North Dakota News Cooperative

07/15/2026

North Dakota could soon play a key role in rebuilding America’s domestic steel supply chain, with a proposed pig iron facility in Minot at the center of the effort. The project would rely on Minnesota’s century-old iron ore stockpiles, creating a new link between the Iron Range and North Dakota manufacturing.

Read more:

Up to 4,000 construction, 650 professional positions for north-central region

07/01/2026

The eyes of the nation are on the North Dakota Badlands today.

A specially decorated BNSF train, marked 1776–2026, has arrived in Medora for President Trump's visit to dedicate the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.

NDNC has live, ongoing coverage all day long. Click below to see our latest photos and updates from the scene.

The eyes of the nation are on Medora today for a historic presidential dedication. NDNC Reporter Michael Standaert is in town for President Trump's visit to the newly built Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library ahead of its grand opening weekend. We'll post pictures and updates throughout the day....

03/18/2026

Farmers and ranchers are navigating rising costs, volatile markets, and growing uncertainty, all while trying to sustain their land, their livelihoods, and their communities.

A recent NDNC roundtable brought producers together to talk about what’s really happening on the ground and why their voices matter now more than ever.

Read more:

Work and way of life not well understood by majority of Americans

03/17/2026

New diversion and reentry programs aimed at steering some low level cases away from the courts are beginning to take shape in North Dakota after a slow rollout.

The programs are designed to connect some offenders with treatment and services instead of jail, while helping others successfully return to their communities after serving time.

Read the full story:

Aim is to deflect offenders from criminal justice system, help others reenter

03/16/2026

Something to impress your friends with tomorrow. 🍀

Yes. What people call a “four-leaf clover” does not technically have four leaves. Clovers belong to the genus Trifolium, and each clover plant produces a single leaf that is divided into smaller parts called leaflets. Most clover leaves have three leaflets, which is why the plant’s scientific ...

03/13/2026

Today the North Dakota News Cooperative hosted an agriculture roundtable in Fargo, bringing together farmers and agricultural leaders for a thoughtful discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture in our region.

These conversations help ensure the voices of rural communities are part of the nationwide conversation.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and shared their perspectives.
Thank you as well to NDNC board co-chair Cally Peterson for moderating the discussion, and thank you to PolicyLink’s Josh Kirschenbaum for flying in to get a better understanding of North Dakota agriculture.

You can read more about the event soon in our upcoming article.

03/06/2026

Today we’re launching a new series on The Backstory podcast called Reporting North Dakota.

The series highlights the journalists and newsrooms that help keep communities across the state informed and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how local journalism works.

Our first episode features Allison Olimb, editor of the Walsh County Press in Park River, discussing how she got her start in journalism and the realities of reporting in a small rural community.

Listen to the episode here:

Series: Reporting North Dakota Reporting North Dakota is a podcast series within The Backstory from the North Dakota News Cooperative highlighting the journalists, newsrooms and reporting that help keep communities across the state informed. Through conversations with editors and reporters, the seri...

02/19/2026

A North Dakota sailor lost at sea during World War II may finally be coming home more than 80 years later.

New research suggests the remains of Orlan Robert Cool, who died when his ship sank off Newfoundland in 1942, could be identified and returned to his family. 

Read the full story:

Researcher finds evidence of sailor, investigates 10 other missing ND servicemen

02/16/2026

North Dakota’s community newspapers are facing a generational shift in ownership, and what happens next will shape the future of local news across the state. In this episode of The Backstory, NDNA Executive Director Cecile Wehrman joins us to talk about succession planning, workforce challenges and what a new study reveals about the path forward. Listen to the full conversation here.

Many of North Dakota’s longtime newspaper publishers are turning a page as they prepare for what comes next. In this episode of The Backstory, NDNA Executive Director Cecile Wehrman joins us to talk about ownership transitions, workforce challenges and what it will take to sustain strong local new...

02/12/2026

Giving Hearts Day is here. Your support helps strengthen local journalism and ensures communities across North Dakota have access to trusted, in-depth reporting. Thank you for standing with us today.