North Dakota News & Current Events

In an annual Gallup poll, the percentage of U.S. adults who feel extremely or very proud of America has fallen sharply over the past quarter century, down from around 90% in 2001 to 58% in 2025. (Adobe Stock)

Gallup poll: Record low number of Americans feel pride for country

With the Independence Day holiday weekend here, North Dakotans might be out at parades, fireworks shows and barbecues. However, new polling indicates …

North Dakota classrooms sit empty right now but when they fill up in late August, K-12 students and parents might notice more districts trying to juggle staff to help with lingering teacher shortages. (Adobe Stock)

ND school districts get no 'summer break' from budget maneuvering

It is only early summer but North Dakota school districts are preparing for the fall. As in recent years, some administrators are performing what …

In 2023, $70.6 million in SNAP benefits were spent at farmers markets, a 431% increase from $13.3 million in 2013, according to Investigate Midwest. (Photo courtesy Farmers Market Coalition)

ND to boost awareness of SNAP acceptance at farmer's markets

When North Dakotans head to farmers markets this summer, they might want to see which ones accept SNAP benefits, as the state is enhancing a search …

More than 45,000 cryptocurrency ATMs operate nationwide but consumer watchdogs said regulations surrounding virtual currency transactions are slow to catch up. (Adobe Stock)

ND, nearly a dozen other states finalize Bitcoin ATM rules

State governments are fighting back against scammers who make use of cryptocurrency kiosks to steal money from people unaware they are being targeted…

According to federal data, 48,700 people in North Dakota use SNAP benefits to help put food on the table. Relief organizations warn if Congress drastically cuts program spending, more people will wind up on the streets. (Adobe Stock)

ND org: SNAP cuts would worsen other instability woes, like housing

Nearly 10% of North Dakotans and almost 14% of children face food insecurity and if Congress passes a budget with big SNAP cuts, aid groups said …

Opponents of upholding bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth say it opens the door to heavily restricting birth control and in vitro fertilization, or IVF. (Adobe Stock)

Challenge to ND gender-affirming care ban in play, despite SCOTUS ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday released an opinion that allows Tennessee to keep in place a ban on gender-affirming care for minors. While seen …

Local leaders from small farming towns often report a dilemma: They want to rebuild local roads to attract businesses and residents but lack the tax base to help fund improvements. (Adobe Stock)

ND eyes improvements for crumbling roads in farming towns

It is not just the weather or commodity prices farmers have to worry about. Many rural communities struggle to keep their roads and bridges in good …

A single Abercrombie dairy facility will house 12,500 cows. Combined with the planned 25,000-cow Herberg site, these two operations will generate manure equivalent to that of a city of 1.5 million. (Adobe Stock)

ND mega-dairies draw criticism at Winnipeg news conference

North Dakota is facing growing opposition to two massive dairy operations planned near the Red River. Environmental advocates say the projects could …

In the latest Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, North Dakota saw gains in reducing the number of children not covered by health insurance. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Bright spots for ND child well-being but work is needed

North Dakota is moving up in the ranks when measuring child well-being but policy experts said there are cracks beneath the surface. The Annie E…

The North Dakota group FM Volunteers for Ukraine has helped sponsor Ukrainians granted temporary work status after fleeing the war with Russia. Officials said social integration has been a key benefit. (Photo courtesy of FM Volunteers)

Federal program shake-up leaves Ukrainian workers in ND in limbo

Ukrainians who fled the war in their home country for temporary roots in North Dakota are waiting with worry about their ability to keep working in th…

Despite the Trump administration's stated goals of carrying out the largest deportation effort in U.S. history, researchers said the current pace is falling short. (Adobe Stock)

ND sheriff: Keep politics out of immigration enforcement

Local law enforcement agencies, including in North Dakota, are decrying a move by the Trump administration to label some jurisdictions as …

In 2023, several Midwestern states saw prolonged stretches of unhealthy air due to smoke blowing in from Canadian wildfires. A similar pattern has emerged this spring. (Adobe Stock)

With return of wildfire smoke, ND residents in tune with air quality

If they have not already, North Dakotans are urged to become familiar with an online tool detailing air quality in their area, as environmental …

In 2023, the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute issued a survey, with nearly 90% of practices reporting challenges in filling open dental assisting jobs. (Adobe Stock)

ND college aims to ease dental workforce woes with scholarships

Workforce shortages have taken a bite out of dental offices in North Dakota but new scholarships at one of the state's colleges could help train the n…

