AGP Executive Report

Public Safety: North Dakota State Patrol, Dickey County Sheriff’s Office and Oakes Police will run a sobriety checkpoint Oct. 9 in Dickey County, with extra patrols afterward, as alcohol-related crashes remain a concern. Education & Community: State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier visited Grand Forks schools to listen to local educators and priorities as he continues statewide district visits. Health & Wellness: A new ICUS review pushes back on the idea that “state law” bans trained sonographers from placing IV lines or administering ultrasound contrast agents. Workplace Culture: Fisher Industries and Steffes were named among Prairie Business’ 50 Best Places to Work for 2026. Local Culture & Learning: Washington and Lee’s Law and Literature Weekend Seminar in October spotlights Louise Erdrich’s “The Round House,” with Ojibwe-focused dinner programming. Youth & Agriculture: Ramsey County marked 4-H Week with a proclamation, and ND’s Healthy 4-H Clubs recognized nutrition and fitness activities across 19 counties. Sports: UND women’s cross country earned national votes for the first time since moving to Division I, while Border Battle cross country brought big team fields to Lincoln Drive Park. Civic Life: The Fargo-Moorhead Commercial Real Estate Summit highlighted regional momentum and what’s next for growth.

Scholarships & Rural Futures: The North Dakota Stockmen’s Foundation handed out 12 scholarships at the NDSA convention in Bismarck, including Jamestown-area students, with applications opening again for 2027. Healthcare Access: HealthPartners and Essentia Health approved an affiliation plan to combine under the HealthPartners name, aiming to expand care across Minnesota and North Dakota. Local Politics: In District 17’s Senate race, challenger Katie Benton and incumbent Jonathan Sickler spar over education funding, taxes, and how to deploy state dollars. Education Enrollment Watch: Jamestown Public Schools reports enrollment down 51 from last year and down 247 since 2021-22, with declines expected to continue into the next decade. Community & Mental Health: The VA awarded nearly $700,000 to North Dakota to expand veteran mental health and suicide prevention services. Culture & Awareness: The 10.15 Project launches a nearly 480-mile relay across North Dakota to support families after pregnancy and infant loss. Workforce & Tech: Job openings in North Dakota top 12,000, with healthcare leading, while CyberCon opens in Bismarck with a focus on AI and cybersecurity. Sports & School Spirit: Plain Talk Debates set for Bismarck State College, plus Kindred leads Class B girls golf after Day 1.

Education & Equity: Grand Forks Public Schools faces backlash one month in as parents and teachers say special education support is strained after paraprofessional reductions, with district leaders pointing to a new staffing model and possible fixes by January. Veterans Health: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs awarded nearly $700,000 to North Dakota to expand veteran suicide prevention and mental health services, marking the state’s first grant under the SSG Parker Gordon Fox program. Teaching & Rural Schools: Napoleon agriculture education teacher Brian Schneider was named North Dakota’s 2027 Teacher of the Year, spotlighting hands-on confidence-building in small rural classrooms. Public Health Funding: HHS awarded more than $1.3 million to UND, Mayville State, and NDSU for rural health policy work, Head Start projects, and FDA-related research. Tech & Safety: CyberCon opened at Bismarck State College with a focus on cybersecurity and AI, reflecting how online safety keeps changing. Community & Culture: WE Fest 2027 lineup details were released, with Riley Green joined by Tim McGraw and The Red Clay Strays. Sports Policy: The U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act, with North Dakota’s Cramer and Hoeven voting yes.

College Sports Policy: The U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act, with North Dakota’s Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven voting yes—aiming to set national rules for NIL, transfers, eligibility, and agent oversight. Special Education Strain: Grand Forks parents and teachers say special education staffing and resources are already falling short, with district leaders weighing reinstating paraprofessionals and leasing space to better support high-need students. Consumer Protection: Attorney General Alan Wilson is urging people to file claims tied to multistate settlements over inflated generic drug prices. Local Education & Community: UND’s STEM Complex is moving forward, with a beam signing set for Oct. 2, while Grand Forks Public Schools inducted six teachers into its Teachers Hall of Fame. Rural Life & Farming Costs: A harvest-finance reminder: now’s the time to review equipment, labor, and other expenses before locking in next year’s plans. North Dakota Higher Ed: Valley City State University was named No. 1 Public Regional College in the Midwest by U.S. News. Sports Spotlight: Boise State kept rolling in the Group of Six CFP race after a dominant win over Western Michigan. Immigration at the Border: Two Belizean women and two U.S. men face federal charges after a high-speed interception near the U.S./Canada border.

