Gov. Kelly Armstrong has appointed Pat Traynor, president of the Dakota Medical Foundation, as interim head of North Dakota’s largest state agency — the Department of Health and Human Services. Traynor, who begins June 2, will take a one-year leave from his foundation role to oversee the $5.7 billion agency with nearly 2,500 employees. Known for his leadership at both the foundation and the Workers Compensation Bureau, Traynor succeeds interim commissioner Dirk Wilke, who will return to leading the public health division. Armstrong praised Traynor’s track record of boosting efficiency and service delivery.
From Minot to Skien, the celebration of Norwegian Constitution Day spanned continents as locals marked Syttende Mai in true Scandinavian style. While 45 North Dakota musicians marched in Norway’s parade, Minoters braved the chill for a festive procession through the Scandinavian Heritage Park — complete with traditional dress, Norwegian songs, and a strong sense of heritage. The event also marked the seasonal opening of the park’s historic buildings.
A provision in a sweeping U.S. House GOP reconciliation bill is drawing bipartisan fire for potentially stripping states of their authority over pipeline permitting. Critics say the measure would let companies bypass local laws — including South Dakota's recent eminent domain protections — by paying $10 million for an expedited federal permit. While North Dakota Rep. Julie Fedorchak defends the federal process, South Dakota officials and a rare alliance of environmental and conservative groups are sounding the alarm over what they call a threat to property rights and state sovereignty.
House Republicans’ “big, beautiful bill” hit a major roadblock Friday as five GOP lawmakers broke ranks, halting its advance in the Budget Committee. The massive reconciliation package—packed with Medicaid cuts, energy reforms, and extended Trump-era tax breaks—was derailed over disputes about work requirements, green energy tax credits, and federal spending levels. With Speaker Mike Johnson pushing for a floor vote before Memorial Day, the committee is set to reconvene Sunday night. But deep divisions between centrists and hardliners leave the bill’s future uncertain.
Tucked inside House Republicans’ sweeping budget bill is a controversial provision that would block all state-level laws regulating artificial intelligence for the next 10 years — sparking backlash from consumer advocates, tech watchdogs, and 40 bipartisan state attorneys general. The proposed moratorium would nullify hundreds of emerging state AI protections, even as Congress has yet to pass any national AI rules of its own. Supporters say it would prevent a patchwork of conflicting laws and spur innovation; critics call it a dangerous federal overreach that leaves consumers unprotected and states powerless in a fast-evolving tech landscape.
Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive, bone-spreading form of prostate cancer, according to a statement released Sunday by his office. The cancer, classified as Gleason score 9, is considered highly aggressive but hormone-sensitive — offering treatment options that may help manage the disease. Biden, 82, is reviewing care plans with his physicians, as leaders from both parties, including Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, offered well wishes. Experts say the diagnosis is serious but not without hope, as recent therapies have significantly extended life expectancy even in advanced cases.
