AGP Executive Report

Teacher Pay Push: State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier, Rep. Mike Nathe, and Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden unveiled a proposed STAYS stipend bill to boost teacher retention and recruitment, funded by 10% of the Common Schools Trust Fund distribution and capped at 25% of the average base salary. Stablecoin Pilot: The Bank of North Dakota launched a Roughrider Coin pilot with local banks and credit unions, partnering with Fiserv to test a dollar-backed stablecoin for near real-time interbank settlement. Governor’s Residence Remains: Archaeologists removed seven coffins with human remains (plus a wooden box) from the governor’s residence property; cataloging and analysis are expected to run into early 2027, with reburial planned for spring 2027. Cattle Fraud Fallout: A North Dakota cattle broker, Taylor Bang, pleaded guilty in the Agridime cattle Ponzi scheme; the state ordered Bang’s livestock dealer license revoked and issued a cease-and-desist. Grand Forks Legal Standoff: The Grand Forks City Council took no action on Fufeng USA’s threatened litigation letter after an executive session, saying “there are no next steps” for now. Ag Safety Alert: A semi hauling anhydrous ammonia rolled over near Devils Lake; no leak was reported, but traffic was diverted while crews transferred the product. Community & Culture: The Grand Forks Children’s Museum’s “Full STEAM Ahead” pop-up children’s museum event continues this week at the Grand Forks Curling Club.

White House Press Access Fight: North Dakotan Theodore “Ted” Boutrous Jr. says the legal fight to restore White House access for banned journalists (CNN, MSNBC, Politico) is headed to a hearing Oct. 8 after a judge temporarily reinstated credentials. Bakken Energy Buildout: WBI Energy announced a final investment decision for a Bakken East natural gas pipeline, with FERC approval next and potential operation as early as 2030. AI Infrastructure Push: Fargo-area tech leaders say North Dakota’s fiber buildout and energy position it as an AI data center hub, while a John Deere dealer network rolled out NoviSign cloud software for multi-location showroom screens. Trucking Relief Update: FMCSA restored automatic 30-day hours-of-service relief after regional emergencies, reversing a 2023 cut to 14 days. Children’s Services Road Show: The North Dakota Children’s Cabinet is holding public meetings statewide, including Jamestown, to gather input on building a seamless support network for kids and families. Diesel + Shipping Pressure: Diesel prices keep climbing as harvest nears, and railroads have raised grain shipping surcharges—costs that can land back on farmers. Local Education Spotlight: Minot-area educator Alyssa Cool received Adapted Physical Educator of the Year for work supporting students with disabilities.

Medicare Relief Push: Trump says more than 20 million seniors will get one-time $90 payments in October to help with Medicare Part B premiums, funded through the Medicare Improvement Fund; eligibility excludes people whose premiums are already paid by Medicaid and those with income-related premium adjustments. Workforce & Immigration: North Dakota employers in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services sector filed 34 H-1B petitions in 2025, all approved, with Educational Services leading statewide filings. Public Health: An alfalfa sprout outbreak linked to a single seed lot has sickened 76 people across 16 states, including cases reported in North Dakota, as recalls expand. Child Services Planning: The North Dakota Children’s Cabinet launched a statewide “road show,” with a Jamestown meeting Oct. 9, to gather input and build a seamless network of supports. Missing Indigenous People: A new task force reports actively missing Indigenous people in North Dakota fell from 15 in 2025 to 9 by mid-2026, with emphasis on getting photos into the system. Education & Community: UND highlighted its $1.8M campus camera system (not Flock) and UND/NDSU projects like the STEM Complex beam signing show continued growth in local education and training. Data Center Debate: Casselton-area residents questioned a proposed data center on prime farmland as lawmakers and NDSU plan upcoming AI/data center discussions.

Health & Human Services Leadership: North Dakota HHS named Stephanie Bates, an executive from Kentucky, as the new leader of the Medical Services Division, overseeing Medicaid, CHIP, autism services and other programs. Public Safety Tech: UND Police Chief Rodney Clark says the university’s $1.8 million campus camera system (using Verkada, not Flock) has helped solve crimes and support investigations, with cameras limited to public spaces. Missing Indigenous People: A new task force chair reported actively missing Indigenous people fell from 15 in 2025 to 9 by mid-2026, with a key focus on getting photos into the system and tribes building response plans. Education & Community: UND students and community members signed a beam for the STEM Complex expansion, while a Casselton-area town hall highlighted concerns about a proposed data center on prime farmland. Agriculture & Local Business: A North Dakota farm kid turned ag-tech entrepreneur is selling children’s play rugs printed with real agricultural maps. Policy Watch: Trump announced $90 Medicare Part B checks for most seniors, with exclusions for Medicaid-paid premiums and income-related adjustments.

