North Dakota News & Current Events

Beyond legal-related maneuvers, the USDA has taken other steps to create more market fairness in the heavily consolidated livestock and meat production industry, including funding for more local processing options. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, July 1, 2024

The little guy could get a bigger voice in proposed USDA fairness rule

From North Dakota to Texas, the beef raised on farms goes through a production process controlled by four major companies and independent ranchers …

In its last session, North Dakota lawmakers adopted certain property tax reform measures. But that hasn't ended the debate about adopting broader structural changes. (Adobe Stock)

Campaigns ramp up messaging for ND property tax question

Signatures are expected to be submitted today for a potential fall ballot question which would largely do away with property taxes in North Dakota…

North Dakota is moving forward with more than $25 million in federal funding to spur construction of electric vehicle charging stations, mainly in rural areas along interstates. (Adobe Stock)

ND isn't known for EV chargers but statewide network takes next step

Electric-vehicle owners in North Dakota have long called for more action to boost the state's charging station network. There continues to be mixed …

If North Dakota were to enact a law that allows parents who had custody of their children removed by a court order to seek restoration of custody rights, officials estimate 33% of kids being held by the state would be eligible for these petitions. (Adobe Stock)

ND weighs restoring parental rights severed by courts

An interim North Dakota legislative committee this week got an update from state leaders on potential moves to reconnect kids in foster care with thei…

A new report from an independent think tank said 26 states have enacted restrictions that make it harder for local election offices to secure private grants to help cover their expenses. (Adobe Stock)

Bans on private funding for elections factor big in voting-law analysis

On the heels of its primary election, North Dakota has received a "fair" grade in an annual report examining voting laws for each state. The …

North Dakota's Pembina Gorge Recreation Area will soon become the state's 14th state park, with a 55-site campground and six all-season full-service cabins. (Photo courtesy of North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department)

New ND state park adds weight to Great Outdoors Month messaging

As temperatures warm up, people are enjoying nature - and North Dakota officials hope to see many more do so in the future as a new state park comes …

Pew researchers said 79% of Americans favor maximum-age limits for federal elected officials. (Adobe Stock)

ND voters push age-limit debate into forefront

The age of both presidential front-runners has drawn extra attention in this year's race and meanwhile, North Dakota voters this week embraced …

North Dakota might top the nation when measuring the economic well-being of kids around state. But when specifically looking at education, it ranks 40th among all states. (Adobe Stock)

Despite positive ranking, ND sees worrisome trends for child well-being

On the surface, North Dakota is performing well in setting the tone for child well-being. However, an annual ranking finds certain indicators going …

The Environmental Protection Agency says the years 2002, 2003 and 2012 had the highest reported incidence rates of West Nile virus in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

25 years of West Nile: How virus' trends are playing out in 2024

West Nile virus has had a presence in the United States for a quarter of a century. A mild winter and rainy spring sets the stage for more mosquitoes …

Animal welfare groups say food companies that rely on inhumane practices in their supply chain expose themselves to financial risks, with investors and shareholders showing increasing concern about these issues. (Adobe Stock)

Restaurant chains called into question for meat-production sources

Today is National Animal Rights Day, and some of the more popular restaurant chains in North Dakota are under fire for how the meats they use are …

According to the Native American Rights Fund, more than 1 million eligible Native American voters in the United States are not registered to vote. (Adobe Stock)

Native organizations commemorate 100th anniversary of Citizenship Act

Sunday marks 100 years since the United States granted citizenship to all Native Americans. North Dakota voices are observing the milestone, and …

In a new poll issued by the North Dakota News Cooperative, 73% of Republican voters fear that if the United States moves away from Christian foundations, the country will be in peril. (Adobe Stock)

ND poll paints picture of how GOP voters feel about Christian nationalism

Ahead of the 2024 election, an undercurrent of Christian nationalism is lurking, GOP voters in North Dakota were recently polled about the dynamic …

