Oil Tax Breaks, Frankenstein, Data Centers and Debate

North Dakota’s Permanent Oil Well Tax Break Faces New Questions. North Dakota’s tax break for low-producing oil wells is permanent, even if a well later produces far more oil. North Dakota Monitor reporter Jacob Orledge found that more than 700 wells producing above the qualifying limit could cost the state an estimated $66 million in tax revenue this year. The broader exemption is projected to cost about $260 million. Orledge explains how the program works, who benefits and why lawmakers are weighing possible changes against the risk of losing jobs, local tax revenue and future oil production.

ND Today: Business Highlight: Better Homes and Garden Real Estate Alliance Group: Property Listings

USDA Providing Over $65 Million In Funding To Several Different North Dakota Rural Development Projects

A media release by the United States Department of Agriculture, says the funding is connected to the USDA Rural Development program. The funding will help with water, community infrastructure and education investment projects. The Spirit Lake Tribe is receiving a $1 million grant that will be used for a commercial,...

BSC students get an up-close look at TC Energy Plant

SAINT ANTHONY, N.D. (KFYR) - Bismarck State College students traded the classroom for a compressor station, getting a hands-on look at the energy careers powering North Dakota communities. The visit comes as U.S. natural gas capacity has grown by 39% since 2022, according to the Interstate Natural Gas Association of...

Ag commissioner candidates tackle tariffs, farm crisis, data centers during debate

Republican Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring sparred with Democratic challenger Vern Thompson on tariffs, the farm crisis and more during a debate recorded this week. The debate also crystallized a key difference in how the two candidates view the role of government when it comes to overseeing the development of data centers and other industries.

Social Security benefits set to increase in 2027

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - With prices rising across the nation, making ends meet can pose as a challenge for some. But the Social Security Administration announced an increase for those on the program. For those living on a fixed income, every dollar counts. That pressure doesn’t become any easier to...

NDFU to Celebrate 100th State Convention

North Dakota Farmers Union (NDFU), the state’s largest farm organization, will celebrate its 100th annual state convention Dec. 11-12 at the Bismarck Event Center. The two-day event will honor the organization’s 100-year history, celebrate the NDFU Foundation and bring members together to shape the future of agriculture in North Dakota.

BSC students get an up-close look at TC Energy Plant

A tour for the students allowed them an up-close look at one of the energy plants that powers our communities.

North Dakota data center proposal draws farmland and local siting concerns

Geronimo Power proposes Harmony Energy Park east of Casselton and north of Mapleton in rural Cass County. The development remains subject to formal local zoning and permit decisions. Some residents have framed the dispute around siting rather than the broader industry. Their concerns include electricity demand, agricultural land, water use,...

Interior secretary pitches Fairbanks amid regional power emergency

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU) - U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum visited Fairbanks Wednesday, addressing attendees at the 8 Star Event Center and pitching the Interior as a location for large-scale AI data centers and foreign energy investment. The visit came days after Golden Valley Electric declared a Level 2...

Your Business. Their Jersey. One Lasting Impact.

Imagine seeing your business logo proudly displayed on the jerseys of some of Bismarck Hockey's youngest players as they take the ice, develop new skills, and create memories that will last a lifetime. We still have 10 teams looking for sponsors, and we need your help to fill them!. With...

Hoeven announces Project Atlas at UND as NASA administrator and Golden Dome leader highlight North Dakota’s role in national security and space exploration

GRAND FORKS, N.D. — U.S. Senator John Hoeven announced a new initiative called Project Atlas during a summit at the University of North Dakota on Tuesday, bringing together NASA, the Department of War, the North Dakota National Guard and UND to develop technology integrating unmanned aircraft and autonomous ground vehicles.

MRP 354: Listener Questions October 2026

This month’s mailbag covers a little bit of everything; thanks to Alfred, Jesse, Dave, John, Dean, Frank and Gary for sending in a question this month. Questions range from who gets paid royalties on gravel, to the Lithium that may be hiding in produced water with Pennsylvania natural gas, what to do when a royalty check hasn’t arrived in four months, and we finally do the math to answer the question about what is better – a higher lease bonus or the highest royalty rate possible when leasing. This month’s listener questions come from North Dakota, Texas, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Colorado and beyond, but the lessons carry across state lines. Whether you own minerals or are just curious, there’s a good chance one of these answers will save you money, time or a headache.

ENB Weekly Rig Count Comparison of Baker Hughes, Enverus and WellDatabase — Rigs Are Up

As of mid-October 2026, U.S. drilling activity continues to firm. Baker Hughes reported its closely watched weekly rotary rig count at 603 for the week ending October 9 (up 5 week-over-week and up 56 year-over-year from 547). WellDatabase’s U.S. Rig Report dated 10.14.2026 showed 608 total rigs (up 6 week-over-week and up 52 year-over-year). Enverus’ daily GPS-tracked Daily Rig Count stood near 658 as of October 9 (roughly +2% from the prior week), consistent with its broader capture of the active fleet.

ND Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives helping to bring electricity to a rural village in Guatemala

A village in north central Guatemala will soon have electricity, thanks to North Dakota electric cooperatives. Line workers from 10 co-ops are heading to San Luis Palo Grande in November, to build two and a half miles of power lines, to install three transformers, and connect more than 50 homes and a school.

North Dakota Farmers Union marks 100 years in Bismarck

North Dakota Farmers Union (NDFU) announces the 100th annual state convention at the Bismarck Event Center.

Tribe files suit to stop Dakota Access pipeline operations

The fight by Native American leaders against the Dakota Access oil pipeline is not finished. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe on Friday filed a new lawsuit to shut down the Energy Transfer-owned pipeline that transports an average of 500,000 to 525,000 barrels of oil a day from North Dakota’s Bakken oil field to Illinois.

ND 250: How rural power transformed North Dakota – Part 2

BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — As we continue celebrating ND 250 and our American story, we’re highlighting one of the developments which transformed life for people all over rural North Dakota: electricity. In the 1930s, most North Dakota farms and ranches were going without electric lights, refrigeration, running water,...

Grand Sky’s Tom Swoyer Jr. named 2026 Hoeven UAS Sky Pioneer Award winner

GRAND FORKS, N.D. — The developer behind North Dakota’s premier unmanned aircraft facility has received a top state aviation honor. Tom Swoyer Jr., developer and president of Grand Sky Development Company, is the 2026 recipient of the newly renamed Senator John Hoeven UAS Sky Pioneer Award. Organizers with...

See A North Dakota Palace! The Largest Home In The State

(PHOTOS) A peek inside the largest home in North Dakota.