North Dakota News & Current Events

According to 2022 data, more than 126,000 North Dakotans have insurance coverage through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

ND Issues Medicaid Renewal Plea After Thousands Disenrolled

North Dakota officials are urging people receiving health coverage through a key public program to stay on top of their renewal if they are still elig…

More than 60% of rural counties lack a psychiatrist, and almost half do not have a psychologist, compared with 27% and 19% of urban counties, respectively. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Challenges, Report Has Clues to Boost Rural Mental Health Care

A new report spotlighted some of the challenges to accessing behavioral health care for the one in seven Americans who live in rural areas. Those …

Human rights advocates point out in 2023, North Dakota adopted nearly a dozen laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community. (Adobe Stock)

Tracing the Origins of ND's Anti-Transgender Laws

Human rights voices are calling attention to new North Dakota laws deemed hostile toward LGBTQ+ individuals, saying it is part of a movement led by …

Smaller and mid-sized farms say due to market concentration and supply-chain issues within agriculture have made it much harder to get their foods to various markets, including schools and restaurants within their own regions. (Adobe Stock)

ND Farm Communities See Brighter Path with Food Business Centers

Rural development leaders say getting healthy, locally grown food to underserved areas is a challenge in states like North Dakota. They hope a new …

Some North Dakota lawmakers say the state has done a good job in analyzing such matters as behavioral health in recent years. They hope it can do the same for affordable housing, as demand for support programs appears evident. (Adobe Stock)

ND Prepares for Deeper Dive Into Housing, Other Needs

May is Community Action Month, and in North Dakota, groups trying to help households escape poverty are gathering feedback on which obstacles are the …

North Dakota housing advocates said a landlord placing unreasonable occupancy standards on families is likely in violation of state and federal law. (Adobe Stock)

Settlement Reached in ND Housing Discrimination Case

A housing discrimination case in North Dakota dealing with occupancy standards has resulted in a settlement, and advocates say it underscores the …

Across the nation, AARP says the estimated economic value of family caregivers' unpaid contributions now stands at $600 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Report: ND Sees Boost in Economic Value of Unpaid Caregivers

North Dakota's population includes 16% of its residents aged 65 and older, with demographers predicting the number will increase, and a new report …

Last fall, the Native American Rights Fund sued Benson County in a North Dakota case concerning fairness in elections for county commission seats. This spring, the group announced a settlement in the case. (Adobe Stock)

Tribal Advocates Secure Settlement for Local Elections in ND County

For nearly two decades, a North Dakota county elected local commissioners in a way that did not comply with a consent decree concerning Native …

After seeing cuts in previous budgets, North Dakota's public colleges and universities are getting a funding boost from the Legislature this year. (Adobe Stock)

In Reading the Higher Education Room, ND Lawmakers Boost Support

More college students in the U.S. are "stopping out" and not re-enrolling, according to a new report. In North Dakota, state lawmakers hope their …

Researchers in North Dakota say they've been able to examine the structures of two decommissioned wind blades in different conditions. Inside, they found materials such as thick layers of Fiberglas and balsa wood or foam, sandwiched between thin layers of Fiberglas. (Photo courtesy of EERC)

Recycling Renewables: Giving New Life to Wind, Solar Energy Parts

As Earth Month wraps up, more attention is being given to how to make use of wind and solar components at the end of their useful lives - and it …

In recent weeks, House and Senate committees in Congress have been holding hearings on the Farm Bill, which faces a fall deadline for reauthorization. (Adobe Stock)

Farm Bill Debate: More Breathing Room Sought for Conservation

Funding for a longstanding food-assistance program is at the center of the Farm Bill reauthorization debate. But there also are calls to make it …

In North Dakota, opponents of a proposed abortion ban which cleared the Legislature said anti-abortion politicians are trying to control women's bodies and lives. Supporters contend they are trying to protect the unborn. (Adobe Stock)

As Court Case Plays Out, ND Lawmakers Approve Abortion Ban

North Dakota has been steeped in a legal challenge to the state's trigger ban on abortions, which is currently blocked. Now, the Legislature has …

Earlier this month, North Dakota's governor issued an executive order declaring a statewide emergency in response to spring flooding. (Adobe Stock)

Flood Preparedness 101: Tips Resurface in ND After Big Snowmelt

North Dakota is no stranger to spring floods, but after several late winter bursts, rapid snowmelt has led to heightened concerns about rivers …

Operators of rural grocery stores say they often have thin profit margins while facing challenges to provide affordable healthy foods to customers. (Adobe Stock)

Grocery Store Co-ops Could Expand in North Dakota

In northeastern North Dakota, some rural grocery stores have embraced the "co-op" model in trying to stay afloat and address concerns about food …

This session, North Dakota lawmakers have faced calls to adopt additional prescription drug cost reform. Some efforts have come up short, but an insulin cap bill for public workers was sent to the governor. (Adobe Stock)

ND Lawmakers Advance Insulin Price-Cap Bill

In the national quest to help people with diabetes deal with the skyrocketing costs of insulin, North Dakota lawmakers are weighing in, as a bill to …

