AGP Executive Report

Legal & Policy Watch: Pesticide makers are pushing “liability shield” laws to block lawsuits over cancer-risk warnings tied to products like Roundup, with Georgia and North Dakota already passing similar measures and the U.S. Supreme Court expected to rule in July 2026 on whether federal law blocks state failure-to-warn claims. Energy Costs: A new national analysis projects record-high electricity bills this summer, with Americans averaging nearly $800 for June–September as hotter weather and grid upgrades drive demand. North Dakota Business & Trade: The North Dakota Trade Office honored three local firms with global business awards, including Kindred-based ICE Crystal Engineering as 2025 Exporter of the Year and Hankinson’s Machinery Management Service for Service to Exporters. Local Economy & Tourism: Visit Greater Grand Forks awarded $26,700 to a dozen groups to bring in out-of-area visitors for events ranging from baseball and hockey tournaments to a breastfeeding conference. Agriculture Tech & Soil: Fargo’s 701x continues expanding rancher-focused GPS and health tracking for cattle, while experts warn that wind-driven topsoil loss makes no-till and reduced tillage more urgent for long-term productivity. Civic Trust: A North Dakota Ethics Commission survey found about two-thirds of respondents lack confidence that state officials act ethically, with business owners and government employees reporting the lowest trust.

DAPL Settlement: North Dakota is set to recover nearly $38 million from the federal government after a final Dakota Access Pipeline protest settlement—$27.8 million reimbursing state costs, plus a prior $10 million payment—closing out a long-running fight over who should foot the bill for the 2016-17 demonstrations near Standing Rock. Agriculture & Courts: Pesticide makers are pushing “liability shield” laws to limit lawsuits from people harmed by products like glyphosate/Roundup, as the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule in July 2026 on whether federal law blocks state “failure to warn” claims. Workplace Finance: Workers weighing buyout offers are being urged to do the math first—severance can be taxed, benefits may not continue, and job hunting costs can erase the headline payout. Local Business & Travel: Medora is laying out traffic and public-safety plans for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening week, warning residents and businesses to plan for a much bigger crowd than typical. Tech & Consumer Debate: Anglers are split over forward-facing sonar—some say it boosts fishing success, while others worry it changes the sport’s culture.

DAPL Settlement: North Dakota is set to recover about $27.8 million from the federal government for 2016-17 Dakota Access Pipeline protest costs, bringing the total to nearly $38 million. Drone Readiness: The U.S. Air Force has lost nearly a third of its Reaper drone fleet in Middle East conflicts since the start of the Trump administration, with no clear funded replacement plan. Ag & Food Safety: Alfredo sauce sold in 41 states is recalled at the FDA’s highest risk level after possible salmonella contamination tied to a dry milk powder ingredient. Legal Fight Over Chemicals: Pesticide makers are pushing “liability shield” laws to block lawsuits, as the Supreme Court is expected to rule in July 2026 on whether federal law blocks state failure-to-warn claims. Local Growth & Tourism: Medora is rolling out traffic and parking plans for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening week, warning crowds will be larger than typical. Community & Workforce: Senator John Hoeven highlighted federal funding for a new Grand Forks Air Force Base school and local healthcare efforts in recent posts. State Economy Snapshot: A WalletHub ranking puts North Dakota at 40th for overall economic strength/innovation potential in 2026.

Pesticide Legal Fight: Pesticide makers are pushing “liability shield” laws to block lawsuits over cancer-linked products like glyphosate, as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule in July 2026 on whether federal law blocks state failure-to-warn claims; Georgia and North Dakota already passed similar shields, with more states considering bills. Retirement Goes Digital: A new look at older Americans finds many are spending retirement learning AI tools and building apps, turning “staying current” into a new kind of side hustle. State Economy Snapshot: WalletHub’s 2026 competitiveness ranking puts North Dakota at No. 40, behind states like Idaho and Georgia, underscoring that size doesn’t equal long-term momentum. Cattle Industry Community: North Dakota CattleWomen marked 75 years and updated bylaws, with a new logo planned for the next chapter. Tourism Watch: A report says North Dakota tourism fell 2.6% in 2025, driven by a 24% drop in Canadian border crossings, though park visits and some spending categories improved. Local Business & Infrastructure: Medora laid out traffic and parking plans for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening week, expecting a much bigger crowd than typical.

