AGP Executive Report

Local Education & Equity: New data shows Cass County’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate for Black or African American students (entering 2018) was 45.7% by 2024, while Grand Forks County’s rate for two or more races hit 66.2% and for Asian students at UND was 68.6%—all measured through 2024. School Finance: Grand Forks Public Schools leaders say North Dakota’s 3% property tax increase cap could mean about $300,000 less revenue for the district, squeezing budgets as costs rise. Career & Community Pride: Grand Forks aviation instructor Leslie Martin was named North Dakota Air Force Association Teacher of the Year. Culture & Travel: A California winery, Hook and Ladder, donated wine to the Medora Foundation, with proceeds supporting Medora’s programs. Agriculture Spotlight: The Big Iron Farm and Construction Show returns Sept. 15–17 in West Fargo, with free entry, hundreds of exhibitors, and field demos. Sports (Regional Flavor): Prairie Business named 2026’s 50 Best Places to Work across the region, highlighting workplace culture and growth.

Big Iron Farm Show: West Fargo’s 46th Big Iron Farm and Construction Show runs Sept. 15-17 at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds, with free entry, 900+ booths, seminars, and field demos—plus a free Wednesday night concert featuring Eli Young Band and LANCO. Local Agriculture & Soil Health: Researchers say adding sunflowers to a corn-soybean rotation can boost soil structure and help stabilize yields in dry years, based on long-running no-till rotation trials. Faith Calendar (North North Dakota): A full week of Catholic adoration and confession times is listed across Rugby, Maddock, Minot, Esmond, Velva, and Minot AFB. Education Outcomes: New reporting highlights six-year bachelor’s completion rates at UND and Minot State for specific student groups, including 68.6% for Asian students at UND in Grand Forks County and 29.6% for Hispanic/Latino students at Minot State in Ward County. CTE & Career Pathways: Grand Forks Central marketing teacher Hannah Freese earns a top statewide CTE award, while Grand Forks’ Katie Hatt Rokke is named North Dakota CTE Teacher of the Year. Community & Culture: A beer-interest study puts North Dakota among the top states for beer searches, reflecting the Midwest’s deep brewing culture.

Community Faith Calendar: North North Dakota churches are hosting a week of adoration and confession services, with stops in Rugby, Maddock, Minot, Esmond, Velva, Bottineau and Minot AFB from Sept. 7-12. Outdoor & Local Culture: The Dakota Five-O mountain bike race drew riders from around 30 states to Spearfish for a 50-mile “Race, Ride, Tour” event supporting Black Hills National Forest trail maintenance. Education & Equity Watch: New federal data shows University of North Dakota’s six-year bachelor’s completion rates by 2024: 68.6% for Asian students in Grand Forks County, 50% for Asian students in Cass County, and 29.6% for Hispanic/Latino students in Ward County. Career & Classroom Spotlight: Grand Forks Central marketing teacher Hannah Freese earned North Dakota CTE’s Director’s Award of Excellence for the state’s top marketing education program. Campus & Enrollment: NDSU’s new president says expanding tuition reciprocity—starting with Minnesota—could help boost enrollment and keep more students in-state. Sports Notes: UND volleyball fell to Mercer 3-1 in a close home opener, while North Dakota cross country teams posted strong results at the Dragon Twilight meet.

Education & Equity Watch: New federal data peeks into North Dakota’s college completion gaps, including Cass County’s 6-year bachelor’s rate for Asian students (18 of 36, 50%) and Ward County’s for Hispanic/Latino students (8 of 27, 29.6%), alongside UND and Grand Forks Central figures. Campus & Workforce: NDSU’s new president, Marshall Stewart, says expanded tuition reciprocity could help boost enrollment, while Grand Forks’ Katie Hatt Rokke earns North Dakota CTE Teacher of the Year for nursing and CNA training. Community Sports: Kindred’s home opener drew a big crowd—so big the concession bet turned into 400+ cooked patties—plus cross-country highlights from Dragon Twilight and Augustana Twilight. Local Culture & Service: Detroit Lakes Public Utilities GM Vernell Roberts is honored for leadership and keeping rates among the cheapest, and Fargo’s VA system spotlights care for rural veterans. Public Health & Policy: North Dakota’s kratom crackdown stays in the spotlight as lawmakers move through a special-session push. Arts & Heritage: Leonard Peltier’s artwork heads to a New York City exhibition Oct. 4, bringing an Indigenous legacy back into the spotlight.

Local Education & Equity: New federal data show Cass County’s six-year bachelor’s completion for Asian students (18 of 36, 50%) and Ward County’s for Hispanic/Latino students (8 of 27, 29.6%) lag statewide rates, highlighting uneven outcomes across North Dakota counties. Career & Technical Training: Grand Forks Central marketing teacher Hannah Freese earned the state’s CTE Director’s Award of Excellence, with her DECA-linked, work-based store program standing out. Healthcare Workforce & Training: Grand Forks’ Katie Hatt Rokke was named North Dakota CTE Teacher of the Year for her CNA and medical terminology classes tied to real career pathways. Community & Faith: Leonard Peltier’s artwork is set for a New York City exhibition Oct. 4, bringing an Indigenous elder’s creative legacy back to the spotlight. Sports & School Spirit: UND cross country and volleyball both posted notable results this week, while local high school action included Kindred’s big home opener and regional meets under Friday-night lights. State Economy: Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus reports Q2 2026 taxable sales and purchases up 3.86% year over year, led by retail trade and manufacturing.

Community & Sports: Kindred’s Friday-night home opener turned into a full-on town event, with a bet over 200 cooked patties that ended up topping 400 and sending the principal into mascot costume. Local Food & Care: The James River Senior Center laid out its week-by-week meal schedule across Jamestown sites, plus reservation and transportation details for seniors. Coaching & Hometown Pride: LaMoure’s Kallene Klever is back in her hometown as head volleyball coach, bringing experience from Valley City and club coaching. Athletics Honors: Pequot Lakes assistant coach Bud Bjornaraa, 88, earned the Alvin Roy Award in New Orleans for decades of strength-and-conditioning work. Culture & Identity: Leonard Peltier’s artwork is set for a New York City exhibition Oct. 4, bringing his North Dakota-made legacy to a wider audience. Education Watch: UND says three programs could be flagged for low completion under a new state review policy. State Economy: North Dakota taxable sales and purchases rose 3.86% in Q2 2026, with retail and real estate leading gains. Outdoors: Over 750 fall turkey licenses remain in select units, moving to first-come sales Sept. 16.

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.