By Amy Dalrymple | Editor
“Impartiality is a critically important factor in the effectiveness of the courts, the fairness of the courts and public confidence in the courts.” - Richard Painter, law professor and former chief ethics lawyer to President George W. Bush, on expectations for judicial candidates.
North Dakota Supreme Court candidates Jerod Tufte, left, and Ariston Johnson. (Photos courtesy of the campaigns)
By Jack Dura
North Dakota voters have a rare contest for a state Supreme Court seat this fall, one that raises questions about Republican politics in the nonpartisan race.
Judicial races are nonpartisan by state law. Justice Jerod Tufte is seeking a second 10-year term, challenged by Watford City attorney Ariston Johnson. Each says his campaign is nonpartisan. They have attended or appeared at events put on by Republicans, including a fundraiser held by prominent party members for Tufte. Various Republicans also have endorsed a candidate in the race.
Longtime attorneys affiliated with the Republican Party said they would avoid partisan mingling because the judiciary’s integrity is crucial to uphold.
A little water remains in a stock pond near Marion, North Dakota, on Aug. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Torie Piehl/LaMoure County Extension)
By Jacob Orledge
The Drought Disaster Livestock Relief program has exhausted its $4.1 million in funding roughly a month after it was activated by an executive order from North Dakota’s governor.
Reice Haase, director of the Department of Water Resources, told lawmakers last week that the program has helped fund 470 projects proposed by 369 ranchers across the state.
“What our drought disaster livestock program is intended to do is to provide relief and cost share for individual ranchers across the state to fund water projects for long-term drought resilience,” Haase said.
A wind turbine is pictured east of Wilton in central North Dakota. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)
By Monitor Staff
The public will have a chance to comment on a planned wind farm in northwest North Dakota.
The state Public Service Commission has set a hearing for 9:30 a.m. Sept. 29, at the Grand Williston Hotel and Conference Center for the Homestead Wind Project in northwestern Williams County.
The project proposes 67 wind turbine generators across 25,000 acres.
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North Dakota farmers are heading into harvest season facing another major expense – record high diesel prices.
Diesel has climbed above $6 a gallon in parts of the state, roughly double what some farmers paid last fall. Monitor Deputy Editor Jeff Beach joins host Craig Blumenshine to discuss the impact of the high prices on North Dakota producers.
Also, Monitor reporter Michael Achterling talks about his recent reporting on a new tribal law enforcement program in North Dakota that gives recruits a basic training option much closer to home.
A Closer Look with the Monitor is a partnership with Prairie Public's Main Street.
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FROM STATES NEWSROOM
Voters at Deering High School in Portland cast their ballot in Maine’s June 9, 2026 primary election. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)
By Jacob Fischler
Voting rights groups and Democratic officials are looking to defend against what they see as possible election interference from the Trump administration ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, now that they’ve won a major battle over mail ballots.
Common Cause, a nonpartisan pro-democracy organization, announced a “voter protection” campaign Thursday that would place thousands of volunteers at polling sites in 25 states.
The initiative is designed to counter potential administration moves to intimidate voters, such as ordering troops or law enforcement officers to polling places.
South Dakota’s top election official, a Republican, endorses a Democrat to succeed her | South Dakota Searchlight
FROM OTHER ND MEDIA OUTLETS
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Data center talk draws a crowd in West Fargo | The Forum
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