Today in Minot

The battle over renaming the Gulf of Mexico may seem trivial, but it’s part of a larger effort to intimidate the press. When the Associated Press refused to adopt “Gulf of America” in its stylebook, the White House retaliated—barring AP reporters and triggering a lawsuit. This is just one move in a broader strategy to pressure media outlets, restrict access, and reshape public narratives. As history shows, controlling information is a powerful tool, and the consequences extend far beyond a single name dispute.

The full commentary from Mary Ellen Klas, a former capital bureau chief for the Miami Herald, was produced for Bloomberg, and can be read at the Grand Forks Herald.

After a surge driven by high commodity prices and investor interest, U.S. farmland values are finally slowing. States like Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska saw double-digit increases in recent years, but new USDA data shows the market stabilizing. Rising interest rates and operational costs are cooling demand, even as institutional investors continue buying land. With over 40% of farmland owned by those 65 and older, the coming decades will bring a major transfer of ownership—raising big questions about the future of American agriculture.

If trends that impact North Dakota matter to you, and they do whether you know it or not, this is a story that’s worth reading. Lauren Cross with Investigate Midwest goes deeper in on the demographic and economic trend that is already reshaping agriculturally focused places like North Dakota.

The Department of Defense has ordered the removal of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) content from Air Force websites, erasing stories, photos, and articles that once highlighted service members’ cultural backgrounds and achievements. At Malmstrom Air Force Base, deleted posts included events celebrating heritage months and the story of an Indigenous airman’s religious exemption. The directive, part of a broader Trump administration policy shift, also led to the disbanding of Malmstrom’s DEI council. Officials say the focus is now on military readiness, but critics see it as erasing history.

Note: Malmstrom Air Force Base is located in Great Falls, Montana. Get the full story from Matt Hudson writing for the Montana Free Press.

An unwelcome invader has reached Fish Hook Lake. The Minnesota DNR has confirmed zebra mussels in the lake, just months after finding them in nearby Potato Lake. These tiny but destructive mussels can disrupt ecosystems, damage boats and docks, and even pose risks to swimmers. With no way to remove them once established, the focus now is on slowing their spread. Officials urge boaters and lake users to follow clean, drain, and dry practices to protect other waters from infestation.

We publish these stories as a part of a public awareness effort. Zebra mussels hitchhike down highways in the live wells of fishing boats, and then, as if by nature, they’re in a new place. Once in, there’s no getting them out. Wash your boats, drain your wells before you leave the ramp, don’t be the reason another North Dakota lake is spoiled.

North Dakota State University has long been a leader in animal sciences, but now its students are getting a new kind of education—one that extends beyond the classroom and into the freezer case. At the newly opened retail store inside the Peltier Complex, students aren’t just studying meat production; they’re selling it. The shop, part of NDSU’s Meat Lab, connects farm-to-table learning with real-world experience, preparing the next generation of butchers and meat industry professionals. And for Fargo locals, it means fresh, local cuts ready for the grill.

Editors Note: The local food trend continues to grow and now it’s spreading into a real-world classroom. Kudos to NDSU for recognizing what’s happening and positioning itself to serve students and communities equally. This is the pathway to both economic development and community resilience. And it’s important to notice the scale: small.

Flu-related deaths in the U.S. have hit a seven-year high, with nearly 10,000 deaths in early 2025—almost double last year’s toll. At the same time, flu vaccination rates are dropping, fueled by skepticism, misinformation, and shifting political attitudes. Public health officials warn that delaying vaccine planning and relaxing immunization requirements could make future flu seasons even deadlier. While some states push free clinics and awareness campaigns, the challenge remains: rebuilding trust in vaccines before more lives are lost.

Tim Henderson has the unfortunate, easily preventable story with Stateline.

For decades, Grand Forks’ zoning rules have made it difficult for some property owners to sell, maintain, or improve their homes—especially in the city’s older, more affordable neighborhoods. Now, officials are considering an update to the nonconformity code, aiming for a more practical and less punitive approach. The proposed changes would clarify what owners can do with properties that don’t meet modern zoning rules, making repairs easier and reducing bureaucratic hurdles. If approved, the move could bring long-overdue relief to residents caught in outdated regulations.

