The Backstory from the North Dakota News Cooperative

New diversion and reentry programs aimed at steering some low-level cases away from the courts are beginning to take shape in North Dakota after a slow rollout.
In this episode of The Backstory, reporter Michael Standaert discusses his reporting on two bills passed during the last legislative session. One created pilot diversion programs designed to steer some low-level cases away from the traditional court process, while another provides grants to counties to strengthen programs that help people reenter society after serving time in jail or prison.
“What happens when somebody is arrested for or cited for a low-level violation, something where there’s no violence involved, that can be remedied without going through the full judicial process?” Standaert said.
The diversion program, created through House Bill 1425, provides funding to Cass, Grand Forks and Stark counties to test different approaches. In some cases, people cited for minor offenses such as a suspended license or low-level possession may be connected with services, such as substance-use treatment or help resolving licensing issues, instead of moving through the full judicial process. If participants complete the required steps, the citation or arrest may ultimately be cleared.
The rollout has taken time as counties work to find organizations that can serve as navigators for the programs and coordinate between law enforcement, prosecutors and service providers. Officials say the goal is to intervene early, connect people with help, and prevent minor violations from turning into a cycle of repeated offenses that can carry higher costs for individuals and communities.
The programs are still in their early stages, with only a handful of cases beginning to move through the system. Standaert said it will likely take time before lawmakers and local officials can evaluate whether the pilot efforts are reducing repeat offenses and improving outcomes.
 

In this episode of The Backstory, North Dakota News Cooperative CEO Sabrina Halvorson speaks with Allison Olimb, editor of the Walsh County Press in Park River. Olimb discusses how she first became interested in journalism, the influence of mentors who helped shape her career, and what it means to report on the people and issues in a small rural community where the stories you cover involve neighbors, friends and local leaders.
One of the most difficult parts of community journalism, Olimb says, is maintaining fairness while reporting on sensitive issues that directly affect the people around you.
“I've had stories before where I've had people from both sides of the topic come up to me and say, you did a good job on this… the one side is thinking you're taking their side, and the other side is thinking you took their side, so I kind of feel like I did okay. But it's always in the back of your head like, I'm going to screw this up and they're going to be talking about me at the bar.” – Allison Olimb, Editor, Walsh County Press
The conversation also highlights the realities of running a small-town newsroom, where limited staff means editors often juggle multiple roles — reporter, editor and community liaison — while trying to make sure important stories are still covered.
Despite the challenges, Olimb says local newspapers remain essential gathering places for community conversations and shared information. Even when coverage can be uncomfortable, providing accurate and fair reporting helps ensure residents stay informed about the issues shaping their towns.

New national nutrition guidelines are pushing schools to serve healthier meals, but the changes require more than simply updating a menu.
In this episode of The Backstory, reporter Michael Standaert explains how new federal school meal standards are affecting districts across North Dakota. The updated rules emphasize reducing sodium and sugar while increasing the use of whole and minimally processed foods. For many schools, that would mean shifting from prepackaged items to more “from-scratch” cooking, and that can mean higher costs.
“Cooking from scratch is definitely labor-intensive… you’ll need to beef up staff, you’ll need to beef up equipment, and have bigger kitchens in your schools.” – Michael Standaert, NDNC
School nutrition directors and administrators say the changes are intended to improve student health, especially for children who rely on school meals as a primary source of nutrition. However, meeting the new standards can be difficult, particularly in rural districts where budgets are tight and facilities were not designed for large-scale scratch cooking.

In this episode of The Backstory, NDNC reporter Michael Standaert tells us how a long-lost World War II sailor from North Dakota may finally be identified and returned home more than 80 years after his death.
 
 the work of retired Marine Ted Darcy, who has dedicated years to identifying unknown World War II service members. Darcy reached out to NDNC with information suggesting that the remains of Orlan Robert Cool may be buried in Long Island National Cemetery. Cool is a sailor from Newburg who died when the USS Pollux sank off Newfoundland in a February 1942 winter storm.
Through outreach to local newspapers and collaboration with cemetery researcher Murray Sagsveen, Michael helped locate Cool's gravesite in Newburg and connect with his niece, Gayle Peterson, who now lives in St. Paul.
“Someone at that meeting knew the niece of Orlan Robert Cool… and she called me, and I put her in touch with Mr. Darcy, and they’ve kind of gone from there.” – Michael Standaert, NDNC
The renewed interest also surfaced an earlier DNA submission from another family member that had not previously resulted in a confirmed identification.
Read the full story.

Many of North Dakota’s longtime newspaper publishers are turning a page as they prepare for what comes next. In this episode of The Backstory, NDNA Executive Director Cecile Wehrman joins us to talk about ownership transitions, workforce challenges and what it will take to sustain strong local newspapers across the state.
Wehrman shares what she’s hearing from publishers across the state, including concerns about succession and the search for the next generation of leadership. She also reflects on the continued impact community newspapers have in rural towns, where they often serve as both watchdog and gathering place for local life.
“The biggest thing overall that came out was the realization that we really are facing a generational shift in ownership.” - Cecile Wehrman, NDNA
As longtime publishers near retirement, the study recommends building stronger succession planning efforts to help position newspapers for sale and connect current owners with journalists interested in stepping into leadership roles. About 25 percent of journalists surveyed said they would consider becoming owners, offering a potential path forward.
The conversation also underscores why local newspapers matter. From saving a small-town movie theater to mobilizing support for community institutions, newspapers often serve as the connective tissue that keeps rural communities vibrant and informed.

