AGP Executive Report

Diesel Relief Push: President Trump signed an executive order expanding access to tax-free red-dyed diesel, aiming to blunt election-year fuel costs, though analysts warn the help may be modest and prices could keep rising. North Dakota Banking Tech: The Bank of North Dakota launched a pilot for its Roughrider Coin stablecoin with local banks and Fiserv to test benefits and risks in a controlled setting. Local Government Watch: Harmony Township is seeking legal counsel after questions about whether a former chairman’s undisclosed land deal could invalidate zoning changes tied to a proposed 540-megawatt Fargo-area data center. Education & Workforce: North Dakota’s proposed teacher bonus plan would fund retention and recruitment through a stipend backed by the Commons Schools Trust Fund. Health & Safety: VA awarded $698,970 in North Dakota suicide prevention grants under the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox program. Community Events: Fort Buford hosts a free Ghost Walk Oct. 10, and the Missouri–Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center runs a Confluence Fall Festival Oct. 24.

Teacher Pay Push: State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier, Rep. Mike Nathe and Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden unveiled a proposed STAYS stipend that would create a teacher retention fund and offer annual bonuses to licensed North Dakota teachers, with payments capped and designed not to affect contracted pay or retirement. Stablecoin in the Spotlight: The Bank of North Dakota launched a pilot for the state’s dollar-backed Roughrider Coin with local banks and Fiserv, aiming to test a new payments rail in a controlled environment. AgTech Funding: Sen. John Hoeven announced $5 million in federal support for Grand Farm’s Innovation Campus to build an indoor AgTech test track for year-round equipment and autonomous system trials. Historic Remains Update: Archaeologists removed seven coffins with human remains and an additional wooden box from the North Dakota Governor’s Residence property; cataloging and analysis are expected to run into early 2027. Cattle Fraud Case: A North Dakota cattle broker, Taylor Bang, pleaded guilty in a Ponzi-linked beef marketing scheme tied to the Agridime investigation; the state ordered his livestock business to stop and revoked his license. Local Legal Standoff: Grand Forks city leaders took no action on Fufeng USA’s threatened litigation letter after an executive session, leaving the next move to the company. Midterm Voting Guide: A new guide explains how North Dakotans can register and vote ahead of the midterms.

Teacher pay push: North Dakota education leaders and lawmakers unveiled a proposed “STAYS” stipend that would fund annual classroom-teacher retention bonuses using 10% of biennial Common Schools Trust Fund distributions, with payments capped and designed not to reduce contracted pay or retirement calculations. Capitol burial investigation: Archaeologists have removed seven coffins from the North Dakota Capitol grounds after earlier discoveries of human remains and coffin fragments; officials say DNA testing won’t be part of the process and analysis is expected to continue into early 2027. 9/11 Taliban funds fight: North Dakota Attorney General Jackley joined a multi-state coalition filing a friend-of-the-court brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to let 9/11 victims and families access frozen Taliban funds. Grand Forks business dispute: Fufeng USA has threatened litigation against the city of Grand Forks after the city terminated the company’s proposed corn milling plant agreement; the city is set to review the threat with legal counsel. Food recall: PepsiCo recalled about 122,000 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade in 37 states, including North Dakota, due to undeclared Yellow dyes. AI infrastructure in ND: Dakota Carrier Network leaders highlighted North Dakota’s fiber buildout as a foundation for expanding AI data-center investment.

Medicare Costs: President Trump says more than 20 million seniors will get one-time $90 payments in October to help cover Medicare Part B premiums, with eligibility generally tied to Part B enrollment (not Medicaid-paid premiums or income-based adjustments). North Dakota Health Leadership: North Dakota HHS named Stephanie Bates as executive director of the Medical Services Division, overseeing Medicaid, CHIP and autism services. Data Centers & Local Impact: In Casselton-area discussions, residents questioned a proposed data center on prime farmland, while North Dakota’s AI and data center committee is set to hold a hearing on water use and local government impacts. Applied Digital Expansion: Applied Digital says it brought an additional 75 megawatts online at its Polaris Forge 1 campus in Ellendale, completing 250 megawatts of operational critical IT load there. Children’s Cabinet Input Sessions: The North Dakota Children’s Cabinet is touring 11 cities, including Jamestown, to share its annual report findings and gather public feedback. Food Safety: A frozen alfalfa sprout-related E. coli/Salmonella outbreak has grown to 76 illnesses across 16 states, with North Dakota among affected areas. H-1B in ND: North Dakota employers filed 34 approved H-1B petitions in 2025 in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services sector.

