AGP Executive Report

Keystone XL’s comeback: A renewed push for the Keystone XL pipeline is back in the spotlight, with unused pipe and long-stalled plans raising fresh questions about what it means for North Dakota’s energy future and Canada’s reliance on U.S. demand. Voting Rights Act fight: The U.S. Supreme Court ordered lower courts to revisit rulings tied to Native American voting rights, including a North Dakota case where an appeals court said only the federal government can sue to enforce key parts of the law. Local power, national stakes: North Dakota’s Public Service Commission race is heating up as one candidate calls for a moratorium on new data center development until state rules catch up, while another argues oversight should stay local. Connectivity boom: Regional fiber providers announced the $700 million Heartland Fiber Project, aiming to expand a long-haul route across seven states to feed AI-era data demand. Weather and crops: Strong winds in mid-May damaged fields and blew soil across parts of the region, a reminder of how fast conditions can turn for farmers.

Voting Rights Fight: The U.S. Supreme Court sent a Native American Voting Rights Act case back to lower courts after weakening key protections, reviving arguments that only the federal government can sue—an issue that could reshape how redistricting challenges move forward. Washington Maps: A federal judge rejected efforts to undo Washington state legislative maps approved in 2024, with opponents now watching whether the Supreme Court will step in after its Louisiana v. Callais ruling. Farm Fallout: New reporting ties high grocery prices to disaster-hit harvests, citing major losses from floods and freezes that are hitting crop output and raising costs. North Dakota Focus: Secretary of State Michael Howe is urging voters not to skip the June 9 primary, where turnout has historically been low and many local races are decided. Local Health: CHI Mercy Health of Valley City was named among the nation’s top critical access hospitals.

Property Tax Relief: North Dakota is processing a near-full response to its Primary Residence Credit, with 164,760 homeowners applying for the $1,600 rebate for the 2025 tax year—up from 145,264 last year. Voting Rights Fight: The U.S. Supreme Court sent closely watched Native American voting-rights map cases back to lower courts after weakening Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, raising new hurdles for who can sue to enforce protections. Local Energy Politics: North Dakota’s Public Service Commission races are sharpening over carbon pipelines, with candidates arguing about benefits for oil recovery versus flaws in how the process works. Agriculture & Food Costs: A regional push is exploring winter camelina as a livestock feed ingredient to diversify protein sources, while national coverage keeps spotlighting how protein demand and GLP-1 use are reshaping grocery shelves. Aviation Funding: Rolla Municipal Airport won $1.42 million for terminal reconstruction, and Bismarck and Fargo also landed federal airport upgrades. Community Notes: Grand Forks will host a Mayor’s Choice Artist Award reception Tuesday, and Minot’s Ward County 4-H Achievement Days kick off June 12.

Heartland Fiber Push: DCN, Range & WIN Technology just announced a $700M, 2,000-mile fiber expansion linking Denver to Chicago across seven states, aiming to boost capacity for AI data centers and keep networks more resilient. Election Integrity Fight: The Trump administration has been running millions of voter registrations through a DHS eligibility check, and critics warn it could wrongly purge valid voters before November—while a court fight over Ohio’s monthly checks continues. North Dakota Homeowners: Nearly 165,000 ND homeowners applied for the $1,600 Primary Residence Credit, with participation expected to reach about 98%. Local Life & Learning: UND spring commencement wrapped up at the Alerus Center, highlighting community ties as hundreds of grads received degrees. Public Health: DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day removed 642,410 pounds of unwanted meds nationwide, including more than 19,000 pounds in the Midwest.

Election Integrity Clash: The Trump administration is running millions of voter registrations through a federal eligibility check, and critics warn it could wrongly flag and purge valid voters before November. North Dakota Tax Relief: Nearly 165,000 homeowners have applied for North Dakota’s $1,600 Primary Residence Credit, with participation nearing 100% as the state reviews requests. Local Accountability: A state audit says North Dakota’s horse racing commission mismanaged grants and spending, raising questions about how the program is run. Public Safety & Health: DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day removed more than 19,000 pounds of unwanted meds across five Midwest states, including North Dakota. Community Notes: UND spring commencement drew more than 1,700 graduates, while Jamestown’s Salvation Army moved its service center to a more accessible location.

Property Tax Pushback: Ohio’s “Ax the Tax” movement is gaining steam as states like Florida and others consider cutting or capping property taxes amid rising bills. UND Community: UND’s spring commencement drew big crowds at the Alerus Center, with graduates celebrating community ties and new milestones. Air Quality Clarity: North Dakota’s air monitoring network is explained as a way to reconcile confusing grades with what officials say is “clean most days,” using state sites that feed AirNow and federal compliance. Horse Racing Audit: A state audit says North Dakota’s Racing Commission mismanaged grants and spending, including payments tied to missing paperwork and weak contract controls. Local Service Spotlight: Jamestown’s Salvation Army moved its service center to the Jamestown Business Center for better access and parking. Public Safety & Courts: A Nigerian man’s North Dakota conviction was overturned after a federal appeals court questioned witness-related issues. Wildlife Update: The paddlefish snagging season closed early, with harvest numbers near the target.

ND–Norway Defense Ties: Sen. Kevin Cramer highlighted how North Dakota’s Norwegian roots feed into a strong U.S.-Norway security partnership, from shared values to “Seabed to Space” cooperation. State Politics & Money: A Minot City Council race spotlights candidates’ plans for flood protection and budgeting with voters in mind, while statewide attention turns to a new contract that could make NDSU football coach Tim Polasek North Dakota’s highest-paid public employee. Wildlife Watch: North Dakota set the 2026 deer season with fewer licenses as deer numbers remain down, and the paddlefish snagging season closed early after harvest targets neared. Local Services: Jamestown’s Salvation Army Service Center is relocating to the Jamestown Business Center for easier access and more parking. Courts & Fairness: A Nigerian man’s North Dakota conviction was reversed after a federal appeals court said witness-prep statements should have been handled differently. Energy & Growth: A new Heartland Fiber Project aims to add about 2,000 miles of fiber linking Denver to Chicago, including through North Dakota, to meet AI-driven demand.

AI and justice: A case tied to Clearview AI’s facial recognition led to a Tennessee grandmother being arrested at gunpoint in Fargo for bank fraud she didn’t commit—charges were dismissed after her bank records proved she was in Tennessee the whole time. Public health watch: North Dakota health officials are monitoring possible hantavirus exposure as a New York school investigates a suspected case, with officials stressing it’s not linked to the cruise-ship outbreak. Energy and prices: The U.S. House passed a bill to allow year-round E15 ethanol sales, a potential win for corn markets and pump prices. EV momentum: An MIT study says EVs are broadly cost-competitive with gas cars and cut emissions in most situations. Local infrastructure: A Heartland Fiber Project will build about 2,000 miles of fiber between Denver and Chicago, including through North Dakota, aiming to meet AI data-center demand. North Dakota jobs/health: Grand Forks County wages rose 2.9% in 2025, and North Dakota ranks #14 for youth mental health. Tribal vigil: The Turtle Mountain Tribe held a candlelight gathering for Abrium Swain as questions linger after the FBI identified his body.

FAA Modernization: The federal government is pouring more than $835 million into air traffic control upgrades, including replacing eight aging control towers and improving facilities at 41 airports across 24 states—with new towers planned for Grand Forks among others. Airline Shakeup: North Dakota flyers could see more low-fare options as Allegiant moves ahead with its Sun Country acquisition, expanding warm-weather routes and potentially adding new international access. Veterans Care: Plans are underway for a second North Dakota veterans home in the northwest, with Sen. John Hoeven pushing to streamline rules and improve access to VA reimbursement. Workforce Leadership: Gov. Kelly Armstrong named Phil Davis interim executive director of Job Service North Dakota as Pat Bertagnolli prepares to retire. Health Watch: North Dakota officials are monitoring possible hantavirus exposure tied to an overseas passenger, with doctors urging calm and saying community risk is low. Local Life: Peacock Alley will close its downtown Bismarck location in June after nearly a century, while a new indigenous-woman-owned cafe opens in Dunseith.

Telehealth Abortion Fight: The U.S. Supreme Court kept telehealth access to mifepristone alive while Louisiana’s lawsuit plays out, a win for abortion-rights groups even as dissenters warned the decision clashes with the Comstock Act. North Dakota Courts: The 8th Circuit ordered a new fraud trial for a Nigerian man tied to laundering money through a North Dakota law firm, citing limits on what the defense could use against a key witness. Public Safety: A Jamestown man was arrested after a high-speed motorcycle pursuit that hit 97 mph in town and 115 mph on I-94. Near Kulm, a deputy was shot in the hand during a roadside struggle; authorities say the suspect was later arrested. Community & Health: North Dakota’s Brain Injury Network is screening newly incarcerated people, finding positive results in more than half of those tested so far. Local Life: Peacock Alley’s downtown Bismarck location will close June 13 after 93 years, while a new cafe opened in Dunseith to bring more dining options to the Turtle Mountains. Food Access: Rural grocery stores are banding together—using shared distribution hubs—to cut costs as store counts keep shrinking.

Health Deal Watch: Sanford Health just signed a definitive agreement to combine with Twin Cities’ North Memorial Health, pledging about $600 million for North Memorial’s two hospitals—an aggressive new push into Minnesota after earlier merger attempts with Fairview were blocked by politics and regulators. Road Safety: A Bismarck Expressway stretch is drawing fresh alarm after reports of drivers treating the posted speed limit like a suggestion, including a near-miss with a motorcycle reportedly hitting triple digits. Local Business: Silverman Law Office is expanding in Montana, opening a new Billings location as it grows to five offices statewide. Education & Community: Minot State will hold its 111th commencement Friday, while NDSU’s Paige Renschler is turning heads with elite sprint times heading into the Summit League meet. Agriculture: NDSU Extension warns of expanding field salinity in central and eastern North Dakota, urging soil testing and targeted fixes. Energy Policy: Summit Carbon Solutions is reshaping its CO2 pipeline plan—cutting Iowa mileage and shifting the destination toward Wyoming.

