision as a matter of personal choice, public health experts warn that removing fluoride could lead to a rise in tooth decay, especially in vulnerable communities. Dentists and public health officials remain concerned that voluntary fluoride supplements may not effectively replace the broad benefits once provided by fluoridated water.

In North Dakota, this concept was also in the legislature, but the bill didn’t go as far. HB 1605 failed in the house by a relatively close 40-53 vote.

Montana is set to celebrate its deep-rooted heritage with a new official state sport — American Rodeo. Once Governor Greg Gianforte signs House Bill 190, Montana will become the fourth state to honor its cultural traditions in this way, joining the ranks of Colorado’s pack burro racing and Alaska’s dog mushing. While the decision drew praise from many, some voiced concerns about the bill’s lack of acknowledgment of Native American contributions, particularly Indian Relay. Despite that, rodeo’s significance in Montana remains undeniable.

Nichole Rice’s acquittal in the 2007 murder of her college roommate, Anita Knutson, wasn’t just a courtroom drama — it exposed deeper problems within Ward County’s prosecution system. Despite weak evidence and years of delays, prosecutors pushed forward, only to see the case unravel in hours. But Rice’s trial is just one example. With a conviction rate far below national averages and a history of questionable decisions, it’s worth asking: Is Ward County’s top prosecutor pursuing justice or wasting resources on losing battles?

Those are the questions raided in Rob Port’s latest column. Read it at Inforum.com.

North Dakota’s top law enforcement official, Drew Wrigley, has revealed that the late Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem obstructed a federal investigation into former state Sen. Ray Holmberg by deleting critical voicemails. The investigation, which led to Holmberg’s conviction for child sex crimes, uncovered that Stenehjem misled federal investigators about his contact with Holmberg and failed to disclose multiple calls and messages. Wrigley described Stenehjem’s actions as “indefensible,” adding another stain to the late attorney general’s once-storied legacy. The details of this cover-up raise serious questions about accountability at the highest levels of state government.