Minot Alderman Paul Pitner officially entered the special mayoral election Tuesday, becoming the fourth candidate to announce. In a statement posted to Facebook, Pitner emphasized civic pride, accountability, and restoring trust following former Mayor Tom Ross’s resignation. He joins fellow council members Mark Jantzer and Rob Fuller, along with citizen candidate Josiah Roise, in the growing field. A special election date is expected to be finalized at the next city council meeting.
Alderwoman Lisa Olson joined hosts Jonathan Starr and Kyler Collom on the April 15 episode of Minot Talk for a wide-ranging conversation. Olson provided historical context on childcare challenges in Minot and broke down the recent City Council vote that struck down a proposed resolution aimed at easing those burdens. The trio also discussed the upcoming special mayoral election and wrapped with thoughts on in-class phone use and how future education savings account legislation could impact public schools.
North Dakota lawmakers have pumped the brakes on regulating kratom, voting Tuesday to convert House Bill 1566 into a legislative study rather than a full regulatory framework. Originally set to place oversight under the Agriculture Department, the bill now tasks Legislative Management with examining kratom’s uses, risks, and potential for future regulation. Supporters of the study say more education is needed, while opponents argue the delay could allow unsafe products to flourish. The House must now decide whether to accept the Senate's changes.
The North Dakota Senate narrowly defeated House Bill 1330 on Tuesday, a measure that would have permitted the State Investment Board to divest Legacy Fund assets from companies based in China. The 20-26 vote came amid debate over balancing national security concerns with fiduciary responsibilities. Supporters cited threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party and human rights violations, while opponents warned the bill could limit investment opportunities and politicize fund management. Roughly 2.1% of the $12 billion fund is currently invested in Chinese firms. The Retirement and Investment Office remained neutral on the bill.
The North Dakota House Appropriations Committee voted 15-7 Tuesday to recommend Senate Bill 2160, which would transition the state employee health insurance plan to one compliant with the federal Affordable Care Act — a permanent move that allows the state to require employees to contribute to premium costs. Supporters say the shift expands covered services and offers long-term budget flexibility. Critics, including state agencies and public employee unions, warn the change could undermine recruitment and retention by reducing the appeal of state benefits. The bill now heads to the House floor for a full vote.
A federal judge in Maryland sharply rebuked the Trump administration Tuesday for failing to take meaningful action to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident erroneously deported to a brutal mega-prison in El Salvador. Despite a unanimous Supreme Court ruling requiring the U.S. to "facilitate" his return, Judge Paula Xinis said the government has done "nothing" and set a two-week deadline to produce evidence of compliance. The case has sparked legal and diplomatic tension, with the administration claiming it lacks authority to retrieve Garcia and El Salvador refusing to release him.
