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Citizen Portal News North Dakota
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Parents and advocates are sounding the alarm over critical gaps in education for deaf and hard-of-hearing children in North Dakota, pushing for urgent reforms and resources.

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#ND #CitizenPortal #EducationalAccess #AssistiveTechnology #NorthDakotaDeafEducation #InclusionInEducation
Committee hears gaps in screening, interpreters and school supports for students who are deaf or hard of hearing
Family advocates and DPI officials told the committee that late diagnosis, uneven screening and a shortage of qualified interpreters and teachers for the deaf leave some children underserved; DPI noted EIPA interpreter standards in code and launched multi‑state training (TACE) and assistive‑technology work.
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November 26, 2025 at 5:26 AM
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Bismarck is taking a bold step towards addressing homelessness and safety concerns with a proposed 24/7 community triage center that promises to transform crisis response.

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#ND #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #BismarckPublicHealth #HomelessnessSolutions #CrisisIntervention
Bismarck leaders propose 24/7 triage center as homelessness and safety concerns rise
Bismarck public‑health and police officials described increases in unsheltered homelessness, rising safety incidents and a plan for a 24/7 community triage center combining low‑barrier shelter, crisis stabilization, peer supports and housing navigation.
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November 26, 2025 at 4:47 AM
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North Dakota's Legislative Council is launching a comprehensive evaluation of childcare programs that could reshape the landscape for thousands of families and workers.

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#ND #CitizenPortal #NorthDakotaChildcare #ProgramEvaluation #WorkforceDevelopment #ChildcareAffordability
Legislative Council launches childcare program evaluation; Commerce details loans and ARPA grants that added thousands of slots
Legislative Council staff described a new program‑evaluation division and a proposed FY2022–2025 review of childcare availability, affordability, quality, workforce and administration; Commerce and ND Development Fund outlined childcare loan, RWIP and ARPA‑funded infrastructure projects that added thousands of slots but noted reduced appropriations for continuing infrastructure support.
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November 26, 2025 at 4:41 AM
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Lawmakers are pushing for a digital revolution in healthcare, aiming to replace outdated fax systems with electronic prior authorization to speed up patient care and cut costs.

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#ND #CitizenPortal #HealthcareAccess #NorthDakotaHealthcare #DigitalTransformation
Lawmakers press carriers and hospitals on electronic prior authorization after carriers report faster decisions
A committee study on electronic prior authorization heard carriers and providers describe quicker determinations using electronic channels, but committee members and providers said adoption is uneven and requested a provider survey to identify barriers and costs.
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November 26, 2025 at 3:03 AM
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North Dakota's innovative Recovery Housing Assistance Program is transforming lives by pairing housing support with addiction recovery, boasting impressive outcomes for over 1,600 individuals!

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#ND #HousingAssistance #CitizenPortal #NorthDakotaHomelessness #AddictionRecovery
State highlights recovery housing, PATH and outcome‑based services as tools to reduce homelessness
HHS officials told lawmakers the Recovery Housing Assistance Program (RHAP), PATH and outcome‑based models such as Community Connect and Free Through Recovery help participants exit homelessness and reduce substance use; officials said RHAP (started May 2022) has served more than 1,600 people with strong short‑term housing and substance outcomes.
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November 26, 2025 at 3:03 AM
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Native Americans face alarming rates of homelessness and incarceration in North Dakota, prompting advocates to push for culturally rooted solutions that empower urban tribal communities.

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#ND #HomelessnessPrevention #CitizenPortal #NorthDakotaNativeAmericans #WorkforceDevelopment
Advocates urge culturally grounded, Native‑led pilot to tackle urban Native homelessness
Speakers representing Native Inc. urged the committee to recognize stark racial disparities in homelessness and incarceration and backed a Native‑led urban pilot combining cultural connectedness, housing, reentry and workforce supports to reduce long‑term homelessness among Native Americans.
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November 26, 2025 at 2:20 AM
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North Dakota is grappling with a dental crisis that leaves children and vulnerable communities waiting months for essential care.