AI Data Centers & Finance: Applied Digital’s AI data-center push stays in focus as the company taps major debt markets to expand its North Dakota campus, underscoring how hyperscale buildouts are reshaping local investment and jobs. Legal & Agriculture: Pesticide makers are lobbying for “liability shield” laws as the U.S. Supreme Court weighs whether federal law blocks state failure-to-warn lawsuits tied to glyphosate and Roundup—an issue with big stakes for farm communities and public health. Tourism & Cross-Border Trade: A new report says fewer Canadian visits are hitting North Dakota tourism, with 2025 visitor totals down and border crossings falling, though some 2026 gains show up in park attendance and early sales. Local Infrastructure: Medora is laying out traffic and parking plans for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening, while Dickinson continues work on the I-94 West Business Loop with a temporary bypass and roundabout construction ahead. Community & Public Services: The James River Senior Center and Public Transit hold a grand opening and information day for its new location, and Minot school leaders ratify union contracts with wage and benefits updates. Ag Education: NDSU’s Carrington Research Extension Center schedules a Crop Management Field School on June 24 for weed, nutrient, and crop-growth training. Energy & Markets: U.S. stocks jumped on hopes for an Iran deal as oil prices eased, keeping inflation and energy costs front and center for businesses.

Child Poverty Watch: A new Kids Count report says 13% of North Dakota children live in poverty, with advocates pointing to housing costs and urging stronger supports like child tax credits and free school meals. Labor & Schools: Minot Public Schools ratified one-year union contracts, including a 4% wage increase for teachers and changes to health savings account contributions. Local Infrastructure: Minot’s nearly $20M Puppy Dog Coulee storm sewer project is moving into Phase 7B, with new partial closures and detours on 24th Avenue SW and ongoing work impacts. Health Policy: A Warren pharmacy owner testified on proposed pharmacy benefit manager reforms, warning that closures can leave patients without nearby care. Community & Culture: Minot’s Levitt Amp music series kicked off with a downtown crowd and a $120,000 matching grant from the Levitt Foundation. Public Safety Planning: Dickinson Park Board reviewed a land swap tied to a future fire station and discussed strategic plan priorities. Road Work Update: Dickinson shifted traffic to a temporary bypass on the I-94 West Business Loop while roundabout construction at 23rd Ave/County Rd 10 approaches. Business Climate Signal: A national hiring map shows North Dakota’s job openings down 8.7% since 2020, highlighting a tougher labor-demand picture than many states. DAPL Settlement: ND leaders responded to a final settlement that will reimburse the state $27.8M for Dakota Access Pipeline protest-related law enforcement costs.

DAPL Settlement: Gov. Kelly Armstrong and Sen. Kevin Cramer hailed a final federal settlement that will reimburse North Dakota more than $27.8 million for law enforcement and other protest-related costs tied to the Dakota Access Pipeline in 2016-17, shifting the bill to the federal government. Water Infrastructure: Sen. John Hoeven says Senate committee action advanced Dakota Water Resources Act amendments to boost North Dakota’s Municipal, Rural and Industrial water grant authorizations, aimed at completing projects like the Northwest Area Water Supply and covering federal biota-treatment responsibilities. Irrigation Economics: Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring highlighted a new HB 1531 irrigation and drainage study showing potential to develop another 1.3 million acres of irrigation, with reported long-run economic losses from past underdevelopment and possible new value-added processing gains. Legal/Ag Chemicals: A pesticide industry push for “liability shield” laws is gaining traction as the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule in July 2026 on whether federal law blocks state failure-to-warn lawsuits tied to glyphosate. Rural Health Access: North Dakota HHS launched a $1.5 million funding opportunity to expand breast cancer screenings in western North Dakota via a mobile mammography unit with 3D technology. Transportation Safety: The NTSB reiterated calls to replace older DOT-111 tank cars after a 2024 North Dakota derailment, saying flawed tank cars can worsen hazardous-material fires and spills. Local Business/Construction: Dickinson traffic has shifted to a temporary I-94 West Business Loop bypass as crews continue work and prepare for roundabout construction.

Water Infrastructure: Sen. John Hoeven’s Dakota Water Resources Act amendments cleared the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, boosting MR&I grant authorizations for North Dakota and five tribes to keep projects like the Northwest Area Water Supply moving. Public Safety & Rail: The NTSB says a fiery 2024 North Dakota derailment underscores the need to replace flawed DOT-111 tank cars and rethink how railroads assemble trains to reduce hazardous leaks and fire risk. Pipeline Protest Costs: North Dakota is set to receive the final federal reimbursement—about $27.8 million, plus prior DOJ funding—wrapping up the state’s Dakota Access Pipeline policing-cost settlement. Health Access: North Dakota HHS is launching a $1.5 million program to expand rural breast cancer screenings via a mobile mammography unit with 3D technology. Local Business: JQ Clothing opened at West Acres in Fargo, adding another regional retail option for women’s apparel and accessories. Workforce/Innovation: UND named its first Astronaut Scholarship Foundation scholar, Casia Steinhaus, an incoming senior in physics and math.