State Tax Snapshot: North Dakota reported $5.8B in state taxes in 2024, with $1.9B from sales and gross receipts taxes—up 3.1% year over year—while other states saw mixed results, including Missouri (+8.2%), Minnesota (+4.9%), South Carolina (+27.3%), Oregon (-1%), and Washington (+0.9%). Food Safety: A frozen berry recall tied to an E. coli outbreak expanded, adding more lots of Great Value and Trader Joe’s products sold across dozens of states, including North Dakota. Public Safety Tech: UND police say its $1.8M campus camera system helped solve cases, noting the tech is Verkada (not Flock) and is used in public spaces with data shared only for investigations. Outdoors & Training: Kenmare’s Honker Day teaches youth outdoors skills through hands-on stations with game wardens and local partners. Agriculture & Markets: Bean supplies are tightening for 2026-27, with black beans and pintos flagged as the most concerning as production fell and competition shifted acres. Energy Policy: A bipartisan Senate bill would speed up legal challenges and limit how administrations can block whole categories of energy projects. Health Coverage: ACA marketplace plan selections fell 4.9% nationwide for 2026 as premiums rose 19.7%, with North Dakota shoppers facing the same shift toward higher costs.

Local Elections: Eddy County voters will choose among Commissioner Dave Gehrtz, Todd Haley, Preston Meier (and a write-in option), with Q&As spotlighting experience and priorities ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. State House Races: Grand Forks District 43 has two open House seats, with four candidates (two Republicans, two Democrats) pitching different approaches as residents also vote on a Senate seat. Public Safety & Mental Health: A Stutsman County deputy says the job’s hardest moments are often mental-health crises—and he’s focused on getting people help when they’re at their worst. Agriculture & Wildlife: UND and NDSU students trained on invasive woody plants and prairie management at a workshop near the Mekinock Waterfowl Production Area. Farm Policy: Sen. Kevin Cramer says talks could loosen a wetlands setback rule that affects both farmers and hunters. Education & Workforce: NDSU dedicated the Richard Offerdahl ’65 Engineering Complex, adding major space for labs and hands-on projects. SNAP Changes: North Dakota opened public comment on proposed Healthy Choice Waiver limits on certain purchases with SNAP benefits. Food Safety: A frozen-berry recall tied to an E. coli outbreak was expanded to additional Walmart and Trader Joe’s lots, including products shipped to North Dakota.

Diesel relief for farmers: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order letting ag and timber haulers exceed weight limits by up to 10% on state and local roads through Oct. 30, as diesel prices stay near record highs. School choice push: A new federal scholarship tax-credit program is set to open next year in 30-plus states, including Missouri, aiming to help families pay for private school and homeschooling. First Amendment fight: A North Dakota-raised attorney is backing a lawsuit challenging Trump’s White House reporter ban, warning it could trigger a constitutional crisis if upheld. ND tech and security: UND Police Chief says the campus camera system (about $1.8M) uses Verkada, not Flock, and is limited to public spaces with data shared only in investigations. Stablecoin rollout in ND: Fiserv’s digital-asset platform is live with Bank of North Dakota’s Roughrider Coin on Solana, with 90+ ND banks and credit unions participating. Health and food safety: FDA reports an E. coli and Salmonella sprout outbreak tied to Everything Sprouts LLC, with cases including North Dakota. Generic drug settlement claims: AG Lynn Fitch urges eligible Mississippians to file for compensation from the generic drug price-conspiracy settlement.

Diesel Relief for ND Farmers: Gov. Kelly Armstrong expanded North Dakota’s use of cheaper red-dyed diesel for agricultural hauling, temporarily letting producers use it on highways to move grain, livestock, feed and more as harvest ramps up. Local Infrastructure Upgrade: The new $10 million Oriska Rest Area on I-94 is now open, adding truck parking, accessible amenities and a prairie-themed welcome setup for travelers. Data Center Watch: Geronimo Power shared new details on its proposed Harmony Township data center west of Fargo, including a closed-loop cooling plan and noise limits, as residents weigh whether to pause large-scale development. Education Leadership: NDSU inaugurated its 16th president, Marshall Stewart, with the ceremony also serving as his first State of the University address. Rough Rider Honors: Gov. Armstrong presented Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Awards to wrestling twins Terry and Troy Steiner for decades of competition and coaching. Immigration & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to Trump’s mandatory, indefinite detention policy for some immigrants. Healthcare Costs: Attorneys general moved to win court approval of a $400 million Sandoz settlement tied to alleged generic drug price-fixing.

