North Dakota News & Current Events

The Environmental Defense Fund estimates methane emissions account for at least 25% of global warming. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Study: Oilfield Gas Flares More Harmful than Previously Thought

A new study found gas flaring in oil-producing states like North Dakota is not as effective in limiting harmful emissions when compared to long-standi…

Not only has inflation created more economic gaps in tribal areas, food experts say it also has sent the cost of things like wild rice soaring. And that has limited access to these staples for Natives living in larger cities, too. (Adobe Stock)

Economic Pressure Builds Ahead of Elections in Tribal Areas

The economy is usually a big topic during elections. With the midterms near, recent inflation woes are especially felt in tribal areas, and …

In addition to protecting programs such as Social Security, older North Dakotans have told AARP reducing the threat of scams is another one of their top priorities. (Adobe Stock)

2022 Vote: Social Security, Drug Prices on Minds of ND Seniors

Early voting for the fall election begins one week from today in North Dakota. Candidate debates are on the horizon, too, and older residents are …

Since the Paris Agreement, the six largest U.S. banks have provided $1.4 trillion in financing to the fossil-fuel industry. (Adobe Stock)

How Climate Friendly is Your 401(k)?

As states like North Dakota debate whether to stay committed to fossil fuels, an online scorecard gives people with retirement accounts a glimpse …

Supporters of boosting wages for childcare workers in North Dakota say low pay is fueling the lack of available care. They say some families report traveling 80 miles roundtrip to bring their children to a provider. (Adobe Stock)

Guarded Optimism Surrounds ND Child Care Plan

Advocates for expanding child care in North Dakota are responding to the governor's proposal to improve access across the state. They said it is a …

The National Farmers Union says the portion of American farmland that is foreign-owned has grown by about 60% in the last decade. (Adobe Stock)

ND's Anti-Corporate Farming Law Turns 90

Supporters of a long-standing North Dakota law emphasizing family farms are celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, at a time of increased debate …

National surveys show local election administration roles are often held by women, especially for smaller jurisdictions. (Adobe Stock)

In ND, Women Shine in Overseeing Local Elections

More American women are being elected to public office. There is a mixed outlook in North Dakota, but women have a strong presence in local election …

With more certainty surrounding federal tax credits, supporters of renewable energy say developers will give the green light to more projects in the coming years. (Adobe Stock)

Measuring the Inflation Reduction Act's Economic Potential for ND

The Inflation Reduction Act has made headlines for clean energy provisions and prescription drug cost reform for Medicare recipients. A labor leader …

Groups working on housing issues for military veterans say that in order for them to have a stable future, finding a place to live is one of the most important things to take care of right away. (Adobe Stock)

Calling All ND Landlords: Providers Urged to Consider Vets for Housing

In North Dakota and around the country, goals are being pursued to help military Veterans find permanent housing. Groups leading the effort say …

North Dakota has nearly 20 counties that are considered child-care deserts. (Adobe Stock)

ND Rolls Out Incentives for Child-Care Workers

North Dakota is looking at ways to stabilize its child-care workforce as parents struggle to find openings. Part of that involves a new initiative …

Summit Carbon solutions has been seeking voluntary land agreements with private property owners in multiple states for its underground carbon storage project. (Adobe Stock)

ND Landowners Continue Mobilization in Opposing Carbon Pipeline

Next week, North Dakota landowners will get a chance to hear updates on a proposed underground pipeline for transporting and sequestering carbon …

Policy analysts say mental health disparities among kids result from generations of discriminatory policies that create barriers to accessing health care and other economic opportunities for families of color. (Adobe Stock)

ND Child Well-Being Summary Highlights Mental Health Concerns

Despite its high ranking, an annual child well-being report said children of color in North Dakota are still being left behind. The findings also …

Organizers behind farmers markets say grant programs have helped to spur interest among young entrepreneurs who want to sell locally grown food. (Adobe Stock)

ND Farmers Markets Tout Importance in Rebound Year

Next week is National Farmers Market Week. In North Dakota, there is a sense of relief after tough conditions last year, along with a mostly …

A new report says saddling young offenders with debt, such as restitution, limits their opportunities for positive growth that can keep them out of trouble in the future. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Juvenile Justice Restitution Laws Need Reboot

States like North Dakota need to re-imagine their restitution laws for juvenile offenders, according to a new report, which showed the payments often …

Those involved with AARP's Community Challenge grant program say smaller efforts, such as installing park benches in an undeserved area, can go a long way in helping to make a place livable for everyone. (Adobe Stock)

ND Reaches New Heights in Community Livability Projects

Towns and cities across America are rolling out recruiting efforts to keep their populations stable. A grant program for community-led projects puts …

With climate and market volatility in play, farmer advocates say now is not the time for Congress to reduce funding for crop insurance. (Adobe Stock)

ND Group: Farm Bill Impacts Every American

Congress wants to know what Americans would like to see in the next Farm Bill. Producer advocates in North Dakota say it is something everyone should …

