🌱 Why Grand Forks schools are spending $213,000 to save Encore

Good day Grand Forks! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Grand Forks schools are spending $213,000 to save Encore
• What Grand Forks drivers should know about new distracted driving crackdown
• Why Grand Forks County’s sheriff is pushing back on a new policy

Also on today's calendar: Oak Ridge Boys and 1 more event.

Today's riddle: What did the bartender say to the jumper cables when they walked in? 🤔 (Answer below!)

---

From our Partner
Today's Grand Forks Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Grand Forks Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Grand Forks.

---

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Plenty of sun, with a high of 81 and low of 57 degrees.
• Thursday: Clouds and sun with a t-storm, temps: high: 85, low: 61.
• Friday: Very warm with some sun, with a high of 88 and low of 67 degrees. 🌶 Hot!

---

📰 News we're reading

1. Grand Forks Public School District Will Still Pay For Encore Program, Even Without Federal Funding (knoxradio.com) — Grand Forks Public Schools will keep the Encore after-school program running this year, even after missing out on federal grant funding, by covering $213,000 from its general fund. The program, offered at all 10 elementary schools, already has 529 students enrolled, waitlists at six sites, and nearly 80 kids still hoping for a spot, underscoring strong local demand.
   

2. Grand Forks Police Department Participating In Distracted Driving Awareness Campaign (knoxradio.com) — If you drive in Grand Forks, expect extra enforcement as local police join a Distracted Driving Awareness Campaign through September 30, alongside the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” effort. Funded by the state transportation department, the push targets phone use and other distractions, with violations in Grand Forks carrying at least a $200 fine.
   

3. Proposed county employee discipline policy prompts disagreement at commission meeting (grandforksherald.com) — Grand Forks County residents should know commissioners are debating a new employee discipline policy that’s raising concerns from Sheriff Andy Schneider about how much authority human resources would have over his staff decisions. After a tense exchange referencing a past Supreme Court ruling and the sheriff’s expanded jail responsibilities, the commission narrowly rejected immediate approval and unanimously agreed to revisit the policy at its next meeting.
   

4. UND welcomes new faculty cohort (und.edu) — UND has welcomed 42 new faculty members and spent a full day orienting them not only to campus but also to the wider Grand Forks community they’ll soon call home. Workshops, performances, and remarks from university leaders emphasized student success, regional impact, and even preparing newcomers for North Dakota winters, signaling fresh energy coming to local classrooms and research labs.
   

---

📸 Around Grand Forks

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

---

🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Forks

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Tuesday September 8

• The Rock Orchestra By Candlelight →
  Chester Fritz Performing Arts Center, Chester Fritz Auditorium, 3475 University Ave, Grand Forks
  8:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

---

Other local events

Saturday September 12

• Oak Ridge Boys →
  Chester Fritz Performing Arts Center, Chester Fritz Auditorium, 3475 University Ave, Grand Forks
  7:00 pm

Monday September 28

• AARP ND Advocacy Mini-Summit, Grand Forks, ND 9/28/26 →
  Gorecki Alumni Center, 3501 University Ave, Grand Forks
  5:30 pm

Thursday October 1

• UND Alumni Honors Banquet →
  Alerus Center, 1200 S 42nd St, Grand Forks
  5:30 pm

---

📣 Grand Forks Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

---

🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday September 2

• School Pictures
  Minto Public School Minto, ND 58261
  8:00 am
• 2 Hour Late Start
  Central Valley Public School District Buxton, ND 58218
  8:35 am

Thursday September 3

• Elementary Girls' Basketball @ Park RIver
  Minto Public School Park River Area Public School District 8, ND, USA
  4:00 pm
• Volleyball: C-Squad @ Larimore
  Minto Public School 300 Booth Ave, Larimore, ND 58251, USA
  4:45 pm
• Volleyball: JV @ Larimore
  Minto Public School 300 Booth Ave, Larimore, ND 58251, USA
  5:45 pm
• Elementary Football vs Langdon
  Minto Public School Minto, ND 58261, USA
  6:00 pm
• Volleyball: Varsity @ Larimore
  Minto Public School Larimore High School
  7:00 pm

Friday September 4

• Junior High Football @ North Border (Pembina)
  Minto Public School 155 S 3rd St, Pembina, ND 58271, USA
  5:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

---

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

---

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Potato Bowl 2026 is here.
  There are plenty of activities to participate in. Don’t forget to stop by the french fry feed on Thursday evening at University Park. Can we beat the… (Nextdoor )
• Hello!
  I'm just here to invite you out to the disc golf course at Manvel! It's called the Riverside Club. Here is the link: https://share.google… (Nextdoor Sertoma Park)

• FedEx Corporation posted a job opening for Ramp Agent/Feeder/DOT in Grand Forks. Apply here.
• Gecko Hospitality posted a job opening for Restaurant Manager in Grand Forks. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Grand Forks here.

---

Ok Grand Forks! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Don’t you 2 start anything (Thank you Mary L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

---

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

---

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook