Today in Minot

The Keystone Pipeline is back in operation — but not at full strength. After an oil spill earlier this month near Fort Ransom, North Dakota, federal regulators approved a cautious restart of the line at reduced pressure. About 147,000 gallons of oil spilled into a farm field, with cleanup crews recovering roughly a third so far. The damaged section of pipe has been replaced and will undergo further testing. Regulators and company officials will continue monitoring the site as cleanup efforts move forward. Amy Dalrymple with North Dakota Monitor has the full story.

North Dakota lawmakers are looking to speed up ethics investigations — and tighten the reins on the commission handling them. The House passed a bill Monday setting a 180-day deadline to resolve complaints and scrapping a new staff position focused on ethics education. Supporters say the move addresses a growing backlog and protects public officials from drawn-out accusations. Critics argue the deadline could derail investigations and undercuts the commission’s constitutional independence. The Senate will now decide whether to send the measure to the governor’s desk. Mary Steurer with North Dakota Monitor has the full story.

Rob Fuller, a Minot native, city council member, and former banker, has announced his candidacy for Mayor of Minot. Fuller’s campaign is focused on transparency, accountability, and supporting local businesses. His platform includes streamlining city operations, reducing wasteful spending, and prioritizing long-term infrastructure improvements. Fuller, who returned to Minot in 2012, lives in the city with his wife and two sons. His campaign slogan is “A Fresh Start, A Stronger Minot.” Morgan DeVries with KX News has the full story.

Iowa landfills are turning trash into fuel — and cutting greenhouse gas emissions in the process. Methane from decomposing waste is a powerful pollutant, but some Iowa landfills are capturing it, cleaning it, and converting it into renewable natural gas for vehicles and energy. The approach goes beyond environmental compliance — it’s becoming big business. With new technology and public-private partnerships, landfill operators see both environmental and economic opportunity in capturing methane that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere and contribute to climate change. Cami Koons with Iowa Capital Dispatch has the full story.

North Dakota’s Legislature will stick with its every-other-year schedule — at least for now. The Senate voted down a bill Monday that would have required lawmakers to meet annually, reviving a debate that’s surfaced nearly every session since 1979. Supporters argued the faster pace of national politics and new term limits call for more frequent sessions. Opponents pushed back, saying annual meetings risk turning a citizen legislature into a full-time job. The bill passed the House but fell short in the Senate, 30-17. Grant Coursey with Bismarck Tribune has the full story.

North Dakota is moving to put all elections under one rulebook — the state’s. A new bill advancing through the Legislature would prevent cities and counties, even those with home rule authority, from setting election laws that conflict with state standards. Supporters say it’s about protecting consistency and trust in elections. Critics argue it sidelines local voters and long-standing local practices. The debate boils down to a familiar question: where should the power to shape elections live — close to home or at the state capitol? Grant Coursey with Bismarck Tribune has the full story.

Fewer Canadian license plates in Fargo parking lots aren’t just a coincidence — they’re a sign of shifting travel habits at the border. Early data shows a sharp drop in Manitobans crossing into North Dakota this year, leaving tourism leaders bracing for a quieter season. Political tensions, trade disputes, and a weak Canadian dollar are all playing a role. For now, North Dakota is staying patient — reminding its northern neighbors the welcome mat is still out whenever the time feels right to return. Tyler Searle with Winnipeg Free Press has the full story.

Editor’s Note:Perhaps the most interesting part of this story is where it comes from — Canada. The story we are used to hearing on this topic comes from us — literally the U.S. And the story is “Canadian traffic is slowing.” The switch on this story is subtle, it’s “Canada isn’t going.” And the source is from Canada. They’re telling the story of the resurgence of their own national identity in the shadow byline. If there’s one thing for sure, President Trump’s blusterous rhetoric and trade policy have unified Canada.

Minot’s long-running debate over liquor licenses is heading back to City Hall. After a five-month break, the city’s alcohol ordinance committee has finalized a proposal to streamline license types and offer paths for phasing out the longstanding cap tied to population. The committee sent up our alternatives, but the two that garnered most discussion at committee illustrate the potential new approach —one offers compensation to current license holders, the other leans on market pricing and resale rights. With 37 pages of changes in play, the City Council and public will now take up the discussion on what comes next. Jill Schramm with Minot Daily News has the full story.

Manitoba is pulling some of its power back home — and with it, a vision for growth. Premier Wab Kinew says the province will keep 500 megawatts of hydroelectric power that had been flowing south to Minnesota, using it instead to fuel new housing, industry, and trade within Canada. The move isn’t just about energy — it’s about economic sovereignty. While critics question the financial impact, Kinew is betting on Manitoba’s power to drive opportunity, strengthen northern connections, and build for the future. Steve Lambert with The Canadian Press has the full story.

Plastic used to be a convenience. Now it’s a contaminant — not just in our oceans and landfills, but in our bodies and even our brains. This Earth Month, Grove Collaborative CEO Jeff Yurcisin makes a clear-eyed case: recycling isn’t saving us, and industry has to do better. The plastic problem is no longer distant or abstract — it’s personal. If we care about our health and future generations, it’s time for businesses and consumers alike to rethink what we buy, how it’s packaged, and the waste we leave behind.

Minot Rep. Lori VanWinkle is facing scrutiny after missing a week of the North Dakota legislative session for a family vacation — and still receiving taxpayer-funded pay for the days she was gone. State law entitles legislators to daily pay during session, unless they request otherwise. House leadership called the absence inappropriate and asked VanWinkle to consider declining the pay. VanWinkle defended her decision, saying family comes first and criticized what she sees as targeted scrutiny of her actions during an already contentious session.

Columnist Rob Port isn’t pulling any punches. In his latest piece, he calls out Minot Rep. Lori VanWinkle’s week-long vacation from the Legislature — not just as bad judgment, but as part of a broader habit on the populist right: playing the victim when called to account. Port argues this isn’t about political bias or silencing voices — it’s about responsibility. Nobody made VanWinkle skip work. She chose it. And in Port’s view, that choice says more about today’s politics than any speech from the House floor.

Mr. Port’s full commentary on Inforum is worth the subscription price; it’s linked below.