AGP Executive Report

Carbon Capture Finance: North Dakota’s Industrial Commission approved $205 million in loans for carbon capture at Minnkota’s Milton R. Young Station, with Bank of North Dakota funding split between Minnkota ($45M) and Reliant Carbon Capture & Storage ($160M). Beef Trade Shock: Local cattle producers say Trump’s 90-day tariff-free foreign beef plan is already dragging down North Dakota sale-barn markets, adding uncertainty for ranchers. Drought & Feed Pricing: NDSU Extension updated guidance for valuing standing corn sold for silage as hot, dry conditions force producers to choose grain vs. silage and manage feed shortages. Food & Safety: A multistate E. coli/salmonella outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts has sickened dozens across 15 states, keeping food supply chain risk in focus. Local Manufacturing Expansion: Wishek Sausage is building a new production facility to expand from Wishek into more North Dakota grocery stores, aiming for shelves by Thanksgiving and broader growth in 2027. Labor & Dairy: Teamsters Local 120 says more than 100 workers at Cass-Clay Creamery ratified a new contract with higher pay, better health care, a pension, and stronger workplace protections. Energy Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports the lowest Burleigh County premium gas at $4.19 (week ending Aug. 15), with North Dakota’s average premium price rising to $4.56. Health System Pressure: CMS data puts North Dakota ED wait times at about 115 minutes, underscoring ongoing pressure on emergency care access.

NDSU AI Push: North Dakota State University is rolling out a $4 million AI supercomputer (“Bison”) plus an AI-focused Honors College, and launching “Horizon” for graduate research this fall. Energy & Grid Watch: The Public Service Commission will hold public hearings in September on the $6 billion North Plains Connector power line, including a North Dakota portion estimated at $3.2 billion. Nuclear Workforce: NDSU is launching a 12-credit nuclear engineering certificate to prepare students for rising demand in nuclear energy jobs. Ag Markets: A roundtable on year-round E15 argues it could boost corn demand and add jobs, while USDA crop condition updates show corn, soybeans and wheat slipping. Food & Safety: Multiple food recalls and outbreak investigations keep food safety in the spotlight, including a multi-state alfalfa sprout-linked illness wave. Local Business: Fargo’s dry summer is helping construction projects stay ahead, and Grand Forks gave preliminary approval to a new Franklin on Fourth restaurant venture with state tax incentives. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports show premium and diesel price swings across North Dakota counties in the week ending Aug. 15.

Beef & Livestock Trade: North Dakota lawmakers are blasting Trump’s tariff-free ground beef import plan, warning it could undercut ranching families and disrupt domestic supply. Oil & Land Rights: Federal Interior oil and gas rule changes are drawing protests from split-estate landowners, with critics saying reduced bonding and less notice put land and future say at risk. Climate Reporting Pushback: ND Attorney General Brenna Bird and a multistate coalition are challenging “Big Four” climate-related financial reporting efforts, arguing higher compliance costs and conflicts with audit independence. Energy & Defense: A watchdog flags a $285B U.S. military maintenance backlog and staffing gaps that could hit bases in North Dakota and beyond. Agribusiness Expansion: Constellation Brands is adding $100M over five years to support barley, corn and hops farmers, including purchases and resilience initiatives in Idaho, Montana and North Dakota. Food Safety: Alfalfa sprout-linked E. coli/salmonella outbreaks keep expanding, with multiple recalls and dozens of reported illnesses. Local Industry Spotlight: Wishek Sausage says it’s moving into a new facility to become wholesale-ready and expand across North Dakota and the Upper Midwest. Transportation & Safety: Fargo-area school bus enforcement reminders return as the new year ramps up traffic, with penalties for passing stopped buses.