Public Health: The CDC says an alfalfa sprout outbreak tied to seed lot SAL2-24JB has sickened 76 people across 16 states, with recalls widening to more kitchens; Local Government & Kids Services: North Dakota’s Children’s Cabinet is holding public “road show” meetings in 11 cities, including Jamestown, to gather input on a seamless network of services; Health Administration: North Dakota HHS named Stephanie Bates as executive director of the Medical Services Division, overseeing Medicaid, CHIP and autism services; Education & STEM: UND community members signed a beam for the STEM Complex, marking progress on a new campus phase; Agriculture & Food Safety: Frozen berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s are recalled for possible E. coli contamination, including products distributed in North Dakota; Sports (NDSU): NDSU kept receiving votes in the AP Top 25 for a fourth straight week after a 28-0 win over Wyoming; Sports (SDSU): South Dakota State rolled to a 31-14 road win over Illinois State, improving to 5-1.

North Dakota Agriculture & Business: A North Dakota farm kid turned ag-tech entrepreneur is turning real farm maps into personalized children’s play rugs through his company Boundri, expanding from a family-made toy into mapped rugs, blankets and wall art. Food Safety: Walmart and Trader Joe’s expanded recalls of frozen berries after an E. coli outbreak sickened 17 people; affected products include Great Value frozen organic blueberries and Triple Berry Blend, plus Trader Joe’s frozen organic Mixed Berry Blend, with North Dakota listed among impacted states. Local Law Enforcement Tech: UND Police Chief Rodney Clark says the university’s $1.8 million camera system uses Verkada (not Flock), and he outlined how the system supports investigations and how data is handled. Sports (Bismarck-area fans): NDSU’s “Battle of the Basins” game at the Fargodome turned into a nightmare start for Wyoming after an early interception helped set up a quick NDSU touchdown, part of a dominant day for the Bison. Prairie Conservation: UND and NDSU hosted a woody encroachment workshop near Grand Forks to train students on invasive species control on prairie landscapes.

Midterms Watch: With Election Day set for Nov. 3, national coverage highlights the SAVE Act fight over voter registration rules, as the Senate version stalls and states keep different requirements—North Dakota included. North Dakota Taxes: New Census Bureau figures show North Dakota collected $5.8 billion in state taxes in 2024, with sales and gross receipts taxes up 3.1% to $1.9 billion. Public Safety Tech: UND Police Chief Rodney Clark says the university’s $1.8 million Verkada camera system (not Flock) has already helped solve crimes and supports investigations in public spaces. Food Safety: A frozen berry recall tied to an E. coli outbreak expanded, with affected products sold in multiple states including North Dakota. Farm & Energy Policy: Sen. Kevin Cramer says progress is being made on loosening a wetlands setback rule that affects farmers and hunters. Local Business: Fargo’s new Chick-fil-A is set to open Oct. 8, with a “Moove-In” opening-day promotion.

License Plate Reader Transparency: West Fargo says state law blocks it from disclosing locations of Flock automated license plate readers, even as Fargo and Moorhead confirm counts—48 in West Fargo, 21 in Fargo, and eight in Moorhead—while Minneapolis has 30. Midterm Politics: New polling shows President Donald Trump is underwater in 39 states, with North Dakota still his strongest at +15, one month before the Nov. 3 midterms. North Dakota Courts & Energy: The ND Supreme Court heard arguments in a royalty-deduction dispute involving Hess, with mineral owners alleging excessive postproduction cost deductions. Tech & Education: Western Dakota Corps of Discovery is rotating $1 million-plus of high-tech equipment kits through western ND classrooms. AI Data Centers: Applied Digital says Polaris Forge 1 in Ellendale reached ready-for-service status for another 75 MW, bringing operational critical IT load to 250 MW. Local Business: Hillsboro’s shuttered Goose River Brewing building is set to reopen as “The Local 636” bar and grill, aiming for an Oct. 26 launch. Diesel Relief: Gov. Kelly Armstrong declared a diesel fuel emergency, temporarily suspending restrictions on red-dyed diesel for agricultural use during harvest. Rural Workforce: Rugby is tackling population decline by focusing on job hiring support, affordable housing, and daycare through its job development authority.

