North Dakota News & Current Events

Nearly 15 states have some sort of program to allow the use of taxpayer money for private school tuition, or support homeschooling options. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 21, 2025

'School choice' funding debate reaches critical stage in ND

North Dakota's legislative session is scheduled to end in May, and the issue of using public funds for what's called school choice remains unresolved…

Some North Dakota towns have seen plans come together for large-scale dairy operations, prompting debate about what kinds of tools local communities should have in restricting them due to environmental concerns. (Adobe Stock)

ND farm towns prepare for life with new animal feedlot law

Starting next year, North Dakota will have a new law in place that covers local zoning restrictions for animal feedlots. The bill's passage follows a …

Dozens of voting jurisdictions across the U.S. have begun to use different voting options, like ranked-choice voting, over the past few years. The movement is seen as a way to boost civic engagement as more people 'tune out' political campaigns. (Adobe Stock)

ND moves closer to banning alternative voting methods

Final action is expected soon on a plan that would prevent North Dakota cities and counties from using alternative voting methods for local elections…

North Dakota farmers said the financial strain they are feeling is not only the result of another global trade war. They say rising expenses, like machinery, are eating into their profits. (Adobe Stock)

ND farmers back push in Congress to rein in tariffs

With planting season here, North Dakota farmers have plenty on their minds, including the escalating trade war and some hope a bipartisan bill in …

Rural leaders in North Dakota said if they want to take advantage of people willing to relocate to their towns, they need to replace amenities that were lost over time, such as housing, retail and other needs. (Adobe Stock)

Could easy-to-grab data aid small-town planning? ND officials think so

North Dakota has launched a new centralized online data hub and small-town mayors see it as an asset because information is power in trying to make th…

A lead organizer for North Dakota protests, showing disapproval of aggressive spending cuts under the Trump administration, says people like her come with a nonpartisan tone. She says what's happening doesn't represent the American values she was taught. (Adobe Stock)

Some North Dakotans fed up with DOGE as federal cuts pile up

Backlash is mounting across the U.S. in response to the Trump administration's consistent push to cut federal staffing and programs. North Dakotans …

According to the most recent data, there were nearly 600 people in North Dakota living with HIV. (Adobe Stock)

ND joins movement to end outdated HIV penalties

North Dakota has joined a handful of states in modernizing laws about the spread of HIV - the virus that causes AIDS - and criminal penalties associat…

According to AARP, 44% of North Dakotans age 65 and older rely on Social Security for at least half of their income. (Adobe Stock)

Social Security service fallout reaches ND

AARP says it's getting thousands of phone calls from seniors worried about getting through to Social Security, as program operations are dramatically …

Between 2023 and 2024, more than 30,000 military veterans around the United States experienced some form of homelessness. (Adobe Stock)

To reduce homelessness among military vets, ND tinkers with funding plan

The North Dakota Legislature is considering bolstering funding to help military veterans facing homelessness. Key voices say more details need to be …

A proposed carbon dioxide pipeline for several Midwestern states is touted as one of the largest carbon capture projects in the world. Opponents said even if the concept works, developers are going

Like SD, North Dakota organizers keep fighting carbon pipeline

A Monday court hearing features a case pitting two North Dakota counties against a large carbon capture project. The legal challenge stands in the …

Jury finds Greenpeace liable in Dakota Access Pipeline case

Greenpeace has been ordered to pay several hundred million dollars stemming from the Dakota Access Pipeline protests and some are saying the verdict l…

North Dakota's Theodore Roosevelt National Park offers amenities such as camping and has been one of the many sites around the United States seeing surges in visitors. But park advocates said Park Service staffing cuts under the Trump administration could undermine operations. (Adobe Stock)

'He didn't cut red tape': ND mayor echoes worry about national park layoffs

As legal fights play out, national park enthusiasts in North Dakota worry about a situation where staff reductions, carried out by the Trump …

Farm groups said agricultural property owners pay more than half the property taxes in 30 North Dakota counties. Their arguments come as state lawmakers try to finalize a property tax relief package to help all parts of the state. (Adobe Stock)