Highway Safety: A 49-year-old man from Christine died early Sunday after a BMW fled a Cass County traffic stop at 109 mph, shut off headlights, ran a stop sign, and hit a Honda Accord; the BMW driver and two Grand Forks teens (16, 17) were taken to Sanford Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Food & Ag Safety: Everything Sprouts LLC recalled specific Calco and Everything Sprouts alfalfa sprout products after a multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak tied to 55 illnesses and 4 hospitalizations across 15 states, including North Dakota. Energy & Costs: Gas prices stayed volatile but eased in spots: Stark County regular hit $3.89 (week ending Aug. 15), while the national regular average rose to $4.10 as crude held near $80/bbl. Beef Policy: North Dakota ranchers pushed back on Trump’s 90-day plan to allow up to 300,000 metric tons of imported ground beef, warning it could squeeze an already stressed cattle market. Local Economy & Community: New Town marked 75 years since its 1951 founding, tied to the Garrison Dam-era reshaping of Missouri River communities. Sports & Media: North Dakota State’s move to the FBS is underway, with local guides on where to watch Bison games this season.

Food Safety: A multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts has sickened 55 people and hospitalized four across 15 states, including North Dakota; affected products sold under Everything Sprouts and Calco brands are being recalled. Energy & Costs: Gas prices keep climbing as crude stays firm; the national regular average hit $4.10, while North Dakota-area GasBuddy reports show diesel and premium prices varying by county week ending Aug. 15. Agriculture & Policy: North Dakota ranchers push back on Trump’s 90-day, tariff-free import plan for up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef, warning it could undercut producers already squeezed by drought and a small herd. Public Health & Community: Extreme heat days are expected to keep rising, raising questions about whether states are ready for health and infrastructure strain. Local Business/Industry: Tallgrass announced an open season for incentive tariff rates on the Pony Express Pipeline for crude oil transportation from Bridger’s Guernsey Hub. Sports & Local Economy: North Dakota State’s move to the FBS kicks off with a home opener, with local fans asking where to watch the Bison in 2026.

Food Safety: Everything Sprouts LLC is recalling specific alfalfa sprout products (Everything Sprouts/Calco brands plus Crunchy Protein and Zesty Garlic mix cups) tied to a multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak—55 illnesses across 15 states, including North Dakota, with four hospitalizations; consumers are urged to throw away affected lots and sanitize surfaces. Agriculture & Trade: North Dakota ranchers push back on Trump’s 90-day, tariff-free import plan for up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef, arguing it’s a “quick fix” that could undercut U.S. producers already squeezed by drought-driven feed and herd pressures. Energy & Costs: Gas prices reports show North Dakota averages easing but staying volatile—regular averaging $3.85 statewide for the week ending Aug. 15, with diesel averaging $5.04. Public Health Policy: A second North Dakota special legislative session is expected to cost taxpayers more than $200,000 as lawmakers consider kratom regulations after an executive order. Transportation Safety: North Dakota State Patrol reports a fatal single-vehicle rollover near Alexander: a 31-year-old driver survived with serious injuries; a 43-year-old passenger died. Community & Business: Tallgrass Pony Express Pipeline announces a 30-day open season for incentive tariff rates for crude oil transportation commitments.

Beef & Ranching: Trump’s 90-day, tariff-free import plan for up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef is drawing pushback from North Dakota ranchers and GOP lawmakers, who call it a “quick fix” that could undercut efforts to rebuild a tight U.S. cattle herd amid drought-stressed conditions. Food Safety: Federal health officials are investigating a multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts distributed by Minnesota’s Everything Sprouts LLC; 55 people in 15 states are sick, including North Dakota cases, with FDA urging consumers to avoid recalled sprouts. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show highly localized pricing swings across North Dakota, with some counties seeing single-station “lowest” regular and diesel prices for the week ending Aug. 15, while AAA notes crude-driven volatility continues. Pipeline & Shipping: Tallgrass and Bridger Pipeline announced a 30-day open season for incentive tariff rates on crude oil transportation from Bridger’s Guernsey Hub, signaling continued midstream activity. Drought Response: North Dakota’s drought emergency continues to trigger livestock water assistance and related water-program actions as conditions threaten next year’s crop and feed. Farm Safety: NDSU Extension highlights early-season combine-fire risk under dry, drought-stressed conditions and urges preventive maintenance and safety training. Public Health Policy: Governor Armstrong’s executive order banning kratom products is moving through the state’s regulatory pipeline, with NDHSAA adding kratom to prohibited substances. Road Safety: A fatal rollover near Alexander killed a 43-year-old passenger; the crash remains under investigation by the North Dakota State Patrol.

