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Letters to the Editor

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, ...

Celebrate Title IX, support female athletes

Linda Thorson, State Director, Concerned Women for America of ND, Edinburg “You’ve come a long way, baby.” The 1968 slogan for Virginia Slims cigarettes acknowledged that great strides had been made for women, beginning with the right to vote over 50 years earlier. Almost as impactful was the passage of Title IX in 1972, which significantly expanded educational and athletic opportunities for women and girls. In the 1970s, I was one of those athletes, competing on the girls’ swim team for six years. At the end of the pool hung two plaques, one for the girls’ team and one for ...

B-52 has impressive longevity

Malcolm Scott, Sun Lakes, Arizona After reading the nice article on Major Lee and the B-52, I came across some facts on how durable the air frame has been: The B-52 first flew in 1952. That means 49 years passed between the Wright Brothers and the introduction of the B-52. Seventy-three years have passed since. We have had 122 years of powered flight, and the B-52 has been in the air for approximately 60% of that time.