AGP Executive Report

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.

Weather Alert: A tornado watch is in effect for southeast Saskatchewan as severe storms roll in, with Environment Canada warning residents to get to basements or small interior rooms on the lowest floor as wind gusts, hail and tornado risk rise. North Dakota Military: The ND Air National Guard’s 119th Wing will run a readiness exercise June 8-12 in the FM metro, bringing more vehicle traffic, personnel movement and emergency response activity. Local Business: Jamestown’s Alsager Meats opened a new shop, expanding its ranch-to-table operation with locally sourced meats and specialty cuts. Sports & Community: Travis Hagen won the Shocker Hitch IMCA Modified featured race at the 7th Annual Don Gumke Racers’ Memorial in Jamestown, and NDSU’s Bison logo is set to appear in EA Sports’ College Football 2027 video game. Politics & Power: A national redistricting fight is heating up, with Georgia set for a June 17 special session that could redraw districts for Congress and state legislative seats.

Coal Funding in the Spotlight: The Trump administration is using wartime powers to push about $700 million into coal projects, including keeping plants running in North Dakota and funding a major California export terminal. Tribal Rights vs. Drilling: Nine Native tribes, including in North Dakota, are suing to stop exploratory graphite drilling near a sacred Black Hills site. North Dakota Housing Pressure: A new NDSU report shows homeownership rates in North Dakota keep sliding, with affordability and costs squeezing buyers. Local Elections Watch: Early voting is up in Stutsman County, while Grand Forks County warns it’s still struggling to recruit enough election workers for the June 9 primary. Bismarck Sports & Community: Olympic gold medalist Britta Curl is leaving Minnesota for the new PWHL Detroit team, and NDSU is set to appear in College Football 27.

Redistricting Ripple: After a congressional redistricting blitz, a national fight over partisan control could spill into statehouses and even city councils, with Georgia’s June 17 special session set to redraw districts for 2028. Dakota Access Pipeline Legal Fight: A Dutch court ruled Greenpeace can pursue its case in the Netherlands tied to protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline, keeping a major legal battle international. Bakken East Pipeline Scrutiny: FERC held a public scoping meeting in Jamestown for the proposed Bakken East Pipeline route through Stutsman County, with landowners focused on how fields will be restored. Voting Access in the Spotlight: The U.S. Senate rejected the SAVE America Act, a blow to Trump-backed voting restrictions. North Dakota Mail Delays: Bipartisan ND-Minn. senators introduced a bill to push USPS tracking and accountability after both states were flagged for poor mail performance. Housing Pressure: NDSU data shows North Dakota homeownership rates keep sliding, while housing affordability remains a growing concern. Coal Push: Trump’s administration is set to channel nearly $700M into coal power projects, including funding tied to North Dakota.

Coal and energy policy: President Trump says he’s using the Defense Production Act to push $700 million into coal power, including $425 million to extend 13 plants—one listed is North Dakota’s Antelope Valley Station—plus funding for new or restarted coal projects in other states. Local infrastructure and environment: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission held a public scoping meeting in Jamestown for the proposed Bakken East Pipeline, with landowners raising concerns about how property will be restored after construction. Housing crunch: North Dakota’s homeownership rate keeps sliding, down to 61.2% in 2024, while housing affordability worries persist as costs and inventory shortages squeeze buyers. Farming and land values: Cropland values in North Dakota are flat after tight margins, high input costs, and weak markets, while pastureland is holding up better thanks to stronger livestock prices. Election logistics: Early voting is underway for the June 9 primary, and Stutsman County reports early turnout ahead of 2022 and 2024. USPS delays: A bipartisan Senate bill would require better USPS tracking and public notifications for North Dakota and Minnesota after an inspector general report ranked both among the worst regions for mail performance. Higher education: NDSCS President Rod Flanigan announced he’ll retire at the end of 2026. Sports: Fargo’s City Commission primary has three seats on the ballot, setting up potential “generational change,” and the Minot Vistas opened Border Battle play with a win before a shutout loss.

Coal Power Push: President Trump used the Defense Production Act to announce up to $700 million for coal plants, including potential support tied to North Dakota’s Antelope Valley Station, as Gov. Kelly Armstrong praised the plan for grid reliability and jobs. Data Center Debate: Oliver County commissioners heard renewed concerns about proposed data center noise, with a health expert warning about low-frequency impacts while the company pointed to ongoing sound studies and county-approved conditions. Election Rules Fight: The U.S. Senate blocked Trump’s SAVE America Act, a blow to efforts to add citizenship proof and photo ID requirements and curb voter registration drives. Local Courts: A Fargo activist accused of misusing nearly $120,000 in state grant money is set for trial next week in Bismarck, with the case expected to last all week. North Dakota Economy: Tourism numbers show a 2025 dip tied largely to reduced Canadian travel, though early signs point to momentum for 2026. Education Leadership: NDSCS President Rod Flanigan announced he’ll retire Dec. 31, 2026, after enrollment growth and new program launches.

Coal Funding in North Dakota: President Donald Trump announced $700 million to revive and upgrade the U.S. coal fleet using the Defense Production Act, including potential support for Basin Electric’s Antelope Valley Station in Mercer County (up to about $27 million toward a $70 million modernization). Energy Costs Snapshot: A new map shows residential electricity prices vary wildly, with North Dakota among the lowest at about 12¢ per kWh while Hawaii tops the list near 42¢. Tourism Economy Watch: North Dakota’s visitor economy dipped in 2025 as Canadian travel fell 23.9% at the border; total visitors dropped 2.6% to 25.6 million and spending fell 1.2% to $3.4 billion, though early 2026 signs point to momentum. Local Governance: Ward County voted to make an offer related to a right-of-way reversal request on County Road 12, keeping road easements even when donated right-of-way is returned. Teen Driving Safety: Minot will host a free Vision Zero Driving Skills for Success event for teens ages 14-18 in August, with a second Bismarck session in late July. Community Nonprofits: Nonprofits gathered in Minot for the North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations’ annual conference, highlighting the sector’s statewide jobs and economic impact. Public Safety: A Waite Park man pleaded guilty in a domestic incident involving threats and alleged hostage-taking.