Today in Minot

When Jenetta moved to Minot with her military family, she brought her registered cottage bakery, Simple Treats, along with her. But she quickly ran into a problem—North Dakota law didn’t allow her to sell products online or across state lines, cutting off access to long-time customers. That changed after a chance conversation at a local business event sparked a legislative fix. Senate Bill 2386 passed with overwhelming support, clearing the way for Jenetta—and others like her—to grow their business from anywhere in the state. The Minot Chamber EDC has the full story; bill details on S 2386 can be found below if you’re thinking about setting up shop

At a 125-year-old farm in Glenburn, a new kind of storefront is taking shape—quietly, honestly, and without a checkout counter. Esther’s Acres has opened a self-serve shop called the Farmacy, offering local produce, raw milk, handmade soaps, and more—no clerk needed. It’s part farm stand, part classroom, and all about reconnecting people to where their food comes from. For the Carlsons, it’s not just business—it’s a way to teach, build trust, and put real food, with real roots, back on the table. Kyona Rivera with KMOT has the full story.

Leaders from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe met with the governors of North Dakota and South Dakota this week to discuss concerns over federal funding cuts and long-term infrastructure needs. The meeting, held in Fort Yates, brought attention to overlapping state and federal responsibilities on the reservation. Tribal Chairwoman Janet Alkire raised issues related to education, healthcare, and economic development, while both governors emphasized the importance of communication and coordination. The conversation included calls for stronger consultation and support on future projects, including a Missouri River bridge. Mary Steurer with North Dakota Monitor has the full story.

North Dakotans won’t be ditching the clock change anytime soon. A bill to end the state’s seasonal time shifts was voted down in the Senate, keeping the twice-a-year tradition in place. Supporters had argued that sticking with one time year-round would improve health, productivity, and predictability. But concerns about falling out of sync with neighboring states—and the ripple effects for schools, businesses, and border towns—carried the day. For now, long summer evenings remain on the calendar.

In North Dakota, the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People is no longer being met with silence. Lawmakers have advanced a bill to create a dedicated state task force focused on addressing the issue with coordination, data, and rapid response. House Bill 1199 would bring together law enforcement, tribal leaders, and state agencies, backed by $250,000 in funding. One key initiative: a proposed “Feather Alert,” designed to quickly spread the word when an Indigenous person goes missing. The message is clear—this is long overdue. Peyton Haug with InForum has the full story.

When federal dollars disappear overnight, local services feel it fast. That’s what Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health is facing after a nearly $200,000 funding cut took effect with just a day’s notice. Programs already in motion—like free COVID-19 tests and national health research—are now on hold. Plans for a Community Triage Center, aimed at helping people in crisis, are slowing too. The need hasn’t gone away, but the support has—and now local leaders are left scrambling to fill the gap.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department announced the winners of the 2025 Earth Day Patch Contest. Over 1,600 students from 100 schools entered this year’s contest.

Winners in four age categories are Tryg Klindworth, Beulah (K-3); Mariah Achtenberg, White Shield (4-6); Jazmin Vasquez, Minot Bishop Ryan (7-9), and Brielle Volk, Mohall (10-12). Achtenberg’s design was chosen as the overall winner and will be made into the 2025 Earth Day patch. 

Youth and adults who participate in cleaning up public lands receive the 2025 patch to celebrate Earth Day and their service. Projects that qualify for the Earth Day patch include refuse pick-up on local, state or federal properties and landscaping on public property including planting trees, bushes and pollinator plants. 

Groups participating in the service projects are encouraged to take the following precautions to ensure their safety: keep young people away from highways, lakes and rivers and only allow older participants to pick up broken glass or sharp objects. 

Flood protection in the Souris Basin hinges on a familiar tug-of-war: big needs, tight budgets, and two chambers with different philosophies. The House wants to commit $125 million; the Senate is leaning toward $65 million. At the heart of the debate is a basic misunderstanding—lawmakers see unspent funds, while local leaders see money already spoken for through contracts for work in process. With rising costs and multi-year timelines, the funding question isn’t just about what’s needed now—it’s about whether the state is willing to plan like the floodwaters are coming.

A notice on the North Prairie Rural Water website shared the following:

We are pleased to announce that after a long search, The Board of Directors has hired a new General Manager for NPRWD. The Board approved his hiring, by a unanimous vote on Friday, April 4th. His name is Craig Haskins, and his start date with NPRWD is Monday, May 5th. 

We look forward to many years with Craig at the helm of NPRWD. 
Lisa Krueger, NPRWD Chairperson

When a company with just ten employees takes on the federal government, it’s worth paying attention. Emily Ley, founder of the stationery brand Simplified, has filed the first known lawsuit challenging President Trump’s China tariffs. Her argument is simple: the tariffs are unconstitutional and crippling to small businesses like hers. With rising costs threatening jobs, employee wages, and prices, Ley’s case spotlights how sweeping trade policies can land hardest on the smallest shoulders—and why even a team of ten might feel compelled to speak up. Issie Lapowsky with Fast Company has the full story.

For international students, a visa isn’t just paperwork—it’s their link to education, community, and stability. At North Dakota State University, one student recently had that link severed after a visa was revoked for failing to maintain status. While no detentions have occurred, it’s part of a broader pattern unfolding across nearby campuses. With similar terminations reported in Minnesota, the situation highlights how sudden and serious the consequences can be—and how universities are left navigating the fallout alongside their students. Austin Erickson with WDAY has the full story.

It’s easy to poke fun at North Dakota—too cold, too flat, too forgotten. But sometimes, the quirks that get overlooked are the same ones that give a place its quiet charm. From being (possibly) the geographic heart of the continent to hosting the world’s largest buffalo and a sculpture-studded highway, North Dakota is full of odd details and offbeat history. This roundup of fun facts doesn’t argue that it’s perfect—just that there’s more here than meets the eye, if you’re willing to look.