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Category: Collom's Column
AI rendering of Adult Dire Wolves Romulus and Remus

Like a Phoenix Rising From the Ashes, Dire Wolves are Reborn: Could They Return to ND?-Collom's Column

Romulus, Remus, and now Khaleesi and Titus are the first living dire wolves in more than 10,000 years. Born through advanced genetic engineering in late 2024 and early 2025, these pups represent a monumental leap in science, one that has long been theorized over and now seems to be reality. Thanks to the work of […]
by K.L. Collom
April 12, 2025
April 5, 1987 Front Page of the Minot Daily News following the Fire

When Minot Turned Black: 38 Years Since the Westchem Disaster – Collom’s Column

(With deep thanks to the Minot Daily News for preserving the historical record through its extensive public archives via the Minot Public Library) On April 4, 1987, a thick black cloud billowed into the skies above Minot, carrying with it the haze of smoke, the stinging acrid stench of chemicals, and the uncertainty of an […]
by K.L. Collom
April 5, 2025
Arthur LeSueur, Tom Ross, and Thomas Lee, all have resigned as mayor

This Isn't Minot's First Mayoral Resignation

Minot-Mayor Tom Ross’s sudden resignation on April 1, 2025 marks a rare and dramatic moment in Minot’s political history. While this news has rocked Minot and made national headlines, it isn't wholly unprecedented. Though incredibly uncommon, he's by no means the first mayor to vacate City Hall before completing a full term. So, with this […]
by K.L. Collom
April 4, 2025
North Dakota's 19th Governor Thomas H Moodie(photo from State Historical Society site)

Thomas Moodie, North Dakota's Shortest Tenured Governor-Collom's Column

Alright, here is a fun one today, a little dive into North Dakota's shortest tenured governor, Thomas Hilliard Moodie. North Dakota’s nineteenth governor, he holds a unique place in the state's political history both for his tenure length as well as being the third of 4 governors in a matter of just 7 months. Born […]
by K.L. Collom
March 29, 2025
Small lake in a coulee beside the battlefield. Photo by L. Barkwell, 2011.

The Forgotten Battle Just A Few Miles South of Minot-Collom's Column

I joined The Dakotan with aspirations of making documentaries, and while that remains a goal, I felt the need to share one of the stories I planned to bring forward. Imagine a large-scale military siege unfolding just south of Minot in an unmarked modern day field. An event largely forgotten by history, overshadowed by the […]
by K.L. Collom
March 22, 2025
NPL Party Mascot in the ND Heritage Center

Collom's Column-A Brief History of the NPL in North Dakota

Over my time at The Dakotan, I’ve referenced the Nonpartisan League (NPL) quite frequently on our podcasts. Today, I want to take a deeper dive into its history, how it emerged from agrarian populism and early 20th-century Progressivism to become one of North Dakota’s most transformative political movements. Born largely out of farmer frustration, the […]
by K.L. Collom
March 15, 2025
Page One of Senator Kent Weston's letter to Governor Armstrong

The Dunseith Debacle: Letters to the Governor

Minot, ND – The Dunseith Debacle has consumed a considerable amount of my time over the past few months and has likely been the most significant story I’ve covered at The Dakotan during my time here. To summarize the situation as concisely as possible: businessman Charles Hoefer purchased the former Benchmark chip manufacturing facility in […]
by K.L. Collom
January 24, 2025

Making Property Taxes Fair Again: A Reform Plan for North Dakota

Minot- I don't know how to write a bill. There’s the old "Schoolhouse Rock" episode we all saw growing up where Mr. Bill sings to us about how he came to be and would become law. However, few people think about the intricate process of drafting legislation before it even reaches a committee. While that […]
by K.L. Collom
January 17, 2025

Collom's Column- Tariff Tales: A History of U.S. Tariffs and Their impact on American Society

Minot- Tariffs: the unassuming taxes on imported goods that have, at various points, caused rebellion, political feuds, and shaped the course of both American industry and history. While today they’re gaining steam in national news, tariffs have a surprisingly colorful history in the United States. From the Boston Tea Party to trade wars with China, […]
by K.L. Collom
January 9, 2025

Collom's Column - Doug Burgum: The Next Chapter for North Dakota Leadership in the Federal Cabinet

Minot—North Dakotans serving in a Presidential Cabinet is a phrase seldom heard, as it has only occurred a handful of times in U.S. history. As explored in my previous column, figures like Thomas S. Kleppe and Ed Schafer have left their mark on the Cabinet, shaping national policy while cementing their legacies both nationally and […]
by K.L. Collom
December 14, 2024

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