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#ND #CitizenPortal #HealthcareAccess #NorthDakotaDentalAccess #WorkforceDevelopment #OralHealthNeed
Interim committee hears wide-ranging testimony on unmet dental needs, workforce and tribal access
Lawmakers heard data and dozens of stakeholder presentations on unmet dental needs under House Bill 1567 — citing long hospital wait lists for pediatric dental surgery, uneven Medicaid participation, workforce gaps and school-based sealant programs as immediate priorities.
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November 26, 2025 at 1:10 AM
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North Dakota is forging a new path to combat homelessness, but looming federal changes could jeopardize vital funding for local projects.

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#ND #NorthDakotaHousing #HomelessnessPrevention #CitizenPortal #CommunitySupport
North Dakota lawmakers hear plans to coordinate homelessness response as HUD funding rules shift
State housing and homelessness officials told the Human Services Interim Committee that a reconstituted interagency council and newly funded state grants aim to align services, but recent HUD funding rules that cap top-tier awards and permanent housing funding could force major cuts to local projects.
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November 26, 2025 at 12:46 AM
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West Fargo's latest transportation study reveals ambitious plans for growth, with potential costs soaring over $400 million to enhance access and infrastructure in the rapidly developing West 94 area.

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#WestFargoCassCounty #ND #CitizenPortal #CommunityEngagement #UrbanPlanning
West Fargo planning commission forwards West 94 transportation study to City Commission
The Planning & Zoning Commission voted to forward the West 94 area transportation study, prepared with Metro COG and Fulton & Mink, to the City Commission for consideration; consultants outlined interchange and overpass options, projected growth and multi‑hundred‑million dollar costs.
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November 14, 2025 at 1:26 PM
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Minot City Council stands firm on higher fines for uninsured drivers, emphasizing safety and deterrence amidst changing state laws.

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#MinotWardCounty #ND #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #MinotCouncil #CivicAccountability #TrafficLaw
Minot council keeps higher uninsured‑driver fines after debate over state law changes
On Nov. 3 the Minot City Council debated a first reading of updated criminal and traffic ordinances and unanimously voted to amend the proposal to retain $300/$600 fines for first and second offenses for driving without liability insurance, reversing a staff‑proposed reduction tied to state law changes.
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November 13, 2025 at 11:40 AM
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Chairman Mark Fox of the MHA Nation unveiled ambitious plans for economic growth, including a groundbreaking greenhouse project set to produce 2 million pounds of food annually, at a recent Minot City Council meeting.

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#MinotWardCounty #ND #CitizenPortal
MHA chairman outlines tribal history, projects and greenhouse plan in Minot visit
Chairman Mark Fox of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation told Minot council members on Nov. 3 that the tribe is investing in schools, health services, recovery programs and three major energy projects — including a CHP-powered greenhouse expected to produce about 2 million pounds of food annually, with a grand opening Nov. 26.
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November 12, 2025 at 9:43 PM
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Griggs County is taking significant steps forward by approving the recruitment of a new extension agent and discussing a crucial grader purchase—what does this mean for the community?

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#GriggsCounty #ND #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CivicAccountability #EducationReform
Griggs County approves extension recruitment, maintenance certification and recorder travel; blades and road‑use agreements left for follow‑up
At its Nov. 10 meeting the Griggs County Board approved recruiting to hire an NDSU extension agent, signed the annual federal‑aid road maintenance certification, approved two abatements and authorized the county recorder to attend a PREA symposium using document‑preservation funds. The board debated purchasing a used grader blade offered at $130,0
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November 11, 2025 at 4:27 PM
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Representative Don just revealed key legislative changes that could reshape funding for Griggs County, including a $1,600 property tax credit and new flexible grant opportunities!