North Dakota Energy & Agriculture: Gov. Kelly Armstrong declared a diesel fuel emergency, temporarily suspending limits on using red-dyed special fuel for licensed vehicles tied to agricultural operations as harvest ramps up amid tight supply. Infrastructure & Jobs: WBI cleared a major hurdle for the Bakken East Pipeline, with state leaders pointing to improved regional energy reliability and new manufacturing and power opportunities. Livestock & Drought Relief: A drought disaster livestock relief program has exhausted its $4.1 million budget but funded 470 projects for 369 ranchers, including water wells, pipeline extensions and rural water connections. Public Health: The CDC reported 3,887 measles cases nationwide as of Oct. 1, with North Dakota among the listed jurisdictions and most cases tied to outbreaks. Local Governance & Oversight: North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken discussed reform efforts aimed at untangling the state’s scattered economic development programs after concerns about the Development Fund. Tech & Safety: UND Police said its campus camera system (using Verkada, not Flock) helped solve cases and is limited to public spaces with data shared only for investigations. Regional Politics: Governors including ND’s Larry Rhoden urged Congress to change a Missouri River rule that gives governors broad veto power over diversions and exports.

Diesel relief for ND farmers: Gov. Kelly Armstrong expanded access to cheaper red-dyed diesel for harvest haulers, letting producers use it on highways for a limited time to move grain, livestock and more as fuel costs stay high. SNAP cost shift: A new federal change is forcing counties to cover a bigger share of SNAP administration costs, raising budget pressure in places with heavy reliance on the program. Trade pressure on agriculture: Tariffs and trade wars are making farming harder, with higher input and equipment costs and market fallout hitting producers. Healthcare consolidation watch: Minnesota officials warned that hospital mergers can drive up patient costs, with post-merger expenses rising in some cases. ND business and travel: Fiserv launched a stablecoin platform using Bank of North Dakota’s Roughrider Coin, while a new Oriska Rest Area opened on I-94 with expanded amenities for travelers. Local honors: Bismarck-area wrestling legends Terry and Troy Steiner received North Dakota’s Rough Rider Awards.

Fuel Relief for Farmers and Truckers: Gov. Tim Walz issued an executive order letting vehicles hauling agricultural and forest products exceed weight limits by up to 10% on state and local highways, plus temporary hours-of-service relief for fuel transport, as diesel prices surge. North Dakota Finance Tech: The Bank of North Dakota’s dollar-backed Roughrider Coin went live on Fiserv’s Digital Asset Platform, enabling faster bank-to-bank payments across ND’s interbank network. Bakken East Pipeline Moves Forward: MDU Resources’ WBI Energy cleared a final investment decision to build the Bakken East natural gas pipeline, targeting service in phases from late 2029 through late 2030. ACA Refund Checks: The Trump administration began mailing $500 Affordable Care Act “refund” checks to about 950,000 Americans in 30 states, tied to HealthCare.gov user-fee overcharges. Legal/Justice Watch: A North Dakota murder suspect arrested in Nebraska was held without bond pending extradition to Fargo. Tourism: North Dakota Tourism will host a free Travel Industry Marketing Summit Oct. 15 in Medora for 2027 planning. Sports Polls: New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock leads NDAPSSA media polls as the 9-man season nears its final stretch.

Voting Rights Hearing: Sen. Dick Durbin pressed a nominee for the 8th Circuit on whether the Voting Rights Act allows private lawsuits, after the judge previously ruled against reaching the merits in a redistricting challenge. Utility Rates Watch: AARP North Dakota is intervening in a Montana-Dakota Utilities request that would raise residential electric rates about 18.9%, arguing fixed-income households can’t adjust usage to absorb the hit. SNAP Error Costs: Lawmakers heard North Dakota’s SNAP payment error rate is about 12.76%, above the 6% threshold, raising the risk of millions in federal cost-sharing penalties. K-12 Tech Funding: Changes to the federal E-Rate system could threaten North Dakota school and library connectivity budgets, with districts warning taxpayers may be forced to cover gaps. Energy Infrastructure: The Industrial Commission backed WBI Energy’s positive final investment decision for the Bakken East natural gas pipeline, aimed at expanding transmission and reliability. Healthcare Refunds: Trump’s administration began mailing $500 Obamacare refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, excluding people getting premium assistance. Children’s Services: North Dakota’s Children’s Cabinet launched a statewide “road show” to gather public input on a more coordinated system of care for kids and families.

