Today in Minot

In late December 2023, James Bennet, once the top editor of The New York Times’ editorial page, made waves in The Economist by claiming the paper is losing its journalistic principles. He argued that media bias – particularly a liberal slant – affects coverage. Together with Wake Forest University’s Koleman Strumpf, an economist examined over 100,000 articles from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. They discovered supply-side bias played a substantial role in deciding which stories stayed on digital homepages, suggesting editorial decisions often reflect political leanings rather than reader interest.

The question is one the news industry has to wrestle with. We have. If you want to understand our biases; they’re unabashedly, ForMinot. You can learn more about what guides our editorial decisions here. The full article from The Conversation linked below will confirm why you’ve found the right place to collect the news right here

Charles Darwin didn’t just revolutionize science—he reshaped how we think about imagination itself. While Mary Shelley described creativity as shaping chaos into order, Darwin saw nature doing the same through evolution. He rejected the idea of a hierarchy among species, insisting instead on complexity.

For Darwin, imagination wasn’t just an artistic gift; it was central to reason, empathy, and even morality. Late in life, he regretted letting his mind become a machine for facts rather than a wellspring of wonder. His lesson? Nurture curiosity, seek beauty, and never stop feeding the imagination.

That’s just the introduction. If your curiosity is piqued, you’ll love this piece from Maria Popova with the Marginalian.

A new development in Winnipeg checks all the right urban planning boxes—density, mixed-use, transit access—but beneath the surface, it’s the same old costly pattern of suburban expansion. The problem? It demands expensive infrastructure upgrades that far outstrip the tax revenue it generates.

The numbers don’t lie: more roads, more utilities, and more long-term costs make this kind of growth a financial trap. Meanwhile, historic neighborhoods like the Exchange District create far more value with far less burden. If growth is expensive, maybe we’re doing it wrong.

Why does this matter in Minot? Less than 2-weeks ago, a committee reviewing Minot’s economic development practices let their discussion wander into wondering about how Minot should pay for infrastructure for new developments — taxes or special assessments. Perhaps we should be questioning the underlying assumptions. At least one guy in Winnipeg is. One in Minot is joining him, here.

If you’d like to come along, the commentary from Elmwood Guy writing to his beloved Winnipeg is linked below. It’s delightful Sunday reading.

The world has become quite entrenched. Have you noticed? We the people are simply less open to ideas; our minds have found steely resolve. We know what we know and we’re not moving off our rock. But what if…

The fun part of what Postmodern Jukebox does — they give us something we know and twist into something new. But the joy in it remains. If we can hear it in the music, maybe we can open up to that idea in other ways, too.

Also, the news doesn’t have be so serious all the time. Enjoy.

North Dakota’s legislative landscape is facing a significant shift, with lawmakers grappling with over 1,000 bills for the upcoming 2025 session—the highest count in 15 years. This surge raises questions about efficiency and the ability to address constituents’ needs effectively. Newer legislators appear eager to make their mark, prompting concerns from some about the potential for a backlog. As representatives work through these proposals, the clock is ticking, with a deadline of March 28 looming for sorting through this unprecedented volume.

Get the full story from Ryan McNamara writing for Inforum on getting the work in Bismarck — that they’ve created for themselves — done.

There’s a certain kind of scholar who doesn’t just study history but lives it—one foot in the archives, the other on the open road. That’s the spirit driving this reflection on staying sharp past seventy, not by chasing trends but by refining the craft.

At the heart of it all? The seminar. Not just a classroom exercise, but a proving ground for deep inquiry, where ideas are tested like scientific experiments—or perhaps, as Walter Prescott Webb suggested, like treasure maps guiding a band of intellectual pirates.

Corey Mock’s recent appointment as North Dakota’s chief information officer illustrates a shift in political dynamics. Formerly a Democratic lawmaker in Grand Forks, Mock was unexpectedly chosen by Republican Gov. Kelly Armstrong to join his administration, an invitation that surprised many in partisan circles. Mock views his role through a nonpartisan lens, emphasizing service and strategic technological advancements. With a focus on cybersecurity and AI, he aims to enhance state government efficiency, relying on decades of experience in both politics and technology.

The Grand Forks Herald has the full story that suggests there’s an undercurrent working against the new political world of hyper partisanship.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has reported new cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in two locations: Hawley in Clay County and Greenfield in Hennepin County. Both infected deer were bucks harvested during the firearm season. Wildlife health supervisor Erik Hildebrand noted that adult male deer are particularly susceptible to CWD, largely due to their behaviors during the rut. As cases increase, the DNR will implement management zones with specific regulations to control the spread. Hunters are encouraged to stay informed on these changes.

Why does this matter in North Dakota? The issue of regulating feeding practices to prevent the spread of CWD is currently under consideration by the legislature. ND Game & Fish has suggested restrictions would slow the spread by reducing food sources that bring deer together. Some hunters say this isn’t needed. The legislature is thus far indulging the hunters, casting off the recommendations of their own state agency. Now, CWD is found again, this time on the border of North Dakota.

News: North Dakota hunters debate deer baiting rules

Summary: MinotVoice | Article: Jeff Beach, North Dakota Monitor | January 19, 2025

Beneath a sea of orange shirts, North Dakota’s hunters gathered at the Capitol, rallying for a cause close to their hearts. They want Senate Bill 2137, a concise legal proposal, to lift the restrictions on using bait for deer hunting. Proponents argue that these restrictions, designed to prevent chronic-wasting disease, have overreached, impacting traditional hunting practices. Critics from the Game and Fish Department caution that easing restrictions could heighten disease risks. It’s a classic debate: tradition versus precaution.

It’s not the first story of the week on this topic either, the story linked below out of Wyoming highlights the growing threat CWD presents.

Wyoming confirms first case of chronic wasting disease inside an elk feedground (and why it matters in North Dakota)

SB 2137

A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 20.1-05 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the use of supplemental feed for hunting.

House Sponsors: Koppelman (R, District 16), Novak (R, District 33), Tveit (R, District 33)

Senate Sponsors: Boehm (R, District 33)Patten (R, District 26), Thomas (R, District 6)

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Groundhog Day may seem like just another quirky tradition, but beneath the top hats and rodent theatrics lies something deeper: a rare American holiday that celebrates our connection to nature. While most of our major holidays focus on history, heroes, or commerce, this one marks the slow shift of the seasons—an ancient ritual wrapped in modern spectacle.

As winter lingers and spring teases its arrival, Punxsutawney Phil reminds us that we haven’t conquered nature—we’ve only made ourselves more comfortable in its grasp. The real question isn’t just what Phil will predict, but whether we’re paying attention.

Avery Keatley with NPR has the full story.