Food Safety & Agriculture: The FDA and CDC are investigating a multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts from Everything Sprouts; 55 people are sick in 15 states, including North Dakota and South Dakota, with four hospitalizations—health officials say to discard affected sprouts and sanitize contact areas. Livestock & Trade: North Dakota cattle groups are pushing back on a Trump plan to open a 90-day, tariff-free window for up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef, saying it could undercut herd rebuilding and producer prices. Farm Safety: NDSU Extension is urging producers and homeowners to call 811 before fall digging, and it’s also rolling out “Stop the Bleed” training for rural farm injuries plus new QPR suicide prevention webinars for people in agriculture. Harvest Risk: With dry conditions, officials warn combine fires are a growing early-season threat and recommend strict preventative maintenance. Workforce & Community: A Senior Community Service Employment Program application event is set for Jamestown and Fargo for eligible 55+ job seekers. Infrastructure & Energy: ND DOT schedules bridge maintenance on Grant Marsh Bridge, while energy funding news includes nearly $1.4M from the Department of Energy for ND energy programs.

Food Safety: CDC says an alfalfa sprouts-linked Salmonella and E. coli outbreak has climbed to 55 cases across 15 states, including North Dakota; FDA is urging a recall of Calco and Everything Sprouts. Cattle & Trade: North Dakota and South Dakota ag groups are blasting Trump’s 90-day, tariff-free beef import window (up to 300,000 metric tons), warning it could undercut herd recovery and producer prices. State Policy: Lawmakers are set to decide special-session funding for the North Dakota Heritage Center Military Gallery after construction stalled over fundraising shortfalls. Local Governance: Aberdeen City Council will meet Aug. 24 with Deputy Mayor Alan Johnson leading while Mayor Travis Schaunaman recovers; the agenda also includes data-center ordinance input. Energy & Infrastructure: ND DOT schedules Grant Marsh Bridge maintenance Aug. 25 with lane closures and a width restriction. Environment & Property Rights: Sen. Kevin Cramer says he’ll block future Trump nominees over a Biden-era wetlands rule affecting drain tile and private land use. Agriculture Research: A new North Dakota red potato variety, Skarlagen, is released for growers and trials.

Energy & Prices: AAA reports the national regular gas average rose 3 cents to $4.10, the highest on this date, as crude stays in the $80s amid Strait of Hormuz instability; North Dakota Energy: ND oil production ticked up in June to 1.153 million bpd (near 2.5% higher than May) while rig counts climbed to 33 in August from 26 in July, pointing to more activity in the second half; Drought & Agriculture: NDSU warns the summer drought could delay next spring’s grass growth and cut forage production by 40–60% if dry conditions persist, with livestock water safety also a concern; Data Centers & Power: A North Dakota researcher urges “separating fact from fear” on AI data centers, saying impacts depend on size and grid capacity, while lawmakers move toward banning nondisclosure agreements tied to data centers; Housing & Workforce: DOE awarded nearly $1.4M to North Dakota for weatherization readiness, training/technical help, and energy reliability; Wells Fargo backed affordable housing and financial education in Minot with $1.2M; Trade Watch: Tariff pauses on Canadian goods are on hold, but ND’s $7B export exposure still leaves businesses facing uncertainty; Local Innovation: UND’s Center for Innovation Lift-Off Showcase handed out funding to projects including an AI vocal training app and a small-sample breast cancer test.

