AGP Executive Report

Teacher Pay & Education: A new ranking puts North Dakota teachers at 41st nationally for average pay, with the U.S. average cited at $74,495 for 2024-25. Gender-Affirming Care: The North Dakota Supreme Court heard arguments over the state’s ban on gender-affirming healthcare for minors, with challengers saying it blocks life-saving treatment. Local Health & Families: Essentia Health-Duluth welcomed OB/GYN specialist Dr. Katie Casper, emphasizing patient-centered care and support. Faith & Community Recognition: St. Joseph couple Tom and Meg Klecker are slated to receive the Humanae Vitae Award on July 23. Sustainability & Recycling: Continental Battery Systems highlighted a program that keeps used batteries out of landfills through testing, reuse, reconditioning, and recycling. Culture & History: North Dakota’s 250th-era spotlight continues, while communities marked major milestones like the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of the Greasy Grass with cultural events and education. Independence Day Eats: A state-by-state look at Fourth of July favorite dishes spotlights how local agriculture and traditions shape backyard tables.

Theodore Roosevelt Library in Medora: Thousands packed Burning Hills for President Trump’s visit and the opening of the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, with tight security and big patriotic energy. Politics & culture clash: Trump used the occasion to warn that communism is the “greatest threat,” tied Roosevelt’s legacy to his 250th-anniversary message, and also drew online backlash for odd remarks during the event. Immigration & citizenship debate: Trump renewed criticism of birthright citizenship while praising Supreme Court moves he says restore presidential power. Disability rights: A DOJ memo sparked concern in North Dakota disability circles, with advocates warning it could roll back protections that keep people out of institutions. Rural youth mental health: North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation plan puts prevention and social connection front and center, including “zero-hour” PE and a focus on teen suicide risk. Arts in the parks: Three artists were selected for the 2026 North Dakota state parks residency program, pairing public workshops with time to create work inspired by the landscape. Scholarships: The Andrew Lawrence Scholarship Fund named its 2025-26 recipients, awarding $2,000 each, and AGC of North Dakota also announced construction-industry scholarships. Student loan reset: The SAVE plan is ending for millions, with borrowers facing a September 29 deadline to choose new repayment options.

Theodore Roosevelt Library in Medora: President Trump opened the new Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library in the Badlands, touring the 96,000-square-foot museum and highlighting Roosevelt’s legacy as America’s 250th birthday approaches. The library also leans into tech, including an AI-powered “Talk with TR” experience and immersive programming for the July 4 public opening. Rural mental health push: North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation plan adds prevention and stronger social connection for teens, including “zero-hour” PE before school, as leaders point to high rates of teen suicide ideation. Election integrity fight: Georgia AG Chris Carr backed Indiana’s voter ID law in a multistate amicus brief, arguing states should set election rules and that voters still have multiple ways to obtain valid ID. Border wall impacts: Reporting on the U.S.-Mexico border highlights how wall construction could affect wildlife corridors and native plants, alongside human communities that have long relied on cross-border ties. ND 250 exhibit: The State Historical Society unveiled “ND 250 Road Trip: Our American Story,” a new Heritage Center exhibit tracing North Dakota’s role in the broader U.S. story through journeys and artifacts.

U.S. Supreme Court Sports Ruling: The Court upheld state bans on transgender women and girls in women’s and girls’ sports, saying Title IX and equal protection allow biological-sex rules—another major shift in LGBTQ rights nationwide. ND Court on Trans Healthcare: North Dakota Supreme Court heard arguments in a case challenging the state’s 2023 ban on gender-affirming care for minors, with families and doctors arguing it blocks life- and health-preserving treatment. TR Library & America 250: Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opens July 4 in Medora, a small Badlands town, as the America 250 celebration ramps up—plus local Fourth of July plans and traffic notes for Dickinson. Local Business Spotlight: BoxLunch is set to open at a North Dakota mall, bringing pop-culture retail with a “Get Some, Give Back” meal donation mission. Outdoors & Community: North Dakota funds new trails and outdoor recreation projects, while Game and Fish ramps up boating safety for Operation Dry Water and hosts events like Williston’s Roots & Wings Festival. Wellness in Schools: HHS opened a funding opportunity for rural and tribal schools to buy wellness equipment supporting physical and mental health. AI & Energy Reality Check: UND economics faculty say AI job fears may be overblown, but the bigger bottleneck is power—an issue echoed in national coverage of data centers’ electricity demands. Culture & Learning: A “Toy Story 5” reflection argues imagination still matters, and a local educator/mentor-led AI learning effort is highlighted as a classroom win.

