Today in Minot

Minot’s leadership table has an empty chair, and the debate over how to fill it is heating up. After Mayor Tom Ross stepped down, the city council moved to appoint his replacement from within—but not everyone’s on board. Some residents are pushing back, calling for a special election instead. With trust in local government on the line and petitions already circulating, this isn’t just a procedural question—it’s about who gets a voice in shaping the city’s future, and how loudly that voice is heard. Joe Skurzewski with KMOT has the full story.

When headlines about political misconduct start feeling routine, it raises a bigger question: are we doing enough to prevent the next one? That’s the concern Sen. Tim Mathern brought to the Capitol this week, calling for a major expansion of North Dakota’s Ethics Commission. His pitch follows the fallout from former Sen. Ray Holmberg’s criminal case—and comes amid a flood of new ethics complaints. Mathern’s message is clear: if we want accountability, we need to give watchdogs the tools to act.

Mary Steurer with North Dakota Monitor has the full story that’s also related to HB 1360 that failed earlier in the session. Bill details are below.

Senate Republicans are setting the stage for a sweeping budget plan that could raise the national debt ceiling by up to $5 trillion. Released Wednesday, the resolution outlines a fast-track process to extend Trump-era tax cuts and slash federal spending—all without Democratic support. But the real work is just beginning: dozens of committees now face a tight May 9 deadline to draft their pieces of the puzzle, and even a few defections in Congress could stall the entire plan. The stakes—and the numbers—are enormous.

Jennifer Shutt with North Dakota Monitor has the full story.

North Dakota voters approved legislative term limits in 2022—but now lawmakers are asking if those voters might want a second look. On Wednesday, the House reversed course and passed a resolution that could change how term limits are calculated and who has the power to revise them. Supporters say it’s about fixing confusion and preserving institutional knowledge. Opponents call it a rollback of the people’s will. Either way, the final say will come at the ballot box again—in 2026.

Grant Coursey with the Bismarck Tribune has the full story; SCR 4008 details are below.

A plan to create “impact zones” around North Dakota’s military bases is headed to the governor’s desk. The Senate gave final approval to SB 2398 on Wednesday, backing a new committee to review nearby development and protect base missions. The zones will be based on military needs, not fixed distances, and local governments will have a seat at the table. Only one senator opposed the bill, which passed both chambers with broad bipartisan support.

Korrie Wenzel with Grand Forks Herald has the full story, bill details on SB 2398 are below.

President Trump is calling it “Liberation Day”—a bold move to rewire global trade with sweeping new tariffs, including a 34% penalty on Chinese imports and 20% on the European Union. The goal? Level the playing field for American workers. But while the White House frames it as economic independence, economists are already bracing consumers for higher prices. From fruit at your local Dairy Queen to supply chain costs for small businesses, the ripple effects may land closer to home than you think.

Ryan McNamara with InForum has the full story on how Washington trade policy is likely to wash up in North Dakota.

For all their fluency and flair, AI chatbots remain something of a mystery—even to the people who build them. They can solve math problems, spin up stories, and intuit meaning with uncanny precision, yet the inner workings behind each response remain largely hidden. That’s beginning to change. A team at Anthropic has developed tools to peer inside these digital minds, tracing how one word leads to the next. It’s not human reasoning—but it might just reveal a new kind of logic altogether.

If you’re AI-curious, this primer from Mark Sullivan with Fast Company will help the picture emerge.

Sweden’s prime minister isn’t mincing words: he regrets the U.S. decision to impose new tariffs, but says his country is ready. As President Trump’s 20% tariff on European goods heads into effect April 9, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is signaling calm and cooperation—pledging to work with the EU to push back. It’s a familiar tension in global trade: national moves with international ripple effects. For Sweden, the message is steady—disappointed, but not unprepared.

That’s the recap. If you want the full story, have a listen to how U.S. trade policy is playing outside the American bubble in this radio piece from Sweden.

It’s one thing to pay your fair share—another entirely to pay the price of uncertainty. That’s the crux of what’s keeping investors like Sean Conlon away from Chicago. Despite its strengths—a deep talent pool, solid infrastructure, and prime location—commercial real estate in the city is caught in a policy trap. Property tax unpredictability, not just high rates, is souring the market. Until transparency and fairness replace confusion and volatility, Chicago’s recovery will remain stifled by the very system meant to support it.

Why does this matter in Minot? The lesson in volatility and uncertainty does not stop at Chicago city limits nor only apply to property taxes. Stability, security, predictability are factors that loosen up capital and the people that own it enough to make investments. Let this article from Emma Whalen writing for the Real Deal make the case for you.

MINOT, N.D. – The Plum River Native Prairie project invites families, educators, and community members to attend Family STEAM Day on Saturday, April 26, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Plum River site, located on the former grounds of Erik Ramstad Middle School.

Plum River Native Prairie is a collaborative initiative to restore the site into a thriving native prairie ecosystem. The project is supported by Minot State University, Minot Public Schools, Audubon Great Plains, the Ward County Soil Conservation District, AmeriCorps, and the CIRCLES Alliance.

Family STEAM Day will feature hands-on exhibits showcasing science, technology, engineering, art, and math from MSU programs and community partners. Attendees will also receive red clover seeds to plant at home and learn why red clover was chosen as the first step in restoring the prairie.

“This event is a great opportunity for families to engage with science and Indigenous knowledge in a real-world context,” said Dan Conn, associate professor and chair of the Department of Education and Inclusive Services at Minot State University. “I’m so excited to work with our students and community partners to promote STEAM education in meaningful, hands-on ways.”

The decision to plant red clover in early May reflects months of collaborative research. MSU undergraduate Patrick Baker, a medicinal plant chemistry major and AmeriCorps member, has been working through AmeriCorps and the CIRCLES Alliance with Ruth De La Cruz of Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College and the Ward County Soil Conservation District to determine the most effective cover crop. Red clover was chosen for its soil-enriching properties, medicinal significance, and deep cultural relevance within Hidatsa traditions. The clover will be planted using no-till methods to promote sustainable soil practices this spring.

Family STEAM Day will conclude at 11:30 a.m., allowing attendees to head over to the MSU Powwow Grand Entry, making it a full day of community, culture, and learning.

The event is free and open to the public. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held in the MSU Dome.