Rail Safety: The NTSB says a fiery 2024 North Dakota derailment again highlights why railroads must replace flawed DOT-111 tank cars that can rupture and intensify hazardous chemical fires. Federal-State Costs: North Dakota will receive nearly $28M from the U.S. to settle a Dakota Access Pipeline protest policing lawsuit, with officials saying the payment makes the state financially whole and shifts the burden to the federal government. Affordable Housing: Fargo opened Lashkowitz Riverfront Four & Nine, adding 110 affordable units downtown after the prior high-rise was demolished. Food Assistance After Storms: North Dakota HHS says SNAP replacement benefits are available for households that lost food in June power outages lasting more than four hours. Crypto Consumer Protection: The state Department of Financial Institutions released crypto ATM FAQs aimed at improving scam awareness and helping residents understand protections and how the machines work. Energy/AI Finance: Applied Digital priced $1.59B in junk bonds at a 7% yield to fund a new CoreWeave data center building in North Dakota, reflecting falling perceived credit risk. Agriculture Watch: Wet weather is delaying soybean planting in northeast South Dakota, with some acres likely to miss the window.

SNAP Relief After Storm Outages: North Dakota HHS says SNAP households that lost food because of June storm power outages lasting more than four hours can apply for replacement benefits within 10 days, with claims submitted via email, phone, mail, or local human service zones. Public Safety & Health Access: HHS also announced a $1.5 million funding opportunity to bring mobile mammography to rural and underserved areas in western North Dakota, aiming to reduce travel and time barriers to lifesaving screenings. Housing Update: Fargo’s Lashkowitz Riverfront Apartments held a grand opening nearly three years after the Lashkowitz High Rise implosion, with 110 units and a waiting list “of several hundred.” Local Governance & Utilities: Emerado remains under a “No Use Order” for drinking water after a watermain break, with flushing and lab testing planned once repairs are complete. Trade & Agriculture Policy: Sen. John Hoeven urged the Trump administration to launch a Section 301 sugar investigation and raise the Tier-2 tariff, arguing it’s been unchanged for 26 years and is failing to protect U.S. sugar producers. Consumer & Legal Watch: Multistate AGs announced a $4.87 million GS Labs settlement over overpriced and delayed COVID-19 tests, including claims of inflated “cash prices” and missed result timelines.

Legal & Consumer Protection: Nebraska and Iowa are among 18 states getting nearly $5M from GS Labs over allegations of overpriced and delayed COVID-19 tests, with North Dakota included in the multistate deal. Energy & Transportation: GasBuddy reports the lowest premium gas in McKenzie County at $4.89/gal for the week ending May 30, as regional fuel prices stay sensitive to refinery outages and Middle East shipping risk. Local Politics & Housing: Fargo elected Josh Boschee mayor, focusing on housing affordability and downtown priorities as the city shifts leadership. Workforce & AI Infrastructure: Meta’s workforce push highlights a growing need for skilled trades tied to data centers and AI buildouts, with training aimed at filling the gap. Agriculture & Trade: A North Dakota State University report estimates China’s 2025/26 retaliatory tariffs cost Indiana farmers about $607M in exports, led by soybeans. Environment & Energy Infrastructure: A Dutch court ruled Greenpeace can pursue its case in the Netherlands against Energy Transfer tied to Dakota Access Pipeline protest lawsuits. Business & Tech in ND: Williston’s Tech & UAS Summit spotlights local innovation in drones, AI, and virtual career tools. Public Assistance: North Dakota HHS says SNAP replacement benefits are available for households that lost food due to June storm power outages.

AI Data Center Finance: Applied Digital priced $1.59B of 7% senior secured notes to fund a 150MW expansion at its Ellendale, N.D., Polaris Forge 1 campus, with construction aimed for 2028 and proceeds also used to repay a Goldman bridge loan. State Utility Politics: North Dakota Public Service Commission incumbents Sheri Haugen-Hoffart and Jill Kringstad won GOP primaries, setting up contested general-election bids focused on keeping electric rates down. Local Elections: Minot voters re-elected Mayor Mark Jantzer and chose Stephan Podrygula, John MacMartin and Eric Locken to the council; Fargo’s mayoral race was projected for Josh Boschee. Public Health & Safety: A Salmonella outbreak tied to moringa supplements expanded to 119 cases across 36 states, prompting additional FDA recalls. Community Watch: Emerado issued a “do not use water” advisory after a watermain break; Northwood backed a street improvement advisory vote that could lead to special assessments. Business & Workforce: Cornerstone Speaking and Coaching launched Speak2SELL, a sales training workshop now offered across Bismarck, Fargo and Minot. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reported North Dakota premium and diesel prices easing in the week ending May 30, with some counties seeing single-station low-price outliers.

