AGP Executive Report

Border Wall Contracts: The Trump administration has surged border wall spending, awarding over $19.4B in just six months, with big deals going to firms tied to the White House and GOP. Voting Fight: The U.S. Senate blocked the SAVE America Act, a blow to Trump’s push for stricter voting rules. Dakota Access Pipeline: A Dutch court ruled Greenpeace can pursue its case in the Netherlands tied to protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline, keeping the long legal fight alive. NDSCS Leadership: North Dakota State College of Science President Rod Flanigan announced he’ll retire at the end of 2026. Farm Safety & Outdoors: Western ND youth wrapped up a farm safety camp in Dickinson, and a new look at the Petrified Forest Loop highlights what to expect on the trail. Weather Watch: Severe storms are on the radar for Sunday, with another round possible midweek. Gas Prices (ND): Week ending May 30 saw regular gas lows like $3.89 in Ward County and $3.92 E15 in Stutsman County, with prices still tied to global oil and refinery conditions. Sports & Community: Local baseball and Legion action continues, while North Dakota’s free fishing weekend is set to draw anglers.

Coal & Energy Policy: President Trump says he’s using the Defense Production Act to push $700M for coal power, including $425M to extend 13 plants and $200M in DOE grants for new projects—North Dakota is listed among the states getting support. Border & Immigration: U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer backed the Senate’s Secure America Act, arguing it fully funds DHS border security and law enforcement for three years. Local Roads & Construction: Minot faces a lane closure after a soil settlement issue at a culvert replacement site, and Dickinson saw an oversized load get stuck under an I-94 overpass. Environment & Oilfield Impacts: NDDEQ says produced water spilled from a pipeline near Cartwright, affecting pasture and a nearby spring, and crews are monitoring cleanup. Community & Events: Rugby’s Tunbridge Lutheran Church hosts “Tunes & Tastes” July 18 to fund renovation work; Minot’s Shrine Club plans its July 4 parade and fireworks. Sports: UND football got NCAA sanctions for transfer portal tampering, while local highlights include a Grand Forks Red River student winning at River Cities Speedway and North Dakota high school softball all-state honors released.

NCAA Sanctions: UND football is on the hook for tampering violations after an assistant coach had impermissible recruiting contact with a player not in the transfer portal—resulting in one-year probation, a $25,000 fine, recruiting bans, visit reductions, and a show-cause for coach Travis Stepps. Energy & Power: Gov. Kelly Armstrong praised a Trump plan using the Defense Production Act to push more than $700 million toward coal upgrades, including up to $27.4 million for North Dakota’s Antelope Valley Station. State Economy: North Dakota tourism dipped in 2025, driven by a sharp drop in Canadian travel, but early signs point to momentum for 2026. Higher Ed Leadership: NDSCS President Rod Flanigan announced he’ll retire at the end of 2026 after leading major enrollment growth and new programs. Local Politics: Democrats are asking the ND attorney general for an opinion on how to handle a deceased Fargo lawmaker’s candidacy ahead of the June 9 primary. Public Safety: A Fargo woman and three others face new charges tied to a high-speed Caldwell County pursuit. Weather Watch: Northern lights could be visible in parts of North Dakota Friday night, with conditions improving before Saturday. Community Notes: Nonprofits in Minot gathered for the ND Association of Nonprofit Organizations’ annual conference.

Coal Funding in North Dakota: President Donald Trump says he’s invoking the Defense Production Act to push $700 million into coal power, including up to $27 million for Basin Electric’s Antelope Valley Station near Beulah to modernize units, cut unplanned outages, and boost capacity. Energy Politics: The plan also targets 13 coal plants across multiple states and backs coal mines and a new export terminal, with Trump calling it “clean, beautiful coal” and promising lower electricity costs. Public Lands & Wildlife: A renewed fight is brewing over the Trump administration’s move to allow “cyanide bombs” on public land on a case-by-case basis after a Biden-era ban. Local Honor: Minot held a flag-raising ceremony for World War II 2nd Lt. Arthur J. Blackwood, with Disabled American Veterans members sharing his service and awards. Community Safety: Barnesville repaired emergency sirens after a failed test, urging residents to use digital alerts like Cass-Clay Alerts during severe weather. North Dakota Sports: Lawrence junior Cami Nauholz committed to NDSU, and Bismarck’s Troy and Terry Steiner were named Rough Rider award recipients for their wrestling legacy and community camp.

