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State celebrates success of SUD voucher program

BISMARCK – For the past 10 years, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) has helped thousands of North Dakotans take the first step toward recovery through its Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Voucher program, which helps remove one of the biggest barriers to treatment: the ability to pay for care. Established by the North Dakota Legislature in 2015, the SUD Voucher program was created to help individuals access evidence-based substance use disorder treatment and recovery services when financial barriers might otherwise delay or prevent care. Since its inception, 11,690 North ...

Hundreds hit pavement for Run the Route 5K

Hundreds of runners and walkers kicked off their North Dakota State Fair experience by participating in the annual Run the Route 5K, presented by Run with Heart and Sole, according to NDSF information. Run with Heart and Sole is a Minot-based organization dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and strengthening community relationships through quality races and fitness events. The 2026 overall male winners were Ben Martin, Minot, first; Holter Bridwell, Bismarck, second; and Jake Jenkins, Minot, third. The 2026 overall female winners were Danielle Turk-Bly, Burlington, first; Olivia ...

State Fair crowns first pie-eating champion

The North Dakota State Fair added a delicious new tradition to its lineup this year with the inaugural Pie Eating Contest, held Saturday, July 18. Contestants ranging in age from 18 to 31 put their appetites to the test as they raced against the clock to eat as much of a large apple pie as ...

Hot dog-eating contest winner devours competition

Darin Spelhaug, executive secretary of the North Dakota FFA, made short work of a dozen hot dogs to win the North Dakota State Fair Hot Dog Eating Contest on Sunday, July 19. Competitors ranging in age from 18 to 36 had five minutes to eat as many of the 12 hot dogs in front of them as ...

Freedom 250 brings US history to NDSF

Visitors to the North Dakota State Fair can refresh their knowledge of America’s founding while digitally signing a Declaration of Independence and quizzing themselves to see whether they might have leaned Patriot or Loyalist in 1776. An America 250 Freedom Truck, parked on the fairgrounds ...

Ward County residents seek new hearing on wind farm

An informal group of concerned citizens is seeking another hearing on Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s wind farm repowering project that was approved by the Ward County Commission on July 7. Basin Electric plans to repower the 80 turbines that are part of the PrairieWinds 1 and Minot Wind projects south of Minot. Repowering includes installing new larger blades, a new hub gearbox, main shaft, a generator refurbishment and upgrades to the electrical controls, according to Basin Electric information. Brian Lee of Sawyer informed the county commission Tuesday, July 21, of a request ...