AI Data Centers: Applied Digital is raising $1.59B in senior secured notes to expand its Polaris Forge 1 campus in Ellendale, adding a 150 MW facility (ELN-04) to boost North Dakota’s AI power and compute capacity. Telecom Expansion: Integrity Technologies Corp. is teaming with World Mobile to pursue integrated rural and tribal connectivity solutions, combining fiber backhaul with fixed wireless and cellular options. Rural/Tribal Connectivity: The collaboration targets underserved areas across North America, aiming to close long-running telecom gaps with more reliable last-mile service. Election Day Weather Prep: North Dakota election officials say polling places will stay open despite severe thunderstorm risk; paper ballots mean power outages won’t stop voting, and voters are urged to check vote.nd.gov and plan for hazardous roads. Business & Community Grants: Nexstar’s foundation awarded $5,000 grants to North Dakota’s Capital Gallery in Bismarck and highlighted local arts access as part of its monthlong giving program. Energy Prices (Local): GasBuddy reported Mountrail County’s lowest regular price at $3.99 and Emmons County’s lowest at $4.19 for the week ending May 30, underscoring volatile fuel costs heading into summer. Insurance Market: Lemonade launched renters insurance in North Dakota, offering app-based quotes and claims with coverage starting at $5 per month.

AI & Power Infrastructure: Nixxy says it signed a letter of intent with Tachyon9 to build a publicly traded AI infrastructure and power platform anchored by a North Dakota hyperscale campus in Williston, targeting up to 1 gigawatt of generation and a $5B GPU deployment plan. Antitrust: Nevada AG Aaron Ford joined a coalition of 29 states filing an amicus brief opposing a ruling that favored Meta in the FTC monopolization case. Local Development (Fargo): Fargo approved its 2026 Action Plan for federal CDBG and HOME housing and development grants, clearing more than $1.3M for projects aimed at low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Local Tech Procurement (Grand Forks): Grand Forks City Council gave preliminary approval to a consultant contract for the Alerus Center indoor LED scoreboard, moving the rebid process forward. Food Assistance Policy: New SNAP restrictions are set to roll out in North Dakota later in 2026, limiting purchases of items like soda, energy drinks, candy, and certain prepared desserts. Child Poverty Data: Kids Count data ranks North Dakota 14th for child and family well-being, with poverty rising—about 23,000 children below the poverty line in 2024. Energy Costs Watch: GasBuddy reports North Dakota’s regular average at $4.04 for the week ending May 30, with some counties seeing notably lower single-station prices.

AI Infrastructure & Power: Nixxy (NASDAQ: NIXX) signed a letter of intent with Tachyon9 to pursue a publicly traded AI infrastructure platform built around a North Dakota hyperscale campus, targeting up to 1 gigawatt of generation and a $5B GPU deployment plan. Data Center Policy & Utilities: North Dakota PSC Commissioner Jill Kringstad is campaigning for reelection, directly tying her agenda to energy affordability and the state’s fast-growing data center footprint. Rural Health & Drug Access: A $3.2M grant launched a Civica Rural Hospital Program to pool purchasing power for rural hospitals and help reduce generic drug shortages. Banking/Healthcare Finance: Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center in southwest North Dakota secured an emergency $5M Bank of North Dakota loan to pay down debt and build a 30-day cash reserve. Construction & Growth: Solid State Concrete Fargo says it’s rolling out ACI-certified engineering protocols for new development in West Fargo, Horace and Dilworth as the metro expands. Local Business: Jade Presents filed for Chapter 11 in North Dakota after closing, with assets listed around $393K and liabilities near $2.9M. Mail Service: Cramer and Hoeven backed a Postal Delivery Accountability Act aimed at improving tracking and notifications for North Dakota and Minnesota residents. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reported the lowest E85 in Ward County at $3.44/gal (week ending May 30).

North Dakota Air National Guard: The 119th Wing will run a readiness exercise June 8-12 in the Fargo area, bringing more vehicle traffic, personnel movement, and emergency response activity. Local Public Safety & Training: Mayville Fire and Rescue is raising $6 million to build a regional firefighter training facility, including a burn tower and upgrades, aiming to cut travel and costs for departments across eastern ND. Energy & Land Rights: Nine Native American tribes in SD, ND and NE sue the federal government to stop exploratory graphite drilling near a sacred Black Hills site, alleging federal agencies violated law and that the project threatens wildlife and tribal ceremonies. Business Expansion: Alsager Meats opened its first Jamestown shop, expanding its ranch-to-table operation with locally sourced products. Tech & Community Debate: A fast-moving national backlash to data centers is showing up in local fights over water, housing impacts, and community disruption. Fuel Watch (ND): GasBuddy reports the lowest diesel in Stutsman County at $4.95 (week ending May 30) and the lowest E85 in McKenzie County at $3.49.