The Human Rights Campaign says so far in 2023, it has tracked more than 460 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in statehouses across the country. More than 190 aim to specifically restrict the rights of transgender people. (Adobe Stock)

Anti-Trans Bills in ND Give Way to 'Government Overreach' Messaging

In the coming days, North Dakota's governor will decide whether to sign several bills targeting transgender individuals. LGBTQ advocates say no …

Native American advocates in Bismarck say new housing development is often built in communities separated from their populations, and a lot of infrastructure funding goes to improve those areas, leaving older neighborhoods to deteriorate. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed HUD Rule Underscores Housing Access Woes in ND

Public comment is winding down for a proposed federal rule on inclusive affordable housing. Native American voices in North Dakota's capital city …

Supporters of providing no-cost school meals to all students argue that it helps them learn better, reduces stigma, and provides financial relief to working families. (Adobe Stock)

ND Lawmaker: Still Hope for Expanding School Meals

This week, the North Dakota Senate rejected a plan to expand eligibility for free school meals, but the idea has support from many agencies and …

The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 is a federal law governing the removal and out-of-home placement of American Indian children. A challenge to the policy could result in the U.S. Supreme Court either scaling back or overturning the law. (Adobe Stock)

ND Considers Child Placement Protections for Tribal Families

A North Dakota Senate committee hears a bill this week which would enshrine protections for Native American children who have to be placed in foster o…

Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present at or near the surface of the soil, all year or for varying periods of time, including during the growing season, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (Adobe Stock)

ND Shares in Wetland Restoration Funds for 'Prairie Pothole' Region

Funding priorities under the federal Inflation Reduction Act continue to roll out, and they include a new effort for North Dakota and surrounding …

Child care capacity in North Dakota has decreased by nearly 10,000 slots over the past few years. (Adobe Stock)

ND Rolls Out Child Care Cost-Sharing Program

As policymakers consider solutions to North Dakota's child care crisis, a state agency is moving forward with incentives they hope will compel more …

Opponents of requiring citizenship documents to vote say they can be expensive and time-consuming to obtain. (Adobe Stock)

Pro-Democracy Groups Still Worried About Citizenship Bill in ND

As North Dakota's legislative session moves forward, additional debate is expected on a controversial voting bill, which calls for proof of …

In addition to juggling higher credit card balances, U.S. consumers also are combating an upward trend in auto loan debt. (Adobe Stock)

Credit Card Debt Storm Hangs Over U.S. Consumers

Credit card debt in the U.S. is now at record levels. While those struggling to keep up might feel paralyzed, counselors say it's important to seek …

In 2021, North Dakota's community health centers recorded more than 127,000 visits. Leaders say these facilities save the state money by providing certain care that keeps patients out of emergency rooms. (Adobe Stock)

Workforce Issues Prompt Plea from ND's Community Health Centers

Nearly 30 states provide direct funding to community health centers, and there's a push to add North Dakota to the list. Supporters say the extra …

Last year's federal Inflation Reduction Act expanded the tax credit for direct air-carbon capture by 360%. A new study questions whether state and federal governments should be subsidizing the approach to carbon removal. (Adobe Stock)

Ahead of Public Debate in ND, New Study Examines Carbon Capture

A series of public hearings will begin in March on a proposed pipeline project to bring underground storage of carbon dioxide to North Dakota…

Coal dust is one of several sources of soot, the fine particulate matter which has major effects on people's health. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Hears from Public, Clean Air Groups on 'Soot Standards'

The federal government is gathering public input on improving air-quality standards for soot. Environmental voices in the Midwest and elsewhere say …

Facilities manager Wes Davis at Turtle Mountain Community College is at work at his desk. A miniature wind turbine sits on its surface. (Photo by Jessica Plance/Homegrown Stories)

A Vision for Tribal Sovereignty Through Sustainable Energy

By Jessica Plance for Homegrown Stories via The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Prairie News Service for the Public News Service/Daily…

North Dakota's pension system for state workers has more than 50,000 members. (Adobe Stock)

Pension Overhaul for ND Under Microscope

North Dakota is eyeing changes to the retirement plan offered to state employees. Future hires would be moved to a "defined contribution" plan…

Expanding School Meal Access Gets Close Look in ND

Nearly 50,000 North Dakota children were served by hunger-relief groups last year. Their advocates hope that compels lawmakers to make sure all …

A North Dakota coalition says the state needs about 10,000 more childcare slots to meet the demand for young children with working parents. (Adobe Stock)

Funding Levels Focus of ND Childcare Debate

As anticipated, improving childcare access is getting attention at the North Dakota Capitol this year. One emerging bill deals with funding support…

The Department of Veterans Affairs says homelessness among military veterans has decreased by 11% since 2020. (Adobe Stock)

ND Exceeds Housing Goal for Military Veterans

North Dakota has met a goal to provide stable housing to military veterans. It coincides with success at the national level amid lingering challenges …

Last year, the Federal Trade Commission reported a 70% increase in reported fraud losses from consumers. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed Fraud Restitution Fund Advances in ND Legislature

