Today in Minot
A New Way to do the Local News!
Congratulations Bishop Ryan!
As of last night, Minot has a state championship basketball team. Congratulations to both Bishop Ryan and Our Redeemer’s to give us lots to cheer for this weekend! And if you want more high school sports, there’s some experienced commentary in the news feed… And of course, it’s a sweet day for a sour beer at Atypical!
Today in Minot
Today is Sunday, March 23rd. The sun will rise on the 4th day of spring, and the 82nd day of the year at 7:42 AM. We will see 12 hours 20 minutes of daylight before it sets at 8:02 PM.
Today is: National Puppy Day, National Melba Toast Day, National Near Miss Day, National Chip And Dip Day, National Chia Day, National Tamale Day
Today’s Featured Happenings
Today’s Features
Sweetly Sour Sundays!
Mar. 23rd
@Atypical | Stop in & Warm Up With a Great Local Beer!
Live Music!
Mendenhall Crossing
Apr. 5th
@BlueRider | Voted North Dakota’s Best Dive Bar!
The Weather
Currently we have ice fog. The temperature is 26 degrees. The wind is 10 mph out of the Northwest. With wind and humidity factored, it feels like 16 degrees. Today we are expecting clouds with the sun showing this afternoon. The temperature will reach a high of 40°F with winds 10-15 mph out of the Northwest.
The news we share here is ForMinot. You can learn more about what guides our editorial decisions here.
Bismarck is asking its residents a simple but powerful question: What do you want to see built next? Through its revived “Call for Projects,” the city is inviting community members, students, and partners to pitch ideas that could shape the future of downtown. From talent retention to quality of life, no idea is too small if it serves the bigger picture. With the deadline weeks away, there’s time to think—and a real chance to be heard.
Any and every time we local government engage citizens in a simple or creative way, you’ll be reading about it here. In Minot, we have our own version of this coming up in June with the special election to consider the Park District’s partial funding shift to sales tax; a change that creates enough revenue to build a field house at the MAYSA complex.
In a rare display of unity, Idaho lawmakers have sent a clear message: protecting journalists protects the public. With unanimous votes in both chambers, the state is one step closer to joining the majority of the country in adopting a media shield law. The bill would guard reporters from being forced to reveal confidential sources—an essential safeguard for investigative journalism. As it reaches the governor’s desk, the stakes are simple: uphold trust, protect truth, and let the press do its job without fear. Kyle Pfannenstiel with the Idaho Capital Sun has the full story.
Editors Note: Kudos to the Idaho for taking steps to protect journalism rather than degrade and demean it.
We don’t always see the whole picture — not because we won’t, but because we can’t. That’s the haunting clarity behind a neurological condition called hemispheric neglect, where patients lose awareness of half their world. In this quiet, lyrical reflection, the story of Mrs. S. — who lives only in the right half of her visual field — becomes a mirror for our own blind spots. What might we be missing, not in our eyes, but in our attention, our love, our lives?
Count this in the category of curious Sunday reading from Maria Popova at The Marginalien.
Some places don’t just preserve history — they live it. Tucked into Wisconsin’s Driftless hills, Norskedalen is more than a museum or nature center. It’s a living story of Norwegian-American resilience, shaped by floods, farmhouses, trolls, and tradition. As it nears its 50th anniversary, this valley continues to grow, guided by a deep respect for the land and the people who once made it home. If heritage has a heartbeat, you’ll hear it echo through the trails and timber of Coon Valley.
If you’re headed East with time for an off the beaten path experience, add this one to your list. The Norwegian American has more.
A rare thing is happening in North Dakota politics: a big property tax relief bill is moving forward with real momentum. HB1176 would deliver meaningful savings to homeowners, renters, and seniors—while putting a cap on how much local governments can raise taxes. But as the bill nears the finish line, some senators are eyeing changes that could weaken its impact. Rob Port writing at Inforum has a simple message for them: leave it alone and pass it.. The commentary linked provides a clear picture of the bill; you can find official details below as well.
