AGP Executive Report

NDSU Football in Vegas: North Dakota State heads to Allegiant Stadium for a key Mountain West matchup with UNLV, with the Bison (2-0 in league) chasing a win that could shape postseason momentum. Fargo Governance: Fargo voters rejected a proposal to switch to ward-based city council, keeping the at-large City Commission structure. Highway Patrol Focus: The North Dakota Highway Patrol says Fargo crash investigations are surging, with multiple serious crashes tied to similar speeding-away behavior. Farm Safety Net: Senators John Hoeven and John Boozman met with North Dakota producers as enhanced ARC/PLC changes boost expected federal payments to about $721 million this month. Employee Ownership: North Dakota marked October as Employee Ownership Month, highlighting how employee stock plans help keep local businesses running. Data Centers & Water: Lawmakers heard that data centers so far are using local utilities’ water supply rather than seeking separate state permits. Public Health Alert: North Dakota warned Empire Builder riders about possible measles exposure tied to a Montana case. Local Public Safety: Grand Forks County approved sheriff’s office contracts for technology and an overtime highway-safety grant.

Voting Access: NDDOT will visit four tribal nations (Oct. 19–22) to issue free Non-Driver Photo IDs for voting, with IDs mailed within five days after overnight processing. Teacher Pay: North Dakota lawmakers advance a plan for annual teacher bonuses (about $3,400) aimed at recruitment and retention. Ag-Tech Growth: Grand Farm breaks ground on its Innovation Campus Phase II, including a $5M grant for an indoor ag-tech test track, tracked equipment, and a new field operations facility. Summit League Basketball: NDSU is picked No. 1 in both men’s and women’s Summit League preseason polls, with Avery Koenen and Joe Sayler earning preseason player of the year honors. FCS Football Buzz: South Dakota State moved to No. 1 in major FCS rankings after a win over Illinois State, setting up a bye week before facing North Dakota. Local Health Support: The VA awarded nearly $699K to a North Dakota suicide prevention grant program under the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox initiative. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports the lowest Burleigh County midgrade price at $4.29/gallon for the week ending Sept. 26. Business & Immigration: North Dakota employers in Finance and Insurance filed 17 approved H-1B petitions in 2025, per USCIS data.

Teacher Pay Push: North Dakota lawmakers and State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier unveiled the STAYS stipend, proposing annual teacher bonuses funded by 10% of Common Schools Trust earnings, with payments capped and tied to full-year licensed teaching. Stablecoin Pilot: The Bank of North Dakota launched a Roughrider Coin pilot with local banks and Fiserv, testing a dollar-backed stablecoin for faster, near real-time interbank payments. Governor’s Residence Remains: Archaeologists finished fieldwork at the North Dakota Capitol-area governor’s residence, removing seven coffins with human remains and a wooden box; cataloging and analysis are expected into early 2027. Local Courts/Industry: Grand Forks city council took no action on Fufeng USA’s threatened litigation letter after an executive session, leaving next steps up to the company. Road & Safety: Highway 52 will temporarily close Oct. 12-19 for rail crossing repairs near Voltaire, and traffic was diverted in Devils Lake after a semi hauling anhydrous ammonia rolled over with no reported leak. Sports (ND): South Dakota State jumped to No. 1 in FCS polls, while North Dakota State’s football momentum and rankings continue to draw attention ahead of upcoming matchups.

Teacher Pay Push in ND: State Rep. Mike Nathe, Superintendent Levi Bachmeier and Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden announced the STAYS stipend, proposing annual retention bonuses for licensed classroom teachers, funded by 10% of Common Schools Trust Fund distributions, with payments capped at 25% of the average base salary. Food Safety Alerts: PepsiCo recalled more than 122,000 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade (Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange, Orange Zero) in 37 states, including North Dakota, due to undeclared Yellow No. 5/No. 6; consumers are urged to check bottle lot codes. E. coli Recall Expands: Frozen organic blueberries and berry blends tied to an E. coli investigation were expanded again, now including additional Walmart and Trader Joe’s products in dozens of states, with North Dakota listed among distribution areas. Local Tragedy in Bismarck-Mandan: A crash near West Main Avenue and Missouri Avenue killed 16-year-old Taylor Fisher of Mandan; police say a 19-year-old was allegedly racing, and the investigation is ongoing. Sports (ND Spotlight): NDSU linebacker Donovan Woolen earned Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week after a key interception return and nine tackles in the Bison’s 28-0 win over Wyoming; NDSU is set to host UNLV next. Community & Culture: The Badlands Opera Project will stage “The Pirates of Penzance” at Dickinson State University Oct. 16-18.