Energy Policy: President Trump is invoking the Defense Production Act to push a $700 million “clean, beautiful coal” package, including $425 million for upgrades at 13 coal plants across 10 states that includes North Dakota, plus $75 million for a new Oakland, California export terminal. Northern Lights: NOAA is watching for a strong G3 geomagnetic storm, with aurora chances stretching into North Dakota and many other states on June 4-5. Local Schools: Valley City Public Schools released its 2025-26 PK-12 attendance report, saying chronic absences improved after district efforts focused on better attendance in grades 9-12. Sports (ND): Valley City’s Kailee and Skye Nielson won state titles in girls tennis doubles; Jocelyn Ness, the first ND girl selected, will play in the Maria Pepe Little League Legacy Series in Williamsport. Statewide Notes: Pembina Gorge State Park near Walhalla opens for camping Tuesday, June 9. Business/Real Estate: North Dakota-based Centerspace plans to sell about $240-$245 million in properties, including Bismarck-area assets, as part of a portfolio optimization.

Minot Air Force Base planning: A new Compatible Use Study is underway to map 26 factors for how Minot AFB and nearby communities can coexist as wind turbines, drones, and data centers reshape the area; public meetings are set, with recommendations due in February 2027. Weather & farming: May was the driest since 2019 in the Minot area, with below-average moisture and more 90-degree days, adding pressure for growers. Local government: Minot updated its tall-grass ordinance with clearer geographic exemptions and a complaint/abatement process for residents. Severe storms in Rolette County: High winds, hail, and a possible tornado damaged homes and a daycare; officials reported no fatalities. Health care facilities: CMS data shows several North Dakota nursing homes ranking among the largest in their counties, with overall ratings mostly below the state average. Politics: North Dakota voters decide June 9 on a constitutional single-subject rule for future amendments. Sports: Grand Forks Red River’s Kolby Koerner won the Class A boys golf individual title at Oxbow. Business/community: Cass-Clay Creamery donated 24,000+ cartons of shelf-stable milk to the Great Plains Food Bank.

Bismarck Capitol Grounds Update: Construction near Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s residence has paused after workers found human remains and coffin fragments; state archaeologists say ground-penetrating radar suggests additional grave sites, with next steps expected in the coming weeks. Local Public Safety: Stark County commissioners heard about an assault on a Dickinson-area sheriff’s deputy during a welfare check near I-94, and discussed related public safety and county business. North Dakota Oil Outlook: Sen. John Hoeven says North Dakota is racing to expand enhanced oil recovery to slow Bakken decline, warning the state has already dropped about 400,000 barrels a day. Health & Community: CPR and AED Awareness Week highlights how quickly help matters, with guidance aimed at families and even kids learning basics. Agriculture Grants: North Dakota’s Ag Products Utilization Commission approved $340,524.50 in awards for projects ranging from corn pit construction to bean inoculants and meat processing. Sports: NDSU women’s basketball added Elena Lazarevic to its 2026 signing class, while state golf and softball/baseball updates kept postseason momentum rolling.

Oil tech push: Gov. Kelly Armstrong says North Dakota has a “tremendous opportunity” to speed up next-gen oil production tech in the next two years, but industry leaders warn there’s no guarantee of a quick breakthrough. Nursing home watch (Ward/Rolette/Dickey): CMS data show Trinity Homes in Ward County ranked as the largest nursing facility in Q1 2026 (141 beds) but earned a 1/5 rating; Minot Health and Rehab, LLC also fell below the state average with a 2 rating; in Rolette County, Dunseith Com Nursing Home (public) received a 2 rating; and in Dickey County, Sanford’s Good Samaritan Society–Oakes (non-profit) posted a 1 rating. Crash updates: ND Highway Patrol released names tied to recent fatal crashes, including a Bowbells train collision and a Dunseith tree crash, plus a Valley City-area crash involving a semi hauling bee hives. Public safety & courts: The ND AG issued an opinion saying the Williams County Sheriff’s Office didn’t violate state law by withholding records deemed exempt or confidential. Community & sports: Veterans Outreach Program returned to Trinity Homes; and the Minot Metros opened with a sweep over Garrison.

