Fargo First

09/08/2026

Fargo has a budget problem. Cuts need to be made, priorities need to be set, and difficult decisions are going to have to be made. But through all of those discussions, the one area that can't be neglected is public safety.

Right now, Fargo has 201 authorized police officers, which equates to about 1.42 officers per 1,000 residents.

The Fargo Police Department’s stated staffing goal is 1.6 officers per 1,000 residents, which would put the department at roughly 240 officers. The national benchmark is approximately 2.0 officers per 1,000 residents.

Fargo Police Chief Travis Stefonowicz is asking the city to approve 8 additional police officer positions, along with 1 community service officer, on top of the department’s current 201 authorized officers.

The preliminary 2027 budget currently proposes adding 4 additional officers.

The cost:

• 4 additional officers: approximately $502,365
• 8 additional officers: approximately $819,823

Fargo city leaders need to make sure we're not balancing the budget by creating a public-safety problem.

Can we find the savings Fargo needs while still making sure our police department has the resources and staffing it needs to protect our community?

This is a discussion Fargo residents should be paying attention to.

The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for today at 1pm.

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day Fargo!

Today we honor the hardworking men and women who keep our community, our city, and our country moving forward.

From the people building our homes and roads, to our small-business owners, first responders, teachers, farmers, healthcare workers, and everyone who punches the clock every day, we want to say thank you.

Labor Day is a reminder that strong communities are built by people who are willing to work for them.

Enjoy the day with family and friends. God bless Fargo, and God bless America!

Happy Labor Day!

09/05/2026

“If you walk the next five guys, Jesus is still Lord. If you strike out the next five guys, Jesus is still Lord.”

This is awesome!

The coach is Drew Breivogel, manager of the Chandler National Little League All-Stars from Chandler, Arizona. The viral moment happened during their Western Regional game against Hawaii.

Teach these kids to love the Bible. Teach them to love their country. Teach them respect.

Teach them character. Teach them responsibility. Teach them to believe in something bigger than themselves.

Hats off to this coach for using his platform to share a positive message and set an example for the next generation.

This is the kind of leadership our kids need more of.

Praise God for Godly coaches who aren't afraid to talk about Jesus!

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

During a Little League World Series mound visit, Arizona's coach re...

09/03/2026

We have all seen the headlines about "beef" recently. If you've been wondering why beef prices are so high and why President Trump is suddenly facing criticism from some of America's ranchers, here's the short version.

America's cattle herd is at its lowest level in 75 years. Droughts, wildfires, high costs, disease concerns, and reduced cattle supplies have all contributed to the problem. That means less beef is available while Americans continue to demand it. USDA's July report showed only 28.5 million beef cows, down 1% from a year earlier, with the 2026 calf crop down 2%.

On August 26th, President Trump signed an order that took effect September 1st and will last 90 days.

It allows an additional 300,000 metric tons of lean beef trimmings to enter the United States at a lower tariff rate. The trimmings are primarily intended to be mixed with domestic beef for hamburger. The administration wants the imported beef sold at roughly a 25% discount in an effort to bring down ground-beef prices.

There is also another part to this:

Four major companies, Cargill, Tyson Foods, JBS USA, and National Beef all process a very large share of U.S. beef. Trump has called the situation a "nasty monopoly" and has said he wants to make it easier for ranchers to process and sell their own beef.

Earlier this week, the USDA announced additional initiatives including guaranteed loans for smaller meat processors, allowing some ranchers to graze cattle on conserved lands affected by disasters and wildfire, and efforts to reduce regulatory burdens on smaller operators.

The Trump administrations says "beef is too expensive for consumers."

The ranchers say "beef is expensive because cattle are scarce."

The debate isn’t whether Americans should have affordable beef, I think everyone will agree that it should be.

The question is how we get there without hurting the American ranchers who produce it?

09/02/2026

This is a must listen!

For those of you who listed to the Jay Thomas Show, check out this guy "AR" who called into Jay's show last Thursday.

So apparently, according to the caller, Jay Thomas and “Diaper Don"(who according to the caller is bi-polar) are personally responsible for pretty much everything wrong with the world and that both of them are ruining Canada.

And, of course, we can’t forget the other great conspiracy theory: The Flag 1100 AM hates Minnesota simply because North Dakota is a “Red” state.