Election policy experts said the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the movement for vote-by-mail and many voting jurisdictions have decided to use the option permanently. (Adobe Stock)

In some rural counties, voting by mail is king

North Dakotans have less than two weeks to send in their absentee or mail ballot to be counted for the June 11 primary. Despite some political …

The AFL-CIO said in 2022, the Black workers' job fatality rate in the U.S. was the highest it has been in nearly 15 years. (Adobe Stock)

Report: ND again ranks high for workplace danger

North Dakota has not managed to substantially reverse its rate of workplace fatalities. An annual report puts the state in the top five in the …

In making it easier to obtain a master's degree in nursing, officials with North Dakota's University of Jamestown say they can close gaps in turning out more nursing educators. The industry has been plagued with shortages in those who can train future nurses. (Adobe Stock)

Technology, flexibility at core of new ND nursing degree program

When students return to a North Dakota college this fall, some will be in a new nursing program. Leaders say not only will it help with workforce …

The Environmental Defense Fund said methane emissions from oil and gas wells, including abandoned sites which were never capped, remain a significant driver of short-term climate change. (Adobe Stock)

North Dakota gets more federal funds to cap abandoned oil wells

A new round of federal funding is coming North Dakota's way to help plug dozens of abandoned oil wells. The U.S. Department of the Interior this …

A new Urban Institute report showed in 2023, adults with very low food security were more likely to experience debt repayment challenges if they turned to things like credit cards to pay for groceries. (Adobe Stock)

For some families, paying with plastic is a lifeline at the grocery store

North Dakota is in the top half of states for average weekly grocery bills and a new national report detailed how consumer debt is bridging the gap fo…

Gallup polls show Americans are increasingly losing trust in key professions, although high school teachers still rank fairly high overall in ethics ratings. (Adobe Stock)

Teacher Appreciation Week: ND talks center around perks, perception

It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and in North Dakota, the tone is a little different this year - with deeper conversations about the need to keep …

Calls for building out vast electric-vehicle charging networks have become a thorny issue in oil-producing states such as North Dakota. But EV owners say elected leaders need to realize some automakers are still making a strong push, despite their opposition. (Adobe Stock)

EV owners in ND: Less politics, more charging stations

It might not be surprising that North Dakota ranks low for electric vehicle adoption, but existing owners say they are frustrated elected officials …

Nearly two dozen states and Washington D.C. have legalized adult-use cannabis. (Adobe Stock)

When pot and small-town dynamics collide

Petitions are being circulated to get a marijuana legalization question on North Dakota's fall ballot. Some local officials said marijuana laws …

North Dakota agriculture officials say there are about 1.85 million beef cattle around the state. For processed livestock that winds up on store shelves, regional producers stand to gain more competitive ground under new federal rules concerning

"Product of USA" label for meat items could carry more weight under new rule

Big players in the beef and poultry industry face pressure to prepare for a new federal rule for "Product of USA" labels. And advocates for smaller …

North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska are among the states included in a proposed pipeline project pitched by Summit Carbon Solutions, where emissions from ethanol plants would be captured and stored underground. (Adobe Stock)

New hearings, same arguments on both sides for ND pipeline project

A round of public testimony wrapped up this week as part of renewed efforts by a company seeking permit approval in North Dakota for an underground pi…

Despite making up more than 5% of North Dakota's population, fewer than 2% of state legislators are Native American. Advocates said with more Native candidates running, the gap could soon begin to shrink in the coming years. (Adobe Stock)

ND sees flurry of campaigning among Native candidates

North Dakota's June 11 primary is inching closer and those running for legislative seats are trying to win over voters, including Native American …

Native American tribes and support organizations have pursued several lawsuits since the 2020 redistricting cycle, in hopes of securing fair political boundaries. There is also a push to get more tribes to be active when maps are drawn, so legal action will not be necessary. (Adobe Stock)

