AGP Executive Report

U.S. Military: A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California, and officials say the crash was “not survivable,” with all eight crew members believed dead; the airfield was closed and inbound flights diverted while investigators work to determine the cause. North Dakota Politics: Former North Dakota House Minority Leader Merle Boucher, a longtime Dem-NPL figure from Rolette County, has died at 79; he served in the state House for decades and was known as a “servant leader” who listened to constituents. Housing & Growth: Realtor.com’s 2026 housing report card finds the Midwest and South leading on affordability and homebuilding, with North Dakota among the states discussed in the broader national rankings. Local Business: Roers Construction marked 50 years in North Dakota, celebrating its growth from a small Fargo operation into a multi-office construction and development firm. Public Health/Legal Watch: Pesticide makers are pushing “liability shield” laws to limit lawsuits tied to cancer-risk claims, as the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to weigh a key preemption question this summer.

North Dakota Ethics: A new Ethics Commission survey of about 1,000 residents found roughly two-thirds lack confidence that state officials act ethically, with especially low trust among business owners and government employees. Education & Economy: A national data roundup highlights how education levels often track higher income, with a separate “education pays off” ranking putting Washington, D.C. at the top. Agriculture & Soil: Experts warn that wind-blown topsoil is stripping nutrients that take centuries to replace, urging more farmers to stick with no-till and reduced tillage. Local Business & Tourism: The North Dakota Trade Office recognized three ND companies for global business awards, and Visit Greater Grand Forks handed out $26,700 for events expected to draw visitors. Sports & Community: The Minot Vistas earned a conference split with Bismarck, and the Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s National Walleye Tour is set to stop at Bay De Noc in late June. Public Health: Hundreds of thousands of macaroni and cheese packages were recalled nationwide over undeclared allergens.

DAPL Settlement: North Dakota is set to recover nearly $38 million from the federal government for costs tied to the 2016-17 Dakota Access Pipeline protests, including a $27.8 million final reimbursement plus a prior $10 million payment. Immigration Custody: A Haitian asylum seeker’s death after release from ICE custody has been ruled a homicide by a medical examiner, with her family’s attorney saying they expect to sue ICE. State Politics: North Dakota primary turnout data shows Grand Forks County at just 12.3%—the lowest in the state—highlighting how local demographics and student schedules can depress voting. Local Health: Devils Lake hospital has completed its transition to Altru Health System, with leaders calling it a major Lake Region healthcare milestone. Community & Outdoors: The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is highlighting its catch-and-release pond at headquarters, a free summer fishing spot for families. Tech & Policy: A new push for “liability shield” laws is gaining traction as pesticide makers lobby states over lawsuits tied to cancer-risk warnings, with the U.S. Supreme Court expected to weigh in this summer.

Pesticide Accountability: A new push for “liability shield” laws is gaining momentum as pesticide makers lobby states to block lawsuits tied to cancer claims, with the U.S. Supreme Court expected to weigh whether federal law limits state “failure to warn” cases. ICE Custody Death: A Haitian asylum seeker’s hypothermia death after release from federal custody has been ruled a homicide, and her family’s attorney says they expect to sue ICE. North Dakota Politics: Sen. John Hoeven highlighted federal funding for a new Grand Forks Air Force Base school and community healthcare efforts in recent posts. State Economy Snapshot: WalletHub’s 2026 economic competitiveness ranking puts North Dakota at No. 40, pointing to the gap between state size and long-term growth foundations. Local Outdoors & Community: North Dakota Game and Fish keeps a catch-and-release pond at its Bismarck headquarters for free family fishing, and the NCHC championship game is moving up a day to give teams more prep time. Tourism Watch: A report says fewer Canadian visits are dragging North Dakota tourism, with border crossings down sharply.

