Health & Human Services Leadership: Gov. Kelly Armstrong appointed Conner Swanson to lead the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, effective Aug. 29, replacing interim commissioner Pat Traynor. AI in Government: North Dakota is leading the nation in Microsoft Copilot adoption among state governments, with nearly 3,000 employees using it monthly and reported time savings. Child Safety & AI: A North Dakota BCI Internet Crimes Against Children task force commander said AI is “supercharging” child sexual exploitation, with cyber tips hitting an all-time high. Flood Protection Progress: All 19 bridges are now completed on the Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion project, a major step in routing Red River floodwaters around the metro. Energy & Grid Politics: The U.S. Department of Energy canceled three Biden-era transmission corridor projects, including a Tribal Energy Access corridor affecting North Dakota. Public Safety Campaign: Law enforcement will step up impaired-driving patrols Aug. 14 through Sept. 7 for “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” Clemency Push: A North Dakota lawmaker proposed a resolution urging Trump to grant clemency to two men convicted in the 1983 Medina shootout that killed two federal marshals. Gun Policy Update: North Dakota joined other states urging DOJ not to appeal a Texas ruling striking down parts of federal firearm registration rules for suppressors and certain weapons.