ND Tribal School: New Book Highlights Language Preservation Movement

Many Indigenous languages face extinction, and in the U.S. efforts are popping up to preserve traditional Native American dialects and culture…

Domestic violence experts say it can take seven attempts for a victim to permanently leave their situation. (Adobe Stock)

ND Groups Navigate Challenges to Expand Crime Victim Aid

Non-profits assisting North Dakota crime victims are trying to maintain services they've been building in recent years. As demand reaches pre-…

North Dakota was one of nearly a dozen states that had so-called trigger bans on abortions ready to take place in the event of federal protections being overturned. (Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit Filed Against North Dakota's Abortion Ban

North Dakota's pending trigger law on abortions is being called unconstitutional in a new lawsuit. Separately, a handful of cities will see rallies …

According to the Commonwealth Fund, fewer than half of the country's rural counties have hospitals that provide obstetric care. (Adobe Stock)

Roe Fallout Could Put More Pressure on Rural Childbirth Care

By Liz Carey for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Prairie News Service for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Collaboration Alre…

Some political experts are now describing the January 6th Congressional hearings as the biggest political scandal in American history. (Adobe Stock)

ND Political Expert: Facts are Key Behind Jan. 6 Hearings

The nation still is dissecting revealing testimony from this week's committee hearing on the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. A top White …

North Dakota's only abortion clinic is now planning to move out of state in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to reverse Roe v. Wade. (Lexicon Images/Adobestock)

Progressive Groups Call on North Dakotans to Rethink Abortion Policy, Post-Roe

Pro-choice advocates are calling on voters to make access to abortion a big issue in the November midterm election. The countdown has begun; in less …

Native Americans, who are now in court in response to North Dakota's redistricting efforts, say not prioritizing public hearings on tribal lands contributed to the issues seen with the maps that were approved. (Adobe Stock)

New Activity in ND Redistricting Lawsuits about Tribal Lands

July 1 is the next scheduled hearing date for a pair of lawsuits tied to North Dakota's redistricting process. The legal issue is political …

In a new Minneapolis Fed survey, 24% of workers in North Dakota and Minnesota said the need for skills is a major factor in considering a job change. (Adobe Stock)

Regional Survey: Barriers Restrict Labor Mobility

The so-called "great resignation" isn't playing out for all workers. A new survey covering North Dakota and Minnesota shows people on the lower end …

The monarch butterfly is among the more than 110 vulnerable wildlife species in North Dakota. (Adobe Stock)

Funds for ND Part of Federal Wildlife Plan in Congress

The biggest investment in wildlife conservation in decades cleared the U.S. House this week, and supporters said if the Senate follows suit, North …

Researchers looking at disparities in children's well-being in North Dakota say the issues play out into adulthood. People of color with a bachelor's degree or higher earn $4 less in median hourly wage than their white peers. (Adobe Stock)

Report Examines Needs, Well-being of BIPOC Youth in ND

North Dakota is seeing more diversity within its youth population, but researchers say they face a tougher road in securing a brighter future…

Citing lower demand than other states, North Dakota officials returned a significant portion of emergency pandemic rental aid to the federal government this year. But officials say the state still has roughly $200 million on hand for those who need it. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Improvements, ND's Rental-Aid Issues Persist

Some North Dakota groups are renewing calls for the state to be more efficient in dispersing emergency pandemic rental aid. They say improvements …

Trade groups predict the U.S. could soon surpass the one million mark for the number of electric bikes sold annually. (Adobe Stock)

Kicking the Tires on Biking to Work

North Dakota has new laws in place to protect bicyclists, including those who ride electric bikes, and with gas prices still going up, one health …

For North Dakota's public colleges, average tuition fees are around $8,260 per year. (Adobe Stock)

ND Higher Education Still Affordable, But Accessibility Work Continues

North Dakota is among the top five states for college affordability. That ranking is in a new national report, and higher-education officials say …

In Fargo, there are seven candidates for mayor and 15 people are running for city commission seats this year. (Adobe Stock)

ND Primary: Older Residents Can Have Their Say on Local Issues

When North Dakotans cast their primary ballots, it is not just for state and federal contests. Local offices are up for grabs, and civic groups say …

In addition to legislative seats, North Dakota will see Native American candidates running for county-level seats and school boards this year. (Adobe Stock)

Building Access for ND's Tribal Voters Focuses on Communication, Data

Ahead of North Dakota's June 14 primary, a civic engagement group is crunching numbers and maintaining talks with county and state election leaders …

Since 2016, North Dakota has recorded more than 2,100 Alzheimer's deaths, with women making up 70% of those cases. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Rising Cases, ND Creates Alzheimer's Dashboard

Alzheimer's disease is one of the leading causes of death in North Dakota, prompting state officials to launch an online dashboard, where the public …

In North Dakota, student-loan borrowers owe an average of $29,246 in federal, private debt. (Adobe Stock)

