Section: Politics & Government

Minot area remains stable in latest census estimates

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by: MinotVoice  |  

Minot’s population isn’t booming, but it’s not shrinking either—it’s holding steady. New Census estimates show slight shifts, with natural growth balancing out migration losses. Ward County’s numbers have barely budged in the past year, reflecting a broader trend: oil-driven western counties keep growing, while more rural areas continue to decline.  Jill Schramm with The Minot

Read & Share   sourced from: Minot Daily News

Grand Forks casino proposal could emerge again this session in another form

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

A plan to bring a $300 million casino to Grand Forks is back in play. Though the state Senate rejected the proposal last month, lawmakers are now exploring ways to resurrect it. The bill would allow the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa to operate a casino outside its reservation, a move supporters say could boost

Read & Share   sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

Manitoba unites against U.S. Tariffs defending sovereignty and economic security

by: MinotVoice  |  

With a unanimous vote, Manitoba’s legislature has drawn a firm line against U.S. tariffs, calling them a threat to Canada’s sovereignty and economic security. The province, rich in hydroelectric power and critical resources, is standing together to protect jobs and industries from what leaders describe as unfair trade policies. In a strong declaration of unity,

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Senate lawmakers weigh questions of fairness in North Dakota property tax debate

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By: Michael Achterling, North Dakota Monitor |

Members of a Senate committee debated meaningful versus equitable property tax reform during hearings for two bills that would drastically affect how property tax is collected in the state. House Bill 1575, one of three bills advanced by the House earlier this session, would reduce property tax rates for residential, agriculture and commercial properties. Sponsor

Read & Share   sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

Bill to change public notice requirements would undermine newspapers, NDNA director warns

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by: MinotVoice  |  

A bill moving through the North Dakota Legislature could change how public notices are published, shifting some responsibility from newspapers to the secretary of state’s website. Supporters say it’s a safeguard against publication failures, but opponents warn it undermines independent oversight and could pave the way for government-controlled public notice. With newspapers already offering an

Read & Share   sourced from: InForum

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A Blow to Public Lands, National Parks, and Future Leadership

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by: MinotVoice  |  

A career in the National Park Service is often built over decades—but what happens when that future is cut short? The Trump administration’s mass firing of 1,000 probationary employees, along with deep budget cuts, has sent shockwaves through the agency. Former park superintendents warn that these cuts will ripple far beyond lost jobs, impacting visitor

Read & Share   sourced from: South Dakota Searchlight

Now Is the Time to Stand Up for Press Freedom

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by: MinotVoice  |  

The press isn’t perfect, but a free and fair one is essential to democracy. Yet, politicians on both the left and right have found it convenient to take swings at journalists—whether it’s a mayor lashing out after a tragedy or a former president using lawsuits to intimidate. The attacks aren’t new, but they’re escalating. Now

Read & Share   sourced from: The Bulwark

Utah lawmakers move to set higher bar for ballot initiatives — but voters will have a say in 2026

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by: MinotVoice  |  

Utah lawmakers are tightening the rules on ballot initiatives, setting the stage for a high-stakes question in 2026: Should citizen-led efforts to raise taxes require 60% voter approval instead of a simple majority? While supporters argue that major tax decisions need broad consensus, critics see it as yet another roadblock for grassroots initiatives. Alongside new

Read & Share   sourced from: Utah News Dispatch

Port: House committee shows hostility toward bill improving North Dakota’s campaign finance laws

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

North Dakota’s campaign finance laws are embarrassingly weak, and that’s no accident. Candidates and committees disclose little, and even when they break the rules, the penalties are laughable. A bill to change that—requiring more transparency and stiffening fines—passed the Senate without opposition. But in the House, lawmakers are bristling at the idea of revealing more

Read & Share   sourced from: InForum

Federal Language Purge Comes for ‘Resilience’ and ‘Sustainability’

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by: MinotVoice  |  

In his return to the White House, President Trump has moved swiftly to redefine the government’s language—banning terms like “climate change” and “diversity” while ordering agencies to erase references to clean energy. Scientists and officials who rely on federal funding are adapting, some taking their work underground. The move reflects a broader effort to reshape

Read & Share   sourced from: Grist

Saskatchewan providers say province needs to ink $10-a-day child-care extension with feds

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Saskatchewan is one of two provinces holding out on extending a federal deal that funds $10-a-day child care, raising concerns that parents will see rising fees and daycare closures. The deal, part of a nationwide child-care strategy, mirrors how Canada funds health care—federally supported but provincially run. While the federal government is offering billions to

Read & Share   sourced from: Regina Leader Post

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Nebraska’s Electoral College Debate Heats Up: Winner-Take-All Proposal Advances

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by: MinotVoice  |  

Nebraska’s unique way of awarding Electoral College votes is once again up for debate. A legislative committee, under pressure from Gov. Jim Pillen and Republican supporters, has advanced two proposals—one to switch to a winner-take-all system and another to let voters decide through a constitutional amendment. While supporters argue the change would unify Nebraska’s voice

Read & Share   sourced from: Nebraska Examiner

Senate committee hears bill mandating gold, silver investments by North Dakota treasurer

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by: MinotVoice  |  

As concerns over inflation and national debt grow, North Dakota lawmakers are weighing a proposal to invest a portion of the state’s treasury in gold and silver. Supporters argue that precious metals provide a hedge against the weakening dollar, following the lead of other states and global financial shifts. But questions remain—how to securely store

Read & Share   sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

How much money do state officials make in North Dakota?

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by: MinotVoice  |  

State leaders in North Dakota are in line for pay raises, with the judiciary seeking the biggest bump. Under proposed increases, Supreme Court justices could see an 8% jump in salary by 2027, while the attorney general and other top officials would receive more modest hikes. Lawmakers argue that judicial pay needs to stay competitive

Read & Share   sourced from: InForum

Port: We elect too many people

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

County Auditor Mark Splonskowski is at the center of a political fight in Burleigh County, where commissioners are debating whether his position should remain elected or become appointed. It’s a conversation fueled by both his personal controversies and a larger question: Should voters decide on positions like county auditor, or is that better left to

Read & Share   sourced from: InForum

‘Control’ center stage as 2025 Utah Legislature comes to a close (and why it matters in Minot)

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Utah’s 45-day legislative session ended with a clear theme: control. From judiciary oversight to public unions, local governments, and even election procedures, lawmakers sought to extend their influence over nearly every corner of state policy. Some efforts succeeded, others stalled, but the session left deep divisions—especially between the Republican supermajority and Democrats, who questioned why

Read & Share   sourced from: Utah News Dispatch