Editors note: Why does this matter in Minot? Zoning laws create the same challenges wherever they exist; Minot is no exception. So whenever one place attempts to tackle a common problem, we should be looking at the solution they deliver in case it solves a problem we have, too. Also, we’ll be pointing out more of this in the coming days, but consider for a moment the degree to which each community takes on work directly related to zoning ‘code’. The sheer development of zoning laws is a monumental, expensive task that cities take on in both an ongoing review and major overhaul regularly. This is expensive and dumb. There’s a better way to do it.

North Dakota lawmakers want to simplify future constitutional amendments by ensuring each one focuses on a single subject. The House has approved a resolution that, if passed by voters in 2026, would apply the same rule that already governs legislative bills to the state constitution. Supporters say it will make ballot measures clearer, while critics worry it gives too much power to election officials. With past legal battles over multi-issue legislation, the question now shifts to voters: Should constitutional changes be one issue at a time?

Mary Stuerer with The North Dakota Monitor has the full story; bill details can be found below.

Just two years after North Dakotans voted to impose legislative term limits, state senators are looking to change the rules—but the path forward is uncertain. By a single vote, the Senate passed a resolution that would put a revised term limit structure on the ballot in 2026, despite legal questions about whether lawmakers have that authority. Supporters call it a necessary update; opponents see it as an attempt to undo the will of the voters. Now, the House will decide what happens next.

Jeff Beach with the North Dakota Monitor has the full story; bill details can be found below.

Frustration is mounting in North Dakota as residents push for more direct engagement with their congressional delegation. Outside the federal courthouse in Bismarck, about 50 people gathered, delivering letters to lawmakers and demanding in-person town halls. Their concerns range from veteran health care to federal budget cuts, but the core message is clear: they want answers. With digital billboards calling out absent representatives and voices growing louder, the pressure is on for Sens. Hoeven, Cramer, and Rep. Fedorchak to face their constituents directly.

Amy Dalrymple and Michael Achterling with North Dakota Monitor have the full story.

For North Dakotans, waiting on the mail has become an exercise in frustration. Whether it’s newspapers arriving days late, critical prescriptions stuck in transit, or bills showing up out of order, delays have real consequences. Now, state lawmakers are urging the U.S. Postal Service to take action. A resolution calling for improved mail processing and delivery has passed both chambers and is headed to Washington, aiming to bring attention—and hopefully solutions—to a problem that affects rural communities and businesses alike. Jill Schramm with the Minot Daily News has the full story that includes comments form Senator Hoeven and Senator Cramer.

More than 16 years after Anita Knutson’s death, the case against Nichole Rice is finally before a jury. But before testimony could begin, the defense made a last-minute attempt to have the charges dismissed, citing new investigative revelations. The judge denied the motion, clearing the way for opening arguments and emotional testimony from Knutson’s adoptive parents. With the trial now underway, the search for answers—and justice—continues in a case that has weighed on Minot for over a decade. Joe Skurzewski with KMOT has the full story.

In small towns across North Dakota, a grocery store is more than a place to shop—it’s a lifeline. But as rural stores disappear, communities are left with fewer options and longer drives for essentials. Senate Bill 2228 aims to change that, offering $1 million in grants to help struggling stores stay open. For places like Hawk’s Market in Kindred, the bill could mean much-needed renovations and long-term stability. Without support, some residents may face a 30-minute drive just to pick up groceries—a trip not everyone can make.

Hunter Schwartz with Inforum has the full story. Bill details can be found below.

A newly released investigative report paints a troubling picture of former Minot Police Lt. Matt McLeod, detailing dishonesty, misconduct, and policy violations—all while he was under criminal investigation for alleged sexual abuse. The report’s findings have rattled the community, exposing failures in oversight and discipline within the department. Now, McLeod’s past actions are becoming a point of contention in the trial of Nichole Rice, with her defense arguing that key evidence was withheld. Rob Port with Inforum has the story; find it linked below.

Editors Note: Since initial publication, of Mr. Port’s column in Inforum, the judge has refused to dismiss the case on grounds connected to revelations in this report; the impact this information may have on the jury is yet to be determined.