ND Teacher: Student-Loan Forgiveness Recognizes Public Servants

The White House is fielding pitches from top Democratic lawmakers about their desire to dramatically expand student loan forgiveness. While a …

A new national report says a toxic culture is ten times more likely to contribute to job attrition than compensation. (Adobe Stock)

Moving Away from the Toxic Work Culture

North Dakota has seen recent examples of staffing shake-ups among certain employers where a toxic environment was cited. It coincides with rhetoric …

Supporters of storing carbon emissions from ethanol plants underground tout the benefits in the threat of climate change. But opponents say it would likely result in greater reliance on fossil fuels. (Adobe Stock)

ND Landowners Build Opposition to Land Use for Carbon Pipeline

The list of North Dakota counties voicing concerns about a proposed carbon-emissions pipeline is growing longer. Several are now on record opposing …

Should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn or weaken Roe v. Wade, abortions in North Dakota would automatically become illegal. There would be exceptions for medical emergencies or cases involving rape or incest. (Adobe Stock)

ND Abortion Clinic Maintains Service, But Urgency Builds

North Dakota's lone abortion clinic said patients should stick with their appointments, despite U.S. Supreme Court rhetoric, though contingency plans …

In addition to herd losses, North Dakota ranchers say they used up extra resources to try and keep their livestock alive during April's severe snowstorms. (Adobe Stock)

In Snowstorm Aftermath, ND Cattle Producers Urged to Seek Aid

North Dakota ranchers are still assessing their losses from the spring snowstorms. They are being urged to tap into federal relief, and some are …

A Gallup-Lumina Foundation survey finds the financial cost of college is an important reason some students don't continue their education. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Challenges, College Students Who 'Stopped Out' Want to Return

On the heels of pandemic disruptions, research shows the majority of college students in North Dakota and beyond who left school over the past two …

As teens and adolescents report feeling more stress and anxiety during the pandemic, those who feel supported in places such as schools were less likely to feel sad and hopeless, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

ND Provider: Teen Mental-Health Needs Are Visible

As the school year winds down, mental-health providers say they recognize many students still feel the weight of the pandemic, and in North Dakota…

North Dakota is one of nearly a dozen states that allow voters to weigh in via a statewide ballot initiative. (Adobe Stock)

Resistance Builds in Effort to Change ND's Ballot-Measure Process

Opposition has emerged against a proposal to make it tougher for constitutional amendments to be approved by North Dakota voters. The plan would …

Leaders of a new initiative in North Dakota to help military veterans resolve legal matters in their pursuit of housing, say even small things like obtaining an I.D. can serve as barriers. (Adobe Stock)

Legal Partnership Covers Wide Range in Helping ND Veterans

Low-income veterans in North Dakota, at risk of being unhoused, have options to turn to if a legal issue stands in their way, including a new …

Over the past decade, there's been a nearly 50% reduction in homelessness among military veterans nationwide. (Adobe Stock)

New ND Infinitive Helps Veterans Address Legal Barriers in Housing

The U.S. has made strides in reducing homelessness among military veterans, but barriers still exist in some situations. A new partnership aims to …

PFAS are used in a wide range of products, including cookware. Scientists say as a result, most humans have been exposed to these harmful chemicals at some point in their lives. (Adobe Stock)

Grassroots Awareness Builds about 'Forever Chemicals'

Compared to other states, North Dakota has not seen a lot of documented water contamination from the "forever chemicals" known as Perfluorinated and …

North Dakota has a medical marijuana program, but efforts to approve recreational use of the drug in the state have run into more obstacles. (Adobe Stock)

ND Voters Might Get Another Say on Legalizing Marijuana

A pending decision could provide more clarity on whether North Dakota will get another chance to see how voters feel about legalizing marijuana…

Federal authorities say in 2020, North Dakota saw nearly two dozen hate crime incidents that were documented. (Adobe Stock)

In ND, Local Hate-Crime Laws Carry Policy Load for Now

Less than a year after Fargo adopted a hate-crime ordinance, another North Dakota city is moving forward with a similar law. It remains to be seen …

Construction workers are three times more likely to not have health insurance compared with other workers, according to the U.C. Berkeley Labor Center. (Adobe Stock)

Tax Evasion Hurts ND Construction Workers

Some construction companies in North Dakota are paying workers under the table and skipping out on worker benefits to avoid paying taxes, according …

North Dakota's state bird, the western meadowlark, has seen population declines. But supporters of a bill moving through Congress say it would be the biggest wildlife protection legislation since the Endangered Species Act. (Adobe Stock)

Wildlife Community: ND Species Could See Big Benefits from Federal Bill

North Dakota is a haven for wildlife, but climate change and development threaten certain species and their habitat. Supporters of a bill in Congress …

Since 2004, older adults have seen a five-fold increase in their percentage of the nation's student debt load. (Adobe Stock)

Urgency Builds in Managing Student-Loan Debt for Older Americans

North Dakota has some of the lowest student-loan debt rates in the U.S., but like all states, payments are a growing burden for older adults…

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