HB 1176
A BILL for an Act to create and enact two new sections to chapter 54-27, a new section to chapter 57-02, and a new section to chapter 57-15 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a legacy earnings fund, a legacy property tax relief fund, a primary residence certification, and a limitation on property tax levies without voter approval; to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 21-10-06, section 57-02-01, subdivision c of subsection 1 of section 57-02-08.1, subdivision b of subsection 2 of section 57-02-08.1, and sections 57-02-08.9, 57-02-08.10, 57-02-27, 57-02-27.1, 57-02-53, 57-09-04, 57-11-03, 57-12-06, and 57-20-07.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to funds invested by the state investment board, property tax definitions, the homestead tax credit and renters refund, the primary residence credit, property classifications, notices to property owners, and the property tax statement; to repeal sections 21-10-12, 21-10-13, and 57-15-02.2 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to legacy fund definitions, the legacy earnings fund, and estimated property tax and budget hearing notices; to provide an appropriation; to provide a transfer; to provide an effective date; to provide an expiration date; and to declare an emergency.
House Sponsors: Nathe (R, District 30), Hagert (R, District 20), Headland (R, District 29), Lefor (R, District 37), Porter (R, District 34), Stemen (R, District 27), Swiontek (R, District 10), Vigesaa (R, District 29),
Senate Sponsors: Bekkedahl (R, District 1), Hogue (R, District 38), Rummel (R, District 37), Weber (R, District 22),
On This Day
On this day we were inspired to choose “liberty”, Lewis and Clark turned around, and the U.S. was talking about Star Wars, but it didn’t have anything to do with George Lucas. In Minot, we were proud of the education we were delivering at every level, Minot State had a motto that inspired action, reform politics was getting contentions, and migrating was a sure sign of spring.
On this day in 1775, Patrick Henry delivered his famous “Give me liberty, or give me death!” speech to the Virginia Convention, rallying support for the American Revolution and becoming a symbol of the fight for independence.
On this day in 1806, explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark began their journey home after reaching the Pacific Ocean, marking the successful completion of the first American expedition to cross the western portion of the United States.
On this day in 1983, President Ronald Reagan proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), also known as “Star Wars,” a missile defense system intended to protect the United States from nuclear attacks, which sparked significant debate and influenced Cold War dynamics.
Born and Died: Joan Crawford, (Born, 1904) American actress known for her roles in “Mildred Pierce” and “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?,” Elizabeth Taylor, (Died, 2011) British-American actress known for her roles in “Cleopatra” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” Chaka Khan, (Born, 1953) American singer known for hits like “I’m Every Woman,” Peter Lorre, (Died, 1964) Hungarian-American actor known for his roles in “Casablanca” and “Maltese Falcon,” Keri Russell, (Born, 1976) American actress known for her role in “Felicity,” Friedrich Fröbel, (Died, 1852) German educator known for founding the concept of kindergarten, Jason Kidd, (Born, 1973) American former professional basketball player and current NBA coach, David Watkin, (Died, 2008) British cinematographer known for his work on films like “Out of Africa,” Akira Kurosawa, (Born, 1910) Japanese film director known for influential works such as “Seven Samurai” and “Rashomon”, Randall Cunningham, (Born, 1963) American former NFL quarterback and four-time Pro Bowl selection.
The committee is heartily in favor of endorsing a general "buying-at-home" campaign, which campaign would be of benefit to all Minot concerns. To that end this committee decided that they would sponsor and conduct a general "buy-at-home" advertising campaign in the following manner: The Town Criers will be asked to furnish copy for a series of advertisements, advocating this principle, to be inserted in local newspapers. The copy is to be first approved by this committee and this same committee is to attend to the securing of space in the various newspapers and to conduct the campaign in general.
Why we published it: It's getting harder, but the value it returns may be more important than ever.
The 17th annual convention of the Northwestern Division of the North Dakota State Teacher's Association will be held in Minot April 12, 13, and 14.
Why we published it: What's remarkable about this program is it took place in our schools and at the college. With present-day Minot somewhat lacking in convention space, perhaps it's time to return to our roots and reactivate the spaces we've already built? Would modern-day convention goes be willing to step into a school? Or have our conventional expectations raised to far above our humble beginnings?