ACA Refund Checks: The Trump administration says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states will start receiving $500 refund checks for alleged Affordable Care Act “overcharges,” with payments tied to people who used the federal HealthCare.gov marketplace and didn’t get premium assistance. North Dakota Diesel Relief: Gov. Kelly Armstrong declared a diesel emergency and expanded when farmers can use cheaper red-dyed diesel on more on-highway agricultural operations through Nov. 30. Healthcare Merger Watch: HealthPartners and Essentia Health announced plans to combine into one nonprofit system under the HealthPartners name, with major regional reach including North Dakota. State Government Finance: North Dakota’s Retirement and Investment Office earned the Government Finance Officers Association’s 28th straight excellence award for its financial reporting. Public Safety/Legal: A North Dakota woman sued the federal government after an alleged slip on ice at the Grand Forks Post Office led to her husband’s death. Health Data: A study reports only 60% of liver transplant recipients are vaccinated against hepatitis B, raising concerns about preventable risk.

Diesel Relief for ND Farmers: Gov. Kelly Armstrong declared a state of emergency and expanded the use of cheaper red-dyed diesel on public highways for licensed ag vehicles, cutting the state tax from 23 cents to 4 cents per gallon through Nov. 30 as harvest ramps up. Healthcare Merger: HealthPartners and Essentia Health approved an affiliation agreement to combine into one nonprofit system, aiming to improve access, quality, and affordability across Minnesota and parts of North Dakota. County Health Insurance Switch: Grand Forks County commissioners approved moving employee health coverage to NDPERS for lower costs and more predictable routine care, effective Jan. 1. Local Courts & Water Fight: Rural landowners and the Dakota Resource Council appealed to district court over a Wahpeton water sale tied to a proposed large dairy, arguing they weren’t allowed to challenge the approval with testimony. CyberCon in Bismarck: Bismarck State College hosted CyberCon, focusing on cybersecurity and critical infrastructure, with AI front and center. Oil Update: U.S. crude production hit new highs again, with inventories rising and shipments shifting as global supply dynamics continue to move.

Diesel Relief for Farmers: Gov. Kelly Armstrong declared a diesel emergency and ordered temporary changes to let farmers use cheaper red-dyed diesel for more on-highway ag hauling and operations, aiming to cut costs during harvest. Missouri River Water Fight: Armstrong joined western governors in pushing back on a federal Missouri River provision that would require unanimous basin-state approval for certain diversions and could limit Army Corps studies. Trade Tensions With Canada: A U.S.-Canada dispute escalated as new U.S. import bans took effect, with border states like North Dakota bracing for fallout. North Dakota Courts & Elections: A lawsuit challenges the ballot eligibility of four GOP legislative candidates, alleging petition irregularities, as absentee voting begins. Special Education Staffing: Grand Forks parents and staff say limited paraprofessionals for special education students is unsustainable, pointing to a new staffing model and budget pressures. Insurance Regulator Action: North Dakota’s Insurance Commissioner ordered an AI company to stop doing business in the state. Data Centers Debate: A panel at the Lignite Energy Council highlighted how data centers can boost tax base and population, while acknowledging community concerns. Local Appointments: Armstrong appointed Minot attorney Christene Reierson to a North Central Judicial District judgeship. Education & Fuel Costs: School districts are grappling with higher diesel bills for buses, adding pressure to already tight budgets.

Agriculture & Shipping Costs: Railroads have more than doubled fuel surcharges over the past year, and farmers may end up paying the price as higher shipping costs squeeze grain prices. Education & Special Needs: Grand Forks parents and staff are pushing district leaders to fix a shortage of special education resources, saying staffing changes are leaving vulnerable students unsupported. College Sports Policy: The U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act, with North Dakota Sens. Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven backing it—setting national rules for NIL, transfers, eligibility and agent oversight. State Politics: North Dakota House Speaker Robin Weisz says he supports Measure 1, arguing constitutional ballot measures should require a higher 60% threshold. Courts & Public Safety: A Grand Forks man accused of attempted murder was found not criminally responsible and ordered to treatment at the state hospital while the case stays open. Local Government: Fargo approved its 2027 budget, adding police positions and funding for social services. Business & Community: Two North Dakota Starbucks locations are closing as part of a nationwide reduction. Sports: Devils Lake moved up to No. 2 in Division AA after a 26-18 win, while NDSU and Wyoming are set to launch a new “Battle of the Basins” trophy rivalry.