Fairness at heart of ND property tax debate

It is the North Dakota Senate's turn to ramp up debate on property tax reform, a key issue of this session and lawmakers are hearing from a range of …

North Dakota officials are ramping up response efforts as the spring wildfire season begins sooner than usual. They are asking the public to monitor conditions and alerts, while being aware of any burn restrictions in their area. (Adobe Stock)

Officials: ND in for active wildfire season, possibly becoming the norm

North Dakota's governor has declared a statewide fire emergency as state and local agencies prepare for a longer and more active spring wildfire seaso…

As of 2024, more than 15 states had term limits for their legislators, although some of those frameworks have faced pushback. (Adobe Stock)

Term limit debate finds new life in ND

More testimony was heard yesterday about term limit reforms in North Dakota, an issue voters around the state might have to decide again. In 2022…

Farmers say they're now operating in an era of

ND farmer: Weather Service cuts threaten science of farming

Knowing weather patterns is part of farmers' skillset, helping them protect their land and profits. But a North Dakota producer worries about the …

The 34 accredited tribal colleges and universities served by the American Indian College Fund have a combined enrollment of nearly 22,000 students across 13 states. (Adobe Stock)

ND tribal colleges share positive numbers, but uncertainty looms

A new report says North Dakota's five tribal colleges contribute nearly $170 million to the state's economy. But any positive news is overshadowed by …

According to the National Library of Medicine, most studies examining universal free school meals, including free lunches, found positive links with diet quality, food security and academic performance. (Adobe Stock)

No-cost school lunch bill nears important stage in ND Legislature

House floor votes are expected early this week for a North Dakota bill that would expand free school meals to all students, regardless of their …

In trying to drastically reduce the federal workforce, the Trump administration has faced numerous legal challenges, while also having to rehire staff deemed essential. However, political scientists and voters opposed to these moves still warn of a

ND expert, national colleagues say U.S. Constitution under duress

Nearly 1,000 political scientists from across the U.S. have signed a letter, saying American democracy is under threat based on the early actions of …

Cryptocurrency kiosks can pop up in common spaces such as gas stations but fraud experts said because the industry is largely unregulated, it is hard for the victim of a scam to get their money back after it is deposited. (Adobe Stock)

ND looks to get tough on crypto scams

FBI data show North Dakotans lost nearly $6 million to cryptocurrency scams in 2023 and a bill advancing in the Legislature would try to limit those l…

With the inclusion of workforce certificates and certifications, North Dakota's overall rate of educational attainment has increased by 15.4% since 2009. (Adobe Stock)

ND sees more gains in degree attainment as workforce demands shift

North Dakota has made notable progress in boosting the number of working-age adults who hold a degree or credential beyond high school. That's …

While states such as North Dakota stand to lose roughly $3 million in medical research funding cuts under a Trump administration budget cutting move, neighbors like Minnesota could lose a lot more, with an analysis projecting more than $117 in funding losses. (Adobe Stock)

Amid scientists' warnings, Trump admin. sued over medical research cuts

A lawsuit has been filed against the Trump administration over its budget-cutting plans targeting medical research led by colleges and universities…

Prior to this legislative session, a North Dakota task force studied ways to update setback standards for animal feedlot operations and how close they sit near townships. It comes amid growing national debate over the harmful effects of so-called factory farms. (Adobe Stock)

Distance between animal feedlots and ND towns still up for debate

North Dakota lawmakers are still sorting out a thorny agricultural issue getting to the heart of local zoning restrictions for animal feedlot operatio…

According to industry estimates from last fall, nearly 5,000 electric school buses are in operation across the United States. (Adobe Stock)

ND electric school bus efforts may have to pump the brakes

Some North Dakota school districts are part of a movement that has embraced electric school buses, but the federal funding shakeup carried out by the …

Service organizations in North Dakota said affordable housing developments can be harder to come by in rural areas. They hope pending legislation gives smaller communities more resources to expand less costly housing stocks. (Adobe Stock)

