SNAP in the spotlight: New federal data shows SNAP enrollment fell more than 13% over a year, dropping from 42.2 million (May 2025) to 36.6 million (May 2026), as eligibility and work requirements tighten under President Donald Trump’s domestic agenda. Beef prices and politics: Trump announced a plan to allow more temporary beef imports without higher tariffs, drawing pushback from ranchers and rural Republicans worried it could undercut U.S. cattle markets. Grid reliability and costs: FERC approved Southwest Power Pool’s “topology optimization” plan to reduce grid congestion, aiming to cut curtailments and related expenses across parts of the region that includes North Dakota. Local roads: Fargo’s I-29 and 36th Street South see lane shifts and a short closure starting Aug. 26 for bridge rehabilitation over Rose Coulee, with detours and access maintained. North Dakota education leadership: University of Mary named Dr. Brenda Tufte dean of the Liffrig Family School of Education and Behavioral Sciences, effective Aug. 15. Parks leadership: Gov. Armstrong appointed Tony Hillig as director of the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department. Food safety alert: Recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce tied to cyclosporiasis may have been distributed in additional areas, including North Dakota.