Today in Minot

In cities facing division and stalled progress, it’s easy to push the arts aside as a luxury. But what if they’re actually essential infrastructure? That’s the argument Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson, former chair of the NEA, makes in this episode of the Next City podcast. Through a thoughtful conversation with Jason Schupbach, she explains how the arts create space for connection, empathy, and shared purpose—tools that might be more urgent now than ever. This isn’t about decoration; it’s about building stronger, more human communities.

Public spaces shape how we live together—whether we bump into a neighbor, sit under a tree, or just pass through on the way to somewhere else. But according to a new survey from Project for Public Spaces, only 5% of professionals believe those places are meeting community needs. The biggest hurdles? Limited funding and too much red tape. Still, the benefits are clear: better health, stronger connections, even climate resilience. The work isn’t done—but we are starting to acknowledge it’s work worth doing.

What if consciousness isn’t something we build, but something that was always here—woven into the fabric of the universe like light or gravity? That’s the question Annaka Harris explores in Lights On, a new audio documentary blending science, philosophy, and personal reflection. Drawing from quantum theory, neuroscience, and lived experience, Harris invites us to reconsider what we think we know about awareness, experience, and the nature of reality itself. At its heart, this is a story about rethinking what it means to be alive—and awake—in the cosmos. If the intro sparked a bit of wonder, Maria Popova has the the piece that will fan the flame.

Oakland’s First Fridays is a celebration of local art and culture—thousands gather each month to support what humans make with their hands, hearts, and eyes. So when the event’s spring flyer turned out to be AI-generated, it struck a nerve. Organizers say it was a matter of cost. But critics see something deeper: a creative space losing touch with its roots. In a world rushing toward efficiency, the debate is clear—shouldn’t an art fair be the last place we cut corners on actual artists?

Welcome to one of the debates of the next era — when is it OK to use AI or AI agents, and when should we use people? Art, artists, and creative work will be first up, but he argument will eventually come for nearly all of us. NPR has the full story.

It shouldn’t take a state law to guarantee public comment at local government meetings—but that’s exactly what’s moving through the North Dakota Legislature. Senate Bill 2180 would require city councils, school boards, and other local bodies to set aside time for public input at every regular meeting. Most already do. Some still don’t. That’s the problem. Open government isn’t optional, and if local boards won’t make space for public voices on their own, the state is right to step in.

That’s the summarized opinion of the Grand Forks Herald Editorial board. Read the full story linked below.