The Backstory from the North Dakota News Cooperative

Artificial intelligence is entering North Dakota classrooms, and while some educators see new opportunities, some are struggling to keep pace with the fast-moving technology.
In this episode, reporter Michael Standaert joins Sabrina Halvorson to break down how schools are navigating AI use, what guidance exists at the state level, and where the biggest challenges are emerging.
Standaert explains how teachers are simultaneously excited about AI’s potential for individualized learning and overwhelmed by the lack of consistent policies or time for training.
“Students in many cases are far ahead of teachers in using these tools, and districts are trying to manage it all with guidance that’s already outdated.” – Michael Standaert, NDNC reporter.
Sabrina and Michael also discuss concerns around student misuse, the promise of adaptive learning systems, and what school leaders may need as AI becomes a larger part of everyday education.

North Dakota’s first major winter storm has arrived, and while many families are settling into the holiday season, others are facing a harsher reality: rising evictions, limited shelter space, and growing housing insecurity. In this episode, reporter Michael Standaert joins Sabrina to break down the shifting landscape of homelessness services and the renewed effort to address it statewide.
Standaert explains how federal funding changes could leave major gaps in support, especially for organizations like the YWCA of Cass Clay, which may lose nearly half of its permanent supportive housing units. As he notes in the conversation, “If the state or other organizations can’t step up, they may have to lose those 45 out of 97 units. Their emergency housing is not affected, but this shift in funding is a big concern.”
Sabrina and Michael also discuss the reestablishment of the Interagency Council on Homelessness, the rise in evictions across the state, and what communities should be watching in the months ahead.

In this episode of The Backstory, host Sabrina Halvorson and NDNC lead reporter Michael Standaert discuss his recent reporting on childcare in North Dakota. Michael outlines what he heard from parents, providers and community leaders about the ongoing difficulties many families face in finding reliable, affordable care.
He highlights the innovative program at the James Valley Career & Technology Center, where high-school students can earn a child-development associate certification while working in a childcare center housed within the school. As Michael puts it:
“Affordability, availability, staffing shortfalls — these kind of challenges are persisting, they probably always will.” - Michael Standaert, NDNC.
The conversation also looks at policy efforts underway, how regional differences shape needs, ongoing affordability programs and what changes may be on the horizon for families and providers.

This week on a special edition of The Backstory, host Sabrina Halvorson takes listeners behind the scenes to explore how the North Dakota News Cooperative came to be. She sits down with NDNC board co-chair Steve Andrist, one of the organization’s original founders and a lifelong champion of local journalism.
In their conversation, Andrist reflects on the changing landscape of the news industry, the challenges facing community newspapers, and the growing need for a nonprofit model that could provide fair, in-depth reporting across the state. He also describes how a wide group of leaders from North Dakota’s media and business communities helped shape the early vision.
One quote from Andrist captures the heart of NDNC’s mission:
“One of the things we said from the beginning is that our work would be for North Dakotans, about North Dakota, by North Dakotans.”
The episode highlights why trusted, nonpartisan journalism remains essential for informed communities and a healthy democracy—and what makes NDNC uniquely positioned to fill that need.

Sabrina Halvorson and Michael Standaert discuss NDNC’s latest story examining how a proposed $100,000 fee for H-1B visas could impact schools, hospitals, and universities across North Dakota. From tribal districts that rely on international teachers to rural schools already struggling to fill classrooms, the added cost could worsen a statewide teacher shortage.
The episode also explores related federal policy changes affecting commercial driver’s licenses, revocations that have already hit some North Dakota communities, and what these shifts reveal about how immigration rules ripple through local economies.
“No school could probably afford $100,000 just to get a teacher in,” said NDNC reporter Michael Standaert. “They’re really trying to avoid overcrowded classrooms by using these visas, particularly in areas where it’s difficult to attract teachers.”
School leaders told NDNC they’re already facing challenges hiring qualified teachers, especially in small towns and tribal areas.

Special Guest: Josh Kramer, General Manager and Executive Vice President, North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives
Electricity costs and data centers have been making headlines across North Dakota, but what’s really driving the changes in rates and demand? In this episode, host Sabrina Halvorson first sits down with Josh Kramer to unpack the complexities behind the state’s electric grid, rising costs, and the pressures of modern energy needs. Kramer explains how a surge in consumption—particularly from oil and gas operations—has reshaped infrastructure planning over the past decade and what that means for rural cooperatives today.
Together, they discuss the broader picture of transmission congestion fees, grid strain, and North Dakota’s unique position in national energy trends. Kramer also offers insight into how electric cooperatives are balancing reliability, affordability, and innovation as the grid evolves to meet new demands—from industrial growth to emerging technologies.
“For the first time in 20 years, electricity load growth is being seen across the country. And in North Dakota, we’re the exception—it’s been growing steadily for years, driven by oil and gas, and now, new industries like data centers.”
Following the discussion with Kramer, reporter Michael Standaert joins to talk about other key issues, including the loss of funding for a solar project and how it will affect tribal communities around the state. He also discusses the possible loss of LIHEAP, the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program that helps lower-income people cover energy costs.
This episode goes beyond headlines to reveal how cooperatives are preparing for the next era of energy use, and what it will take to keep North Dakota’s power reliable and affordable in a changing economy.