For now, North Dakota lawmakers are passing laws designed to provide property tax relief. But some policymakers, including the governor, hope to carve a path where homeowners pay little or no property taxes. (Adobe Stock)

ND's local governments press forward under new property tax laws

North Dakota's legislative session is in the rearview mirror, and the impact of hundreds of bills that were approved is still being assessed…

Housing policy experts said the U.S. has a shortage of 7.1 million rental homes affordable and available to people with extremely low incomes. They worry more people will experience homelessness based on HUD changes taking shape under the Trump administration. (Adobe Stock)

Housing aid, discrimination enforcement face disruptions in ND

North Dakota housing assistance offices helping with rent vouchers and discrimination cases are having to do more with less as federal changes take sh…

Experts on decluttering and downsizing say increasingly storing household items in your garage is

Why your spring cleaning should include saying goodbye to clutter

A lot of households might have junk piles on their kitchen counter or an overflowing storage room. A North Dakota expert says to avoid stress that …

Legal assistance groups said native voters in North Dakota have struggled for nearly a century for the right to vote and for inclusion in the democratic process. Despite a setback through the courts this week, they say they will keep defending those rights. (Adobe Stock)

Part of Voting Rights Act gutted for ND, other Midwestern states

Legal groups are weighing an appeal after a court ruling this week that left voters in several states, including North Dakota, at a disadvantage in …

According to data cited by the North Dakota Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Task Force, 91% of children are sexually abused by someone they know and trust. (Adobe Stock)

ND communities gain knowledge on preventing child sexual abuse

A North Dakota task force raising awareness about child sexual abuse is close to wrapping up its work and its leader said she hopes more communities u…

Public health departments said when all children living in a certain area receive their MMR vaccine, it prevents major disruptions from measles outbreaks, including having to quarantine a whole school. (Adobe Stock)

ND health official: Don't take measles lightly

On the heels of measles cases popping up in North Dakota, local health officials stress the importance and safety of immunizations for young children…

North Dakota Game and Fish Department officials say zebra mussels, an aquatic nuisance species, have been detected in larger lakes near Jamestown and Grand Forks. They hope to prevent it from spreading to the central and western parts of the state. (Adobe Stock)

Tiny zebra mussels, if ignored, could be a big problem for ND lakes

Compared with other states, North Dakota has yet to see a big invasion of aquatic nuisance species. But officials are not letting their guard down…

Through its Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, Community Action Partnership<br />of North Dakota said it handled an additional 70 cases last year. Of those seeking help, all were either on the brink of homelessness or already without a home. (Adobe Stock)

ND commits new funding to prevent homelessness among military veterans

This spring marks the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War ending. In North Dakota, veterans from the war, along with others who have served, are in …

Business organizations say between 2017 and 2024, the cost of child-care in North Dakota increased 40% at traditional day care centers. (Adobe Stock)

ND set to offer new child care tax credit

Solving North Dakota's child-care crisis is taking another turn, with adoption of a new tax credit. The incentive is geared for employers who make …

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has taken steps to boost local meat-processing capacity, but policy experts said there are still plenty of gaps around the country. (Adobe Stock)

Congress sees renewed push for local meat processing grants

When consumers buy a meat product, they might like the idea it came from a local farm or ranch. But experts say there are still logjams in regional …

North Dakota's Native American tribes said thanks to a new state grant program aimed at helping them boost their tourism promotion, including powwow events. (Adobe Stock)

With new grants, ND tribes can elevate their tourism game

Tourism generates $3 billion annually in North Dakota but tribal officials say direct spending from visitors does not always reach their areas. Now…

The Pesticide Action Network said after acquiring Monsanto in 2018, the company Bayer has faced nearly 100,000 lawsuits and was eventually ordered to pay up to $10.9 billion to settle claims alleging its product Roundup, widely used in farm fields, caused cancer. (Adobe Stock)

New ND law raises bar for pesticide liability lawsuits

North Dakota lawmakers have opted to side with farm chemical manufacturers facing legal challenges about the safety of their products. The state has …

Rural development experts said because of food deserts, some rural residents in North Dakota travel 100-200 miles to one of the state's 10 largest cities to buy groceries at a 'big box' store. (Adobe Stock)

ND follows up with new aid to keep rural grocery stores open

North Dakota's governor this week signed a bill maintaining state funding for rural communities in dire need of thriving grocery stores. The state …

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)

'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…

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