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#GriggsCounty #ND #BudgetTransparency #CitizenPortal #RuralHealthCare #TaxRelief
State representative briefs Griggs County on budget, tax relief and transportation funding
Representative Don provided a broad legislative update, describing a general fund of roughly $6.24 billion, passage of a property tax relief credit and a 3% spending cap on political subdivisions (House Bill 1176), plus recent transportation funding compromises that shifted money from Prairie Dog program into flexible grants and other priorities.
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November 11, 2025 at 2:56 PM
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Garrison Diversion is set to kick off major pipeline construction in Griggs County this winter, but local officials are demanding ironclad road repair commitments first!

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#GriggsCounty #ND #CitizenPortal #CommunityEngagement #RoadSafety #InfrastructureDevelopment
Garrison Diversion briefs Griggs County on pipeline contracts; county insists on road‑repair commitments
Garrison Diversion told the Griggs County Board of Commissioners it will advertise three pipeline construction contracts and could begin construction in Griggs County this winter. County officials pressed the project team to include permit language guaranteeing repairs — including a mill and overlay — for any county road used as a haul route, and a
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November 11, 2025 at 2:06 PM
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The Special Education Funding Committee is taking bold steps to tackle teacher shortages and improve accountability in special education—what changes are on the horizon?

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#ND #CitizenPortal #TeacherRecruitment #NorthDakotaEducation #RegionalServiceModels
Committee asks staff for follow‑up on teacher recruitment, accountability and regional service models; approves minutes
After presentations, the Special Education Funding Committee approved the minutes of Sept. 3, 2025, and directed staff to gather follow‑up information on teacher recruitment and retention, outcome/accountability measures, and regionalized service or facility options to address high‑cost and specialized needs.
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November 11, 2025 at 1:50 AM
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North Dakota's DPI reveals crucial insights on students with disabilities, highlighting the challenges and legal constraints around funding and service provision.

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#ND #CitizenPortal #EducationPolicy #NorthDakotaPublicSchools #InclusionEducation #DisabilityServices
North Dakota DPI provides state special‑education counts, cautions against funding by placement or disability
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction staff presented updated counts of students with disabilities (public, parentally placed private, home‑educated) and warned that federal IDEA and LRE rules limit funding models that would incentivize placement in more restrictive settings or allocate funds strictly by disability category.
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November 11, 2025 at 1:49 AM
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The Education Commission of the States reveals that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for special education funding, with five distinct models shaping how states support high-need students.

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#ND #NorthDakotaSpecialEducation #CitizenPortal #PolicyReform #SpecialNeeded
States vary widely on special‑education funding; national nonprofit presents five approaches
The Education Commission of the States told North Dakota’s Special Education Funding Committee that states use five principal funding approaches — weighted funding, census‑based allotments, reimbursement, resource allocation and high‑cost supplements — and that each design carries tradeoffs for adequacy, accountability and staffing.
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November 11, 2025 at 1:45 AM
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Illinois is revolutionizing education funding with a new evidence-based model that aims to ensure every district gets the resources it needs to succeed!

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#ND #EquityInEducation #CitizenPortal #SpecialEducation #NorthDakotaEducation
Illinois tells lawmakers its evidence‑based funding model folds special education into district adequacy targets
Illinois State Board of Education staff described an evidence‑based funding (EBF) system that consolidated prior grants into a district‑level adequacy target and provides tiered annual investments; ISBE said special education is embedded in adequacy calculations and districts must report expenditures for transparency.
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November 11, 2025 at 1:44 AM
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Wyoming is blazing a trail by reimbursing 100% of special education costs, a move born from court rulings aimed at ensuring equitable education for all students.

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#ND #NorthDakotaSpecialEducation #CitizenPortal #EquityInEducation #SchoolFinanceReform
Wyoming officials say state reimburses 100% of allowable special‑education costs after court rulings
Wyoming Department of Education officials described a court‑driven policy that reimburses school districts for 100% of allowable IEP costs, funded from the state's school foundation program (property taxes, mineral royalties and investment earnings); their reimbursement totals rose from about $220 million to roughly $300 million over recent years.
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November 11, 2025 at 1:43 AM
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North Dakota's workforce faces a looming crisis with a demographic imbalance, as a surge of retirements threatens to drain vital knowledge unless urgent recruitment and retention strategies are implemented.

