Breaking News

Editorials

Opioid lawsuit success bodes well for North Dakota

There are a number of reactions that could manifest as a result of the State of Oklahoma’s $572 million judgment against Johnson & Johnson announced this week as a result of the company’s alleged role in the spread of the opioid epidemic. While there is certain to be an appeal if a settlement isn’t reached, it still represents a breakthrough for state and local governments seeking compensation from “big pharma” when it comes to this epidemic. That’s a good thing. However, some may also take Oklahoma’s success as a sign that a state operating legally alone against ...

Development of Blu on Broadway may be test case for market

The decision by the Minot Planning Commission Monday night to support and pass on to the Minot City Council plans for the mixed-use project known as Blu on Broadway might be an interesting test case for the state of development in the immediate area. Based on the number of building permits pulled and the amount of residential development in Minot, many are skeptical of the prospects for residential development in the city – particularly when it comes to the construction of affordable housing with a public investment. After all, some have opined, if the private sector doesn’t see ...

Universal Medicare perilous to public, politicians

"Medicare for all” sounded to a substantial number of Americans like a wonderful idea, until they learned and thought more about it. Democratic candidates for president noticed the shift. Now, some who backed the proposal initially are altering their rhetoric. In essence, “Medicare for all” is exactly what the name implies. It would require all Americans to enroll in a government health-care program much like Medicare. Many who liked the idea several months ago were delighted at the idea of “free” government health insurance. Nothing is ever free, of course. Americans who ...

New life for Minot State Dome

It might be hard to believe, but the Minot State University Dome has been around a long, long time. Built in 1981, the Dome was beginning to show its age inside, which prompted renonnovations that are nearly complete. And they look great! It seems it was just a few years ago when, perhaps because of an early winter storm, area children were invited to the Dome for trick-or-treating. Also in the Dome’s history are a long string of high school basketball tournaments, NBA exhibition basketball games, Harlem Globetrotter shows and many more memorable events such as high school and ...

Job Corps graduation an occasion to remember

What a sight it must have been Friday when 74 young people celebrated graduating from Burdick Job Corps Center in the 25th anniversary year of the founding of the Center. Those young people deserve the community’s applause and congratulations, whether one has ever had an acquaintance or family member attend Job Corps or not. So too does the institution, which continues to be a point of light for our community. Job Corps nationwide has a noble objective. Job Corps provides opportunities for disadvantaged young people between the ages of 16-24 to learn, acquire valuable job skills ...

Deal harshly with illegal robocallers when identified

It was welcome news earlier this week when it was announced that a dozen of the biggest phone companies will join a crackdown on those nuisance robocalls we all get. North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem announced that a coalition of 51 attorneys general has reached an agreement with 12 national telephone companies, under which the phone companies will take immediate steps to help protect customers from illegal robocalls. Good. It’s about time the phone companies and law enforcement came together to fight the ever-growing illegal activities of the common criminals behind ...