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Interior Secretary Doug Burgum Urged to Maintain Federal Wolf Protections Amidst Recovery Concerns

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum Urged to Maintain Federal Wolf Protections Amidst Recovery Concerns

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is being urged by environmental advocates to maintain federal protections for gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act. The call comes amidst concerns that the recovery of wolf populations is incomplete, with wolves still occupying only a fraction of their historical range. Advocates highlight significant threats, particularly in the Northern Rockies, where expanded hunting and trapping have occurred. A notable incident in Wisconsin in 2021 saw over 200 wolves killed in just 60 hours before court intervention. Mexican gray wolves, or lobos, face an even more precarious future with a very small wild population. The removal of federal protections, according to these groups, would pave the way for nationwide wolf hunting and trapping, jeopardizing the future of these animals.
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Department of the Interior Promotes Veteran-Led Outdoor Recreation Events and New Resource Ahead of Veterans Day

Department of the Interior Promotes Veteran-Led Outdoor Recreation Events and New Resource Ahead of Veterans Day

The Department of the Interior, in collaboration with partner agencies of the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation (FICOR), has announced a series of veteran-led outdoor recreation events on public lands and waters. These events are scheduled for the week surrounding Veterans Day. Concurrently, the Interior Department and its partners have launched a new repository on Rec.gov. This online platform serves as a centralized location where veterans, service members, and military families can access information regarding various outdoor recreation opportunities offered by participating federal agencies. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum emphasized the nation's gratitude to veterans and highlighted the importance of providing them access to the country's natural beauty. FICOR Chair and Bureau of Land Management Director Stevan Pearce noted that this new resource consolidates information previously scattered across numerous agency websites, making it more accessible for military families. Events ...
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Department of the Interior Proposes Modernization of Bureau of Land Management's Public Land Planning Rules

Department of the Interior Proposes Modernization of Bureau of Land Management's Public Land Planning Rules

The Department of the Interior is proposing significant updates to the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) land use planning regulations, which have largely remained unchanged since their initial adoption in 1979. The proposed revisions aim to streamline the planning process, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and enhance coordination with state and local governments. According to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, these changes are designed to empower local leaders and make it easier to conserve natural resources while boosting production of food and energy. BLM Director Steve Pearce stated that the current planning process is too slow and complicated, and these updates would improve efficiency, reduce taxpayer costs, and foster better coordination with communities reliant on public lands. The proposed rule seeks to align the regulations more closely with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, update terminology, eliminate redundant requirements, and simplify burdensome aspects of the planning process. A...
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Bipartisan 'Fix Our Forests Act' Advances to Strengthen Wildfire Prevention and Forest Management

Bipartisan 'Fix Our Forests Act' Advances to Strengthen Wildfire Prevention and Forest Management

Agricultural groups are urging Congress to pass the bipartisan 'Fix Our Forests Act' before the end of the year. Shelby Hagenauer of the American Farm Bureau Federation highlighted the bill's objectives, which include accelerating forest thinning and clearing dead fuel to prevent wildfires. The legislation aims to reduce unnecessary delays for projects addressing wildfire risk, hazardous fuels, insects, and disease, while also improving watershed protection programs. A key component of the bill is the inclusion of livestock grazing and ranchers as part of the solution for reducing fuel on public lands, both before and after wildfires. The House and Senate currently have different versions of the bill, which will need to be reconciled before it can be sent to the President for signature.
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U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to Visit Bismarck for Discussions on Regenerative Agriculture with North Dakota Tri...

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to Visit Bismarck for Discussions on Regenerative Agriculture with North Dakota Tri...

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is scheduled to travel to Bismarck, North Dakota, today. During his visit, Secretary Kennedy will participate in both a press conference and a roundtable discussion. The announcement was made by U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer. According to Senator Cramer's office, a key focus of Secretary Kennedy's visit will be to meet with various North Dakota tribes. The discussions with these tribal communities are expected to center on the topic of regenerative agriculture. This visit highlights an engagement between a high-ranking federal official and local tribal groups on matters of agricultural practices and community well-being. The specific details of the press conference and roundtable agenda, beyond the general topic, were not immediately provided, but the emphasis on regenerative agriculture suggests a focus on sustainable practices and their potential benefits for tribal lands and communities.
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New Mexico Receives Record $5 Billion in Federal Energy Revenue, Highlighting Volatility of Fossil Fuel Income

New Mexico Receives Record $5 Billion in Federal Energy Revenue, Highlighting Volatility of Fossil Fuel Income

New Mexico is set to receive over $5 billion in federal energy revenue for the 2026 fiscal year from the U.S. Department of the Interior, marking the largest annual payment ever made to a state in U.S. history. This windfall is part of a broader boom experienced by seven of the eight Mountain West states, driven by record consumer petroleum prices. The funds primarily originate from royalties, rents, and payments made by companies developing energy and mineral resources on public lands. New Mexico's share accounts for nearly a quarter of the $21.8 billion distributed nationwide from activities on federal and tribal lands and offshore waters. A significant contributor to this record amount was a federal oil and gas lease sale in New Mexico and Texas in May, which generated over $4 billion. Other Mountain West states also received substantial amounts, with Wyoming getting nearly $485 million, Utah $124 million, and Colorado $87.6 million.
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Federal Officials Visit North Dakota to Discuss Soil Health, Farm Profits, and Medical Care Linkages

