Public Affairs – Page 20 – TheMinotVoice.com

Grand Forks City Council revives alcohol discussion

by: Josh Wolsky | May 12, 2019

How cities manage and regulate alcohol is a moving target; there’s no write answer — only what’s right for a place at that time based on the challenges they’re experiencing. As an example, Bismarck’s contemplating a license adjustment that would let more businesses into the game based on changing population. In Grand Forks, some Council

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

North Dakota claims dubious position in rankings of juvenile drug arrests

by: Josh Wolsky | May 12, 2019

In a ranking of juvenile drug arrests, North Dakota had the 3rd highest total of 27 violations per 10,000 kids. Only South Dakota and Wyoming ranked worse. April Baumgarten with Inforum has the full story.

Read & Share sourced from: InForum

Court Orders EPA to Address Landfill Emissions

by: Josh Wolsky | May 11, 2019

Minot’s had no shortage of landfill news over the past few years. Most recently, plans where advanced for a 20-25 year expansion on property adjacent to our existing site. And part of the challenge for communities with landfills are the extraordinary environmental protections that govern management and operation of these sites. If a California court

Read & Share sourced from: Scientific American

North Dakota Grain Growers Association votes to leave national association

by: Josh Wolsky | May 8, 2019

In a political move that could be described as eyebrow-raising, the North Dakota Grain Growers Association has voted to part ways with its national organization. Citing examples that go back more than a decade, the NDGGA didn’t feel they were being represented at the national level to a degree in accordance with their dues; the

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

ND getting an updated election system

by: Josh Wolsky | May 7, 2019

North Dakota’s nearly 20-year old election system will be getting an upgrade. In the recently close legislative session, lawmakers appropriated $12 million to upgrade to new equipment. Dave Thompson with Prairie Public News has the full story that probably won’t change much for most voters — the paper ballots will remain.

Read & Share sourced from: Prairie Public News

State’s Department of Environmental Quality formally established

by: Josh Wolsky | May 5, 2019

It’s taken two years to complete the separation, but North Dakota’s Department of Environmental Quality is officially up and running. These services and mission were previously captured under the Department of Health, but in 2017, the legislature passed a bill to establish the stand-alone environmental agency.

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

‘America First’ may be last hope for these cattle ranchers

by: Josh Wolsky | May 4, 2019

The pressure on the ranching business is coming from every direction. You may have previously read about competition from a new product line. In the story linked below, you’ll find a challenge of a more political nature. David Lynch with the Washing Post has the story on the impacts of world trade — and the

Read & Share sourced from: The Washington Post

Local Politics Aren’t As Polarized As National Politics

by: Josh Wolsky | April 29, 2019

Are you tired of hearing how divided America is? Maybe it’s just that we’re listening to the wrong people about the wrong topics. When it comes to local issues, Republicans and Democrats are much closer together on important issues than you’d probably assume. Check out this article from CityLab that breaks down the data on

Read & Share sourced from: CityLab

Province to launch review into how development projects carried out in Winnipeg

by: Josh Wolsky | April 19, 2019

Wherever you go, government is at odds with itself. In North Dakota we reference state’s rights or local control — it depends who is pushing who around. In Canada, it’s Province versus City. And if you’re looking for a bit of political intrigue, this story out of Winnipeg has that, too.

Read & Share sourced from: Winnipeg Free Press

Crude-by-rail bill passes Washington House but with big change

by: Josh Wolsky | April 17, 2019

The state of Washington’s legislature has been contemplating a bill that would require all oil delivered to the state’s refineries to be shipped with a vapor pressure below 9 psi. It’s a big deal for North Dakota oil producers because a lot of our oil goes west, and we don’t require vapor pressure to be

Read & Share sourced from: S&P Global

Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library sees legislation after bill shuffling, funding rewrite

by: Josh Wolsky | April 17, 2019

After a session of politicking, it looks like the legislature and the Governor are inching toward a solution that would see dollars — to be used for operation — delivered to the Teddy Rooosevelt Library project. Jack Dura with the Bismarck Tribune has the story.

Read & Share sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

Let’s be honest, there’s no such thing as a free bag

by: Josh Wolsky | December 6, 2018

If you weren’t aware, a group of passionate Minot citizens appealed to Minot’s City Council to take up the issue of single-use plastic — particularly disposable plastic bags. After months of information gathering and taking public comment, the group offered several recommendations intended to curb consumption. One of the primary recommendations is a 10-cent tax

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ND highway fatalities at 8-year low through 1st half of 2018

by: Josh Wolsky | July 17, 2018

Through the first half of 2018, traffic fatalities are at their lowest level in eight years. With the launch of the Governor’s Vision Zero initiative last year, the goal for traffic fatalities was set at the perfect-world goal of none. So, while the news is good, work remains.

Read & Share sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

In Winnipeg, Buy local plan fails to gain traction

by: Josh Wolsky | July 17, 2018

A proposal from the Winnipeg City Council requested the City develop a policy that gave an advantage to local firms seeking the opportunity to earn City business. But upon further review, the recommendation of an administrative report is to better communicate opportunities to local businesses, but not give them favor on contract terms. This issue

Read & Share sourced from: Winnipeg Free Press

Minot Fire Department managing turnover with new training

by: Josh Wolsky | July 12, 2018

Minot’s Fire Department has a lot of new faces. From retirements to firefighters pursuing opportunities in other places, the turnover rate has been higher than wanted in recent years. And one solution to keeping Minot and our first-responders safe and satisfied with their work — increased training. KX News has the story on how the

Read & Share sourced from: KX News

Three express interest in vacant Minot City Council seat

by: Josh Wolsky | July 8, 2018

The election of Shaun Sipma to the role of Mayor left a vacancy on City Council. Former Council-members Steve Podrygula, Dave Shomento, as well as School Board member Mitch Kraft have expressed interest in the position. The Minot Daily News has more details; a special City Council meeting is anticipated sometime after July 11th to

Read & Share sourced from: Minot Daily News