Special Session Funding: North Dakota lawmakers will consider a new $35 million line of credit to finish the $78 million military gallery on the Capitol grounds, after construction was halted earlier this year; the project is expected to open in 2028 if funding holds. Public Safety—Roads: State and local agencies are ramping up enforcement during summer travel and again in September, targeting speeding, aggressive driving, and distracted driving under campaigns tied to Vision Zero. Local Politics—House Race: Fargo’s District 11 will see a new independent bid: retired teacher Cara Cody-Braun says she has enough signatures to run for a seat left open after Rep. Liz Conmy’s death in a plane crash. Agriculture & Energy—Congress Watch: Rep. Julie Fedorchak says North Dakota producers are waiting on stalled federal action on the Farm Bill and the E-15 biofuel bill as Congress reconvenes. Ranching Support: USDA announced a “Ranchers First Initiative” aimed at boosting herd growth, including insurance tools and loan programs, amid backlash over proposed tariff-free beef imports. Courts & Environment: Republican AGs, including North Dakota’s, are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a decision upholding tighter EPA soot pollution limits. State Government—Open Records: The ND AG issued summary opinions saying DHHS and a private school bus contractor did not violate the state open records law because no responsive records were held or the contractor wasn’t a public entity. Other Notables: Summit Carbon Solutions is abandoning two CO2 storage areas in its North Dakota legal fight; and NDDOT will begin fall mowing along state highways in early-to-mid September.