Possible funding for ND's housing crisis comes into focus

Economists warn affordable housing is harder to come by in North Dakota, putting more people at risk of not having a roof over their heads but some …

Researchers at Yale University recently forecast under an escalated trade led by the Trump administration, Americans could see their annual purchasing power go down, with losses ranging between $1,900 to $7,600 per household. (Adobe Stock)

Experts have consumer tips on navigating tariff scenarios

States like North Dakota could see unique effects under President Donald Trump's approach to tariffs. Uncertainty lies ahead, but one expert said …

A company behind a massive carbon capture pipeline in the Midwest is slowly gaining permit approval. Concerned landowners are working with lawmakers on bills to enhance their rights. (Adobe Stock)

As carbon capture projects advance, ND debates landowner protections

A North Dakota legislative committee on Thursday took up a trio of bills about landowners' rights as states in this region are eyed for carbon-capture…

Across the United States, more than 2 million older adults are served by Meals on Wheels programs annually. It's one of the many programs nonprofits say is threatened by a Trump administration effort to pause federal grants as agencies examine their budgets and ideologies. (Adobe Stock)

Nonprofits: Federal grant pause toys with emotions of vulnerable people

Confusion and worry quickly spread Tuesday among charitable groups and state and local governments as the Trump administration put a freeze on federal…

More than two dozen states have passed laws that either ban or heavily restrict gender-affirming care for trans youth. (Adobe Stock)

Trial kicks off in challenge to ND's ban on gender-affirming care

Opening arguments begin today in a lawsuit challenging North Dakota's ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth. The case stems from a law …

In some conservative states, voters wanting law changes deemed more progressive have made bigger splashes through initiated measures at the ballot box. That's prompted some states to tinker with rules to make these questions harder to pass. (Adobe Stock)

ND back on familiar ground in debating ballot-question threshold

The North Dakota Legislature isn't done trying to reshape approval requirements for future ballot questions that cover constitutional amendments…

The Federal Trade Commission and farmers' advocates said when producers have to wait in line for a repair at a John Deere dealership, they are losing money by not being in the field. It underscored a new lawsuit seeking to establish more repair options. (Adobe Stock)

'Right to repair' case seen as tip of iceberg for ND farmer fairness

Farmers in North Dakota and the rest of the country are monitoring an evolving legal case against a giant equipment manufacturer and they said repair …

Policy experts said rural residents tend to have lower incomes and less access to employer-sponsored health coverage, making programs such as Medicaid a more prominent option for health insurance. (Adobe Stock)

Report: If Congress guts Medicaid, rural America would notice

Congressional Republicans are taking a hard look at Medicaid as they pursue spending cuts and a new report shows how the public health program is prev…

People of Native American descent make up about 7% of North Dakota's population. Through redistricting efforts and court cases, their advocates are trying to preserve political gains to ensure they are fairly represented in local and state government. (Adobe Stock)

With SCOTUS order, ND Tribal advocates feel good about legislative districts

As North Dakota's new legislative session takes shape, Indigenous voters in certain political districts will maintain their representation, after a …

When corporate-sized farms gain a presence in rural communities, skeptics said the added economic activity can have side effects, such as larger trucks leading to deteriorated roads. (Adobe Stock)

ND to debate how close large livestock sites can sit near communities

In North Dakota, 2025 could be another year when the state puts out the welcome mat for the livestock industry. Following task force recommendations…

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 20% of registered nurses in the U.S. are union members. (Adobe Stock)

ND nurses hope union vote paves way for stronger rural health care

Labor analysts say doctors have jumped to the front of the line of healthcare workers forming unions while others in the medical field continue to sho…

National reform groups say North Dakota is taking the right steps to improve public health outcomes for those within and without the criminal justice system, but they add a lot more work is needed. (Adobe Stock)

Jail overcrowding in ND elevates reform talk

North Dakota's county jails and state prisons have been bursting at the seams. Elected leaders are calling for meaningful solutions, with legal …