Energy Funding: The U.S. Department of Energy is sending nearly $1.4M to North Dakota for weatherization readiness ($311,906), training and technical help ($546,583), and the State Energy Program ($512,360) to cut costs and boost reliability. Oil & Gas Watch: North Dakota oil output ticked up in June to an average 1.153M barrels per day, and rig counts rose to 33 in August from 26 in July, with producers expected to push more completions in the second half. Defense & Missile Tech: A dispute is heating up over the Pentagon’s “Golden Dome” missile defense price tag, with CBO estimating at least $1.2B over 20 years while a Golden Dome program leader calls those figures a “myth,” and Sen. Kevin Cramer is hosting a defense forum at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. Data Center Transparency: Draft ND legislation would ban nondisclosure agreements tied to data centers and industrial projects, blocking governments from granting permits or incentives when NDAs are involved. Drought & Ranching: NDSU warns the summer drought could delay next spring grass growth and reduce forage by 40–60% where pastures were heavily grazed, while the state continues livestock water support. Agriculture Health: A jalapeño-linked salmonella outbreak has expanded to 32 states and 431 cases, including North Dakota. Local Traffic: UND move-in weekend is bringing major road changes in Grand Forks, with 42nd Street closed and families routed via Gateway Drive.

Williston Basin Energy: Callan JMB’s Callan Power signed to buy Reger Oil assets, adding a 23-well Red River drilling program aimed at near-term cash flow and naming Michael Reger president and a Callan JMB board seat. Drought & Ag Resilience: Gov. Armstrong declared a statewide drought emergency, activating livestock water help and triggering hay hotline support as dry conditions persist. Carbon Capture Push: Minnkota Power Cooperative is trying to revive its carbon capture project by adding Reliant Carbon Capture & Storage as a partner to build and own the facility, pending Industrial Commission approval. Aviation Manufacturing: Cirrus expanded its Grand Forks site by 30,000+ square feet to boost composite production for the SR Series and Vision Jet, with future TRAC10 composite manufacturing planned. Workforce & Energy Tech: NSF awarded Williston State College $373,701 to build a STEM pipeline for Bakken energy and IT roles, including an Electronic & Industrial Controls certification. Fuel & Consumer Watch: GasBuddy reports show E15 and regular prices hitting notable lows in parts of North Dakota, while broader housing affordability pressures continue to weigh on homeowners. Local Infrastructure: ND DOT road repairs on Highway 200 in Hazen area are underway, and Grand Forks saw oversized manufactured homes stuck on I-29 due to construction width limits.

Drought Response: Gov. Kelly Armstrong declared a statewide drought emergency and activated North Dakota’s Drought Disaster Livestock Water Supply Project Assistance Program, making up to $2 million available for producers to build new water wells, connect to rural systems, extend pipelines, and more. Ag Policy & Trade: At a Grand Forks ag roundtable, North Dakota farm leaders pressed for more certainty as tariffs and negotiations reshape beef, soybeans, sugar and other commodity markets; officials argued trade agreements will help long term, but farmers remain wary. Ethanol Market: A push is building for year-round E15 sales after House passage, with North Dakota stakeholders saying expanded availability could grow corn-based ethanol demand and lower fuel costs. Energy Infrastructure: Minnesota Power broke ground on a major power line upgrade in Center, designed to nearly double capacity and allow power to flow both directions. Workforce & Manufacturing: NSF awarded Williston State College $373,701 for a STEM workforce pipeline tied to energy and IT needs in the Bakken; meanwhile, the Greater North Dakota Chamber named Harvestone Low Carbon Partners’ Amanda Vetter a Faces of Manufacturing honoree. Rural Water Project: Mandaree opened the Bruce A. Fox Water Treatment Plant, funded with $33.3 million in federal support and doubling capacity for the Fort Berthold Rural Water system. Economic Development Planning: EDA awarded $630,000 to three North Dakota regional development councils for long-term economic growth strategies. Local Business Growth: Birdtree, an independent animation studio in Bismarck, is expanding in-state creative opportunities and building a local talent pipeline. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy reported some of the week’s lowest regular and midgrade prices across multiple counties, with statewide regular averaging about $3.80 for the week ending Aug. 8.