Education & Community: North Dakota K-12 Superintendent Levi Bachmeier is visiting four Grand Forks schools this week, meeting students, teachers, and leaders as he continues a statewide listening tour. Campus Life: UND’s reaccreditation materials highlight student learning and development using NSSE results, tying classroom experiences to real-world problem solving. STEM & Building Momentum: UND’s STEM Complex is moving ahead with structural steel work, and a beam signing is set for Oct. 2. Local Schools Honored: Grand Forks Public Schools inducted six teachers into its 2026 Teachers Hall of Fame. Higher Ed Recognition: Valley City State University was named No. 1 Public Regional College in the Midwest by U.S. News, plus top “best value” for in-state students. Culture & Travel: A new guidebook, “100 Things to Do in North Dakota Before You Die,” spotlights both big attractions and hidden gems across the state. Public Health Policy: The U.S. Senate passed aviation mental-health bills to make it easier for pilots and air traffic controllers to seek treatment and understand medication eligibility. Sports & Rivalry: NDSU and Wyoming unveiled a traveling “Battle of the Basins” trophy for their first Mountain West matchup. Arts & Family Fun: Chuck E. Cheese’s Adventure World is coming to West Fargo.

UND & STEM Growth: UND is moving ahead on its STEM Complex, with a beam signing set for Oct. 2 and crews continuing structural steel, concrete decks, and utility connections. Education & Community: Grand Forks Public Schools inducted six into its Teachers Hall of Fame, celebrating decades of classroom leadership and impact. Higher Ed Strategy: North Dakota University System leaders backed a “One NDUS” collaboration model aimed at coordinating two-year and four-year campuses while keeping UND and NDSU independent. Local Culture & Learning: Valley City’s Barnes County Public Library hosts Ashley Baggett on Oct. 1 to explore the legacy of Carnegie libraries in North Dakota. Public Safety & Health: A shooting on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in New Town left two dead and one injured; four suspects were apprehended. Immigration & Schools: Federal E-Rate changes could threaten North Dakota K-12 technology budgets, with educators warning of possible cost shifts to districts. Sports & Youth: UND’s campus and local schools keep busy as Border Battle cross-country results roll in and youth aviation events spark kids’ interest in flying. Policy & Identity: The North Dakota Supreme Court upheld the state’s ban on puberty blockers, hormones, and mutilating gender surgeries for minors. Arts: Fargo-Moorhead Symphony opens its season with an America’s 250th nod featuring Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto.

Education & Community: Ashley Baggett, Ph.D., will speak Oct. 1 in Valley City on “Pioneering Public Libraries in North Dakota,” spotlighting Carnegie libraries and the VCBC Public Library’s 123-year legacy. Sports & Policy: AG Drew Marshall is urging Congress to amend the Protect College Sports Act to strengthen women’s sports protections, while the U.S. Supreme Court upheld state bans on transgender girls and women in women’s sports. Courts & Health: The North Dakota Supreme Court unanimously upheld the state’s ban on puberty blockers, hormones, and “mutilating gender surgeries” for minors. Immigration & Work: USCIS reports 1,466 H-2B worker approvals tied to North Dakota worksites in fiscal 2026 through June 30, with a 99.6% approval rate. Schools & Costs: High diesel prices are forcing school districts to cut routes and field trips, with one North Dakota superintendent saying budgets are being stretched. Culture & Arts: Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 95th season with an all-American Masterworks concert featuring Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto. Local Life: Jamestown’s James River Senior Center publishes its weekly meal menu and ride info, and the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association posthumously honored Jason Schmidt with its Top Hand Award.

K-12 Tech Funding Watch: A proposed change to the federal E-Rate system could slash support for North Dakota schools and libraries, with educators warning local districts may be forced to cover the gap. Civic Life & Voting: A practical “How America Votes” guide breaks down North Dakota’s voter registration setup, plus early voting and mail-ballot basics nationwide. Education & Policy: A North Dakota legislative audit committee is urging the full Legislature to shut down the state-backed North Dakota Development Fund and send audit findings to the attorney general for investigation. Sports & Community Pride: The Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 95th season with an all-American concert, while Claire Grinde claims another Border Battle title in muddy Lincoln Park. Immigration Enforcement Spotlight: Protests in Bismarck and Mandan target ICE activity and rising detentions tied to the Burleigh-Morton Detention Center. Local Culture: In Medora, Indigenous chef Candace Stock is bringing Badlands-inspired food to the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library’s Salt + Scoria. Outdoor Calendar: North Dakota’s youth pheasant weekend is set for Oct. 3-4, and resident waterfowl season opens Sept. 26.

