AGP Executive Report

Public Safety: North Dakota law enforcement will step up impaired-driving patrols starting Friday as part of the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” push through Sept. 7, targeting alcohol and drug-related crashes. Emergency Management: Gov. Kelly Armstrong proclaimed August as Emergency Management Awareness Month, highlighting local, tribal and state emergency managers’ behind-the-scenes work before, during and after disasters. Courts & Property Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court set Nov. 9 arguments in Hoffmann v. WBI Energy Transmission, a pipeline eminent domain fight over whether courts should use federal or state law for landowner compensation. Firearms & Federal Courts: Attorney General Jackley announced a federal court ruling striking down unconstitutional firearm restrictions tied to NFA registration rules, calling it a win for Second Amendment rights. Defense & Technology: Space Systems Command awarded a $423.4M radar digitization contract, with SciTec among the firms, aimed at modernizing missile warning radar performance. Health & Rural Access: North Dakota HHS opened applications for non-emergency medical transportation funding to help rural providers buy accessible vehicles. Public Health Policy: Kratom is now banned in North Dakota after Armstrong declared a public health emergency and ordered products off shelves, citing overdose and death reports. Agriculture & Economy: Farmland values held steady in a mid-year benchmark report, supporting expectations for “sticky” cash rents despite tighter crop margins. Housing: Rep. Julie Fedorchak held a housing affordability roundtable in Bismarck, focusing on reducing local barriers and red tape to expand homeownership options. Energy & Infrastructure: A data center moratorium debate continues, with lawmakers and advocates arguing over local control and property rights. Agriculture Leadership: North Dakota Farm Bureau President Val Wagner was elected to the AFBF Board of Directors, representing the state at the national level.

Data Center Debate in Bismarck: Fargo Sen. Tim Mathern says North Dakota should act on data centers during the upcoming special session, proposing limits on non-disclosure agreements and floating a temporary moratorium while lawmakers weigh public concerns over location, energy, water use, and tax incentives. Kratom Crackdown and Public Health: Health officials warn Narcan may help in kratom-related overdoses as Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s emergency rule places 7-OH (a key kratom ingredient) in Schedule 1 and bans kratom and derivatives for 30 days. Local Tax Incentives: Grand Forks School Board advanced a 5-4 vote on a Ray Richards Golf Course PILOT that would enable 169 apartments and a driving range, with city and county approvals still ahead. School Budgeting: West Fargo Public Schools approved a preliminary 2026-27 budget under the new 3% property tax cap, setting a hearing for September. State Funding for Water Quality: ND DEQ is accepting applications for septic renovation rebates through Sept. 30 to reduce pollution from failing septic systems. Election Security (Regional): Minnesota’s primary Aug. 11 puts election security and DOJ monitors in focus ahead of key races. Federal Legal/Consumer Impact: A coalition led by Nevada AG Ford announced a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price and competition conspiracies. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show localized low points for E85 and diesel across several counties, with statewide averages edging up.

Tribal Voting Rights Fight: North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe is asking a court to dismiss two tribal nations’ challenge to the state’s 2021 legislative map after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, arguing the claim is no longer viable. Public Safety Policy: Grand Forks City Council gave preliminary approval to update its no-trespass ordinance to align with state law, making second offenses Class A misdemeanors statewide rather than only at the original location. Fire Emergency Response: Gov. Kelly Armstrong issued a statewide fire emergency as drought worsens, with state agencies told to be ready for wildfire season through at least Dec. 1. Kratom Crackdown: North Dakota’s statewide kratom ban is now in effect, with law enforcement preparing to enforce it and medical experts raising fentanyl-risk concerns. Energy & Infrastructure Politics: A coalition of 21 states, including West Virginia AG J.B. McCuskey, is backing EPA changes to speed NEPA environmental reviews—an issue that could shape how quickly major projects move. Local Legal/Crime Notes: Ramsey County booking reports included drug and warrant-related charges, while a separate case in Sioux City heads to trial decades after a Native American woman’s killing.

Kratom Crackdown: Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s emergency ban and push for a special session over kratom is drawing fast pushback and fast follow-through, with public health and law enforcement warning the state is facing a real crisis as lawful sales are cut off. Election Integrity: U.S. Sen. John Hoeven backed federal photo-ID voting legislation, saying North Dakota’s existing voter ID law protects elections and that Senate Democrats blocked the measure. Federal Farm Bill Fight: Hoeven is touting upcoming Farm Bill markup while national debate heats up over whether to require a mandatory base acre update—critics warn it would slash risk-management support and reduce projected benefits. Public Safety & Crime: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway joined a coalition backing the Safe Access to Cash Act to strengthen federal prosecution of organized ATM theft networks. State Budget Pressure: A Senate-passed continuing resolution would keep the federal government funded through mid-December, averting a shutdown and buying time for full appropriations. Local Tragedy: A head-on crash in Rolette County killed three and injured one, with the BIA Law Enforcement leading the investigation. Community & Culture: ND250 programming highlights Indigenous culture and tribal sovereignty, including powwow-focused events statewide. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports show North Dakota fuel prices easing but still volatile, with multiple county-level lows reported for premium and midgrade.