A new statewide study offers a rare, data-driven look at the health of North Dakota’s local newspapers and what may be required to keep them alive.
In this episode of The Backstory, NDNC reporter Michael Standaert discusses his reporting on a two-year research project examining the state’s newspaper ecosystem. The study surveyed publishers, journalists, and news consumers, and took a close look at communities that no longer have a local paper. The findings highlight growing pressure on small, independent newspapers, while also revealing how readers perceive — and value — local news when it disappears.
“I think they see the value of those…of having a paper now that they’re gone.” – Michael Standaert, North Dakota News Cooperative
Michael explains how North Dakota’s effort has drawn national attention, what the data shows about consumer habits and expectations, and why the study points toward the need for newspapers to clearly communicate their value to the communities they serve. The conversation also explores how this research fits into broader efforts to stabilize and strengthen local journalism across the state.

Concern over immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota is rippling beyond state lines, raising questions about how communities in North Dakota are responding, and whether similar fears could take hold closer to home.
In this episode of The Backstory, NDNC reporter Michael Standaert talks with host Sabrina Halvorson about his reporting on how faith leaders in North Dakota and Minnesota are navigating growing anxiety among immigrants and mixed-status families. The conversation offers insight into both the substance of the story and the careful reporting process behind it.
“I think one thing that surprised me was just the level of concern about talking about these issues. I mean, I think a lot of these discussions are going on behind closed doors right now.” – Michael Standaert, NDNC reporter
Standaert explains that while much of the public attention has focused on visible enforcement actions in Minnesota, many of the responses he encountered were quieter and more cautious. Faith leaders described balancing the desire to address fear and uncertainty in their congregations with concerns about internal division and potential backlash.
The discussion also explores why the story focused on longer-term community impacts rather than day-to-day developments, and how NDNC reporters handle sourcing when people are afraid to go on the record. As Halvorson notes, the situation is changing rapidly, but the underlying questions about safety, trust, and responsibility remain.
The episode offers a closer look at how complex, fast-moving stories are reported with care, and how local concerns in neighboring states can shape conversations in North Dakota communities.

A new biography examines the life and long career of North Dakota’s longest-serving Supreme Court chief justice, tracing how decades of public service shaped both the man and the court he led.
In this episode of The Backstory, NDNC reporter Michael Standaert discusses his reporting on former Chief Justice Jerry VandeWalle, whose 65-year career in state government included 45 years on the North Dakota Supreme Court. Standaert describes learning about VandeWalle’s upbringing in Noonan, his commitment to service over personal recognition, and his reputation for approachability and fairness.
The reporting also examines VandeWalle’s strong belief in judicial nonpartisanship at a time when courts are increasingly politicized. Standaert shares insights from reading the biography Call Me Jerry and from speaking directly with VandeWalle and people who know him well.
“He’s kind of married to service, and married to service to the state. It just comes out in the book quite a bit.” – Michael Standaert, NDNC Reporter
The story examines how VandeWalle’s career intersected with the evolution of North Dakota’s Supreme Court over several decades.

While North Dakota’s overall economy remains relatively strong, recent polling shows that rising costs are affecting residents unevenly. In this episode of The Backstory, host Sabrina Halvorson talks with NDNC reporter Michael Standaert about what the data reveals, how inflation is being felt differently across the state, and why methodology matters when interpreting poll results.
Michael explains that on the surface many statewide indicators suggest economic stability. But the polling also points to disparities beneath those topline numbers. He notes that inflation does not affect everyone equally, and that people with less financial flexibility are more likely to feel its effects. The conversation also touches on how broader economic forces could shape conditions moving forward.
“Trade policies and tariffs might impact the economy even more going forward.” — Michael Standaert, NDNC
Michael also walks through how polling works, including margins of error and methodology, and why careful interpretation is essential when drawing conclusions from survey data.
The episode examines what polling data suggests about economic pressures in the state and how those pressures are felt unevenly.
To learn more about the North Dakota Poll, tune in to a previous podcast featuring NDNC board member Mary Jo Hotzler who explains what goes into conducting the poll.

How electricity prices are determined is often less visible than other parts of the energy system, but they’re shaped by a mix of infrastructure, demand, and long-term planning. In this episode, we take a closer look at how those forces interact in North Dakota and what they mean for future energy costs.
Reporter Michael Standaert explains how electricity rates are influenced by infrastructure upgrades, transmission costs, and the growing demand from large industrial users such as data centers. While North Dakota continues to benefit from relatively low power prices compared with much of the country, utilities are navigating the challenge of modernizing the grid while keeping costs from shifting onto residential customers. The discussion also explores how renewable energy projects, backup generation, and long-term planning factor into price stability.
“They’re trying to balance bringing in new projects without passing those costs on to existing users, especially residential consumers,” said Michael Standart, NDNC reporter.
The episode places today’s energy price questions in a broader context of economic development, grid reliability, and long-term affordability for North Dakota communities.