AGP Executive Report

UND Alumni Honors: UND will spotlight seven standout alumni at its Homecoming Alumni Honors Banquet Oct. 1 at the Alerus Center, including Sioux Award recipients and Young Alumni Achievement winners. Higher Ed Accountability: The State Board of Higher Education may review three UND programs flagged as “low completion,” as part of a new five-year performance policy across North Dakota’s university system. College Completion Gaps: New six-year bachelor’s completion figures show uneven outcomes by race and county—Grand Forks County’s Hispanic or Latino rate is 38.7%, while Cass County’s students of two or more races land at 46.5%. Tax & Local Economy: Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus reports North Dakota taxable sales and purchases rose 3.86% in Q2 2026, with retail trade and real estate/accommodations up. Community & Culture: A North Dakota author spotlight turns to Louis L’Amour, and UND’s Homecoming also brings more campus buzz. Public Education Staffing: State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier and DPI staff will volunteer as substitute teachers to help address the statewide substitute shortage. Wildlife Outdoors: Over 750 fall turkey licenses remain available statewide, with first-come distribution starting Sept. 16.

College Football & Community Sports: Pine Island’s Cody Schiltz commits to Bemidji State to play Division II football, keeping a multi-generation family football tradition alive. NDSU Spotlight: NDSU’s “second-chance” story centers on defensive end Allante Burley, who returned to the program and earned a full scholarship moment that’s become a feel-good Week 1 theme. Local High School Football: Grand Forks Central honors Dan Carlson’s 36 years coaching at Valley ahead of a Friday matchup. Workforce & Education: North Dakota leaders and employers gathered for the Global Talent Summit to tackle workforce shortages, with a focus on recruiting and integrating international talent. Public Health & Community Care: A Bismarck-area teacher is running 186 miles for suicide prevention, tying each $10 raised to a mile. Tech & Learning Access: North Dakota universities rescinded the TikTok ban on university devices, citing updated security and ownership changes. Native Language Revitalization: New $6.5M funding strengthens Native language immersion in BIE schools, expanding teacher pipelines and family engagement. Agriculture Conservation: John Lee and Ellen Njos receive the 2026 North Dakota Leopold Conservation Award for restoring native grass and improving water quality in a very dry region. Culture & Ideas: Wendell Berry’s legacy is revisited as his environmental writing is framed as deeply spiritual and community-minded.

Workforce & immigration: North Dakota’s Global Talent Summit in Bismarck brought 100+ employers and partners together to tackle the state’s biggest barrier—workforce—by expanding practical pathways for international recruitment and integration. Education & culture: The State Board of Higher Education rescinded North Dakota’s TikTok ban on university-owned devices, citing updated federal actions and cybersecurity reviews. Native language push: $6.5 million in new funding will strengthen Native language immersion in nine Bureau of Indian Education schools, with added teacher pipelines and family/community engagement. Mental health, local impact: A Bismarck-area teacher is running 186.2 miles for suicide prevention after 162 ND suicide deaths were reported in 2025. Community spotlight: Dickinson’s Youth Commission will elect 2026-27 officers Sept. 16, with 11 students eligible to lead. Local life & services: Gateway Fiber announced it will expand 100% fiber internet to West Fargo, with service expected by end of 2026. Conservation: Hunters are being asked to submit wing envelopes for upland game bird management. Sports: UNO hockey unveiled a 2026-27 roster featuring 11 newcomers, including a transfer from North Dakota.

College Football (Local Watch): Week 1 is here, and North Dakota fans get a key slate highlight with Fordham at NDSU (2:30 p.m.) plus the big Mountain West “Ninth Island Showdown” as UNLV hosts Hawaii in a must-win after both opened with tough losses. Tech & Privacy: Thomson Reuters says an unauthorized party accessed court case files tied to its C-Track system across multiple jurisdictions, including North Dakota—raising alarms about sensitive personal and medical data. Local Roads: Dickinson roundabout projects are nearing completion, with two major intersections expected to wrap this fall and more traffic disruption on Highway 22 and Eighth Street. STEM & Education: North Dakota STEM Ecosystem elects new board officers, including Adam Gehlhar as vice president, and partners with Gateway to Science to boost statewide STEM learning and workforce pathways. Public Health & Safety: State agencies remind residents to avoid contact with bats and report dead bats for rabies testing as activity rises in late summer and fall. Community & Culture: A Minot military museum fundraiser is under scrutiny after lawmakers heard claims about payments and fundraising shortfalls tied to a proposed bailout.