Carbon Pipeline Update: Summit Carbon Solutions says it’s shrinking and rerouting its Iowa carbon capture pipeline—removing eight Iowa counties and cutting about 200 miles—after moving the project’s sequestration destination to Wyoming instead of North Dakota, leaving the region’s future “unclear” as opponents vow to fight in Nebraska. Higher Education & Sports: University of Arkansas tennis supporters say they’ve raised about $5 million in pledges to try to keep the program alive after the school announced cuts; the broader trend has other schools dropping men’s and women’s tennis too. Education Watch: A new report finds Wisconsin still lagging in math and reading recovery since the pandemic, while North Dakota is missing from the scorecard due to data limits. Local Good News: Dickinson’s Kind Hearts Project will host its annual 100-bike giveaway for kids at Legacy Square on May 16. State Government: North Dakota Superintendent Levi Bachmeier is wrapping up his school tour, logging 25,000 miles across more than 50 districts.

Abortion Pill Fight: Kentucky AG Russell Coleman asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stop the “unregulated flow” of mail-order abortion pills, arguing the Biden FDA move bypassed required in-person medical supervision; a Fifth Circuit ruling backed Louisiana’s challenge, and the case is now headed to SCOTUS. Local Growth & Main Street: Lincoln, N.D. keeps climbing fast, adding new retail and services like a pharmacy as infrastructure and amenities catch up. Rural Grocery Survival: In Velva, owners Velva Fresh Foods say convenience is driving changes—adding a liquor corner and in-store prepared frozen pizzas to compete with Minot, delivery, and Dollar General. Health Costs: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota is leaning on personalized digital tools and biosimilar options to help members manage high specialty-drug spending. Politics Close to Home: The Fargo ward-system proposal is pushing toward a June 8 signature deadline, with the mayor warning it could cost $250,000 to $500,000. Public Lands: Trump’s administration moved to cancel a conservation rule that had treated restoration more like development on federal land.

White House Security Showdown: Senate Republicans are weighing up to $1 billion for security tied to Trump’s ballroom renovation, even as Trump says it’s meant to be privately funded—leaving moderates stuck between safety arguments and taxpayer-cost questions. Federal Courts: Trump nominated North Dakota U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor to the 8th Circuit, setting up a major confirmation fight. Local Roads: Grand Forks residents got a look at the 42nd Street underpass plan, with parts of 42nd Street closing later this summer through summer 2027. Health & Money: Bismarck Medicaid spending on medicine services rose to $5.44M in 2024. North Dakota Business: The state’s Commerce team met global investors at the SelectUSA summit, pitching energy, data infrastructure, and value-added ag. Sports Media Shakeup: Midco Sports is ending full-time on-air coverage in the Dakotas, including layoffs tied to UND and other programs.

First Amendment in the spotlight: Park Rapids’ League of Women Voters is hosting “Defending the First Amendment” with Sabrina Halvorson, CEO of the North Dakota News Cooperative, Wednesday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Northwoods Bank community room. Aviation safety update: The FAA has approved Boeing’s fix for grounded MD-11s after last fall’s deadly UPS crash in Louisville, and FedEx resumed flying the aircraft Sunday. Tribal colleges under pressure: Tribal college and university leaders warn proposed federal cuts could be a “death knell” for campuses, even after Congress previously rejected similar reductions. Energy and politics collide: Interior is canceling a 2024 rule that treated conservation on par with development on public lands, as the administration pushes more drilling and mining. Local governance: Cassville, Wisconsin voted to ban massive data centers after residents learned the town was on a shortlist.

Non-Compete Crackdown: Washington just joined a growing list of states banning or sharply limiting post-employment non-competes, with existing deals largely voided and employers facing penalties if they don’t notify workers. Pollution Pushback: The Trump administration is keeping more coal plants running and rolling back tighter mercury rules, raising fresh air-quality concerns as coal burns continue. Gas Tax Holiday Stalls: Trump’s pitch for a federal gas tax holiday is meeting early resistance in Congress, with deficit and debt worries slowing momentum. North Dakota Courts: Federal Judge Daniel Traynor was nominated to the 8th Circuit, a major step for ND’s legal bench. Greenpeace vs. DAPL: North Dakota Supreme Court limits Greenpeace’s ability to relitigate Dutch claims tied to the Dakota Access Pipeline defamation fight. Local Governance: Grand Forks decided the Event Center Commission will remain its own entity, but council members want more oversight as Oak View Group’s contract nears its 2027 end. Scams Target Seniors: A new study finds financial scams aimed at Americans 60+ are rising, with North Dakota among the lowest reported rates.