Life

Retirement's Comic Relief: Where fishing is its best

My son David, brother-in-law Kenny and I joined up on many fall fishing trips to Canada. We always stayed in a Russell, Manitoba, motel, exploring nearby lakes outfitted with fly rods, chest waders and kick boats. Floating on chairs mounted between two inflatable pontoons, swim fins enabled mobility across the water. We looked forward to our time together every year. One favorite spot was Secret Lake, where one day we sat floating side by side, casting the same direction with every fling of a fly triggering the obligatory “fish on!” proclamation. We caught and released so many big ...

BLM finalizes updated Sage-Grouse plans

WASHINGTON — The Bureau of Land Management has announced updated plans that enhance conservation of Greater sage-grouse habitat while balancing access to public lands for responsible energy and mineral development across the Dakotas, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and California, Utah and Wyoming. “We are strengthening American energy security while ensuring the sage-grouse continues to thrive,” said Acting Bureau of Land Management Director Bill Groffy. “Healthy sagebrush country powers our communities, sustains wildlife and supports the economies that make the West strong.” ...

Christmas cheer for veterans

Legislation reauthorizes Wildlife Crossings Program

BISMARCK – U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer, R-ND, chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure; Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., EPW T&I ranking member; John Curtis, R-Utah; and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., introduced legislation to reauthorize the Wildlife Crossings Program. According to a news release from Cramer’s office, the program provides grants for infrastructure improvements designed to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. States and tribes can apply for grants to create safe paths for wildlife to cross roads and highways, often in ...

FIBT makes $250,000 of support to Prairie Grit, YMCA

First International Bank & Trust (FIBT) has announced a gift of $250,000 to support a joint venture between Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports and the Minot Family YMCA. The donation to the newly merged organizations will support a capital campaign to restore areas damaged by flooding from a burst pipe earlier in 2025, as well as create additional therapy space, enhance fitness areas and expand programming. “We are grateful for FIBT’s support and partnership as we embark on an exciting new chapter,” said Krystal Butgereit, executive director of Prairie Grit. “With support from the ...

91st Missile Wing completes Operation Bully Stick

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE – Airmen assigned to the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base successfully carried out Operation Bully Stick, an exercise designed to test the wing’s ability to maintain its critical role within the nuclear mission under shortened time frames during the fall of ...