A fiery public hearing on Minot’s liquor license cap dominated Monday night’s City Council meeting, with bar owners, former officials, and council members clashing over competing proposals—including one tied to charitable gambling. Meanwhile, the Council greenlit a new police recruitment partnership with Minot State, advanced plans for the Broadway Circle homeless shelter and housing project, and unveiled upgrades to the city’s public GIS tools. A full breakdown of the liquor license debate will follow in tomorrow’s Minot Talk and our detailed coverage.
North Dakota lawmakers wrapped up the 2025 session with a $20.3 billion budget that includes historic property tax relief, $300 million for a new State Hospital, and major investments to relieve overcrowded prisons — all without new taxes or borrowing. The session marked a shift away from culture war battles, though some controversial bills still made it through. As concerns mount over federal cuts, legislators saved six days in case a special session is needed to address emerging gaps in areas like Medicaid, housing, and rural infrastructure.
North Dakota lawmakers ended the 2025 session without passing a long-debated campaign finance reform bill after a late-night Senate vote rejected the final version. House Bill 1377 was originally seen as a vehicle for stronger transparency measures alongside the state’s new campaign finance system, but conference committee negotiations gutted many of its provisions. Despite support from Gov. Kelly Armstrong and the House, the Senate voted it down 39-5 after key disclosure requirements—like making campaign spending public—were stripped. Some lawmakers cited rural sensitivities and privacy concerns, but critics say the failure marks a missed opportunity for rebuilding public trust.
North Dakota Rep. Jeremy Olson has resigned following a harassment complaint that was quietly withdrawn after his decision to step down. Legislative leaders confirmed Olson’s departure stemmed from allegations tied to inappropriate behavior toward a legislative employee, prompting closed-door discussions during the final hours of the session. Though Olson denies wrongdoing and claims he never saw the complaint, his resignation ends a two-term legislative career amid rising scrutiny over conduct and workplace safety at the Capitol. Lawmakers say the incident demonstrates both the strength and limitations of the Legislature’s harassment policy.
North Dakota’s interstate speed limit will rise to 80 mph starting August 1, following Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s signature on a bill that also increases fines for speeding statewide. The law brings North Dakota in line with South Dakota and Montana, while introducing a tiered fine structure based on speed zones — with harsher penalties in construction areas and for excessive speeding. Armstrong called the measure a balanced approach to safety and consistency.
President Trump is doubling down on nuclear energy as a pillar of U.S. power policy, aligning—surprisingly—with the Biden-era push for clean energy investment. Backed by Energy Secretary Chris Wright, the administration hopes to jumpstart a "nuclear renaissance" with federal loans, deregulation, and small modular reactor funding. But as federal workforce cuts and looming political fights over energy tax credits cast uncertainty, nuclear advocates warn that rhetoric must be matched with real policy follow-through—especially as blue states increasingly embrace nuclear power to meet climate goals.