Pesticide fight in court: A major legal showdown is brewing over “liability shield” laws aimed at blocking lawsuits from people harmed by agricultural chemicals like glyphosate, with the U.S. Supreme Court expected to rule in July 2026 on whether federal law blocks state failure-to-warn claims. Immigration custody death: In Pittsburgh, a Haitian asylum seeker’s hypothermia death after release from ICE custody has been ruled a homicide, and her family’s attorney says they expect to sue. North Dakota tourism: A new report says fewer Canadian visitors pulled down North Dakota tourism in 2025, with international visits down and border crossings falling, though park visitation and some spending categories are up early in 2026. Local government & services: Medora is rolling out traffic and parking plans for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening, and Devils Lake marked its hospital transition to Altru Health System with a ribbon-cutting. Community life: Grand Forks County reported the state’s lowest primary turnout, while Bismarck-area Game and Fish highlights a catch-and-release pond at its headquarters for families.

Pesticide policy fight: Pesticide makers are pushing “liability shield” laws to block lawsuits from people harmed by products like Roundup, as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule in July 2026 on whether federal law blocks state “failure to warn” claims. Medora planning: Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening in Medora is prompting major traffic and public-safety preparations, with officials urging residents and visitors to arrive early. Local health milestone: Devils Lake hospital celebrated its completed transition to Altru Health System, with community leaders and Sen. John Hoeven praising the regional healthcare effort. Bismarck-area outdoors: North Dakota Game and Fish says its headquarters catch-and-release pond is a popular free summer spot for families. Elections watch: Grand Forks County reported the lowest primary turnout in the state, while Stutsman County turnout ran higher than past primaries. Community calendar: James River Senior Center and Public Transit will hold a grand opening and Information Day June 18 in Jamestown.

Dakota Access Pipeline: North Dakota is set to receive about $28 million from the federal government to cover law enforcement and other protest costs from the 2016-17 DAPL demonstrations, with Gov. Kelly Armstrong and Sen. Kevin Cramer calling it overdue reimbursement. Medicaid oversight: North Dakota HHS is tightening Medicaid provider revalidation and audits starting this summer to reduce fraud and protect program integrity. Education quality: The North Dakota Center for Distance Education earned full AccredVEd accreditation for a six-year term, adding another quality check for statewide virtual learning. State politics: Voters approved a single-subject rule for future constitutional amendments, but questions remain about how the Secretary of State will interpret “one topic” and whether court fights follow. Local government & roads: Dickinson’s Park Board marked a 10-year employee milestone and discussed a land swap, while Dickinson traffic shifted to a temporary I-94 West Business Loop bypass during construction. Crime & courts: A Fargo-area activist, Faith Shields-Dixon, was sentenced to four years for grant theft tied to state education funds. Agriculture & economy: Lawmakers adopted a cost estimate for a free school meals ballot measure (about $124.3M-$134.3M every two years), and an irrigation study highlighted potential for expanding irrigation across North Dakota.

Dakota Access Pipeline settlement: North Dakota and the federal government have reached a final deal over law enforcement costs from the 2016-17 DAPL protests, with the U.S. set to pay nearly $28 million to the state—bringing total reimbursement to about $38 million. Public safety and rail: The National Transportation Safety Board says a fiery 2024 derailment near Bordulac, ND, shows why railroads must replace older tank cars and rethink how hazardous liquids are grouped. Health access: North Dakota is launching a $1.5 million funding opportunity to expand breast cancer screenings in rural and underserved western areas using a mobile mammography unit. State policy: Voters approved a “single subject” rule for future North Dakota constitutional measures, limiting ballot proposals to one topic. Local business and health care: Sanford Health is taking over the former CHI St. Alexius Minot Medical Plaza to become the future Sanford Landmark Clinic, opening in fall 2026. Education in Stanley: A new Christian school option, Crossroads Christian Academy, is set to open Aug. 19 in Stanley for kindergarten through 8th grade. Agriculture and energy: A push for year-round E15 sales could boost corn demand, but some warn it may complicate soybean markets. Politics: NDGOP Chairman Matthew Simon faces calls to resign amid criticism from within the party.