SNAP Update: North Dakota is set to tighten what recipients can buy with EBT starting Sept. 1, aiming to cut sugar and stimulant items like sweetened drinks, energy drinks, and candy—while retailers push back and the state plans outreach and a survey. Carbon Capture & Power: Minnkota Power Cooperative is reviving its stalled Project Tundra carbon capture effort by adding Reliant Carbon Capture & Storage, with state-recommended $205M in loans and a faster build timeline. Drought Relief for Livestock: Gov. Kelly Armstrong and the State Water Commission activated a $2M cost-share program to help ranchers fund new wells, rural water connections, pipeline extensions, and pasture taps as drought worsens. Water Infrastructure Funding: The Water Commission also approved more than $5.9M for dam support and water projects across North Dakota. Spring Wheat Harvest: Spring wheat harvest is moving fast, with ND among the quicker states versus last year, and conditions largely holding steady. Kratom Policy Push: Lawmakers are leaning toward banning synthetic kratom while regulating natural products, as a special session approaches. Local Construction & Logistics: Fargo-Moorhead road work continues with major lane reductions, and oversized manufactured-home trucks briefly got stuck on I-29 near Grand Forks due to overpass limits. Road Safety: Highway Patrol data highlights that many fatal crashes involve drivers not wearing seatbelts.

Livestock Drought Relief: North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong declared a statewide drought disaster and the State Water Commission activated a $2 million livestock water assistance program, offering cost-share for new wells, rural water connections, pasture taps, and related work (up to 65% back, capped at $10,000 per project, with up to three projects per producer). Special Session Watch: Lawmakers set the agenda for a Sept. 2 special session, including kratom regulation (age limits and a synthetic ban) plus a proposed line of credit for the stalled Military Gallery and a temporary ban on nondisclosure deals tied to data centers and other large developments. Agriculture Policy Pressure: The Farm Bureau is urging lower regulatory costs and reforms to strengthen the produce sector, pointing to rising specialty crop import pressure and widening trade gaps. Local Water & Community Impact: The drought program is being framed as both immediate help and longer-term resilience for ranchers as dry conditions worsen. Big Tech Accountability: A consumer protection trial against Meta over Facebook and Instagram youth harm and alleged child data practices began in federal court, with states seeking major damages and platform changes. Outdoor Heritage: The Private Land Open To Sportsmen program continues to highlight how private access supports hunting across North Dakota.

North Dakota Special Session Watch: Lawmakers advanced two kratom bills—one to ban synthetic derivatives and another to regulate natural kratom with age limits, labeling, and AG oversight—setting up a Sept. 2 special session. Data Center Governance: Minot’s planning commission cleared an ordinance steering data centers to a specific industrial area near the airport, requiring conditional use permits for future proposals and giving the city leverage over noise and water use. Drought Relief for Farmers: Rep. Julie Fedorchak says USDA will allow producers to request extensions beyond a 15-day hay-bale removal limit on CRP land, after drought pressure in western North Dakota. Ag & Fuel Signals: Pro Farmer’s crop ratings show corn and soy conditions slipping slightly, while GasBuddy reports regular gas in Traill County hitting $3.64—the lowest in the county for the week ending Aug. 8. Local Infrastructure & Industry: Fargo’s Matbus is temporarily relocating downtown after structural issues at the old hub, with a longer-term bus center still in the works. Energy/Geothermal Tech: Sanborn completed a high-precision airborne magnetic survey supporting geothermal exploration in Nevada, highlighting continued demand for geophysical services.