Tribal advocates keep up legal pressure for fair political maps

Across the U.S., most political boundaries tied to the 2020 Census have been in place for a while, but a national project on map fairness for …

Census data show more than 100,000 North Dakotans have some college credits, but no degree. Unpaid tuition or other school debt is cited as one reason why it's hard for these individuals to re-enroll. (Adobe Stock)

ND looks to ease 'upskill' obstacles for former college students

This summer, colleges and universities will have to comply with a new federal rule and not withhold students' transcripts over unpaid tuition and …

In North Dakota's upcoming June 11th primary election, nearly 70 legislative races are on the ballot. (Adobe Stock)

ND spring election: Local races round out ballots

Voters are consistently reminded to pay attention to local elections. But in 2024, North Dakota groups are stressing that message even more with …

High school basketball courts in North Dakota have been the scene of several reported racial taunting incidents over the past couple of years. Tribal advocates said discrimination by non-Native fans has been going on for decades. (Adobe Stock)

ND lawmaker: Racist taunts in HS sports need to stop

North Dakota high schools are in spring sports mode and there is lingering tension from winter sporting events, where Native American players endured …

While deep political divisions remain, a new PBS/Marist poll showed 81% of Americans acknowledging having friends with different political beliefs than their own. (Adobe Stock)

Poll puts spotlight on political violence concerns in U.S.

Local election leaders in North Dakota do not feel like political violence is something they will encounter but a new national poll added to the list …

While they remain listed as endangered, federal officials say the whooping crane's recovery from the brink of extinction is one of the most notable success stories under the Endangered Species Act. (Adobe Stock)

Endangered Species Act gets another makeover, drawing partial praise

The Biden administration is moving forward with plans it says will strengthen the Endangered Species Act, after it saw a major overhaul under former …

The Congressional Budget Office estimated as early as 2023, Social Security might have a harder time paying full benefits to beneficiaries because program revenues will not be keeping up. (Adobe Stock)

Possible cuts to Social Security come back into focus

Congress just avoided a partial government shutdown by approving a budget through the end of September, but a new blueprint is renewing debate about …

Summit Carbon Solutions had initially hoped to begin construction this year on its carbon dioxide pipeline project for several Midwestern states. However, most of the actions so far have centered around public hearings, legal arguments and regulatory setbacks. (Adobe Stock)

Dakotas among states still weighing controversial pipeline plan

New public hearings and legal decisions are expected in the coming weeks and months about a controversial pipeline project in the upper Midwest…

U.S. researchers said there is a belief that boosting lawmaker pay might lead to more working-class legislators, but their information gathering does not back that up. North Dakota lawmakers are part-time, only meeting in Bismarck every other year. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Working class woefully underrepresented in state legislatures

In North Dakota and all other states, the backgrounds of people serving in state legislatures largely leave out a key demographic, the working class…

In cities across the nation, local governments are hearing more feedback and discourse from residents about a range of matters during regular meetings. Those include broader issues, such as calls for ceasefire resolutions in light of the Israel-Hamas war. (Adobe Stock)

Possible public-comment overhaul stirs backlash in Fargo

Public comment has long been a staple of local government meetings. But in North Dakota and other parts of the country, this engagement tool faces a …

In a 2022 national survey of LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-18, nearly 54% of trans and gender-expansive youth reported feeling unsafe in at least one school setting. (Adobe Stock)

Oklahoma tragedy felt by LGBTQ advocates in ND

LGBTQ advocates in North Dakota have joined a nationwide coalition demanding accountability over the death of a non-binary teen from Oklahoma…

A North Dakota dietitian recommended if you're trying to maintain a healthy nutritional plan, it is important to give yourself grace if not all meals are healthy. (Adobe Stock)

Expert: Healthy diet doesn't have to be a lofty, expensive goal

March is National Nutrition Month, and North Dakotans are being reminded of ways to better manage their health through personalized diet plans …