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#ND #NorthDakotaWorkforce #WorkplaceBenefits #CitizenPortal
HRMS: North Dakota state workforce tight; young‑worker recruitment and early‑career retention are key issues
HRMS and OMB staff told the Employee Benefits Program Committee that North Dakota state government retains large numbers of long‑service employees but struggles to recruit and retain workers aged 20–30. Turnover is concentrated in the first three years on the job; HRMS recommended continuing total‑rewards and targeted equity work and improving data
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November 10, 2025 at 10:38 PM
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Sanford Health Plan revealed that while 90% of medical prior authorizations were approved in 2024, a staggering 58% of pharmacy requests faced denial, largely due to missing documentation and rising demand for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.

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#ND #CitizenPortal #HealthcareAccess
Sanford Health Plan data show most prior‑authorizations approve but pharmacy denials and GLP‑1 requests drive appeals
Sanford Health Plan told the Employee Benefits Program Committee that only 3% of 2024 claims required prior authorization; medical prior authorizations were approved 90% of the time, but pharmacy prior authorization denials were elevated (roughly 58%), driven in part by GLP‑1 medication requests for weight loss and missing documentation. Of denials
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November 10, 2025 at 10:18 PM
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A new study reveals that North Dakota's electrical grid may struggle to handle the surge of large data centers and industrial plants without significant upgrades, risking price spikes and reliability issues.

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#ND #CitizenPortal #ElectricalGrid #NorthDakotaEnergy
State transmission study flags thermal and voltage constraints if large data‑center and industrial loads arrive without upgrades
An EERC/SPP/MISO modeling effort for the North Dakota Transmission Authority found that adding roughly 3.1 GW of large onsite loads in multiple scenarios would create thermal and voltage violations in parts of the state and raise wholesale nodal prices; targeted transmission upgrades or additional generation could mitigate the worst impacts.
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November 10, 2025 at 10:15 PM
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WBI Energy is set to transform North Dakota's energy landscape with its ambitious Bakken East pipeline, designed to boost oil production and power generation across the state.

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#ND #CitizenPortal #NorthDakotaEnergy #EconomicGrowth #EnergySustainability #InfrastructureDevelopment
WBI details Bakken East pipeline; North Dakota agrees temporary capacity support while project seeks customers
WBI Energy outlined a proposed Bakken East gas pipeline to move Bakken natural gas to eastern North Dakota; the Industrial Commission and North Dakota Pipeline Authority selected WBI for initial state capacity support to bridge timing and help de‑risk the project.
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November 10, 2025 at 10:14 PM
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Rainbow Energy Center is transforming Coal Creek Station into a cutting-edge energy park, integrating carbon capture and data centers while creating over 600 jobs in North Dakota.

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#ND #CitizenPortal #DataCenterGrowth #CarbonCapture #NorthDakotaEnergy #RenewableEnergy
Rainbow Energy Center pitches coal‑park model, carbon capture and data‑center growth at Coal Creek Station briefing
Rainbow Energy Center told a Legislative interim committee it is operating Coal Creek Station as an independent power producer, investing in carbon capture and staging an energy park that includes data centers, fly‑ash reuse and plans for natural‑gas generation and pipeline access.
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November 10, 2025 at 10:13 PM
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PERS has unveiled significant changes to retirement plans and health insurance, impacting over 61,000 members and introducing a new defined-contribution tier that could reshape your financial future.

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#ND #RetirementReform #CitizenPortal #NorthDakotaRetirees #HealthInsurance
PERS briefs committee on retirement plans and upcoming health‑plan re‑bid; DC plan enrollment grows to ~2,600
PERS staff updated the Employee Benefits Program Committee on retirement plan changes implemented after the 2023 and 2025 sessions, the launch of a new 2025 defined‑contribution tier, a limited transfer window (144 members elected transfer), and a defined contribution enrollment of about 2,600 members and $36 million in assets as of Sept. 30, 2025.
citizenportal.ai
November 10, 2025 at 10:03 PM