FCS Football: North Dakota State kept the momentum rolling, shutting out Wyoming 28-0 in the Battle of the Basins at the Fargodome, with Nathan Hayes scoring and the Bison defense controlling the game. Exhibition Hockey: UND got a strong look at Anthony Menghini, who scored twice in a 5-1 exhibition win over Manitoba, pushing his case for the regular-season lineup. State Government & Kids: The North Dakota Children’s Cabinet is hitting the road with a statewide “road show,” including a Jamestown stop Oct. 9, to gather feedback and build a seamless network of services for children and families. Tech & Local Impact: Applied Digital’s Ellendale expansion added 75 megawatts of AI infrastructure, while in Brookwood, sound-measuring equipment is being installed at a middle school to track noise during a major data center project. Immigration Numbers: North Dakota employers filed 34 H-1B petitions in 2025 in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services category, with all approved. Public Health: A sprout-linked E. coli/Salmonella outbreak has expanded to 76 sickened people across 16 states, including North Dakota. Sports Rankings: NDSU again received votes in the AP Top 25 after its 28-0 win, while national college football polls shuffled after Week 5 results.

College Football (North Dakota ties): North Dakota State kept its momentum in the spotlight, shutting out Wyoming 28-0 in the Battle of the Basins at the Fargodome, with Nathan Hayes scoring twice and the defense limiting the Cowboys to 162 yards. UND Sports: UND opened its 2026-27 hockey season with a 4-1 exhibition win over Augustana, powered by three power-play goals and a strong night from goalie Jan Špunar. Local Education & Health: UND students and community members signed a beam for the STEM Complex in Grand Forks, while North Dakota named Stephanie Bates to lead the HHS Medical Services Division, overseeing Medicaid and related health programs. Public Safety & Data Centers: Missing Indigenous people numbers dropped to 9 as of mid-2026, and Casselton-area residents questioned a proposed data center site on prime farmland as lawmakers plan more AI/data-center hearings. Food Safety: Frozen berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s were recalled over possible E. coli contamination, with North Dakota listed among affected states.

Fighting Hawks Football: No. 5 North Dakota erased a 21-point hole to beat Murray State 55-28 in Grand Forks, with Jerry Kaminski throwing for 186 yards and three TDs and rushing for 98 yards plus a score. Bison Football: North Dakota State shut out Wyoming 28-0 in the Battle of the Basins at the Fargodome, taking control early on an interception and finishing with Nathan Hayes’ two rushing TDs and a defense that held the Cowboys to 162 total yards. UND Hockey: UND opened the 2026-27 season with a 4-1 exhibition win over Augustana, scoring three power-play goals and getting 16 saves from Jan Špunar. UND Volleyball: North Dakota fell short in Kansas City, losing 3-2 to the Roos; Zoe John led with 19 kills and Lauren Jansen added 18. Public Health: The FDA expanded a frozen berry recall tied to possible E. coli contamination, including Great Value and Trader Joe’s products sold in North Dakota.

Bakken East Pipeline: WBI Energy says it has reached a “final investment decision” for the proposed Bakken East natural gas pipeline, moving it toward the next regulatory step with an expected FERC filing in Q4; the first phase would target service around 2029 and the second around 2030. Energy Permitting Fight: North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer is backing a Senate bill that would limit how an administration can block permits for whole classes of energy projects, setting up faster legal challenges and potential fines. Public Health Alert: A frozen-berry recall tied to an E. coli outbreak has expanded, adding more lots of Great Value and Trader Joe’s products sold in North Dakota and across dozens of states. Local Service & Community: A fundraiser in Grand Forks will support Veterans Honor Flight of North Dakota and Minnesota after about $30,000 in honor-flight apparel and equipment was stolen from a Moorhead trailer. Sports (Bison): NDSU is set for CW coverage debut with its Bison GameDay pregame show from the Fargodome as the Bison host Wyoming in the Battle of the Basins. Wildlife & Hunting: Youth pheasant weekend runs Oct. 3-4 statewide, with rules on licensing and adult supervision for hunters 15 and younger.