I’m not sure what Jay and “Diaper Don” are supposed to have done about the world’s problems, but apparently they’ve been keeping quite busy.

At this point, I’m just waiting to hear whether they’re also responsible for the weather, high grocery prices, the Vikings lack of Super Bowl wins, and daylight savings time.

09/01/2026

For the first time ever, the Republican Party will be holding a midterm national convention, which President Trump announced will be held September 9th–10th in Dallas, Texas. Unlike the traditional Republican National Convention, which is held every four years to nominate a presidential candidate, this event is being held during a midterm election year, something the GOP has never done before.

Republicans from across America will gather in Dallas this September to unite, celebrate their successes, and build momentum for victory in November. This is a historic moment for the GOP!

The Republican Party holds the White House, the House, and the Senate. Now, for the first time ever, they will be gathering for a National Midterm Convention. The momentum is real!

The goals are clear:

-Energize Republican voters heading into the November midterm elections.

-Highlight the Trump administration's policies and accomplishments.

-Bring together candidates, elected officials, grassroots activists, and Republican supporters from across the country.

-Focus national attention on key House and Senate races that will determine the future of the country.

08/30/2026

Fargo has an $879,000 budget problem!

Fargo's Finance Committee is struggling to close an $879,000 gap in the proposed city budget.

And when there's not enough money to pay for everything, the city has to make some choices.

What should Fargo prioritize?

More police officers and public safety?

Essential core city services?

Roads, infrastructure, and basic maintenance?

Or should hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars continue going to outside social-service and arts organizations?

The Finance Committee is currently looking at cutting approximately $440,000 in social service programs, while also discussing additional police officers, employee pay adjustments, and other spending increases.

At the same time, Fargo residents are being asked to absorb higher costs in other areas, including proposed utility increases.

When the city has an $879,000 hole to fill, the answer shouldn't automatically be “find more money from taxpayers.”

A public hearing is scheduled for September 14th, where community members can provide input. What are your thoughts on these budget concerns?

08/28/2026

We haven't said much yet about the October 6th special election about Fargo's proposal to move to a ward-style system of government. Over the next five weeks, we will dig into this issue a little more.

For now, we believe everyone should ask themselves one important question and come up with their own answer:

Which is more important:

What is best for Fargo?

Or

What is best for my neighborhood?

Do we want Fargo commissioners thinking about what is best for Fargo or what is best for their ward?

08/27/2026

We are 5 days away from the North Dakota Special Session which starts September 2nd.

6 out of 20 bills that were introduced have passed legislative management and will now be heard during the North Dakota Special Session which begins on September 2nd and allowing for public testimony on September 1st.

Below is a list of the 6 bills that were advanced, along with a brief description of what each bill would do:

Kratom Regulation:
Would allow kratom sales under a new state regulatory system, including 21+ sales, product requirements, retailer licensing, product registration and criminal penalties for violations.

Kratom Synthetic Derivatives:
A much more restrictive approach. Certain high-potency and synthetic kratom derivatives would be classified as Schedule I controlled substances, rather than simply being regulated as kratom products.

Data Center Non-Disclosure:
Would increase transparency around major data-center projects by restricting government officials from promising developers secrecy regarding negotiations and potential community impacts.

Data Center Moratorium:
Would essentially put a statewide pause on new data-center permits until July 1, 2027.

Heritage Center Line of Credit:
Would provide the Military Museum project with access to up to $35 million in state-backed financing, allowing construction to continue while fundraising catches up.

Primary Residence Credit:
Would change how the Primary Residence Credit is applied, requiring the 5% early-payment property tax discount to be applied first, while also providing $13 million in additional state funding for the credit.

08/25/2026

Thank You, NDSU! Let's give a huge shout out to NDSU!

Fargo First is very proud of NDSU for installing the new Reflection Room at NDSU’s Offerdahl Hall!

This space provides students and staff with a quiet place for prayer, reflection, meditation, or simply a moment of peace. People of faith should never feel that they have to hide their beliefs or be excluded from public spaces.

No matter what religion you are, everyone should have the freedom to pray.

So, thank you NDSU for providing a space where students can reflect and pray.

“The freedom to pray should never end when you walk through the doors of a university.”

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” — Matthew 18:20