By Jeff Beach | Deputy editor
“People used (opioids) before we knew the dangers as well. I’m hoping we can get those people help.” - Rep. Michelle Axtman, on drafting legislation to address kratom.
North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong speaks during a press conference after announcing actions to restrict kratom in North Dakota on Aug. 3, 2026. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)
By Jack Dura and Michael Achterling
North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong on Monday declared a public health emergency banning all kratom products and called a special session of the Legislature for September to cement a prohibition into state law.
Kratom is a substance derived from a tropical tree in Southeast Asia that officials say can be synthesized into highly potent forms and put into products readily available at gas stations and smoke shops without regulations or age restriction. They have linked those products to overdoses and deaths.
“Doing nothing is not an option,” said Armstrong, flanked by Attorney General Drew Wrigley, top Republican lawmakers and others at a Capitol press conference.
A welder works at a Manitou factory in June 2023 at Madison, South Dakota. Labor shortages in North Dakota and South Dakota could be harbingers of a shortage of young people in coming years. (Photo by Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)
By Tim Henderson
Today’s children could be the first generation since the 1970s to do better than their parents as young workers become more sought after and well paid.
An abundance of young workers will turn into an undersupply by 2040, with better pay and a surplus of housing, demographers predict.
Some states are already seeing a shortage of young workers. North Dakota and South Dakota routinely have twice as many job openings as people looking for work, and those jobs often require physical labor that AI could never replace.
“Really a lot of the Midwest is still investigating things like autonomous systems but we’re not really there yet. So labor shortages are a thing and are an issue,” said David Flynn, an economics professor at the University of North Dakota.
Sen. Josh Boschee, D-Fargo, speaks on the Senate floor on March 13, 2025, during debate on a resolution that urges the overturning of same-sex marriage. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)
By Michael Achterling
New Fargo Mayor Josh Boschee announced his resignation from the North Dakota Senate on Monday, effective as of Aug. 4.
In a letter addressed to Senate Majority Leader Sen. David Hogue, chair of Legislative Management, Boschee said he resigned earlier than he had originally planned so the District 44 Democratic-NPL executive committee would be able to name a replacement to participate in the newly announced special session of the Legislature on Sept. 2 to address banning kratom.
EARLIER ND MONITOR NEWS AND COMMENTARY
More than $50 million available in new rural health grants | Michael Achterling
Growing concerns prompt calls to address kratom substances in North Dakota | Jack Dura, Michael Achterling and Jeff Beach
FROM STATES NEWSROOM
A 10-year-old Honduran immigrant who came into the United States as an unaccompanied minor carries her baby cousin on April 25, 2021, after reuniting with extended family in Sellersburg, Indiana. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
By Ariana Figueroa
More than 20,000 unaccompanied immigrant children Monday lost their legal representation because the Trump administration has not entered into a new agreement to take over their legal services after it let a longstanding contract with a nonprofit expire.
Without legal representation, fewer than 10% of immigrant children win the right to remain in the United States while their case goes through immigration court. Immigration attorneys and advocates worry the loss in legal aid will put children on a fast track to deportations.
Thanks for reading North Dakota Monitor. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.