NDSU Homecoming: Thousands packed Fargo’s North Dakota State University homecoming parade Friday, with new president Marshal Stewart riding early and fans chanting “Go Bison” ahead of Saturday’s Wyoming matchup and other weekend events. New Engineering Space: NDSU cut the ribbon on the nearly $100 million Richard Offerdahl ’65 Engineering Complex, adding teaching labs, research space, and more hands-on build time for students. Applied Digital Update: Applied Digital shares jumped about 5% after the company said Building 2 phase two at Polaris Forge 1 in Ellendale reached ready-for-service, adding 75 MW and pushing operational critical IT load to 250 MW. Roughrider Coin Goes Live: Fiserv’s banking platform is now running Bank of North Dakota’s Roughrider Coin on Solana, expanding access for more than 90 ND banks and credit unions. North Dakota Courts: The North Dakota Supreme Court reversed a Wells County child sex crime conviction, citing a testimony dispute, and sent the case back for further action. Public Health: ND teen vaping is down, but smokeless tobacco use among high schoolers rose from 3% in 2023 to 7% in 2025, with nicotine pouches flagged as a likely driver. Workforce Crunch: New data shows 38 of 53 ND counties can’t fill open jobs, with more than 12,000 positions listed statewide, especially in healthcare.

Stablecoin & payments in ND: Fiserv has switched on its stablecoin platform in production, letting North Dakota’s Roughrider Coin settle interbank transfers for about 90 banks and credit unions on Solana in roughly 400 milliseconds, 24/7. Public health: The CDC reports 3,887 measles cases nationwide as of Oct. 1, with North Dakota among the 47 reporting jurisdictions. Drugs & consumer costs: Iowa is joining a 43-state coalition seeking court approval of a $400 million settlement tied to alleged generic-drug price inflation and competition limits; North Dakota is listed among participating states. Local safety tech: UND Police Chief Rodney Clark says the campus camera system (about $1.8 million) uses Verkada, with cameras in public spaces and data shared only for investigations. Roads & rural relief: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed an order allowing up to 10% higher weight limits for vehicles hauling agricultural and forest products through Oct. 30, with similar actions cited across several states including North Dakota. Sports: College hockey keeps surging with 30 NHL first-round picks in 2026-27, and UND is featured in transfer and rookie watch lists.

UND & Higher Ed: UND highlighted NSSE results tied to its HLC reaccreditation, focusing on how students examine viewpoints, understand others’ perspectives, and build skills for independent learning and solving real-world problems. Dakota Days Football: South Dakota is regrouping after a 47-28 loss to Youngstown State and heads into the DakotaDome showdown with Indiana State, aiming to bring that “edge” every week. Sports Spotlight: Christian Watson is set to return to Tampa for the Packers’ matchup with the Buccaneers, hoping early-season production turns into wins. Public Health: FDA says an E. coli and Salmonella sprout outbreak has expanded to 76 confirmed patients in 16 states, including North Dakota, linked to Everything Sprouts LLC. North Dakota Politics: Voters will decide Measure 1, which would raise the approval threshold for future ND constitutional amendments from just over 50% to 60%. Agriculture & Energy: North Dakota farmers are getting temporary relief to use cheaper red-dyed diesel on highways during harvest as diesel prices stay high. Community & Sports Culture: Fargo’s Rudy Harris Handball Tournament returns for its 50th year, drawing players and families for a weekend of competition and camaraderie. State Honors: Gov. Armstrong presented the Rough Rider Award to wrestling twins Terry and Troy Steiner, celebrating decades of coaching and service to the sport.

Fuel Tax Relief: States including Ohio are moving to suspend or cut gas taxes as prices stay high amid the war with Iran, with diesel and regular both climbing sharply. North Dakota Agriculture: USDA is investing $30 million to tackle salinity in North Dakota’s Prairie Pothole Region, aiming to protect soil and water while boosting resilience. School Meals Debate (ND): A Minot guest column argues North Dakota families shouldn’t pay school lunch fees, calling it a form of tax relief and a way to reduce school admin burdens. Healthcare Watch: HealthPartners and Essentia Health plan a 22-hospital merger spanning Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, with Minnesota’s attorney general inviting public input. Stablecoin & Banking: Fiserv’s stablecoin system went live with a Roughrider Coin backed by Bank of North Dakota, designed to speed bank-to-bank transfers across the state. Local Culture: A new Fargo gallery, Sovereign Studio and Gallery, is spotlighting Native artists from across the Midwest and beyond. Public Safety: Fargo police say a man charged with murdering his mother fled after a Nebraska chase, ending with his arrest.