Local Education & Workforce: Southwest Area Career and Technical Education Academy director Aaron Anderson was named the 2026 NDACTE Administrator of the Year, spotlighting Dickinson’s push to strengthen career and technical education. STEM Leadership: The North Dakota STEM Ecosystem elected new board officers, including Adam Gehlhar as vice president, and awarded support work to North Dakota’s Gateway to Science for statewide STEM initiatives. Health & Safety: State agencies urged residents to avoid contact with bats and report dead bats for rabies testing as late-summer migration increases activity near homes. Community & Culture: The Pride of Dakota Showcase returns to Dickinson Sept. 11-12 with more than 75 North Dakota-made vendors, plus free kids activities and live culinary demos. Civic Life: Rogers City Council approved $39M in capital improvement plan bonds for a new Civic Campus, including City Hall and a Police Department. Sports & Local Pride: North Dakota women and men topped the Summit League cross country preseason coaches’ poll—women first, men second—while Central McLean runners posted strong results at the Stanley Invitational. Public Debate: A federal appeals court vacated a 25-year sentence for a climate activist convicted of attacking energy infrastructure, saying the lower court improperly boosted it over an alleged “terrorist motive.” Outdoor & Heritage: A new look at North Dakota’s past includes a Casselton pharmacy liquor ledger showing how whiskey was once sold as “medicine,” adding a quirky twist to local history.

Local Sports Spotlight: Grand Forks’ Tom Corcoran, 72, returned to River Cities Speedway Victory Lane for the first time in six years—no pit crew, still racing in his late model in his 57th year. College Football Buzz: National title and Heisman chatter is heating up as 2026 preseason roundtables stack Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Texas among the favorites, with playoff odds and “game of the year” debates underway. Higher Ed & Hiring: Oklahoma’s tenure ban is already hurting rural universities’ ability to land top candidates—an issue that hits the culture of academic freedom and community stability. Public Health: Kratom concerns are spreading beyond youth use, with Minnesota county leaders discussing education and North Dakota lawmakers weighing regulation. Community & Culture: Morton County is seeking public input on a historic preservation ordinance and commission to document local historic, cultural, and archaeological resources. Aviation & Women in Flight: The Ninety-Nines’ fall meeting in Teton Valley brought women aviators from across the region together for flight, mentoring, and scholarships. Tech & Jobs: Grand Forks is pushing UAS and satellite systems career opportunities, highlighting local BVLOS innovation and growing industry hiring.

Public Health & Safety: Becker and Clay county leaders are hearing how kratom use is spreading beyond “typical” drug users, with parents turning to it for sleep or pain—then facing tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Local Governance: Crews are set to investigate and relocate human remains found near the North Dakota governor’s residence, pausing construction after radar flagged possible burial-site anomalies. Community & Education: Safe Kids Grand Forks is urging drivers to watch for young pedestrians in the first weeks of school, noting kids’ limited ability to judge speed and distance. Culture & Community: The Ninety-Nines brought women aviators and aviation fans to Teton Valley for its fall meeting, celebrating flight, mentoring, and scholarships. Workforce & Opportunity: Grand Forks is promoting career and internship openings in North Dakota’s uncrewed and autonomous systems and satellite systems sectors. Sports & Local Pride: Bemidji State’s Hahni Johnson steps into a head-coach role after a late coaching change, aiming to keep the program rolling. Agriculture & Conservation: The John Lee and Ellen Njos family received North Dakota’s Leopold Conservation Award for stewardship of soil, water, and wildlife on their working ranch. Outdoor Watch: Game and Fish is reminding hunters to monitor fall fire risk as dry conditions and wind raise wildfire danger. Civic Life: North Dakota’s Ethics Commission is asking for more staff as complaint volume and advisory work keep climbing. Religion & Service: Rev. Brock Schmeling has accepted calls to lead Trinity Lutheran Church in Sidney and St. John Lutheran Church in Fairview.

Back-to-School Safety: Safe Kids Grand Forks is urging drivers to slow down and watch for young pedestrians as school buses hit the roads, noting penalties for passing stopped buses and the risk of crashes outside the bus. State Ethics & Accountability: The North Dakota Ethics Commission is asking lawmakers for more staff, saying complaint volume and advisory opinions have surged and are stretching its workload. Native Voting Rights: North Dakota tribes are being forced to re-argue their successful challenge to the state’s 2021 legislative map after the U.S. Supreme Court sent the case back under a new standard. Education Workforce Crunch: State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier is volunteering as a substitute teacher for three days to spotlight the statewide shortage and how it disrupts classrooms. Mental Health Support: North Dakota is marking Suicide Prevention Month with a push for connection and more use of the 988 lifeline, citing a big jump in contacts this year. Outdoor Safety: Game and Fish is warning hunters to monitor fire risk during dry fall conditions and take precautions before heading out. Local Schools & Community: Dickinson Public Schools welcomed U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon as part of a national tour focused on giving states more control. FBS Football Culture: North Dakota State’s first-ever FBS win is fueling excitement, while UND’s pro camp and local sports updates keep the spotlight on North Dakota athletics.