Immigration & Community Response: Protesters gathered in Bismarck and Mandan after increased ICE activity, including detentions tied to a local restaurant, with community members urging lawmakers to keep federal enforcement out of North Dakota. State Oversight: A legislative audit committee is pushing to shut down the North Dakota Development Fund’s state-backed business financing program and send findings to the attorney general for investigation over missing documentation and concerns about high-risk loans and conflicts. Women’s Sports Policy: Attorney General Drew Marshall is urging Congress to add women’s sports protections to the Protect College Sports Act, arguing for privacy, safety, and fair opportunities for women athletes. Education & AI in Schools: Red River Valley schools are rolling out AI with guardrails—using it as a study aid while setting grade-level and classroom rules. Local Culture & Food: The Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library’s Salt + Scoria restaurant is drawing crowds with Indigenous-inspired Badlands flavors, now shifting into fall hours. Outdoor Life: North Dakota’s resident waterfowl season opens Sept. 26, with hunters sharing hopes and concerns about this year’s duck numbers. Community Spotlight: Jamestown’s Homes for Heroes program continues helping teachers, healthcare workers, and other “heroes” save when buying or selling homes.

Indigenous Food & Culture: Medora’s Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library is drawing crowds with Salt + Scoria, where Fargo chef Candace Stock brings Indigenous-inspired flavors to a Badlands-themed menu. Leadership & Women in Industry: North Dakota Mill and Elevator’s new CEO Cathy Dub talks about taking the helm and the still-male-dominated world of milling. Education & Tech in the Classroom: Schools across the Red River Valley are rolling out AI with guardrails—using it for study support and teaching students when (and when not) to rely on it. Workforce Policy: Gov. Kelly Armstrong is consolidating workforce programs into a single agency and naming Katie Ralston Howe as the state’s first workforce commissioner. Immigration Enforcement & Community Response: Protests in Bismarck and Mandan push back on increased ICE activity, after arrests tied to local workplaces sparked alarm. Local Pride & Community Service: Feed My Starving Children brought hundreds of volunteers to Killdeer to pack more than 100,000 meals. Outdoor Lifestyle: North Dakota’s youth pheasant weekend is set for Oct. 3-4, with rules for young hunters and required supervision. Teaching Spotlight: Napoleon ag educator Brian Schneider was named North Dakota’s 2027 Teacher of the Year.

Immigration & Community Safety: More than 100 protesters gathered in Bismarck to denounce increased ICE activity, including detentions tied to a Bismarck-area restaurant; local leaders say the Burleigh-Morton Detention Center has become a key stop as other facilities run short. Local Leadership & Representation: Beulah made history with Olivia Akin, 35, becoming the town’s first female mayor and youngest mayor, emphasizing teamwork and community well-being. Education & Career Pathways: Napoleon Ag Education teacher Brian Schneider was named North Dakota’s 2027 Teacher of the Year, highlighting decades of impact through FFA and hands-on learning. Higher Ed Watch: UND is responding to a U.S. Department of Education investigation tied to foreign funding disclosures and pilot training contracts connected to Chinese airlines. Workforce Update: Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced a new, more unified state workforce structure and named Katie Ralston Howe as the first workforce commissioner. Community Service: Hundreds packed more than 100,000 meals at a Feed My Starving Children event in Killdeer, with volunteers from nearby towns.

Workforce Watch: North Dakota is facing a growing worker shortage, with healthcare leading the way—Job Service ND says 38 of 53 counties have openings they can’t fill, and by 2034 the state could need thousands more healthcare practitioners and support staff. Immigration & Agriculture: Farmers in the state are leaning harder on the H-2A visa program as domestic labor stays tight, with ND H-2A requests nearly doubling from 2021 to 2025. Education Spotlight: Napoleon ag educator Brian Schneider was named North Dakota’s 2027 Teacher of the Year, recognized for decades of classroom leadership and an FFA record of state and national wins. Campus & Training: Minot State University is expanding health science programs, including a new healthcare simulation center, to better match workforce needs. Safety & Families: North Dakota HHS reports nearly three out of four child car seats checked in 2025 were misused at least once, urging families to use certified technicians for proper installation. Nonprofit Notes: IRS Form 990 rankings highlight top-revenue organizations across North Dakota communities, from the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation in Bismarck to Offutt Family Foundation in Fargo.