Dakota Access Pipeline settlement: North Dakota will receive about $28 million from the federal government to cover law enforcement and other protest costs from 2016-17, with the U.S. also dropping its appeals and issuing an acknowledgment that its response “fell short” under the Obama administration. Weather: After a weekend storm push, a second round of severe weather moved through the region Tuesday, with high winds and hail reported around the Bismarck area and damage to irrigation systems north of Bismarck. Rail safety: The NTSB says a fiery 2024 North Dakota derailment underscores the need to replace older, rupture-prone tank cars and rethink how railroads assemble trains carrying hazardous liquids. Ethics: The North Dakota Ethics Commission’s acting chair, Ron Goodman, announced he will retire, with a June 19 meeting set to interview finalists for his seat. Local spotlight: A new Bismarck venue, the Eclipse Venue, has opened in the former Borrowed Bucks space, touting major upgrades for concerts and events. Foster care policy: First Lady Melania Trump announced “Fostering the Future Accounts,” aiming to give eligible foster youth access to a $1,000 seed contribution through state-run accounts.

DAPL Settlement: Gov. Kelly Armstrong says North Dakota will receive $27.8 million from the federal government to cover law enforcement and other costs tied to Dakota Access Pipeline protests in 2016-17, calling it long overdue and shifting the bill away from taxpayers. Northern Lights: A coronal mass ejection is expected to spark auroras Saturday into Sunday, with forecasts suggesting visibility from as many as 25 states. Public Health & Food Security: North Dakota HHS says SNAP replacement benefits are available for households that lost food after June storm power outages lasting more than four hours. Tobacco Quit Week: North Dakota is promoting quitting with counseling and treatment options, highlighting that some participants stay tobacco-free months after support programs. Local Courts: A Minot man faces multiple felony charges after allegedly sneaking a juvenile onto Minot Air Force Base. Politics: North Dakota Rep. Eric Murphy lost his GOP primary after introducing a highly pro-abortion bill, according to reporting. Trade & Agriculture: Sen. John Hoeven urged a Section 301 sugar investigation and higher Tier-2 tariffs, arguing current rates haven’t been updated in 26 years. Water Quality: Southwest Water Authority released its 2025 consumer confidence report, saying local drinking water meets state and federal standards.

North Dakota Politics: Six incumbent North Dakota lawmakers lost GOP primaries Tuesday, including Rep. Eric Murphy and culture-war figures Rep. Jeff Hoverson and Rep. Bill Tveit, as Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s endorsed slate largely prevailed. Judiciary Watch: A North Dakota federal judge nominated to the 8th Circuit faced sharp Senate questions about whether judges should speak on political issues, including a 2024 letter tied to campus protest disputes. Education & Courts: Capstone Classical Academy and the Institute for Justice sued North Dakota over the state’s teacher licensing rules, arguing they block qualified experts from teaching in private classrooms without state licensing. Health Access: North Dakota HHS is launching a $1.5 million funding opportunity to bring mobile mammography to rural and underserved areas in western ND. Local Government: Emerado residents were told not to use drinking water after a watermain break triggered a “No Use Order” while repairs and testing continue. Bismarck/State History: Construction near the North Dakota governor’s residence uncovered human remains and coffin fragments tied to Bismarck’s 1870s cemetery, with archaeologists identifying possible additional grave sites. National Parks: An AP review found many visitors pushed back on Trump’s request for “negative” American-history signage reports, including comments from ND’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

U.S.-Iran Escalation: Trump warned Iran “will have to pay the price” after U.S. strikes following an Iranian drone downing an American helicopter, with Iran firing back and water infrastructure hit in southern Iran. Maine Politics: Graham Platner won the Democratic Senate primary and will face Sen. Susan Collins in November, as his campaign tries to move past scandals and rebuild trust. Immigration Funding: Trump signed a nearly $70 billion bill to fund immigration enforcement through the end of his term, boosting his deportation agenda. North Dakota Primaries: GOP incumbents fell in Tuesday’s races, including Rep. Jeff Hoverson, while North Dakota’s attorney general contest heads to November with Drew Wrigley vs. Tim Lamb. Local Government: Bismarck’s Founders’ Museum opened at the Capitol with interactive displays tied to the U.S. 250th anniversary. Community & Outdoors: Turtle Mountain’s Sky Chief Park trail bridge linkage project won a national accessibility award. Agriculture: Anheuser-Busch awarded $80,000 to Grand Farm to support barley research and tech for farmers.