Victims of investment-related fraud in North Dakota could soon recoup some of their losses through a proposed restitution fund. A bill to establish …

In 2016, North Dakota voters rejected changes to a 90-year-old law which blocks corporate ownership of farms. However, state leaders say it is time again to consider changes, arguing North Dakota is losing competitiveness in livestock production. (Adobe Stock)

Regulatory, Tribal Impacts Hang Over ND's Corporate Farming Debate

North Dakota's plan to boost animal agriculture has reignited a thorny issue: loosening restrictions on corporate ownership of farms. The state said …

A bill to relax restrictions under North Dakota's Anti-Corporate Farming Law saw its first committee hearing in the state Legislature this month. (Adobe Stock)

Renewed Debate Over ND's Anti-Corporate Farming Law Underway

For the second time in nearly a decade, North Dakota is considering changes to a longstanding law that blocks corporate ownership of farms. With …

Some North Dakota lawmakers say the state's voting process needs a citizenship requirement, but opponents say it is a solution in search of a problem. (Adobe Stock)

Voter Citizenship Bill in ND Stokes Fears About Accessibility

Another hearing is expected in the next couple of weeks on a controversial election policy bill in North Dakota. The plans call for requiring proof …

Last fall, the American Library Association said the number of attempts to ban or restrict library resources in schools, universities and public libraries was on track to exceed record counts from 2021. (Adobe Stock)

ND Enters Fray Surrounding Content Ban for Libraries

North Dakota is expected to see continued debate in the coming weeks over a plan to ban certain items from public libraries. While the plan has its …

This year's debate over school funding in North Dakota is expected to consider formula changes to deal with declining enrollment. (gpointstudio/freepik)

ND Education Funding Debate Comes Into Focus

Teachers and their advocates said a proposed funding increase for North Dakota's public schools looks promising, but they hope lawmakers take it a …

Crickets are now being used in some types of pet food as an alternative source of protein. (Adobe Stock)

Taking the 'Bark' Out of Carbon Emissions Linked to Pet Food Production

By Claire Elise Thompson for Grist.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Prairie News Service reporting for the Grist-Public News Service Collaboration …

North Dakota's High Plains Fair Housing Center says it received 498 intake calls related to housing discrimination in 2022. That compares with 324 in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

ND Group Reports Spike in Housing Discrimination Calls

The U.S. is seeing record numbers of housing-discrimination complaints filed by consumers, and North Dakota is among the states where calls for help …

North Dakota lawmakers meet in regular session every other year. The 2023 session began this week. (Adobe Stock)

ND's New Native American Lawmakers Lay Out Priorities

More than two dozen new members are serving in the North Dakota House as the legislative session takes shape, and two newly elected Native American …

Last fall, a ballot measure calling for term limits in North Dakota passed with 63% of voters supporting the idea. That means the governor and state lawmakers in Bismarck will now have limits on how long they can serve. (Adobe Stock)

ND Kicks Off New Session with Term Limits in Place

North Dakota lawmakers returned to Bismarck this week for a new legislative session, but there is a twist: Term limits are now in place after voters …

In an era of skyrocketing housing costs, a manageable budget might seem out of reach for low-income households. But certain community action agencies can help with financial planning if housing expenses are overwhelming. (Adobe Stock)

Making Houshold Budgets Work for Low-Income North Dakotans

The transition to a new year often has people thinking about new goals. For those struggling to get by, their hopes for 2023 are more about survival…

On January 24th, AARP will lead advocacy day at North Dakota's state capitol, in hopes of getting more focus on issues such as prescription drug costs. (Adobe Stock)

ND Lawmakers Urged to Look at Drug Costs, Fraud Restitution

North Dakota lawmakers are scheduled to return to Bismarck early next month. They'll hear calls to help older residents, with the cost of …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) can affect the ambient air quality of a community. (Adobe Stock)

ND's Anti-Corporate Farming Law Faces New Fight Over Ownership Rules

Gov. Doug Burgum wants amendments to North Dakota's anti-corporate farming law, arguing certain rules make it harder to boost livestock production…

The NLRB is responsible for administering and enforcing the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

ND Union Voices: More Funding Needed for NLRB

With a wave of unionization sweeping across America, the agency that oversees labor relations is struggling to keep up. Union leaders in North Dakota …

Over the past couple years, education experts say school board meetings and candidate races have increasingly become volatile as so-called

LWV on ND Session: School Board Races, Early Voting Policy Eyed

The midterm elections are in the rearview mirror, but some North Dakotans are looking ahead to the legislative session as they monitor possible …

A national advocacy group says three-quarters of women in the United States who are entering the workforce will be pregnant and employed at some point of their lives. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Clock Ticking on Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Protections are in place in North Dakota and at the federal level to prevent discrimination against pregnant workers. But advocates say these women …

The North Dakota Child Care Action Alliance recommends the state commit $150 million in annual funding to supplement the wages of current workers and the anticipated need for additional child-care staff. (Adobe Stock)

Better Wages Highlight Latest ND Child-Care Plan

When North Dakota lawmakers reconvene next month, they'll have a host of recommendations for improving child care to consider, including a new policy …

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