Nonprofit Finances (IRS Form 990): Fargo’s biggest 2024 nonprofit was Offutt Family Foundation ($98.2M), while Bismarck’s top spot went to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation ($59.5M). Smaller towns also saw standout leaders: Rugby’s North Dakota Amateur Hockey Association ($881.7K), Minot Vocational Adjustment Workshop ($30.0M), and Watford City’s McKenzie Electric Cooperative Inc ($478.7M). Leadership & Community Culture: The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation named Robbie Lauf interim CEO, stepping in after Edward F. O’Keefe’s departure; the library has welcomed more than 138,000 visitors since opening July 4. Education Spotlight: Napoleon agriculture teacher Brian Schneider was named North Dakota’s 2027 Teacher of the Year, recognized for decades of classroom leadership and an award-winning FFA program. Workforce & Learning Pathways: NDSU reported a 2.9% overall enrollment dip this fall, with growth in North Dakota first-year students and workforce-aligned programs. Consumer Protection: Hawaiʻi announced a settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance, offering eligible consumers up to $115,000 in cash or debt relief.

Local Public Safety: North Dakota HHS says nearly three out of four checked child car seats had at least one misuse in 2025, with the most common problems involving harness, tether, and lower-anchor setup—officials are urging families to get help during Child Passenger Safety Week. Workforce & Community Services: Gov. Kelly Armstrong is consolidating North Dakota’s workforce programs into a new Department of Workforce Development and naming Katie Ralston Howe as the state’s first workforce commissioner, aiming to reduce fragmentation and speed up job-matching. Education & Training: NDSCS cut the ribbon on a new agriculture center and Kosel Family Agriculture Lab, expanding hands-on precision ag learning with simulators and a real land lab. Health & Skills Pipeline: Bismarck State College and Sanford Bismarck are partnering to boost surgical tech training, with donated operating room beds giving students more realistic practice. Local Governance & Oversight: A Dickinson Public Schools board hearing covered the 2026–2027 preliminary budget, including how a CTE student enrollment fee is being handled to avoid a misleading deficit picture. Culture & Community Life: Valley City State University reports a fourth straight fall enrollment record and improved retention, while Perham-area listings highlight upcoming community events like memory support gatherings and funeral pre-planning sessions. Outdoor Traditions: North Dakota’s youth pheasant season is set for Oct. 3–4 for hunters 15 and younger, with an unarmed adult required in the field. Sports & Identity: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld state bans on transgender girls and women in women’s sports under Title IX, a decision that keeps expanding state-level restrictions.

Child Safety: North Dakota HHS says nearly three-quarters of checked child car seats had at least one misuse in 2025, with the most common problems involving harness, tether, and lower anchor use—officials are urging families to get help during Child Passenger Safety Week (Sept. 20-26). Workforce Overhaul: Gov. Kelly Armstrong is consolidating workforce programs into a new Department of Workforce Development and naming Katie Ralston Howe as the state’s first workforce commissioner, aiming to reduce fragmentation and speed up job-matching. Consumer Protection: Attorney General Drew Wrigley says the claims process is open for North Dakotans who may qualify for compensation tied to multistate settlements over inflated generic drug prices. Local Enforcement: ICE activity in the Bismarck-Mandan area led to more than a dozen bookings at the Burleigh Morton Detention Center, with additional arrests reported by local authorities. Education & Training: Bismarck State College and Sanford Bismarck are partnering to strengthen surgical tech training after a donation of operating room beds for hands-on practice. Youth Outdoors: North Dakota’s youth pheasant hunting weekend is set for Oct. 3-4 for hunters 15 and younger, with an unarmed adult required to accompany them. Community Life: Dickinson Public Schools discussed its 2026-2027 preliminary budget, while Dickinson State announced nominees for its 2026 Homecoming Royal Court. Health & Wellness: A Fargo-area advocacy group, F5 Project, reached a compliance agreement with the state after an AG investigation found illegal self-dealing involving loans and related conflicts.

Tap-to-Pay Rollout: Walmart is scheduled to bring contactless “tap” payments to North Dakota on Sept. 21, with Illinois and Iowa following Sept. 24—supporting Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and eligible contactless EBT cards. Infant Loss Advocacy: Jamestown native Terry Vandrovec is running across North Dakota to honor his daughter and help other families navigate pregnancy and infant loss. Local History, Big Dreams: A look back at Jimmie Janousek—“the biggest boy in the world”—who chose a quiet life on the farm over fame. Arts & Community: WaterWorks Art Museum announces its 51st annual art auction on Sept. 26, with live and silent bidding supporting art education in the region. Education & Culture: North Dakota’s college enrollment is leveling off, with UND continuing growth while NDSU dips slightly; plus, the Midwest Viking Festival returns Oct. 2-3 in Green Bay. Health & Care: Rural areas face a growing veterinary shortage, and one North Dakota nursing home received a low CMS rating amid fines and penalties. Civic Watch: Lawmakers are pushing for an AG probe after an audit flags problems in the North Dakota Development Fund business financing program. Sports on the Air: WDAY+ will stream the 2026 NDHSAA Cross Country State Meet live in October.