Hosts Jonathan Starr and Kyler Collom were joined by Rob Fuller and Lisa Hermosillo on this Thursday's episode of ND Talk. With April 17 being Leif Snyder Appreciation Day, the panel shared memories of Leif and what they thought he'd have thought on some major current issues. The crew also broke down some big topics going over things like the MAGIC fund, the upcoming Minot Special Election, as well as transparency for public officials. Following the groups discussion, a special tribute for Leif was aired.
North Dakota lawmakers have missed nearly 200 days of session combined in 2025 — with at least $41,500 in taxpayer-funded pay going toward absences. While most legislators cited family, health, military, or job-related reasons, scrutiny intensified after Rep. Lori VanWinkle faced backlash for taking a family vacation. House rules prohibit absences without cause, but the law guarantees pay — setting up potential clashes over accountability and fairness.
The North Dakota Senate passed House Bill 1540, establishing Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) for private school students. The bill, approved by a 27-20 vote, offers income-based vouchers ranging from approximately $1,000 to $4,000 per student annually, depending on household income. These funds can be used for private school tuition and other qualifying educational expenses, but are not available to public or homeschooled students. The program is projected to cost around $20 million per school year and is set to begin in the 2026–27 academic year. While supporters argue that ESAs promote school choice and could reduce public education costs, critics, including North Dakota United, contend that the bill diverts public funds to private institutions. The legislation now moves to a conference committee for further deliberation.
Gov. Kelly Armstrong has signed SB 2137, preventing Game and Fish from banning deer baiting on private property — a move aimed at balancing CWD management with landowner rights. Armstrong, an avid hunter, said wildlife management can coexist with private property freedoms. The bill was backed by many rural hunters but opposed by the Game and Fish Department. Armstrong also approved several other outdoors-related bills, including license fee hikes and a new waterfowl habitat stamp.
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments May 15 on whether to lift injunctions blocking President Trump’s executive order that seeks to deny citizenship to babies born to undocumented or temporary-status parents. The Court won’t rule on the core 14th Amendment issue yet — just on whether the nationwide injunctions should stand. The move could signal future battles over the 1898 Wong Kim Ark precedent and the scope of federal judicial power.
A federal appeals court has paused a ruling that would’ve required the EPA and Citibank to release billions from the Biden-era Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The D.C. Circuit’s order comes as the court reviews a legal challenge from the Trump administration, which has sought to freeze the $27 billion climate initiative. The court emphasized it has yet to rule on the merits, but the halt stalls dozens of green energy projects nationwide — for now.
The North Dakota Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case challenging the constitutionality of a state law that allows for the forced inclusion of landowners in underground carbon dioxide (CO₂) storage projects if 60% of landowners in a proposed area consent. The Northwest Landowners Association, supported by the North Dakota Farm Bureau, contends that this law infringes upon property rights and denies landowners the opportunity to seek just compensation through the courts. Defending the law are the state, the North Dakota Industrial Commission, and several energy companies, including Summit Carbon Solutions, which plans to store CO₂ beneath approximately 90,000 acres in western North Dakota. The case, which could set a national precedent regarding the regulation of subsurface property rights, is now under advisement by the Supreme Court.