Maine Politics: Graham Platner won the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, setting up a November matchup with Sen. Susan Collins after a campaign marked by controversy and a push to “earn trust” with voters. North Dakota Elections: Rep. Julie Fedorchak advanced to the general election after winning the GOP primary for an at-large U.S. House seat, while Grand Forks County Commission candidates Tony Hodny and Mitch McCoy also moved on to November. Local Government: Grand Forks City Council Ward 2 is headed for a recount after Rebecca Osowski and Ryan King finished just two votes apart. State Government: North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction primary results put Levi Bachmeier and Tracy Foss on track for the November election, and Public Service Commission races show Sheri Haugen-Hoffart leading for the six-year term. Infrastructure & Community: Northwood voters backed a citywide street improvement plan in an advisory vote, and the Sky Chief Park trail bridge linkage project earned a national accessibility award. Business & Jobs: NDSU is expanding its AgTech program to build a future workforce for data- and tech-driven agriculture. Health & Families: A new report finds children’s well-being fell in 29 states, with North Dakota among those seeing some of the biggest declines.

Primary Elections: Voters in Maine, Nevada, South Carolina and North Dakota head to the polls Tuesday, with national attention on Maine’s U.S. Senate Democratic primary as oyster farmer Graham Platner tries to clinch the nomination despite allegations about past behavior and a Nazi-linked tattoo. Immigration & Congress: House Republicans aim to advance a roughly $70 billion immigration-enforcement package, while Democrats warn it’s a blank check. North Dakota Health Policy: Gov. Kelly Armstrong says North Dakota Medicaid will tighten oversight starting July 1, with more frequent revalidations and added scrutiny for high-risk provider categories to prevent fraud. SNAP Changes: The state is rolling out retailer training for upcoming SNAP restrictions that will block purchases of prohibited items using benefits. Local Community & Weather: Nexstar’s foundation is sending $5,000 to Bismarck’s Capital Gallery, and western North Dakota is still assessing damage from Sunday’s derecho as another round is possible Tuesday. Arts & Culture: Dakota Pro Musica plans to revive “Esther, the Beautiful Queen” with performances in Richardton, Bismarck and Valley City June 12-14.

Severe Weather: High winds and hail ripped through western North Dakota over the weekend, with reports of 70–98 mph gusts and 2-inch hail; preliminary tornado reports were issued near Bowbells and Berthold, and the storm threat is expected to linger into the work week. Primary Election Prep: North Dakota voters head to Tuesday’s primary with a key warning from Secretary of State Michael Howe: in the partisan ballot columns, you must stay in one party’s column or the tabulator may reject your ballot. Early Voting Surge: Cass County is driving turnout, with nearly 50,000 ballots already submitted statewide before polls open, including thousands of early in-person votes tied to the Fargo mayoral race. Data Centers & Community Impact: A new push to limit SNAP purchases is also landing in North Dakota, while separate reporting highlights growing local concerns about data centers and the debate over whether critics are being dismissed. Health Access: KFF data says nearly 50 Planned Parenthood clinics have closed this year, threatening reproductive healthcare for Medicaid enrollees. Education Leadership: North Dakota Superintendent Levi Bachmeier appointed Amanda Peterson as deputy superintendent.

USPS Delays: U.S. Sens. Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven say North Dakota and Minnesota are among the 10 worst USPS regions, and they’ve introduced the Postal Delivery Accountability Act to require better tracking and customer notifications. Data Centers: An environmental health specialist told Minot residents data centers are spreading without enough public safeguards, adding to local concerns about noise and impacts on health and wildlife. Primary Election Watch: North Dakota voters head to a state primary Tuesday, including a rematch for U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak and a Fargo mayor race, plus a constitutional amendment on limiting future amendments to single subjects. Reproductive Health Funding: A new update reviews how Medicaid and Title X changes since 2025 have tightened funding for Planned Parenthood clinics. Conservation & Community: The Barnes County Museum opens the North Dakota Junior Duck Stamp Art Exhibit through June 30, highlighting youth wetlands and waterfowl conservation. Health & Safety: A ProPublica look at measles outbreaks raises questions about whether the U.S. can keep its measles-free status. Local Finance: Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center in southwest North Dakota received an emergency $5 million Bank of North Dakota loan to stabilize finances.