Wildfire watch: North Dakota Game and Fish is urging hunters and outdoor fans to check the daily fire index and stay alert during a dry fall, when wind and dry vegetation can turn a day outside into a wildfire risk. Education staffing crunch: State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier is volunteering as a substitute teacher for three days to spotlight North Dakota’s substitute shortage and the ripple effect on classrooms. Local faith & community: The September Christian Women’s Luncheon at The Nest invites women to connect, hear a Jamestown speaker on God’s view of beauty, and drop off school supplies and hygiene items. Education leadership visit: U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon toured Dickinson Public Schools and the Southwest Area CTE Academy, highlighting efforts to reduce bureaucracy and return more control to states and communities. Culture & arts: Weird Al Yankovic brought big laughs to the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, proving fall weekends in ND still come with major touring acts. Public health support: North Dakota HHS is marking Suicide Prevention Month and pointing to a surge in 988 contacts, urging residents to reach out, talk, and use crisis resources. Historic site work: Crews began investigating and relocating human remains found near the North Dakota governor’s residence, with up to 29 possible anomalies identified so far. Sports spotlight: North Dakota State celebrated its first-ever FBS victory, a milestone that’s already fueling excitement for what comes next.

Education & Staffing: North Dakota’s Department of Public Instruction is asking State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier and other licensed staff to volunteer as substitute teachers this school year, aiming to spotlight the statewide shortage that leaves classrooms uncovered. Addiction Recovery & Tribal Input: Tribal leaders joined a national addiction forum in Washington, D.C., pushing for a broader, more treatable approach to recovery and chronic disease. NDSU Goes FBS: North Dakota State celebrated its first FBS weekend with a win over Jacksonville State, while the wider Mountain West picture shifted after other conference upsets. Community Mental Health Fundraiser: A Bismarck tattoo event partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to raise money for the Out of the Darkness Walk on Sept. 13. Culture & Sports Spotlight: Weird Al Yankovic brought big laughs to the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, and local coverage also highlighted the start of the school year and the sports season buzz.

Local Spotlight: U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Richard Tangen of the North Dakota Army National Guard is competing in the Region VI Best Warrior Competition, leaning on values of integrity and leadership while representing the 957th Engineer Company. Community & Mental Health: A Bismarck tattoo event raised money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention ahead of the Sept. 13 Out of the Darkness Walk, with the semicolon symbol front and center. Culture & Family History: A prairie memorial bench tied to generations of the Bakkestad family near Esmond, N.D., was returned after a public appeal—now a quiet place to watch birds and wind. Tech, Policy & Daily Life: North Dakota’s AI and Data Center Committee meets Monday at the Capitol with public comment, weighing how AI growth and data centers affect the state’s power, rates, agriculture, and communities. Education & Public Events: NDSU’s Challey Institute announces a fall lineup, including a free panel on what AI data centers could mean for North Dakota. Business & Energy: Callan Power LLC says it will buy oil and gas leases in the Williston Basin and rename the operation Reger Energy LLC, aiming to support a planned multi-year drilling program. Sports & Entertainment: Weird Al Yankovic brought big laughs to Grand Forks at the Alerus Center, while NDSU celebrates a strong start as it opens its FBS era.

NDSU FBS debut buzz: North Dakota State opened its first FBS season with a 33-7 win over Jacksonville State, while Mountain West rivals Hawaii and UNLV stumbled—setting up a big early conference shakeup. Local sports & community pride: In West Fargo, Carson Macedo rebounded to win the Danny Schatz Memorial for his fourth Fix It Forward Speedway victory, a feel-good moment after a rough North Dakota swing. Mental health fundraiser: Bismarck’s Alchemist Tattoo and Body Piercing teamed up with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for the Out of the Darkness Walk push, with the semicolon symbol front and center. Youth athletics: Bemidji High School’s cross country teams opened strong at the Brave Like Gabe Invitational, both landing eighth-place finishes. Tech policy at ND universities: The North Dakota University System lifted its TikTok ban on university devices after updated security review and ownership changes. AI + data center debate at the Capitol: A new legislative committee meets Monday with public comment to weigh AI and data center impacts. Farm conservation challenge: FARRMS launched a $100 “conservation quick clips” video program for North Dakota farmers and ranchers. Beauty business opening: Rosé Belle Salon & Spa celebrated a Dickinson grand opening with expanded services under one roof.

