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Letters to the Editor

US must preserve soft power

Bradley L. Johnson, Crosby One primary reason that made America great was the implementation of the Marshall Plan after World War II. This ingenious idea was proposed by the U.S. Secretary of State, George C. Marshall, during the Truman administration and was meant to provide economic aid to help with reconstruction, including food, machinery and other supplies. The European countries receiving aid were encouraged to work together to coordinate recovery efforts. This plan is credited with helping Western Europe recover economically, politically, and socially. It also strengthened trade ...

We demand town halls

Karen Sanderson, Minot If anyone claims to represent us, they should have the courage to face us. If you are going to take bodily autonomy from women, you should face us. If you are going to take away medical care, vet jobs, and suicide prevention and only honor vets on holidays, you should face them. If you are going to use racist tropes against Black and brown people, you should face them. If you are going to take away Medicaid and hospitals from kids and families, you should face them. If you are going to take away clean water and land sovereignty from Indigenous people, you ...

Big Beautiful Bill was line crossed

Kyle Erickson, Minot I’m writing this on the Fourth of July — a day meant to celebrate the promise of our country. But this year, I’m not celebrating. I’m grieving. Yesterday, on the eve of our nation’s birthday, North Dakota lawmakers passed the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” — a piece of legislation that does the exact opposite of what its name suggests. It’s cruel. It’s calculated. And it’s a betrayal of the people they were elected to serve. While families across the state gathered to prepare for fireworks and freedom, our representatives quietly gutted ...

‘Beautiful’ bill misses mark for everyday folks

Ashley Gaschk, Bismarck Last week, all three of our representatives in Washington voted to approve the President’s spending bill. They called this “a big win” that provides “tax relief for everyday Americans” and “certainty to American families” Congresswoman Fedorchak’s, Senator Hoeven’s, and Senator Cramer’s statements make me wonder: Have the people we sent to represent us forgotten who everyday North Dakotans are? Many have balked at the big, so-called “beautiful” bill’s Medicaid cuts, and rightfully so. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office ...

Minot State led in implementing Title IX

Duane Brekke, Minot A recent letter to the editor regarding the athletic opportunities created for women and girls with the passage of Title IX in 1972 brought to mind the response to Title IX by then Minot State University President Gordon Olson. President Olson sat down with his athletic staff and told them to immediately take steps to make women’s sports happen at Minot State. He accepted no arguments, no hesitation, but expected staff to get on board with Title IX. A week later, University of North Dakota President Thomas Clifford heard about it, and inquired into what Minot ...

ND should encourage hydrogen energy sector development

Tom DeVilbiss, Westhope North Dakota has consistently led in energy development, from coal to oil and natural gas and now, even wind energy. In January 2025, the Heartland Hydrogen Hub (HH2H) initiative, of which North Dakota is a part, entered Phase 1 the concept development stage. This phase, which encompasses preliminary planning and site selection activities, is anticipated to last 24 months. Now, enter President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill. It includes a provision that eliminates specific tax provisions for hydrogen projects that do not begin construction before Dec. 31, ...