Education & Policy: The Trump administration’s proposed Federal Scholarship Tax Credit would let nearly all students in 30-plus states apply for federal help to pay for private school, homeschooling, and related expenses, with new Treasury guidance spelling out how states and scholarship-granting organizations can opt in. Agriculture & Environment: USDA is putting $30 million into North Dakota’s Prairie Pothole Region to tackle salinity, using the PRAIRIE effort to expand conservation practices that protect soil and water. Energy & Rural Life: North Dakota electric co-ops are framing a “members-first” approach as data centers and other big loads grow, while local co-op volunteers are also preparing to bring power to a Guatemala community. Health Care: HealthPartners and Essentia Health plan to merge into a 22-hospital system across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, with Minnesota’s attorney general launching a public review. Local Culture: A new Fargo gallery, Sovereign Studio and Gallery, is spotlighting Native artists from across the Midwest and beyond. Sports & Community: Napoleon ag teacher Brian Schneider won the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize and was named North Dakota’s 2027 Teacher of the Year.

Healthcare Refunds: Trump’s administration has started mailing $500 Obamacare (ACA) refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including North Dakota, who the White House says were overcharged for federal exchange “user fees” and didn’t get premium assistance. State Budget Watch: North Dakota lawmakers heard that SNAP payment errors are running at about 12.76%, above the 6% threshold, raising the risk of millions in costs tied to federal rules. Energy Infrastructure: The North Dakota Industrial Commission praised WBI Energy’s final investment decision for the Bakken East natural gas pipeline, aimed at expanding transmission and long-term reliability. Healthcare Leadership: North Dakota HHS named Stephanie Bates to lead the Medical Services Division, overseeing Medicaid and related programs. Housing & Kids Services: NDHFA held a Community Housing Needs Forum in Dickinson, while the North Dakota Children’s Cabinet launched a statewide “road show” to gather input on a more coordinated child-and-family support system. Data & Census: Grand Forks-area officials weighed proposed U.S. Census changes that could alter how “usual residence” is counted and what demographic questions appear. Local Safety & Courts: A North Dakota woman sued the federal government after an alleged slip-and-fall at the Grand Forks post office led to her husband’s death. Workforce & Business: North Dakota employers in Educational Services filed 178 H-1B petitions in 2025, with a 98.3% approval rate.

Diesel Relief for Farmers: Gov. Kelly Armstrong declared a diesel emergency and expanded use of cheaper red-dyed diesel on North Dakota highways for licensed agricultural operations, cutting the state fuel tax from 23 cents to 4 cents per gallon through Nov. 30. Data Center Pushback: A proposed Cass County data center near Mapleton would use up to 540 megawatts—nearly double a Fargo-area project—prompting public review and local discussion of power and water impacts. Battle of the Basins: NDSU and Wyoming will play annually for a traveling “Battle of the Basins Trophy” sponsored by the North Dakota Petroleum Council, with the first game in Fargo this weekend. Local Business Growth: Armor Equipment plans to expand its Arnold facility after purchasing a Minnesota company, adding shop space and more technician jobs. Education & Elections: In District 17, candidates spar over taxes and education funding ahead of the Nov. 3 election, while Grand Forks-area voters also choose House seats. Community & Health: The 10.15 Project launches a statewide relay to raise awareness and support for pregnancy and infant loss, and the VA awarded nearly $699,000 to expand veterans’ mental health and suicide prevention services in North Dakota.

Diesel Relief for Farmers: Gov. Kelly Armstrong declared a diesel emergency and expanded 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, aiming to improve access and affordability while expanding specialty services across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. Veterans Mental Health Funding: The VA awarded North Dakota nearly $699,000 to expand mental health and suicide prevention services under the Staff Sgt. Parker Gordon Fox program. Data Center Power Debate: A proposed Cass County data center near Mapleton would use up to 540 megawatts—nearly double a Fargo-area project—prompting more local questions about impacts. Local Government & Benefits: Grand Forks County commissioners approved switching employee health insurance to NDPERS, with some concerns about how 2027 excess funds could be used. School Special Education Strain: Grand Forks parents and staff pushed back on limited special education staffing, saying cuts to paraprofessionals are unsustainable. Courts & Water: Rural landowners and the Dakota Resource Council appealed a Wahpeton-area water sale approval tied to a large dairy plan, arguing they were denied a full evidentiary hearing. Judicial Appointment: Gov. Armstrong appointed Minot attorney Christene Reierson to the North Central Judicial District, starting Nov. 16.