Severe Weather: A severe thunderstorm watch is up for southern Manitoba, with storms moving northeast from Saskatchewan and western North Dakota. Expect large hail, damaging wind gusts up to 120 km/h, heavy rain, and a small chance of an isolated tornado. North Dakota Energy & Agriculture: North Dakota’s oil patch is ticking up, with March showing a record number of active producing wells and McKenzie County leading the state in both oil and gas output. Local Politics (McKenzie County): The McKenzie County sheriff’s race is heating up, with Matthew Johansen seeking a third term while challenger John Hance spotlights leadership, morale, communication, and transparency. Housing & Growth: McKenzie County’s economy is described as resilient in 2026, even as some oilfield and construction indicators soften. Education: North Dakota schools are rolling out the BRIDGE Project, moving from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus statewide starting July 2026. Ag Tech: A Fargo beef-cattle GPS ear-tag startup (701x) says it raised an oversubscribed $10M+ Series B from ranchers and local investors and is expanding internationally.

High School Sports: Minot High’s boys golf team surged to a WDA regular-season title, winning 8 of 10 tournaments and finishing 8 strokes ahead of Williston, with sophomore Parker Argent and Bismarck St. Mary’s Brody Horner tied for the lowest scoring average. Motorsports: World of Outlaws Sprint Cars at Nodak Speedway in Minot was postponed due to heavy rain and soft track conditions, with the Magic City Showdown now set for Aug. 30 and a Nodak triple-header weekend planned for late August. Baseball: The Minot Vistas opened their season with a doubleheader split against Devils Lake—winning the opener 12-4 before dropping the second game 3-8. Local Government: Grand Forks City Council approved a second reading to annex a right of way near planned industrial sites by 70th Avenue North, but some nearby landowners raised concerns about impacts to homeowners. Boating Safety: North Dakota Game and Fish is stepping up Missouri River patrols this summer, focusing on life jacket compliance and registration checks. Workforce Safety: Bismarck hosted “Get Home Safe,” a statewide push to make safety a daily habit, citing falling workplace injury claims over the past three fiscal years.

Local Justice: A Grand Forks man, Kyle Kahalehili Maez-Schaack, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for kidnapping and drug-trafficking-related charges tied to a Fargo abduction and a $6,000 meth-debt demand. Elections: Early voting for the June 9 primary and Fargo city election begins Tuesday in Cass County, with multiple in-person sites and a reminder that absentee ballots must be received by the county auditor before polls close. Sports (ND): NDSU QB Easton Stick signed with the Indianapolis Colts, adding another Bison to the NFL mix. ND Business/Tech: North Dakota showcased unmanned aircraft and autonomous systems at AUVSI Xponential 2026 through the “North Dakota Row,” highlighting growing industry momentum in the state. Agriculture: USDA’s first Pro Farmer Crop Condition Index readings show North Dakota corn at 13.85 and soybeans also tracking near year-ago levels as the season gets underway. Community & Growth: Williston’s Municipal Golf Course is set for major upgrades, including a full 18-hole expansion and new clubhouse and maintenance facilities.

North Dakota Outdoors & Community: Volunteers with the Northwest Association of Horticulture kept the Amtrak depot in Minot looking sharp with fresh flowers and transplanted daylilies, continuing a decades-long tradition. Food Security: Near Simcoe, nearly 30 volunteers (including 91st Missile Wing members) planted a garden for The Lord’s Cupboard and The Welcome Table to boost fresh produce for pantry patrons. Public Safety: A 49-year-old man died after a one-vehicle crash in Dunseith when his pickup struck a tree; investigators say he wasn’t wearing a seat belt. More crashes: A motorcyclist from Neche was seriously hurt after hitting broken pavement south of Devils Lake and being flown to Fargo. Sports (ND): Shanley won the ND girls soccer state championship 3-0 over Mandan, and Park River Area captured the Class B baseball title over Kindred in a rain-marred championship game. Local Economy: McKenzie County is investing $11M to tackle housing shortages, including modular homes and senior-friendly duplexes.

