North Dakota News & Current Events

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)

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

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…

The American Red Cross says in the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood through its facilities has fallen by about 40%. (Adobe Stock)

National shortages underscore pleas for blood donations

The American Red Cross said it is experiencing an emergency blood shortage. A regional facility in North Dakota said its situation is not quite as …

Over the past year, a handful of the leading insulin manufacturers have announced price caps on the heels of policy changes under the federal Inflation Reduction Act that capped out-of-pocket costs for people enrolled in Medicare. (Adobe Stock)

More insulin price caps taking effect in 2024

The movement to cap insulin prices for diabetes patients grew larger in the United States this week. Consumer advocates in North Dakota say the news …

North Dakota's Department of Environmental Quality said its new survey regarding water quality threats will not lead to policy or regulation changes but could help staff better identify which waterways are of greater concern. (Adobe Stock)

Concerned about water quality? ND wants to hear from you

In early January, some North Dakotans might be daydreaming about summer water activities but certain forms of pollution remain a threat to various …

North Dakota is one of 20 states still at the federal minimum wage level of $7.25 an hour. The other 30 have base levels ranging from $8.75 to $16. (Adobe Stock)

Minimum wage policy still varies across U.S.

Bills are pending in Congress to boost the federal minimum wage, which remains at $7.25 an hour. Separately, many states increased their wage …

Despite court rulings showing no widespread fraud, lingering rhetoric from the 2020 presidential vote has to proposed procedural changes in conservative states. In North Dakota, that includes calls to return to counting votes by hand. (Adobe Stock)

ND election administrator: Prepare for long waits if hand counting advances

Petitions are being circulated for a potential ballot question in North Dakota that calls for the state to go back to counting votes by hand during el…

According to the advocacy group Kids in Danger, there were 100 children's product recalls in 2022, the highest number since 2013. (Adobe Stock/Generated with AI)

Post-holiday gift research urged for smart toys

The "smart toy" market is now a more than $16 billion industry and is expected to double by 2027. This holiday season, experts are warning parents to …

North Dakota's Government Services legislative committee said lower-income households are<br />expected to increase by 2025 across the state, putting more pressure on stakeholders to remove affordable housing barriers. (Adobe Stock)

ND panel gets detailed view of homelessness around the state

North Dakota's affordable housing gaps came into focus at a public hearing yesterday. A legislative committee, tasked with studying the issue…

Cognia, a nongovernmental organization that accredits primary and secondary schools, says declining birth rates might make it harder for colleges and universities to maintain solid enrollment in the coming years. (Adobe Stock)

To boost enrollment, public university systems go big on tuition discounts

States like North and South Dakota are in a fierce battle to keep college affordable as public schools navigate the ebbs and flows of enrollment trend…

In a new educator union poll, North Dakota teachers say they don't feel district administrators, school boards and elected officials respect their opinions and experience. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: Teacher retention issue in ND not improving

Eighty-eight percent of North Dakota teachers feel that school districts will have a harder time keeping enough staff next school year, according to …

In an AARP survey, nearly half of LGBTQ participants said they were concerned about having enough family and social supports to rely on as they age. (Adobe Stock)

ND aging plan: Making older LGBTQ residents feel included

This week, older North Dakotans will have a chance to learn about housing discrimination as part of a long-term aging plan for the state. Advocates …

Toy drive organizers say books are a good donation approach for toy drives because a set of three can count as one whole gift as part of the toy limit for each child. (Adobe Stock)

Toy drive tips: items for teens, resist donating used gifts

Christmas is a little more than two weeks away, and toy drives around the country are in full swing. A North Dakota organizer shares some things to …

According to a project led by Northwestern University, the U.S. has lost almost 2,900 newspapers since 2005. All but about 100 were weeklies, which are often the sole provider of local news in small and midsized communities. (Adobe Stock)

For rural states like ND, local news access no longer a guarantee

There are some bright spots in beefing up local news coverage, but a new report says in North Dakota and elsewhere, there are still big concerns …

According to the National Family Farm Coalition, the average U.S. farmland value is now $3,800 per <br />acre, the highest since the 1970s. (Adobe Stock)

ND farmers still navigate corporate land-ownership policy maze

North Dakota's farming landscape is seeing policy shifts dealing with corporate ownership of agricultural interests. Now, there's fresh debate at the …

A growing body of research shows younger adults report higher levels of mental-health issues, while older adults say they feel more isolated. A North Dakota project has brought together these generations for mentorships tied to housing work, with hopes of building community connections. (Adobe Stock)

Cross-generational housing mentorships close community gaps in ND

As the weather turns colder, two groups of people in one North Dakota city that are generations apart appear to be in good shape to navigate housing …

Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act has been a central component for Native American tribes in North Dakota to successfully challenge political boundaries drawn by the Legislature. But other court rulings have weakened enforcement of the law, spurring the state to appeal. (Adobe Stock)

Legal wrangling continues over redistricting for ND tribal areas

CLARIFICATION: North Dakota Native Vote Board Chair Wes Davis isn't opposed to having all affected tribes in the same district. His comment …

Between 2019 and 2021, North Dakota saw a decline in high-schoolers using e-cigarette-type products, mirroring national trends. (AdobeStock)

National tobacco use data show mixed results for teens

Cigarettes may not appeal to America's youth like they did in the 1960s, but a significant number still experiment with e-cigarettes. The Centers …

For now, U.S. farmers have certainty about commodity policies and other USDA programs with the Farm Bill being extended another year. But conservation groups hope Congress is aggressive in approving a robust long-term plan well before the next deadline. (Adobe Stock)

Sigh of relief for Farm Bill, but advocates stress it's temporary

This week's move by federal lawmakers to advance another temporary government budget also means the Farm Bill, which recently expired, is extended…

WPA Intelligence was hired by the North Dakota News Cooperative for a public opinion poll on state policy matters. It says 517 likely voters were surveyed, and the poll's margin of error is plus or minus 4.3%. (Adobe Stock)

ND poll suggests voters aren't thrilled with legislative policy

A majority of likely voters in North Dakota oppose controversial policy moves at the state level, including efforts to add more hurdles for …

While they scored some gains in the most recent redistricting process, North Dakota tribal advocates say legislative boundaries often dilute the voting power of Native Americans. (Adobe Stock)

ND tribal advocates: Community work matters in redistricting cases

North Dakota is one step closer to getting a full sense of how the courts view redistricting challenges in tribal areas. Legal representatives say …

Former President Barack Obama's administration had rejected the Dakota Access oil pipeline over concerns about the impact on tribal lands, but it was revived under the Trump administration. (Adobe Stock)

Tribal advocates want more public accommodations for DAPL process

Public comment on an aspect of the controversial Dakota Access oil pipeline runs through mid-December. In the meantime, Native American voices are …

One of North Dakota's more popular hunting seasons, the firearm deer season, runs for roughly two weeks each November. (Adobe Stock)

Tips for protecting natural resources while hunting this fall

North Dakota's firearm deer-hunting season kicks off Nov. 10, and pheasant hunting is already underway. Conservation voices have some guidance on how …

In 2012, North Dakota voters rejected a proposed ballot question to abolish property taxes. They may be asked a similar question next year if a proposed measure is approved for the 2024 ballot. (Adobe Stock)

ND property tax plan spurs debate about hurting local schools, governments

There are warnings of cuts to municipal governments and schools, and some loss of local control for budget decisions, amid efforts to eliminate …

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