Wetlands Overhaul for ND Farmland: The Interior Department agreed to revise how it enforces wetland easements on North Dakota farmland, letting producers redraw old easement maps and manage excess field water without penalty as long as duck habitat stays protected. Data Centers & Local Control: North Dakota officials and communities are scrambling to catch up with the data center boom tied to AI, with counties using moratoriums and ordinances as residents push for more say. Farm Costs Under Pressure: Farmers are facing higher shipping costs as railroads raise grain fuel surcharges, adding to already painful diesel expenses. AG & Consumer Watch: South Dakota’s AG coalition plan gets preliminary approval to distribute money to consumers after settlements over inflated generic drug prices. Politics & Water: Governors including North Dakota’s are opposing a Missouri River water restriction in a Congress bill, warning it would limit upstream states and invite lawsuits. Sports Rivalry: NDSU and Wyoming are launching “Battle of the Basins,” a yearly trophy game starting this weekend. Agriculture Pest Alert: Soybean cyst nematode is spreading and stealing yield before damage is obvious, pushing more growers toward soil sampling and proactive management. Culture & Community: A North Dakota artist-led “third space” concept is taking shape in Cloquet, aiming to rebuild community ties.

Missouri River Water Fight: Gov. Kelly Armstrong and fellow governors oppose a U.S. House provision that would restrict Missouri River water diversions/exports unless all basin-state governors agree, arguing North Dakota’s rights are already protected in state and federal law. Wetlands Easements Update: The Interior Department agreed to overhaul how it enforces wetland easements on North Dakota farmland, letting farmers redraw older maps and manage excess field water while keeping duck habitat protected. Immigration & Work Visas: North Dakota employers filed 105 H-1B petitions in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry in 2025; 101 were approved and 4 denied, with the sector up sharply from 2024. Open Records/AI Enforcement: The ND attorney general found multiple public bodies violated open records/open meetings rules, and ordered an AI company to stop doing business in the state. Local Government & Community: Grand Forks preliminarily approved the 2027 Arts Regrant Program and may rotate at-large committee members next year. Courts & Public Safety: A Wahpeton-area group sued over a state-approved water sale tied to a large dairy project, while a Grand Forks man accused of attempted murder was found not criminally responsible and ordered into treatment. Business & Economy: Two North Dakota Starbucks locations are closing as part of nationwide cuts, and the Watertown Public Opinion was sold again to Lee Enterprises. Sports: NDSU and Wyoming launched “Battle of the Basins,” a traveling trophy tied to the petroleum industry, ahead of their first matchup in the Fargodome.

Agriculture & Rural Costs: Diesel prices are squeezing school budgets and farm operations, while railroads have raised grain shipping surcharges—costs that often land back on North Dakota producers. Cattle Industry: The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association posthumously honored longtime Crystal Springs cattle leader Jason Schmidt with its Top Hand Award. State Government & Education: North Dakota University System leaders backed a “One NDUS” collaboration model to coordinate two-year and four-year campuses. Tech & Regulation: The ND Insurance Commissioner ordered Silverberry Group (now WoundScribe AI) to stop operating for allegedly soliciting investments without proper registration. Elections & Oversight: Reuters reports Democrats could launch fast congressional probes into Trump family business deals if they win control of Congress. Local Business: Butler Machinery opened its first Cat Compact and Butler Cat Rentals location in Bismarck. Community & Culture: A Standing Rock 10-year reunion highlighted ongoing healing and trauma after the 2016-2017 pipeline uprising. Sports & Community Life: Fargo’s Spaghetti Western is spotlighting North Dakota beef, while a new Chuck E. Cheese “Adventure World” is slated for West Fargo.

Nonprofit Finance Watch: In Wahpeton, Ndscs Foundation posted the biggest year-over-year jump in government grant revenue for 2024, rising to $11.93M from $3.06M in 2023 (+289.6%). Education & Training: Richland County colleges awarded 553 degrees and certificates in 2023-24, with associate degrees making up the bulk (492). Immigration & Work: North Dakota logged 1,466 H-2B worker approvals tied to recorded worksites in fiscal 2026 through June 30, 2026, with a 99.6% approval rate. Courtroom Update: The North Dakota Supreme Court upheld the state’s ban on puberty blockers, hormones, and “mutilating” gender surgeries for minors. Rural Stress: A report highlights higher suicide risk among male farmers and ranchers in rural areas, pointing to ND mediation and stress-assistance resources. Local Government Oversight: A legislative audit committee urged action on the North Dakota Development Fund after audits flagged missing documentation and other concerns, with possible referral to the attorney general. School Funding Pressure: Federal E-Rate changes could hit North Dakota schools and libraries if the program is cut or altered.