Housing & Workforce: McKenzie County is investing more than $11 million to tackle a local housing shortage, including modular homes built by students at the Bakken Area Skills Center, plus $5 million for senior-suitable duplexes and a “pathway to purchase” plan. Community & Culture: Bismarck State College hosted the North Dakota Asian American Arts and Cultural Initiative’s fifth annual Cultural Expo, bringing food, music, vendors, and hands-on activities to close out AAPI Heritage Month. Sports (ND championships): Park River Area won its fourth Class B baseball title, beating Kindred 9-2 after a rain-affected run; Central Cass repeated as Class B softball champs with a 10-2 win over Kindred; Fargo South captured the Class A baseball crown; Williston topped Dickinson 8-7 in extra innings for the Class A softball title. Public Safety: North Dakota Highway Patrol identified Keith Melby, 72, of Kenmare, as the driver killed when his dump truck was struck by a train near Bowbells. Weather/Events: Rain postponed a World of Outlaws sprint car event in Minot, moving it to Aug. 30.

Public Health: A Minnesota public health director warns measles can spread fast and stay airborne for hours, urging North Dakotans to check MMR vaccination status as outbreaks loom nearby. Crash Update: A 49-year-old man died after a single-vehicle crash in Dunseith early Saturday; the driver wasn’t wearing a seat belt and the Highway Patrol is investigating. Local Business: Dickinson’s STOP Ice Cream & Snacks is drawing crowds with homemade waffle cones and Mexican-inspired treats since opening in April. Sports (NDHSAA): Class B softball semifinals set up third-place games after Kindred edged Velva-Drake/Anamoose; Class A baseball and softball action continues across the state tournament slate. Elections: North Dakota Secretary of State reminders focus on absentee ballots—signatures must match, ballots must be received by Election Day, and voters can track delivery. Housing: Grand Forks Housing Authority leaders say the state needs thousands more affordable units and are pushing for bigger Low Income Housing Tax Credit allocations. Community & Outdoors: Valley City’s Music in the Park kicks off June 3, and ND Game and Fish urges people to leave baby wildlife alone.

Election & Voting Access: The Trump administration is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to let states purge voter rolls of noncitizens closer to elections, a move voting-rights groups warn could disenfranchise eligible voters. State Elections Prep: North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe urged GOP voters to “find 10 people” to vote as early in-person voting begins for the June 9 primary, and the state also reminded absentee voters to return ballots by Election Day’s close of polls. Rural Health Funding: North Dakota HHS announced a $40 million opportunity to help rural hospitals upgrade equipment and expand emergency and specialty care, aiming to keep more treatment close to home. Education Tech Policy: The Department of Public Instruction launched a statewide survey on classroom device rules as districts move past the first year of North Dakota’s cellphone ban. Public Safety & Community: A semitruck crash near Valley City released more than two million bees, prompting shelter-in-place alerts for people with allergies. Sports (ND): Fargo South beat West Fargo in Class A baseball semifinal action, while Dickinson’s Reagan McMahen delivered a walk-off single to send the Mavericks to the state championship game. Local Infrastructure: Backwater Bridge in Morton County is being replaced, with a temporary bypass to keep traffic moving.

Public Safety: Minot Central Dispatch rolled out a new non-emergency number, 701-857-1500, to keep dispatchers focused on calls while 911 remains for emergencies. Legal/Privacy: North Dakota Attorney General Tim Griffin led a multistate amicus brief challenging the SEC’s Consolidated Audit Trail, arguing it’s a risky surveillance database without proper authority. Veterans & Health Care: Fargo VA received funding for 2026 maintenance projects, including upgrades tied to emergency alert systems and water safety. Community Events: Vietnam Veterans of America North Dakota will hold its State Meeting & Picnic July 18 in Mayville. Politics: A Port report highlights escalating infighting among North Dakota Republicans ahead of the June primary, with Minot Rep. Jeff Hoverson at the center of the feud. Agriculture: North Dakota corn growers met with FTC leadership over fertilizer pricing practices, pushing for a formal investigation. Education: The Department of Public Instruction opened a statewide survey on classroom technology use through Aug. 1. Transportation/Accidents: Two separate I-94 bee-crash reports describe semis carrying millions of bees and drivers being stung, with cleanup and lane closures lasting hours. Local Infrastructure: Minot officials and candidates toured flood protection work tied to the Mouse River project, including plans to expand recreation near a former landfill.