Policy analysts said the 2025 legislative session in North Dakota will be dominated by efforts to fix workforce shortages and reduce child care costs. But a number of issues linked to education could be part of the mix, too, including property taxes and school meal access. (Adobe Stock)

With new session here, North Dakotans speak clearly on key issues

North Dakota lawmakers gather in Bismarck today for a new legislative session and as they settle in, they will have public polling data to analyze …

Health-care experts say physical therapy is one area that has benefited from the expansion of telehealth. (Adobe Stock)

Rural telehealth sees more policy wins, but only short-term

As the new year unfolds, rural health providers in North Dakota and other states will continue to have extra latitude in using telehealth technology…

Economists say minimum wage hikes can be a complex issue to sort out. But some say when you look past the numbers, higher wages can help boost morale and reduce the need to keep hiring new staff. (Adobe Stock)

Will ND keep standing pat on minimum wage?

When the calendar flips to January, a number of states will increase their minimum wage levels - but just like recent years, North Dakota won't be …

According to a 2021 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 44 counties in the United States had no grocery stores in 2015; 40 of them were in rural settings. (Adobe Stock)

The ups and downs of combating rural grocery deserts in ND

Several rural communities across North Dakota are strategizing how to slow the pace of local grocery stores shutting down. Some are making use of …

A coalition pushing for universal school meals in North Dakota says nearly half of food-insecure children do not qualify for federal nutrition programs, leaving thousands without access to free breakfast and lunch at school. (Adobe Stock)

Food insecurity prompts ND advocates to eye universal school meals

North Dakota is expected to rejoin the debate over whether all school children, regardless of their family income, should have access to no-cost …

Even amid a national push by Republican policymakers for school choice, including vouchers, voters in some conservative heavy states this fall rejected the idea at the ballot box. Policy experts say they also drum up constitutional issues. (Adobe Stock)

Will ND expand school choice? If so, what would it look like?

North Dakota students will soon be on holiday break. When they return, state lawmakers are expected to debate giving families financial support …

Federal officials said construction vests too small for larger workers could limit their mobility in a dangerous situation on a job site, one reason why they are moving forward with a new rule requiring such gear to properly fit all workers. (Adobe Stock)

One size fits all? Not so, says OSHA for construction protection gear

With winter underway, outdoor construction workers in North Dakota are likely wearing safety vests over their heavy coats and a new federal rule was …

Federal data show North Dakota has emerged as one of the states with a higher number of refugees per capita. (Adobe Stock)

Human Rights Day spotlights need for welcoming refugees in ND

Today is International Human Rights Day, and much attention has been paid to North Dakota's growing refugee population and an assistance group …

North Dakota is listed as a top 10 state for soybean production. Agriculture policy analysts say these types of crops would again suffer under a renewed trade war led by the incoming Trump administration. (Freepik)

Ag consultant: A Trump trade war would come at 'worst time' for farmers

As President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in next month, the farming community wonders if he'll follow through on tariff threats. One expert says for …

It is not just manufacturing facilities and distribution centers having a hard time finding workers. Analysts say labor shortages are affecting Main Street businesses, too. (Pexels)

Workforce innovation grants could make rural ND shine

North Dakota has 30 available workers for every 100 open jobs. To help confront workforce shortages, the state is now accepting grant applications to …

In recent presidential election years, North Dakota has recorded voter turnout levels of around 61%. But a few decades ago, those numbers were closer to 70% in some elections. (Freepik)

Post-election, turnout and balanced governing a concern in ND

Next month, newly elected candidates for many levels of government will be sworn in. In North Dakota, civic engagement leaders hope there is a …

During the 2023 legislative session, North Dakota lawmakers approved a large aid package to boost child-care access. Other incentives have been phased in since then, but support groups still see the need for long-term fixes. (Freepik)

ND's child care system gains some ground but calls remain for more action

Whether it's not enough slots or rising monthly costs, many North Dakota parents have felt that child-care is out of reach for them. More than a …

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