News

Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden announced that the North Dakota Children’s Cabinet has released its annual report, highlighting progress made by the panel and its partners to coordinate care for children across all branches of government and tribal nations.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring voted with the State Water Commission to activate a water supply assistance program for livestock producers as the governor declared a drought disaster for extremely dry conditions across North Dakota.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong appointed Conner Swanson to lead the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), effective Aug. 29, citing his experience with complex policy issues at both the state and federal levels and his guidance to the agency through the Governor’s Office these past two years.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong rescinded a ban that prohibited executive branch agencies from using TikTok on state-owned devices, now that the social media app is majority-owned by an American-led consortium.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong issued an executive order declaring a statewide fire emergency and activating the State Emergency Operations Plan, as drought conditions and the risk of wildfires have intensified across North Dakota amid hot and dry conditions in July and August. 

Gov. Kelly Armstrong and Attorney General Drew Wrigley announced executive actions aimed at protecting public health and safety by curbing access to kratom amid growing concerns about the drug, which is currently unregulated in North Dakota with no minimum age for purchase. 

Gov. Kelly Armstrong appointed Walsh County State’s Attorney Kelley Cole to an open judgeship in the Northeast Judicial District, effective Aug. 17. 

Gov. Kelly Armstrong has appointed Beth Jacobson, director of accounting for the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), to serve as the agency’s interim director when longtime DEQ Director Dave Glatt retires July 31. 

Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced he has appointed Minot entrepreneur Kevin Black and Grand Forks physician and healthcare administrator Dr. Joshua Deere to four-year terms on the State Board of Higher Education, along with Mayville State University student Kelby Azure to a one-year term as the board’s student member.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong has directed all U.S. and North Dakota flags to be flown at half-staff until 6 p.m. Saturday, July 18, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor and remembrance of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who passed away Saturday, July 11.