Today in Minot

For today’s high school students, the road after graduation no longer leads in just one direction. At Minot North High School, a growing number of seniors are weighing college alongside trade schools, apprenticeships, and immediate careers. With programs in everything from nursing to aviation, and counselors helping students shape a plan as early as middle school, the focus is shifting. It’s not about pushing one path—it’s about helping students find the one that fits. And that’s opening doors in ways that weren’t always possible a generation ago. Kyona Rivera with KMOT has the full story.

Playgrounds are more than slides and monkey bars—they’re where friendships form, confidence grows, and imagination runs wild. At Glenburn Public School, the decades-old equipment that once served those purposes is now nearing the end of its life. With safety becoming a concern, the Glenburn Boosters Club is stepping in with a $95,000 campaign to build something better. They’re not just replacing what’s broken—they’re reimagining recess, complete with a new basketball court and fresh hope for future Panthers.  Morgan DeVries with KX News has the full story.

Minot’s childcare centers are caught in a balancing act—essential for working families, yet often struggling to stay financially afloat. Now, a new tax could tip that balance further, unless the City Council steps in with an exemption. As the city reevaluates who’s been taxed and who hasn’t, the stakes are rising for dozens of centers that may soon face unexpected bills. Supporters argue a property tax exemption isn’t just paperwork—it’s a practical way to keep childcare accessible and affordable in a community that depends on it. Jill Schramm with the Minot Daily News has the full story on the Child Care Committee recommendation.

In this episode of The Backstory podcast by the North Dakota News Cooperative, CEO Sabrina Halvorson and lead reporter Michael Standaert delve into the effects of President Donald Trump’s trade wars on North Dakota’s $41 billion agricultural economy. The discussion highlights concerns and uncertainties faced by local farmers and agricultural leaders regarding tariffs and trade barriers, including insights from farmers and state farm leaders.

As North Dakota’s oil patch matures, lawmakers are eyeing ways to tap into what lies beyond the Bakken. A new bill passed by the Senate aims to spur drilling in lesser-known formations by offering a temporary tax break—cutting the extraction tax from 5% to 2% on qualifying wells. The measure also proposes a study of long-running tax exemptions for low-producing “stripper” wells, which now make up nearly half the state’s total. It’s a debate that blends geology, economics, and long-term fiscal strategy. Jeff Beach with the North Dakota Monitor has the full story; bill details can be found below.

A quiet success story out of North Dakota became the blueprint for one of the country’s most ambitious environmental cleanup efforts—plugging abandoned oil and gas wells. Backed by billions in federal funds, the program spread nationwide, cutting methane emissions and protecting water supplies. But now it’s been frozen by President Trump’s executive order, despite the money being already approved by Congress. What began in the Bakken is suddenly in limbo, and the cost of inaction—both environmental and economic—is starting to show.

Nick Bowlin with the High Country News has the full story.

Fargo’s next big decision isn’t whether to build a convention center—that’s already in motion, with funding approved by voters. The question now is _where_ to build it. Commissioner John Strand suggested spotlighting a few city-owned downtown properties to spark ideas from developers. But his proposal didn’t gain traction, raising concerns about fairness in the site selection process. As Fargo eyes a venue to compete with other regional cities, the debate over location may prove just as critical as the design itself. Melissa Van Der Stad with InForum has the full story.

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Fargo leader wants downtown city-owned sites considered for new convention center

Students come to Minnesota from around the world with the hope that if they follow the rules, they’ll be safe, supported, and respected. But two recent ICE arrests—one in Mankato, another in Minneapolis—have shattered that sense of security. With little explanation and no prior contact with the universities, immigration officials detained international students, raising alarm across campuses. Now, students, staff, and lawmakers are demanding answers—and reassurance that being here legally still means something in a shifting political climate.

It’s not a big jump, but for many in Manitoba earning minimum wage, every bit counts. Starting October 1, the province’s base pay will rise by 20 cents to $16 an hour—a modest adjustment tied to last year’s inflation rate of 1.1%. While it keeps Manitoba aligned with its inflation-indexing policy, the raise still leaves the provincial wage trailing behind the federal minimum. As of today, $16 Canadian equals roughly $11.80 USD.

Craft brewers have weathered shifting tastes, a pandemic, and fierce shelf competition—but now they’re bracing for a new kind of squeeze: tariffs. With steel kegs, Canadian malt, and aluminum cans caught in President Trump’s trade crosshairs, the cost of brewing is climbing fast. For small breweries, these aren’t abstract policy moves—they’re a direct hit to ingredients, packaging, and access to foreign markets at a time when every dollar, and every person looking for a savory local experience, counts. Dee-Ann Durbin with the Associated Press has the full story.

What was once a site of controversy may soon become a hub of opportunity. After a Chinese-owned corn milling project was scrapped over national security concerns, a new partner is eyeing the same land—this time, from Belgium. Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski is touring potato plants abroad as Agristo considers building a U.S. facility that could bring 250 jobs and boost local agriculture. With state support on the table, the focus now is on whether Belgium’s potatoes can take root in North Dakota soil.

For years, he was a campus constant—the sharp-eyed enforcer of 30-minute zones, the reason students kept one eye on the clock. Now, “Ticket Man” is officially off duty. NDSU’s long-time parking watchdog has retired, and his absence is stirring up a mix of relief, nostalgia, and nervous anticipation. Some students are celebrating the end of the stopwatch parking era, while others fear chaos in the lots. Whatever comes next, one thing is clear: campus life just got a little less predictable.

Why does this matter in Minot? Few things create contention quite like parking changes. But one thing is clear, parking space turnover matters. And whether we like tickets or not, squatting scofflaws tend to appear in places where there’s no cost. So, we’ll get to watch and see if NDSU’s new parking plan proves human nature has changed. Stay tuned. Alex Cran with The Spectrum, the NDSU student newspaper, has the full story on the experiment currently in testing