Kratom crackdown in North Dakota: Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s emergency order banning kratom sales is now being treated as a real public health issue, with state hospital officials warning people may feel “miserable” after access is cut off, and lawmakers weighing next steps including a possible special session. Election policy from Washington: Sen. John Hoeven says he voted for federal legislation requiring photo ID to vote, arguing North Dakota already has a voter ID law that protects elections, while the future of the proposal remains uncertain. Farm bill fight: Hoeven highlighted upcoming Senate Agriculture Committee Farm Bill markup, as debate continues over whether to require a mandatory base acre update—critics warn it would reduce commodity program benefits and hurt farmers’ risk management. Federal funding to avoid shutdown: The Senate passed a clean continuing resolution to keep the government funded through Dec. 11, buying time for full appropriations work. Public safety and veterans: A North Dakota Purple Heart Day profile spotlighted Sgt. Cody Mormann’s Afghanistan injuries and long recovery. Local governance and services: A Fargo-area cathedral art renovation project is set to culminate with a public Mass of Thanksgiving and Solemn Blessing on Aug. 21. Energy prices snapshot: GasBuddy reported North Dakota’s average premium price at $4.58 for the week ending Aug. 1, with multiple counties showing single-station “lowest” prices.

Federal Funding Watch: The Senate cleared a clean continuing resolution to keep the government funded through Dec. 11, avoiding a shutdown and extending surface transportation while adjusting priorities like WIC and disaster relief. North Dakota Politics: Sen. John Hoeven highlighted upcoming Farm Bill markup and recent Senate votes, including a push tied to photo ID requirements. Energy & State Budgets: A new report notes oil-price swings are boosting severance-tax collections in states like North Dakota, shaping how lawmakers plan services. Public Safety & Health: North Dakota’s kratom ban is now in effect, with enforcement underway and officials warning about fentanyl risks. Veterans & Community: Purple Heart Day coverage spotlights Sgt. Cody Mormann’s Afghanistan injuries and long recovery. Local Governance: A Grand Forks-area waste task force is debating a regional waste authority to tackle landfill siting, recycling, and collection responsibilities. Education & Tech: UND is expanding aviation training and is also tied to AI-related DOE work on battery security.

Federal Funding: The Senate passed a clean continuing resolution Aug. 8 to keep the government funded through Dec. 11, avoiding a shutdown and buying time for full appropriations work. North Dakota Politics: Sen. John Hoeven highlighted upcoming Farm Bill markup and recent Senate votes, including a photo ID voting requirement. Kratom Crackdown: Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s emergency rule moved 7-OH into Schedule 1, and lawmakers are now weighing how to regulate kratom after a fast-moving ban. Public Safety & Health: A Mandan mother, Kailey Erhart, is accused of killing two children and attempting to kill a third, after police responded to a stabbing report. Veterans: A North Dakota Purple Heart recipient described the Afghanistan IED blast that left him with extensive injuries and long rehabilitation. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy reports show scattered lowest prices across counties for regular, midgrade, premium, and diesel, with statewide averages generally up week over week. Aviation: North Dakota airport passenger boardings for Jan.–June fell 1.8% from 2025, though totals remain among the highest on record. Military Infrastructure: Work began on Sentinel missile communication corridors in Nebraska, part of the broader modernization effort.

Kratom Crackdown: North Dakota lawmakers kicked off talks on restricting kratom after Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s emergency action put key ingredients on the controlled-substance schedule, with a special session next month and public input expected. Public Safety: Armstrong also declared a statewide fire emergency as drought worsened—more than half the state is now in drought conditions—directing agencies to stay on high readiness through December. Health Policy: One year after North Dakota repealed outdated HIV criminalization language, advocates say stigma and fear of testing are still fading slowly, but the change is helping more people speak out. State Governance & Law: A DOJ inspector general audit found mismanagement of federal crime-victim funds in multiple states, including unsupported and unallowable costs tied to a Nevada charity. Local Politics & Community: Williston’s Basin Airshow is set for Aug. 15, with gates opening at 10 a.m. and a lineup mixing warbirds, aerobatics, and family events.