The City Schools of Minot consist of a Senior High school, with an enrollment of 843, a Junior High School consisting of about 400 Seventh and Eighth Grade pupils, and five ward schools—McKinley, Central, Lincoln, Sunnyside and S. H. Sixth grade school. An additional school will be provided for next year. The school enrollment at nearly 2,500 pupils is cared for by a corps of 76 school workers.
Why we published it: There was such enormous pride in the public school system in these days. Given all the news out of the legislature these days regarding charter schools, it's easy to ask the question if in our moment of stewardship we're meeting the example that was set for us.
The motto of the institution is 'Service First' and this is ever kept in mind so that students going out from the Normal School at Minot will be not only prepared but eager to serve the community, state and nation, in a most efficient manner.
Why we published it: It's a quick look at the early history of Minot State and the commitment our state's founders had to public education. Kudos to them -- we owe them a debt! It's also interesting to see them attempt to pass this cultural DNA up through the generations with their early motto, "Service First."
Bill" Langer attended the Nonpartisan league convention at Fargo last week and when he got up to make some remarks, he was told promptly to sit down. Bill is in about as sad a fix as a man without a country. He doesn’t seem to be welcome in any party. He “broke” with Townley and left the league, was adopted by the I. V. A.’s and after failing to land anything worth while thru that organization, he appears to have crawled back to the league on his hands and knees, to be given a very chilly reception.
Why we published it: He is perhaps the most colorful character in North Dakota's political history, and this is a story from before much of what would become. "Bill" would later serve as our Senator and Governor.
The January number of Bird Lore published 113 counts made in various parts of the United States on Christmas week. These include one from Bismarck and one from Fargo. Both lists have downy woodpecker, bluejay, nuthatch and chickadee. From Bismarck was reported also sharptailed grouse, hairy woodpecker, horned lark, magpie, redpoll and Bohemian waxwing. From Fargo, prairie chicken, shorteared owl, and brown creeper.
Why we published it: It's both a sign of spring and a sign of how healthy our environment is. That's two signs for the time of one 
In many instances women occupy responsible positions similar to those held by men, and by proving their efficiency in such lines are eligible to the same salaries as the men are. Salaries, however, should not be the first thought of a business women. Our first thought should be turned to the problems that confront both the older and the younger business girl, and try to find solutions and help each other.
Why we published it: Cultural norms where changing fast at this moment of time, and some of these fights remain present a hundred years later.
Yet each man kills the thing he loves, By each let this be heard; Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word; The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword. "Some kill their love when they are young And some when they are old; Some strangle it with hands of lust, And some with hands of gold; The kindest use a knife because The dead so soon grow old.” Might we be permitted to suggest a meatax as a nifty little weapon?
Why we published it: This poem marked the occasion of contentious Non Partisan League convention that signaled the diminishing political powers of the party that was a momentary but lasting force in North Dakota.
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Fun coming up that’s worth knowing about. Scroll for more at SavorMinot.com.
- Cold Sweat
@BlueRider | Saturday, March 29th - Record Store Day 2025
@BudgetMusic | Saturday, April 12th - Full Flower Moon Fairy Hike
@FortStevenson | Friday, May 9th — Saturday, May 10th
Today’s Happenings
Today’s Features
Sweetly Sour Sundays! @Atypical
Sunday, March 23rd
Join us at Atypical Brewery & Barrelworks for Sweetly Sour Sundays on March 23rd, where you can enjoy $1 off every sour beer on tap, in cans, or bottles. Experience live music, food trucks, and award-winning brews in downtown Minot! #CraftBeerLovers #SundayFunday #SavorMinot
Hot, New, Fresh
On Tap Right Now! @Atypical
Tuesday, March 18th — Sunday, March 23rd
Discover the latest brews at Atypical Brewery & Barrelworks, where world-class barrel-aged beers meet live music and food trucks in downtown Minot. Join us from March 18th to 23rd for a taste of the extraordinary. #CraftBeerLovers #LiveMusic #SavorMinot