Outdoor & Community Grants: North Dakota’s Recreational Trails Program is awarding funding for new trails and outdoor recreation, including a $250,000 Jamestown White Cloud Trail extension to connect Liechty and McElroy parks. Family Summer Events: Spring Lake Nature Center’s free Roots & Wings Festival returns July 11 with hands-on nature, science, conservation, and local outdoor heritage. Local Business Spotlight: Williston’s Sips food truck is headed to Medora’s Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library grand opening celebration, bringing western ND flavor to a major America 250 crowd. Agriculture & Research: The Nesson Valley Irrigation Research and Development project is expanding with a new “Technological Transfer Facility” to boost research and producer connections. Public Safety on the Water: Game and Fish is ramping up patrols for Operation Dry Water July 3–5, focusing on preventing boating under the influence. Culture & History in the Badlands: The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is set to open July 4, with National Park Service artifacts and interpretive materials loaned to deepen the story for visitors. Health & Well-Being: Verity Health and Wellness launched “Flow with Purpose,” an outdoor yoga series that pairs self-care with outreach for Northlands Rescue Mission. Sports & Inclusion: The Supreme Court upheld bans on transgender women in school sports, a decision that keeps the national debate front and center. Politics & Identity: The Supreme Court also rejected Trump’s plan to end birthright citizenship, keeping 14th Amendment protections intact. Local Politics: South Sudanese-American Nyamal Dei secured the Democratic nomination for North Dakota Senate District 41.

Behavioral Health & Children’s Services: North Dakota’s Behavioral Health & Children and Family Services Conference opens registration for Sept. 14-17 in Bismarck (and online), bringing together child welfare, suicide prevention, youth development, and mental health professionals plus caregivers and community leaders. Community Music: Minot Area Community Foundation approved a $26,930 grant to Local Motives to launch the free Levitt AMP Minot Music Series at Citizens Alley. Parks & Recreation: Surrey’s Park Board race is still in limbo after a recount confirmed a five-way write-in tie; the Surrey City Council will sort it out at its July 6 reorganizational meeting. Outdoor Access: Jamestown Parks and Recreation won $250,000 for a White Cloud Trail extension connecting Liechty and McElroy parks with a continuous multi-use corridor. Health & Workforce Grants: HHS awarded more than $11 million across North Dakota for public health, Head Start, and workforce programs, including support for UND geriatrics and Minot State’s early hearing efforts. 4th of July Culture: Instacart data shows North Dakota’s holiday shopping leans hard into backyard cookout staples—hot dog buns, sweet corn, chips, and baked beans. Theodore Roosevelt Library: The National Park Service is loaning more than 50 artifacts to the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening July 4 in Medora. Local Wellness: Verity Health and Wellness launched “Flow with Purpose,” pairing outdoor yoga in Grand Forks with donations for Northlands Rescue Mission. Sports & Community Pride: Twin Cities athletes returned from the Special Olympics 2026 games with multiple medals, including unified volleyball and track success.

Grants & Health: HHS announced more than $11 million in new funding for North Dakota, including $5.21M for public health emergency preparedness, major Head Start awards for Bismarck, Jamestown and Dickinson, plus support for UND’s geriatrics workforce. Education & Community: UND’s Community Classes program is expanding hands-on learning for locals, with free classes and campus-to-community tours ranging from gardening to coffee roasting. Culture & Reading: Local author Rex “Skip” Wood’s Fargo-area mystery “Terminal Species” is out, and Minot author K.M. Evans is set for a Fargo signing for “Like Our Enemies,” as summer reading season heats up. History & Tourism: The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is opening July 4, with the National Park Service loaning artifacts from national park collections to bring Roosevelt’s Badlands story to life. Outdoor Lifestyle: The U.S. Drought Monitor update explains how North Dakota observers and NDSU specialists track real conditions—helpful for farmers and ranchers planning ahead. Sports Spotlight: Minot’s Artem Prima was drafted by the Utah Mammoth, adding another North Dakota-to-pro hockey success story. Local Events: Williston is getting two summer youth musicals at the Old Armory Theatre: “Aristocats” (June 30–July 2) and “Shrek Jr.” (July 14–16).

America 250 & Local History: The National Park Service is loaning more than 50 historic artifacts to the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, which opens July 4 in Medora—tying Roosevelt’s conservation legacy directly to North Dakota’s story. Community & Culture: A Fargo-area ministry, Pulse Evangelism, marks 20 years with a Red River Valley Fair appearance, leaning on long-running relationships and local faith conversations. Health & Education Grants: Minot State University received a CDC grant to strengthen early hearing detection and intervention, while HHS awarded North Dakota organizations more than $11 million for public health, Head Start, and workforce programs. Outdoor & Family Fun: The Red River Valley Garden Tour returns July 15–16 with eight stops and design inspiration for Northern landscapes. Mental Health & Veterans: Badlands Big Sticks join the “Strike Out the Stigma” campaign in July, raising support for veteran mental health and peer connection. LGBTQ+ Support: A suicide prevention advocate highlights survey results showing many queer North Dakotans report high life satisfaction—while stressing prevention still needs more than good news. Civic Life: A guest column argues democracy starts in the classroom, pushing for hands-on civic education that builds real participation skills. Sports: The Bell Bank Red River Amateur crowned new champions in Moorhead, with Carter White and Kathryn VanArragon taking titles.

