Hey there, Minot! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Prayertime and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. Minot, Ward County Weigh Potential Savings, Election Dates in Possible Library Merger (mydakotan.com) — City and county leaders in Minot are weighing whether to ask voters sooner or later about merging the Minot Public Library with the Ward County Library, a move that could save an estimated $250,000–$400,000 a year. They're debating special versus regular election timing, how to protect staff and services like the bookmobile, and how a combined library board and tax structure would work.
2. Ethics Commission Meets in Minot; Questions NDDF Conflict-of-Interest Policy (mydakotan.com) — State ethics officials met in Minot to question whether the North Dakota Development Fund's conflict-of-interest policies meet minimum state ethics rules, after an audit flagged weak documentation around board member relationships. Commissioners requested the fund's policies, debated their own investigative powers and subpoena authority, and scheduled an Oct. 9 special meeting, while also noting most past complaints have been closed and new cybersecurity protections are needed.
3. Minot trail derailment causes multiple road closures (kxnet.com) — A train derailment in Minot early Wednesday sent 19 cars off the tracks near 2nd Avenue Southwest, closing several nearby roads and two Western Avenue businesses while crews clear the scene. One car carried hazardous materials and a damaged gas line caused a leak, but HAZMAT teams and Montana-Dakota Utilities secured the area, with no injuries or home impacts reported.
4. The First Acute System on Epic Orchard The 229 Podcast with John McDaniel (thisweekhealth.com) — Trinity Health in Minot is undergoing a major technology overhaul, led by CIO John McDaniel, including a move to Epic Orchard, Workday, and extensive data cleanup. He explains how this transformation aims to improve patient access, financial performance, and care quality across Minot's regional health system while carefully governing the use of AI in both administrative and clinical settings.
5. ND Ethics Commission comes to Minot (minotdailynews.com) — Minot residents had a chance to question North Dakota's Ethics Commission in person as commissioners brought their latest meeting to town, focusing on government transparency and potential new enforcement powers. They discussed seeking more staff and a larger budget, possible 2027 legislation on penalties and investigations, and ways to help strengthen conflict-of-interest policies statewide.
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Ok Minot! 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: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
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