Kratom Crackdown in Bismarck: North Dakota lawmakers kicked off talks on restricting kratom ahead of a Sept. 2 special session, with Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s earlier executive ban now pushing the debate toward whether to ban synthetic 7-OH while regulating or limiting natural leaf products. Wildfire Readiness: Armstrong declared a statewide fire emergency as drought expands to more than half the state, directing agencies to stay on high alert through Dec. 1. Military & Religious Liberty: Sen. John Hoeven joined North Dakota’s GOP delegation on a Senate push to clarify military chaplains’ religious liberties in the “Military Chaplains Modernization Act.” Disability Care Warning: North Dakota disability advocates are alarmed by a new DOJ legal memo that could, they fear, weaken the legal basis for home-and-community services. ACLU Leadership: The ACLU of North Dakota named Martha Rossiter its new legal director, tapping nearly two decades of civil rights and criminal defense experience. Federal Sanctions Push: The U.S. Senate passed a sanctions bill targeting major purchasers of Russian oil and gas, with Hoeven backing the effort.

Kratom crackdown in North Dakota: Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s statewide kratom ban is now in effect, with enforcement underway and a Sept. 2 special session planned to codify it into law. Fargo police say two deaths were linked to kratom in July, and Cass County officials report people have passed out behind the wheel; under the order, selling or possessing can bring fines up to $1,000. State courts and policy: A North Dakota judge is weighing whether the process for serving on the Beef Commission is unconstitutional, after arguments from the state and the Ranchers Rights Initiative. Public safety and local government: Bowman police warned residents about a “Penelope” dating-site scam that escalates into calls from an impersonated officer demanding money. Farm economy support: Dakotafest is adding a “2027 Profit Roadmap” seminar aimed at helping producers navigate tight margins and policy shifts. Energy and infrastructure politics: Interior Secretary Doug Burgum visited a Pennsylvania power plant tied to a proposed data center project, while Interior staffers are also facing renewed scrutiny over claims of secrecy and staff departures under his leadership. Midwest travel disruption: An ATC outage centered on Minneapolis caused ground stops and delays across multiple states, including North Dakota. Crime and courts (Ramsey County): Booking reports show 9 warrant bookings for the week ending Aug. 2 and 2 domestic-category bookings for the week ending July 26.

Kratom crackdown in North Dakota: Gov. Armstrong moved to ban kratom statewide and called for a special legislative session to put the ban into state law, with disposal guidance and drop-off sites circulating as the ban took effect. State politics and elections: Fargo Mayor Josh Boschee resigned from the North Dakota Senate, and the Democratic-NPL tapped Jamie Selzler to replace him in District 44. Data center fight heats up: A Port report says Democratic-NPL candidates aren’t engaging on data centers in good faith, as the issue remains a major wedge in central and western ND races. Public safety and local government: Bowman police warned residents about a scam involving an impersonator claiming to be a police officer after dating-site contact; Moorhead police also flagged AI-altered images tied to a Veterans Honor Flight trailer theft. Federal policy push with ND ties: North Dakota’s AG joined multi-state efforts urging Congress to strengthen federal penalties for ATM robberies and to expand states’ ability to pursue Medicaid fraud. Transportation and federal operations: An FAA outage at the Minneapolis air traffic control center disrupted some Midwest flights, including coverage that includes North Dakota.

Kratom crackdown in North Dakota: Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s executive order is now in force, making kratom products illegal to sell statewide; officials say law enforcement is ready to enforce it, with fines up to $1,000, and the state reports 50 kratom-associated deaths since 2019. USDA crop insurance reversal: USDA is restoring a 5% “buy-up” option for prevented planting coverage after concerns in North Dakota; Sen. John Hoeven pressed the issue at a Senate Agriculture Appropriations hearing. Food insecurity surge: Great Plains Food Bank says more than 186,000 people used its pantry network over the past year, a record and up 16%, with working families increasingly turning to food assistance. Local government budget talk: Grand Forks County commissioners advanced the 2027 budget draft, weighing employee raises (including possible 3% COLAs or step increases) alongside service cuts and potential sales-tax discussions. Federal firearms policy shift: A judge ruled parts of the National Firearms Act are unconstitutional after Congress zeroed out the tax, potentially affecting silencer and short-barreled gun registration requirements. Military in North Dakota: The Space Force activated the 77th Surveillance Squadron at Grand Forks Air Force Base to support space-based moving target indication for joint warfighters.

