By Amy Dalrymple | Editor
Gov. Kelly Armstrong speaks to reporters after a special session of the Legislature concluded on Sept. 4, 2026. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)
By Jack Dura
North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong and his campaign fund have given about $430,000 in support to Republican statewide and legislative candidates this year, more than one-quarter of which went to one state officeholder he appointed.
Some Republican lawmakers and candidates criticized Armstrong’s donations earlier this year as unlawful and improper influence – a criticism also lobbed at former Gov. Doug Burgum’s millions of dollars in political spending in GOP primaries in 2020 and 2022. Armstrong has said he gives money directly to candidates who then decide how to run their campaigns, no strings attached.
Public Service Commission member Jill Kringstad has received more than $125,000 in monetary and in-kind support from Armstrong – the most of any candidate he has helped.
“I appointed Jill. She was a first-time candidate in a competitive primary. She is doing a great job, and we were happy to support her,” Armstrong said.
Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Tracy Foss speaks about a proposed annual teacher bonus program during a press conference on Oct. 7, 2026, in Fargo. (Photo courtesy of the Dem-NPL Party)
By Michael Achterling
Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Tracy Foss supports annual bonuses for teachers, but sees the proposal as a temporary fix that does not address underlying education and teacher retention issues.
Foss, who received support from the Democratic-NPL Party, responded Wednesday to a proposal announced this week by Superintendent Levi Bachmeier and Republican lawmakers to establish an annual teacher bonus.
“Not having enough teachers is a symptom of underlying issues within our education system that are causing teachers to leave and individuals to choose other professions,” Foss said during a press conference.
People walk into the Traill County Courthouse in Hillsboro, North Dakota, on July 13, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)
By Jeff Beach
A judge has upheld a North Dakota environmental agency’s permit issued for what is planned to be the state’s largest dairy farm.
The Dakota Resource Council challenged the Department of Environmental Quality’s permit for the Herberg Dairy in Traill County. The animal feeding operation permit covered areas such as manure management and water water discharge for the planned 25,000-cow Herberg Dairy southeast of Hillsboro, near the Red River.
East Central District Court Judge Susan Bailey issued the ruling affirming the permit Oct. 1. Bailey heard arguments on the permit challenge in July in Hillsboro.
Helene Neville speaks to delegates at the Democratic-NPL state convention on March 27, 2026, in Bismarck. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)
By Michael Achterling
A newcomer to North Dakota politics is running for the state’s sole U.S. House seat.
Helene Neville sought the endorsement of the Democratic-NPL Party, but finished third, leading her to file for office as an independent.
“I’m just running to serve,” Neville said in an interview with the North Dakota Monitor. “This is one of the most consequential Congress’ in history, and we better get it right this time.”
Crews work on the Applied Digital data center construction in Harwood, N.D., on May 6, 2026. (Photo by Dan Koeck/For the North Dakota Monitor)
COMMENTARY
By Jack Zaleski
The uproar in North Dakota about the wisdom or foolhardiness of data centers is the 21st century version of a long-standing contention in the state. Three episodes in recent history were rooted in conflicting bents in the state’s collective psyche that pit the desire for economic development and the promise of jobs against the instinct to preserve a way of life and protect the natural environment.
Not long ago it was about lignite strip mine reclamation, air pollution from electrical generation stations, and oil development damage to the Badlands. The sentiments that drove those conflicts are, in part, the same that motivate the debate about the data centers phenomenon.
EARLIER ND MONITOR NEWS AND COMMENTARY
Annual bonuses proposed for North Dakota teachers to improve recruitment, retention | Michael Achterling
FROM STATES NEWSROOM
Without congressional action, Social Security could be facing a a 22% reduction in benefits in 2032. (Photo illustration by Getty Images)
By Jennifer Shutt
Nearly all of the U.S. senators elected this year will be in office when Congress debates how to restructure Social Security to prevent an automatic drop-off in retirement benefits in 2032.
Very few candidates in competitive races, however, have policy proposals on their campaign websites and many, when contacted by States Newsroom, declined to share details about which changes they’d support if elected.
Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, said even though Social Security’s financial woes have been discussed more during this year’s campaign cycle, most candidates have shied away from getting into the weeds.
Trump auto-enrolls 10s of millions in child investment accounts | Ashley Murray
Chance of dyed diesel lingering in tanks makes some farmers hesitant to accept Trump’s help | South Dakota Searchlight
Advocates blast Trump campaign against in-state tuition for immigrants | Shauneen Miranda
FROM OTHER ND MEDIA OUTLETS
Some stories may require a paid subscription.
Fargo says 'no' to wards | The Forum
Mandan calls Dec. 15 vote on large-scale AI data center ban | The Bismarck Tribune
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