National – Page 7 – TheMinotVoice.com

North Dakota federal judge axes environmental rule

by: MinotVoice | February 5, 2025

A North Dakota federal judge has ruled that the Council on Environmental Quality, established by Congress in 1969, has been operating beyond its intended role as an advisory body. U.S. District Court Judge Dan Traynor struck down a 2024 regulation that altered the federal environmental review process, affirming the recent D.C. Circuit Court’s finding that

Read & Share sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

An earnest defense of America’s silliest holiday: Groundhog Day

by: MinotVoice | February 2, 2025

Groundhog Day may seem like just another quirky tradition, but beneath the top hats and rodent theatrics lies something deeper: a rare American holiday that celebrates our connection to nature. While most of our major holidays focus on history, heroes, or commerce, this one marks the slow shift of the seasons—an ancient ritual wrapped in

Read & Share sourced from: NPR

Is news bias fueled by journalists supplying slanted views or readers’ demanding them? An economist weighs in

by: Josh Wolsky | February 2, 2025

In late December 2023, James Bennet, once the top editor of The New York Times’ editorial page, made waves in The Economist by claiming the paper is losing its journalistic principles. He argued that media bias – particularly a liberal slant – affects coverage. Together with Wake Forest University’s Koleman Strumpf, an economist examined over

Read & Share sourced from: The Conversation

Inflation, Tariffs, and AI—Oh My! 10 Questions for the U.S. Economy

by: Jim Maxson | February 2, 2025

Conventional wisdom suggests that one of the primary reasons Americans voted for a change in 2024 was higher prices. But is there a practical difference between higher prices and inflation? Apostles of both the hard right and the hard left seem to have preconceived ideas about potential cures for inflation. Economists and academics have opinions,

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Does advertising of sugary food to kids need regulation?

by: Josh Wolsky | February 1, 2025

It’s illegal to sell kids lung cancer and nicotine addiction, but diabetes? Sure. Fine. Food companies pledged to clean up their act, but sugary cereals still dominate kids’ TV screens—and their breakfast bowls. A new study finds that despite promises to promote healthier options, cereal makers continue marketing their least nutritious products directly to children,

Read & Share sourced from: The New Lede

Senate Confirms Burgum as Secretary of Interior; Comments from ND Delegation

by: Josh Wolsky | January 31, 2025

By a vote of 79-18, former Governor Burgum has been confirmed as the Secretary of the Interior. North Dakota’s lawmakers provided the following comments through news releases. The strong support Governor Burgum received throughout the confirmation process speaks volumes about his unique qualifications to serve as Secretary of the Interior. His background in energy, tribal

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Lawmakers say no to storing nuclear waste in Wyoming

by: Josh Wolsky | January 31, 2025

Concerns over the potential storage of spent nuclear fuel in Wyoming have led lawmakers to reject House Bill 16, aimed at initiating a broader discussion on the topic. Facing constituents’ opposition and doubts about the reliability of “temporary” storage, committee members noted the federal government’s long struggle to establish a permanent waste repository. Lawmakers expressed

Read & Share sourced from: WyoFile

The Paradox of a Hardline Immigration Policy on the Dakota Prairie

by: Josh Wolsky | January 31, 2025

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s recent farewell address highlighted her concerns about an “invasion” from illegal immigration, linking it to national security threats. Yet, at home, her state faces a paradox: a significant labor shortage in sectors heavily reliant on migrant workers. This tension raises questions about Noem’s approach to immigration as she prepares for

Read & Share sourced from: Associated Press

GOP attorneys general urge Costco to drop diversity policies, cite Trump’s order

by: Josh Wolsky | January 30, 2025

A group of 19 Republican attorneys general, including North Dakota’s Drew Wrigley, is urging Costco to reconsider its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. In a letter directed to CEO Ron Vachris, they argue that these practices lead to unlawful discrimination and ask for clarification on the company’s commitment to merit-based treatment. This move comes

Read & Share sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

Hoeven to Serve as Chairman of Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee

by: MinotVoice | January 30, 2025

Senator Hoeven will serve as the Chairman of Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee. The full news release from his office is included below. — OFFICIAL NEW RELEASE, SENATOR HOEVEN — WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that he will again serve as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee. Hoeven has served as the lead

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They Followed North Carolina Election Rules When They Cast Their Ballots. Now Their Votes Could Be Tossed Anyway.

by: MinotVoice | January 30, 2025

Judge Jefferson Griffin’s effort to overturn his North Carolina Supreme Court loss has left thousands of voters stunned. His argument? Ballots missing a driver’s license number or Social Security digits should be thrown out—despite state laws confirming their legitimacy. The impact is broad and deeply personal. From a poll worker to a college freshman, voters

Read & Share sourced from: ProPublica

Has nuclear power entered a new era of acceptance?

by: MinotVoice | January 29, 2025

NextEra Energy Resources is setting its sights on reopening Iowa’s only nuclear power plant by 2028, reflecting a broader shift in public opinion as support for nuclear energy rises. Once on the decline, the Duane Arnold Energy Center, which was decommissioned in 2020, now stands at the center of discussions about sustainable energy sources to

Read & Share sourced from: Cedar Rapids Gazette

Federal Grant Funding Freeze Sparks Local Concern

by: Josh Wolsky | January 29, 2025

More is unknown than known, but President Trump’s federal funding freeze is creating concern and uncertainty for several Minot area organizations. Jill Schramm with the Minot Daily News has the local reaction to the broad stroke executive order that’s now been halted by a federal judge.

Read & Share sourced from: Minot Daily News

134M poultry and counting: Interactive charts show hardest-hit counties in bird flu crisis

By: Lauren Cross, Investigate Midwest | January 28, 2025

The latest data from the CDC and USDA show the continued devastating effects of bird flu outbreaks across the United States – with Iowa, the nation’s leading egg producer, suffering substantial losses. Since November 2023, more than 12.1 million poultry birds have been affected in Sioux County, Iowa. On Jan. 17, health officials in Georgia,

Read & Share sourced from: Investigate Midwest

Who decides? How algorithms and humans interact in judges’ decisions about bail

by: MinotVoice | January 28, 2025

Keith White’s story stands at the intersection of human judgment and algorithmic prediction. Arrested in Kentucky, he faced charges that could have left him in jail simply because he couldn’t afford bail. This scenario plays out daily across the U.S.: judges must decide who waits for trial at home and who stays behind bars. Algorithms,

Read & Share sourced from: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

Whoopie Ti-yi-o

by: MinotVoice | January 26, 2025

On July 17, 1939, Alan Lomax reached out to Myra E. Hull, a dedicated ballad collector from Kansas, praising her article on cowboy songs. Their connection was rooted in a shared passion for folklore, exemplified by Myra’s earlier recordings made in Lomax’s presence. As one researcher revisited Myra’s unique rendition of the iconic “Git Along

Read & Share sourced from: Prairie Public News