Obamacare Refunds: The Trump administration has started mailing $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states using the federal marketplace, including North Dakota, with payments going out by check or direct deposit. Rural Health Funding: North Dakota HHS will use “anchor partners” to manage a large rural health grant program, aiming to speed up implementation of more than $160 million with a looming deadline. Energy Infrastructure: The North Dakota Industrial Commission praised WBI Energy’s final investment decision for the Bakken East natural gas pipeline, a project meant to expand gas transmission and reliability. Public Safety: A sobriety checkpoint is planned in Dickey County on Oct. 9, with saturation patrols following. Food Assistance Oversight: Lawmakers heard SNAP error rates in North Dakota are above the federal threshold, raising the risk of millions in state costs. Education: State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier visited Grand Forks schools as part of statewide listening tours. Healthcare Workforce: The North Dakota Air National Guard and Sanford announced a training partnership for medical staff in Fargo. Sports: North Dakota State and Wyoming are set for “Battle of the Basins” action Saturday, and high school football polls update the top teams in ND.

Healthcare Merger Watch: HealthPartners and Essentia Health have approved a plan to merge into one nonprofit system under the HealthPartners name, with a footprint across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota—22 hospitals, 135+ clinics, and about 45,000 employees—prompting state-level scrutiny and local questions about what changes for ND patients and clinics. Public Safety/Local Government: Lincoln, N.D. moved to replace its police chief after Mayor Keli Berglund stripped Matthew Giddings of chief and officer roles; an interim chief was named while officials work on a permanent solution. Crime Update: Fargo police say a Wahpeton man arrested after a high-speed eastern Nebraska chase has been formally charged with murder in the death of his mother, Pamela Mendoza, with investigators still working to determine the cause and timeline. Community & Services: Turtle Lake Public Library is adding a 3D printer club starting in October, alongside its coffee-and-books vibe and rotating popular collections. Statewide Community Notes: Ramsey County commissioners proclaimed 4-H Week for Oct. 4–10, with events like a pancake breakfast and “Go Green Day.” Sports (ND angle): NDSU and Wyoming will play for a new “Battle of the Basins” traveling trophy starting Saturday at the Fargodome. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show diesel deals in parts of North Dakota, including Pembina County’s lowest at $5.98 (week ending Sept. 19).

Diesel Relief for Farmers: Gov. Kelly Armstrong declared a state of emergency and expanded use of cheaper red-dyed diesel for licensed agricultural vehicles, aiming to cut harvest costs as diesel prices stay high. Veterans Mental Health Funding: The VA awarded North Dakota nearly $700,000 to expand veteran suicide prevention and mental health access, the first grant of its kind for the state. Healthcare Merger: HealthPartners and Essentia Health approved an affiliation agreement to combine into one nonprofit system, targeting better access, affordability, and specialty services. County Budget Pressure: Grand Forks County commissioners approved switching employee health insurance to NDPERS, while some employee groups questioned how excess funds for 2027 will be handled. Road Work in Fargo: ND DOT plans a short early-morning closure of the I-29 Elm River exit 63B ramp for sewer repairs. Public Safety—Chase and Arrest: Nebraska troopers arrested a North Dakota murder suspect, Brandon George, after a high-speed pursuit that reached over 100 mph. Local Courts: A Cass County Jail drug-smuggling case ended with a woman sentenced to 18 months after pleading guilty. Data Centers Watch: A proposed Cass County data center would use up to 540 megawatts at peak, nearly double a Fargo-area project, drawing resident concerns. Honor Flight Update: Western North Dakota’s Honor Flight brought a record five women veterans to Washington, D.C.

Local Politics: Three North Dakota GOP officials sue the state’s top election officer, arguing inconsistent enforcement of ballot rules could overturn four candidates’ victories. State Government & Courts: Gov. Kelly Armstrong appoints Minot attorney Christene Reierson to the North Central Judicial District judgeship. Economy & Energy: A panel at the Lignite Energy Council conference says data centers can grow local tax bases and populations, while communities weigh noise, water, and growth impacts. Agriculture & Environment: Interior agrees to overhaul wetland rules on North Dakota farmland, letting producers redraw old easement maps and manage excess field water if duck habitat stays protected. Education: North Dakota reports AP classes are projected to save families $4.46 million in tuition and fees. Business: Gate City Bank expands with Alkami’s digital sales and service platform, citing major digital growth and fraud prevention. Sports: NDSU and Wyoming launch “Battle of the Basins” with a traveling trophy starting Saturday at the Fargodome. Community & Outdoors: Duck brood numbers in North Dakota are up 55% from 2025, with a higher fall duck flight forecast.