In this episode of The Backstory, host Sabrina Halverson and lead reporter Michael Standaert explore the story behind a North Dakota family that has turned to regenerative ranching to restore their land. Facing declining crop yields and deteriorating soil, the Maddock family adopted innovative grazing techniques that use cattle to naturally rebuild soil health. Their efforts earned them the Aldo Leopold Conservation Award, a national recognition for land stewardship. Michael shares insights from his reporting and firsthand observations from the ranch, highlighting how these sustainable practices are not only improving the land but securing a future for generations to come. The conversation also offers a behind-the-scenes look at how underreported rural stories like this one come to light and why they matter.

In this episode, we explore the sweeping changes taking place in Medora, North Dakota, as the town prepares for the grand opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, scheduled for July 4th next year. The conversation highlights the transformative impact of the project on local infrastructure, tourism, and the small community of year-round residents.
Listeners get an inside look at the construction boom currently reshaping the area, including a new 100-room hotel, a roundabout, and a future event center near the Bully Pulpit golf course. As excitement builds, so does anxiety. Locals are both hopeful and uncertain about the disruptions and opportunities the influx of tourists will bring.
The episode covers:
Why Medora is already near full capacity for the opening and why early booking is crucial
How the library aims to turn Medora into a year-round destination
The anticipated economic ripple effect for nearby towns like Dickinson and Bismarck
The blend of nostalgia and anticipation as residents brace for change
Broader implications for North Dakota tourism and statewide economic benefit
The hosts also reflect on personal visits and emphasize how the project could both preserve Medora’s charm and usher in a new era of national relevance.

In this episode, host Sabrina Halvorson speaks with Michael Standaert about the looming expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits and how this policy shift could lead to significant increases in health insurance costs for North Dakota farmers.
“This is the family business, and that's how they provide health insurance for the family. And now all of a sudden to see the potential for that to increase 75 percent… that's got to be very difficult.” — Sabrina Halvorson, NDNC CEO
They break down the financial implications, including estimates of a 75 percent rise in premiums for some families, and discuss how this burden adds to an already challenging economic landscape shaped by weak commodity prices, rising input costs, damaged grain storage, and lost markets in China. They also touch on the expiration of the Farm Bill extension and the government shutdown, highlighting the compounded uncertainty facing rural communities.
Key Topics Covered:
Impact of expiring ACA enhanced tax credits on farm families
Potential 75 percent increase in health insurance premiums
Broader economic pressures on farmers including reduced market access and increased costs
Declining commodity prices and the collapse of soybean exports to China
Grain storage issues due to infrastructure damage and harvest timing
Expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill extension and its effects on support programs
The complexity of trade relations with China and its long-term effects on North Dakota agriculture
The emotional and operational toll on farming families amid policy instability
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Farm Aid offers a free and confidential hotline at 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243), where farmers can talk to someone who understands the pressures of agricultural life. The hotline is open Monday through Friday, 9am to 10pm ET.
For 24/7 crisis support, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). You can also dial 988 to connect directly to a trained crisis counselor.

In this episode, Sabrina Halvorson and Michael Standaert dive into the vibrant world of running and biking events across North Dakota. From small-town trail races to the nationally recognized Fargo Marathon, they explore how these events are more than just athletic competitions—they’re engines of tourism, community connection, and local pride.
Michael shares his personal experiences with trail and obstacle course races and reflects on how a chance encounter led to reporting on these dynamic community gatherings. The hosts also highlight the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into organizing races, the economic boost they provide to local businesses, and the unifying atmosphere they foster among participants—no matter their background or political views.
Whether it's a Fourth of July fun run in Mandan or the endurance challenges of the Badlands Trail Run, this episode shines a light on how races throughout the state are building healthier, more connected communities.
Topics Covered:
The inspiration behind reporting on North Dakota’s race scene
Local events like the Cooley Run in Washburn and the Medieval Rush in Bismarck
The economic and tourism impact of events like the Fargo Marathon
Volunteerism and community effort in organizing races