Theodore Roosevelt Library in Medora: The National Park Service is loaning more than 50 historic artifacts to the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, opening July 4 during North Dakota’s America 250 celebration—linking Roosevelt’s Badlands years to his wider conservation legacy. America 250 at Mount Rushmore: President Trump says he’ll attend the July 3 fireworks celebration, with tickets handled through a public lottery and the event planned in partnership with the Interior Department and National Park Service. Local culture & community: Pulse Evangelism marks 20 years with a return to the Red River Valley Fair, focusing on faith conversations beyond the stage; and the Red River Valley Garden Tour returns July 15-16 with eight North Dakota stops for backyard inspiration. Mental health support: Badlands Big Sticks join the Strike Out the Stigma campaign, raising funds through July home games to expand veteran mental health and peer connection. Sports spotlight: The NHL draft wraps with major “grades” coverage, led by an A-grade for the San Jose Sharks and a look at how teams are building for the future. LGBTQ+ support: A Fargo-area suicide prevention advocate highlights survey results suggesting queer North Dakotans report higher life satisfaction than expected, while stressing the work still needs to continue.

Local Sports & Community Pride: The 2026 NHL draft wrapped up with plenty of buzz, including a standout San Jose Sharks haul that earned top “A” grades for value and team needs, with North Dakota-linked prospect Keaton Verhoeff among the picks. Outdoor & Small-Town Fun: Moosomin’s snowplane tradition is set for a big weekend, with a parade and museum meet-up tied to the legacy of Fudge Industries. Health & Well-Being: North Dakota’s LGBTQ+ suicide prevention advocate Faye Seidler points to encouraging survey results for queer residents, while stressing prevention is still multifactorial. Arts & Culture: Fargo-area gardeners are invited to the Red River Valley Garden Tour (July 15-16) for a look at Northern-friendly landscapes and community creativity. Local Impact: Essentia Health CEO Dr. David Herman joins the Joint Commission’s Board of Commissioners, aiming to advance patient safety and quality across the region. Civic Life: The ND250 Commission continues building community through inclusive projects tied to the U.S. semiquincentennial.

Community & Culture: The Old Church Theatre in New Rockford is starting major renovations—roof repairs already done, with more planned to add ADA-compliant restrooms and better drainage so the historic venue can keep welcoming audiences. Mental Health & Veterans: Badlands Big Sticks are joining the “Strike Out the Stigma” campaign again this summer, with donations from home games supporting veteran mental health retreats and peer connection; a special night is set for July 13 in Dickinson. Civic Life & Inclusion: A suicide prevention advocate highlights new survey results showing many LGBTQ+ North Dakotans report high life satisfaction, while stressing that prevention still needs community support and multiple protective factors. Local Events: Fargo’s Red River Valley Garden Tour returns July 15-16 with eight stops and Master Gardener hosts, offering Northern-friendly planting ideas and a peek into local backyards. North Dakota 250: The ND250 Commission continues telling the state’s story through inclusive projects, tying community-building to both Indigenous governance and early settlement history. Health Care Leadership: Essentia Health CEO Dr. David Herman was appointed to the Joint Commission’s Board of Commissioners, focused on quality and patient safety. Tech & Energy Debate: North Dakota leaders are pushing an “AI task force” approach—learning first, then shaping policy—framing energy reliability as the key to attracting AI growth.

Immigration & Community Response: A Froid, Montana story spotlights how neighbors can rally around detained newcomers—pushing back on the “group” blame that often follows new arrivals. Tribal & Rural Funding Fight: Twenty-four organizations, including tribal groups, sued the USDA over canceled farm grants tied to “DEI” and spending claims, with Montana projects and a multi-state fund including North Dakota affected. Sports & School Culture: NDSU’s move into the Mountain West is already sparking rivalry talk with Wyoming, while Pioneer athletics is deep in recruiting as the 2025-26 school year wraps. Local Events & Family Fun: Banana Ball debuted in North Dakota at Newman Outdoor Field with a sold-out crowd, and Stark County kicked off its carnival and 4-H achievement day with livestock, rides, and awards. Workforce & Business: Cirrus opened a new Duluth-area Talent Center to recruit and train for aerospace jobs, and Perham’s BHH Architecture merged into Widseth to expand services. Community Building: Mandan’s Dykshoorn Park hosts an International Festival celebrating refugees and immigrants through food, performances, and family activities. Civic Leadership: Bush Foundation named two North Dakota leaders as 2026 Bush Fellows, backing plans spanning healthcare, education, and cultural preservation.