Higher Education & Tech Policy: North Dakota’s higher ed board rescinded its TikTok ban for university-owned devices, saying cybersecurity reviews and changing app ownership circumstances allow access through existing IT processes. AI & Public Trust: An AI and data center committee meeting is set for Monday at the Capitol, with public comment planned, as lawmakers weigh how AI and data centers affect youth, energy, and community concerns. Agriculture & Community Learning: NDSU Extension will bring soil education to the End of Summer Soils Field Day near Wyndmere on Sept. 3, focusing on soil fertility, cover crops, and on-farm soil management. Local Business & Wellness: Rosé Belle Salon & Spa in Dickinson held a grand opening for its expanded full-service location, adding hair, nails, skin care, and massage under one roof. Sports & School Spirit: North Dakota State football will open its FBS season with a Week 0 matchup against Jacksonville State, with the Bison listed as a 6.5-point favorite. Culture & Heritage: A new visualization maps the most common European ancestry by U.S. state, showing German ancestry leading in most states and English and Irish roots dominating other regions.

AI & Public Trust: A North Dakota legislative committee meets Monday to hear public testimony on AI-powered policing and the risks of AI creep in law enforcement, with residents worried about legitimacy and fairness when tech can shape what police rely on. Local Governance & Tech Oversight: The same week, the North Dakota University System lifted its TikTok ban on university devices, citing updated cybersecurity reviews and changing app ownership rules. Data Centers & Community Impact: Lawmakers also take up AI and data center concerns, as communities weigh power, water, and trust issues—and online influence operations are accused of trying to sway the debate. End-of-Life Planning: SDSU Extension is hosting a free Sept. 1 webinar to help communities organize for caregiving and end-of-life decisions, with local volunteer recruitment. Community & Culture: Rosé Belle Salon & Spa celebrates a Dickinson grand opening, expanding into full-service hair, nail, skin care, and massage. Education Spotlight: U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon visits Sweet Briar School in Mandan, highlighting hands-on learning like a hydroponic garden. Agriculture & Safety: NDSU Extension announces an End of Summer Soils Field Day near Wyndmere on Sept. 3, plus Big Iron show exhibits focused on rural safety and soil management.

College Football (Week 0): Saturday kicks off the 2026 season with a full sports buffet, highlighted by North Carolina vs. TCU in Dublin (ESPN), plus other Week 0 matchups and North Dakota State’s game on CBS Sports Network. Higher Ed Tech Policy: The North Dakota University System rescinded its TikTok ban on university-owned devices after updated federal actions and cybersecurity reviews, with campuses able to request access through IT processes. Education on the Ground: U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon toured Bismarck State College, Sweet Briar School near Mandan, and Dickinson’s CTE academy, spotlighting rural education and hands-on career training. Rural Learning & Soil: NDSU Extension and the Trusted Advisor Partnership host an End of Summer Soils Field Day Sept. 3 near Wyndmere, focusing on soil fertility, cover crops, and on-farm management. Community & Food Security: An Airstream Club International Rally in Minot teamed up with Souris Valley United Way to support Backpack Buddies, packing weekend meals for students facing hunger. Health & Safety: Minnesota overdose deaths are down overall, but kratom use is rising—still a warning sign as communities push naloxone training. Local Outdoors: North Dakota’s fall hunting calendar is underway, with early goose and dove openings and a steady run of seasons through November.

Education Spotlight: U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited North Dakota schools on her “Returning Education to the States” tour, touring Bismarck State College, rural Sweet Briar School, and Dickinson’s Southwest Area CTE Academy to highlight local control and career-focused learning. Higher Ed Tech Policy: North Dakota’s State Board of Higher Education rescinded its TikTok ban for university devices, citing updated federal actions and a new U.S.-based TikTok ownership structure. Local Giving: Minot’s Airstream Club International Rally teamed up with Souris Valley United Way to pack Backpack Buddies for students facing food insecurity, with donations matched up to $10,000. Community & Culture: World of Outlaws sprint cars bring a North Dakota tripleheader this weekend, with Minot native Donny Schatz and the Eisenschenk sisters racing in Grand Forks, West Fargo, and Minot. Food Safety: The FDA issued a recall for chocolate-dipped mini doughnuts sold in North Dakota stores due to possible undeclared milk. Tech & Privacy Debate: A guest column warns North Dakota about mass surveillance concerns tied to license plate reader systems.