Kratom crackdown: North Dakota’s kratom ban took effect Aug. 5, with Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s order prohibiting possession, sale and use for 30 days while lawmakers prepare a special session starting Sept. 2; the AG also released statewide disposal drop-off options through law enforcement and pharmacies. Gun law update: A federal judge ruled the National Firearms Act no longer supports registration requirements for silencers and short-barreled guns after Congress removed the related tax, setting up appeals. Health policy pressure: North Dakota’s AG Drew Wrigley joined a coalition of attorneys general urging Congress to pass the STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act, seeking expanded state authority to investigate recipient fraud. Courts and rights: A federal appeals court upheld Florida’s child-protection “drag ban,” saying it can regulate “lewd” adult performances for minors. Local government: Grand Forks County commissioners advanced a health insurance plan and first draft of the budget, with sheriff-linked sales tax discussions continuing. Military & tech: The U.S. Space Force activated the 77th Surveillance Squadron at Grand Forks AFB for space-based moving target tracking. Public safety: North Dakota Highway Patrol and local coverage renewed focus on seat belt use during the state’s deadliest summer driving stretch.

Drug-Price Antitrust: Michigan AG Dana Nessel says a coalition of 43 states has reached a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic-drug price-fixing and anti-competitive conduct; if approved, Sandoz would pay about $469 million, with injunctive reforms, and the case is headed toward a 2027 trial if signatures aren’t secured. Medicaid Fraud Push: North Dakota AG Marty Jackley joined a bipartisan letter urging Congress to pass the STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act, which would expand Medicaid Fraud Control Units’ authority to pursue beneficiary and recipient fraud; the letter cites billions recovered nationwide and notes South Dakota’s restitution totals. North Dakota Senate Appointment: Fargo Mayor Josh Boschee’s resignation opened a District 44 seat, and the Democratic-NPL executive committee appointed Jamie Selzler to serve out the term through 2028, citing priorities like housing, childcare, jobs, and support for public employees. Local Budgeting: Ward County commissioners approved a preliminary 2027 budget that could mean a small property-tax decrease, with spending reduced and a public hearing set for September. Public Safety: North Dakota Highway Patrol is stressing seat belts after recent fatal crashes where none of the victims were buckled. Sports Realignment Legal Truce: The rebuilt Pac-12 and Mountain West announced a settlement ending their poaching-penalty litigation, with financial terms undisclosed.

Dem-NPL Leadership: Fargo Mayor Josh Boschee’s resignation from the North Dakota Senate is triggering a quick political handoff, with party officials naming Jamie Selzler to replace him in District 44. State Budget & Health Costs: Grand Forks County commissioners voted to keep 2027 health insurance spending flat, aiming to blunt a projected 20% premium jump while still working to meet the state’s 3% property tax cap. Kratom Push: North Dakota lawmakers are set for a second special session focused on banning kratom and 7-OH in state law, after an executive order expires in 30 days. Military Community Funding: The state Commerce Department awarded $1 million in Base Enhancement Grants to Minot AFB, Grand Forks AFB, and the Fargo Air National Guard. Elections & Ballot Measures: North Dakotans will also vote Nov. 3 on two constitutional amendments, including a proposal to raise the approval threshold for future amendments to 60%. Public Safety & Courts: A Fargo man faces federal charges after police say he openly carried an AR-style rifle at a street fair despite a court order barring him from firearms. AG & Federal Policy: Attorney General Tim Griffin joined a bipartisan push in Congress to expand Medicaid fraud enforcement to beneficiary/recipient fraud through the STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act.

Kratom Crackdown: Gov. Kelly Armstrong and AG Drew Wrigley announced sweeping executive actions to ban kratom statewide, with a sale/use/possession ban starting Aug. 5 and an emergency move to classify 7-OH as a Schedule I drug, citing 50 North Dakota deaths tied to kratom since 2019. Special Session Push: Armstrong says the executive order expires in about 30 days, so lawmakers will return to Bismarck Sept. 2 to put the ban into state law. Legislative Personnel: Fargo Mayor Josh Boschee resigned from the North Dakota Senate effective Aug. 4, clearing the way for District 44 to name a replacement ahead of the Sept. 2 special session. Health Policy Watch: North Dakota’s neighbors and national lawmakers are also moving on health enforcement—Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway backed federal legislation to expand states’ Medicaid fraud authority beyond provider fraud. Public Services: North Dakota Protection & Advocacy launched an online Service Directory to help people with disabilities and families find resources across the state. Local Growth: The KIDS Program and HIT Inc. will expand into a new Dickinson facility in 2027 to meet rising early intervention demand. Safety Update: Theodore Roosevelt National Park confirmed a missing hiker, Artoun Gostantian, was found dead after a weeks-long search.