Seeking solutions for rural grocery stores, food deserts

Military Gallery construction stalls

The North Dakota Military Gallery was envisioned as a world-class addition to the State Heritage Center in Bismarck, a place to honor veterans, preserve military history and attract visitors from across the country. But just one year after groundbreaking, construction has stopped. The project, which depends on a combination of public and private donations, has raised only a fraction of its fundraising goal, prompting lawmakers to question [https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/07/07/nd-lawmakers-react-to-halted-capitol-grounds-construction-project-that-ran-out-of-money/] what comes next.  North Dakota Monitor editor Amy Dalrymple joins host Craig Blumenshine to talk about her reporting. A Closer Look with the Monitor is a partnership with Prairie Public Main Street [https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/main-street].

Amplifying Indigenous history at the Roosevelt library

The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library will open its doors to the public this Saturday on the 250th anniversary of the United States’ declaration of independence.   The library will explore the former president’s legacy and his transformational years in the Badlands of North Dakota in the 1880s. But it will also confront Roosevelt’s history of racist remarks and the policies he supported that continue to have a detrimental effect on Native Americans across the country.  North Dakota Monitor reporter Jacob Orledge joins host Craig Blumenshine to discuss his reporting on the subject and what he learned from speaking to Native American leaders, historians and a member of the Roosevelt family.  A Closer Look with the Monitor is a partnership with Prairie Public Main Street [https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/main-street].

JETx at a crossroads: Court challenge and permit approval

The proposed JETx transmission line took two significant turns this week.  JETx is a proposed 92-mile-long, high-voltage electric transmission line connecting substations near Jamestown and Ellendale through Stutsman, LaMoure and Dickey Counties. Companies Otter Tail Power and MDU Resources say it’s designed to improve the reliability and capacity of the regional power grid.  On Tuesday, the North Dakota Supreme Court heard arguments [https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/06/23/landowners-townships-bring-appeal-of-transmission-line-to-north-dakota-supreme-court/] from landowners and townships who say they were denied proper notice and participation during an earlier approval process. Then, on Wednesday, the North Dakota Public Service Commission unanimously approved [https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/06/24/public-service-commission-grants-final-approval-to-jetx-transmission-line/] the project's final route permit.  North Dakota Monitor reporters Jacob Orledge and North Dakota Monitor contributor Mary Steurer join host Craig Blumenshine to unpack the latest developments. A Closer Look with the Monitor is a partnership with Prairie Public Main Street [https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/main-street].

Planning for a nuclear future

North Dakota continues to explore opportunities in emerging energy technologies, including advanced nuclear power. This week on A Closer Look with the Monitor, reporter Jacob Orledge talks to host Craig Blumenshine about why state officials recently highlighted the Missouri River as the state's best source of water [https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/06/16/missouri-river-is-best-source-of-water-for-nuclear-energy-in-north-dakota-regulator-says/] for potential nuclear energy projects. Orledge also discusses his new reporting about turnover [https://northdakotamonitor.com/briefs/north-dakota-ethics-commission-names-new-chair/] on the Ethics Commission and the results of an informal survey [https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/06/15/north-dakota-ethics-survey-shows-respondents-lack-confidence-in-state-officials/] on ethics in government distributed by the commission.  A Closer Look with the Monitor is a partnership with Prairie Public’s Main Street program [https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/main-street].

Energy research and a quiet constitutional vote

Uncertainty around federal grants forced layoffs of some employees at the Energy and Environmental Research Center at the University of North Dakota and furloughs of even more. But Monitor deputy editor Jeff Beach discusses how some of those workers are returning [https://northdakotamonitor.com/briefs/north-dakota-energy-research-center-brings-back-part-of-furloughed-workforce/] along with federal research dollars.  Plus, on Tuesday, North Dakota voters will decide a constitutional measure [https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/04/21/voters-to-weigh-whether-north-dakota-constitutional-amendments-should-be-single-subject/] in the June 9th primary election. Monitor reporter Mary Steurer describes how that could change future constitutional amendments are written and  presented to voters. A Closer Look with the Monitor, hosted by Craig Blumenshine, is a partnership with Prairie Public’s Main Street program [https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/main-street].