North Dakota Money & Policy: North Dakota is set to recover nearly $38 million from the federal government tied to the 2016-17 Dakota Access Pipeline protests, including a $27.8 million reimbursement plus a prior $10 million payment. AI & Data Centers: A new interim North Dakota legislative committee will study artificial intelligence and data centers ahead of the 2027 session, focusing on how the tech is governed and incentivized. Higher Ed Accountability: Williston State College is facing audit findings over more than $200,000 in tuition waivers in 2024-25 that were awarded without proper procedures and approvals; the school says it’s updating processes. Public Safety & Health: Safe Kids Grand Forks marks the 20th anniversary of a North Dakota hot-car death, renewing warnings that kids can overheat fast even on mild days. Community & Culture: The Bush Foundation named two North Dakota leaders as 2026 Bush Fellows, with grants aimed at expanding healthcare, education, and cultural preservation. Local Lifestyle Picks: USA Hockey announced the 2027 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship will be held in Duluth, with all 29 games at AMSOIL Arena. Sports & School Life: UND incoming freshman Ethan MacKenzie is drawing NHL Draft buzz after a breakout WHL season and a World Junior Championship spot.

Supreme Court & Health: The U.S. Supreme Court sided with Bayer in a Roundup weedkiller case, blocking thousands of lawsuits that said the product failed to warn about cancer risks—an outcome that’s already sparking backlash from groups pushing tighter pesticide rules. North Dakota Sports & Community: Minot Mayhem at Nodak Speedway is set for Sunday, June 28, with World of Outlaws Late Models racing (plus IMCA Modifieds), featuring Jonathan “Superman” Davenport. Local Giving: A Minot Vacation Bible School raised $1,023 for Backpack Buddies, helping fill 127 weekend food backpacks for kids. Arts Across the State: Williston composer Emily Black-Driscoll was chosen as the North Dakota Music Teachers Association’s commissioned composer; her “A Dialog on Hope” will premiere in August in Grand Forks with a statewide virtual choir-style invitation. Tech & Policy in ND: Lawmakers announced an interim committee to study AI and data centers ahead of the 2027 session, while UND’s med school explores an AI hub for rural care, research, and student training. Health Watch: Doctors in North Dakota are seeing colorectal cancer in younger adults as rates rise, with screening urged. Culture & Travel: North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opens July 4 in Medora as part of America 250 celebrations.

America 250 Spotlight: Trump is set to speak at Mount Rushmore on July 3, with fireworks, military tributes, and a major anniversary message under the faces of past presidents. North Dakota Tourism & Culture: The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opens July 4 in Medora, kicking off a four-day America 250 celebration with live entertainment and family events. Local Tech & Transparency: North Dakota’s Legacy Fund is getting a new public website, built by Tactis with a ND subcontractor, aiming for easier access to investment info and performance updates by November 2026. AI in Education & Healthcare: Lawmakers are forming an interim AI and data center committee, while UND’s med school explores an AI hub to support rural care and train students. Parenting & Safety: Williston-area guidance highlights practical ways to keep kids gaming safer, especially with cross-play and chat features. Community & Aging Well: AARP is awarding 2026 Community Challenge grants across North Dakota to strengthen social connections, accessibility, and local gathering spaces. Data Privacy Watch: States are pushing data broker registries, and Washington is considering similar moves to make it easier to request deletions of personal data. School District Decisions: Surrey Public Schools is planning mitigation after a failed $5.8 million bond vote, with next steps tied to fire marshal priorities and costs. Fourth of July Caution: A national look at fireworks risk points to which states face the highest backyard danger as celebrations ramp up.

Data & Democracy: North Dakota election officials say the new mail-in ballot deadline for the June primary is landing smoothly, with late ballots down thanks to outreach. Higher Ed Leadership: North Dakota State College of Science is starting an accelerated transition, with interim president Lisa Karch stepping in as Rod Flanigan moves to administrative leave. School Funding & Facilities: Surrey Public Schools is regrouping after a failed $5.8 million bond vote, with portable classroom safety and fire-marshal priorities shaping what could return on the November ballot. Community & Aging: AARP’s 2026 Community Challenge grants are headed to 11 North Dakota organizations, backing projects that strengthen social connections and accessibility. Local Energy & Industry: McKenzie County is hosting a free open house on natural gas utilization and data centers so residents can ask questions before decisions move forward. Culture & Travel: Bank of America is expanding “Museums on Us” for July 4 weekend, offering free admission to 250 museums and cultural stops nationwide. Public Lands: Theodore Roosevelt National Park is set for “Badlands & Bridles,” a free July 2-3 event on horse use and management. Arts & Community Events: New Town’s Totally Tubular Festival is coming to 4 Bears Casino & Lodge on Aug. 1 with major ’80s acts.