Because of their large batteries, electric school buses can be used as backup power sources for utilities when they are not in use during the summer. (Adobe Stock)

'Checking under the hood' of the electric school bus movement

Most school buses on the nation's roadways are still powered by diesel engines but in North Dakota and elsewhere, there is hope about the push to …

In a national report evaluating states on how much they support public education, North Dakota earned 98 out of a possible 111 points. (Adobe Stock)

ND makes grade in national report evaluating public school support

North Dakota is sometimes swept up in national rhetoric about public schools. However, the state fares well in a new report looking at how much it …

In a new poll, 85% of North Dakota voters said they probably wouldn't buy an electric car the next time they purchased a vehicle. (Adobe Stock)

Poll on climate change shows some in ND yet to be convinced

North Dakota voters are divided on climate change matters, according to new polling data. To get more community buy-in for climate solutions…

When North Dakota lawmakers reconvene in 2025, they're expected to consider ideas from a task force about getting more teachers into classrooms. The panel is just beginning to hold discussions. (Adobe Stock)

ND task force zeroes in on teacher recruitment

This coming Thursday, a new task force will meet to advance discussions about boosting teacher recruitment and retention in North Dakota. The panel …

A new poll regarding North Dakota's Legacy Fund shows voters want the agency in Bismarck overseeing investments to shift their focus, including leveraging the account for property tax relief. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: Big disconnect between North Dakotans and 'people's fund'

In a new poll, North Dakota voters say they'd like to see big changes to the state's Legacy Fund, which operates as a savings account funded by oil …

An American Express report notes there are nearly 13 million women-owned businesses in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Women business owners in ND take on risks to thrive

National Entrepreneurship Week runs through Saturday. In North Dakota, outreach continues to ensure women business owners face fewer obstacles in …

In a multistate project, Summit Carbon Solutions wants to capture carbon emissions from Midwestern ethanol plants and run those emissions through a maze of pipelines to be stored underground in North Dakota. (Adobe Stock)

ND law at center of carbon pipeline fight now under scrutiny

A North Dakota lawmaker is calling into question a state law change that drew a lot of attention this week. At issue is a regulatory decision for a …

Leading up to a 2023 vote to overhaul its pension system, North Dakota had an underfunded liability approaching $2 billion. (Adobe Stock)

National report issues cautionary tale after ND pension overhaul

CLARIFICATION: North Dakota will be closing its main public pension plan next year. An earlier version of this story did not indicate that several …

Aside from surgeons, North Dakota sits below regional and national averages in its numbers of physicians and specialists per capita. (Adobe Stock)

ND hopes new campaign beefs up rural health-care workforce

North Dakota lags behind other Midwestern states when it comes to having an adequate number of health-care physicians. State officials say a new …

According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, 23 million lower-income households have benefited from the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program. (Adobe Stock)

Federal funds drying up to keep internet service on for low-income households

Low-income households across the United States now face a deadline to sign up for federal funds that give them a break on their monthly internet bills…

North Dakota has joined Minnesota, Virginia and Arkansas to take part in a national pilot project that pays farmers for every acre they use for conservation practices, such as cover crops. (Adobe Stock)

ND chosen for 'climate smart' farming pilot project

North Dakota is one of four states chosen for a federally funded pilot program to spur more interest in farmers to reduce their carbon footprint…

Agriculture experts said even if farmers are lucky to have health insurance, behavioral health services may be considered

Despite more awareness, mental-health barriers remain for farmers

It is January and North Dakota farmers may already be looking ahead to the spring planting season. Mental health providers see hope and challenges …

Policy experts say as it now stands, roughly 19 million children in the U.S. don't benefit from the federal Child Tax Credit because their families' incomes are too low. (Adobe Stock)

Federal Child Tax Credit could see another expansion with new deal in play

Congress is poised to consider renewing the expanded Child Tax Credit and policy analysts said the latest effort could help tens of thousands of North…

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