Federal Officials Visit North Dakota to Discuss Soil Health, Farm Profits, and Medical Care Linkages

Top federal and state officials, including U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer, visited North Dakota on November 5, 2026. The visit focused on the interconnectedness of soil health, farm profitability, and public health. Discussions began at Black Leg Ranch near McKenzie, where farmers, ranchers, and officials explored regenerative farming practices, such as using cover crops and natural grazing to restore soil nutrients. Senator Cramer highlighted how reducing costly chemical fertilizers can improve farm profits by lowering expenses. Later, leaders met at United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck to address tribal health, where Secretary Kennedy announced updates to Indian Health Service facilities' menus nationwide to align with federal dietary rules, aiming to reduce high rates of diabetes by removing processed foods and sugary drinks. Kennedy also noted that key tribal health funding was protected from federal b...
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Senator John Hoeven Instrumental in General Atomics' New North Dakota Remote Split Operation

Senator John Hoeven Instrumental in General Atomics' New North Dakota Remote Split Operation

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has inaugurated a new Remote Split Operation (RSO) facility at its Flight Test & Training Center (FTTC) near Grand Forks, North Dakota. This facility will enable GA-ASI to remotely conduct missions for the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) using its MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft, which are leased under a Contractor-Owned, Contractor Operated (COCO) agreement. U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) played a crucial role in establishing this support center in North Dakota. According to Senator Hoeven, this move will allow AFRICOM to save over $10 million annually by having pilots operate from Grand Forks instead of overseas. GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue also highlighted that the new RSO facility will reduce the number of personnel required overseas, enhance safety for personnel, and create approximately 50 new jobs in the Grand Forks community.
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Organic Farming Research Foundation Releases Guide for Plains Farmers Transitioning to Organic Practices

Organic Farming Research Foundation Releases Guide for Plains Farmers Transitioning to Organic Practices

The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) has published a new two-page guide titled 'Transitioning to Organic: Tips from Plains Farmers.' This resource is designed to assist farmers in Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Oklahoma who are considering or undergoing the transition to organic farming. The guide, developed through the Plains Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), offers practical advice directly from five experienced organic farmers. It includes a visual overview of the annual organic certification cycle, detailing steps from selecting a certifier to obtaining cost-share reimbursement. Farmers also share personal tips on defining their 'why' for transitioning, learning from peers, leveraging USDA programs for support, and persevering through challenging periods during the transition process. Each piece of advice is presented in the farmers' own words, with links to their full stories and additional TOPP resources.
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University of North Dakota Law Alumnus Judge Daniel Traynor Sworn into U.S. Court of Appeals

University of North Dakota Law Alumnus Judge Daniel Traynor Sworn into U.S. Court of Appeals

Judge Daniel Traynor, a distinguished alumnus of the University of North Dakota (UND) School of Law, was officially sworn in as the newest member of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. The investiture ceremony took place on Thursday, October 29, in a special session held at the UND School of Law’s VandeWalle Courtroom. The Eighth Circuit holds jurisdiction over cases in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Arkansas. Judge Traynor fills the seat of fellow UND Law alumnus Judge Ralph R. Erickson, who is retiring. Prior to this appointment, Judge Traynor served as a justice of the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota from 2020 to 2026 and practiced insurance law and business litigation in Devils Lake.
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U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer Facilitates Partnership Between UND and Vorbeck Materials for Advanced Technology Development

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer Facilitates Partnership Between UND and Vorbeck Materials for Advanced Technology Development

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer played a key role in formalizing a partnership between the University of North Dakota (UND) and Vorbeck Materials. This collaboration, solidified through a memorandum of understanding signed on November 4, 2026, during the Space Operations Summit in Grand Forks, aims to advance research in materials science, aerospace, unmanned systems, and defense. Senator Cramer emphasized the importance of such partnerships in keeping pace with rapid technological changes and developing solutions for emerging challenges. The agreement combines UND’s research strengths in areas like aerospace and national security with Vorbeck’s expertise in advanced materials and manufacturing, creating a pathway to move emerging technologies from laboratory research to real-world applications. Vorbeck Materials, founded in 2006, specializes in graphene-based technologies for various applications, including military and aerospace, and recently established a manufacturing facility in Grand Forks.
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Trump’s Washington arch wins key approval but judge could still block construction

Trump’s Washington arch wins key approval but judge could still block construction

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, Nov 5 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's proposed 250-foot (76-meter) triumphal arch in Washington won a key approval late Thursday, which could lead to construction beginning quickly on the latest major project in his drive to reshape the US capital.