On this episode of Plain Talk, Zach Raknerud pointed out that many North Dakota Democrats are afraid to do interviews with me. “I don’t think that’s right,” he said. He’s the candidate North Dakota Democrats endorsed to challenge Republican Congressman Kelly Armstrong this cycle. He made that point while arguing that he intends to offer…
With Budget Problems Looming, Gov. Burgum Needs to Call a Special Session of the Legislature to Address Coronavirus
MINOT, N.D. — Today begins another day with North Dakota’s economy, in many ways, shut down. Some businesses continue to operate, but many are shuttered or have curtailed their operations to comply with Gov. Doug Burgum’s executive order limiting commerce, as well as further urging voluntary limits on social interaction. These moves, agree with them…
Plain Talk: Education Professor Says North Dakota’s Push for Remote Education Has Been “Overly Bureaucratic,” Tells Parents Not to Worry About Kids Losing Ground
Dan Conn is an Associate Professor of Teacher Education and Kinesiology at Minot State University. In this episode of Plain Talk, he discusses the challenges related to mobilizing, as a response to the coronavirus pandemic, remote education solutions on the short timeline state leaders like Governor Doug Burgum and Superintendent Kirsten Baesler are asking for.…
Republicans Channel Obama in Coronavirus Response
MINOT, N.D. — We like to describe politics as the “marketplace of ideas.” If only it were so. A marketplace, in the economic sense, tends to be innovative. Competition drives a constant need to find the new and improved. There is little innovation taking place in America’s political thinking. At least at the national level.…
The Legacy Fund Should Be Part of North Dakota’s Recovery From Coronavirus
MINOT, N.D. — Our nation is under quarantine, and the economy is suffering because of it. That’s why, at the federal level. Congress is rushing to spend something like $1 trillion on a stimulus package. What are we going to do here at the state level? A lot of you readers have been contacting me…
Guest Post: In an Emergency, Reliable Electricity Is a Necessity
This guest post was submitted by Jason Bohrer, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Lignite Energy Council. The coronavirus has forever shaped our lives. Don’t believe me? Just ask the tourism and entertainment industry. Ask the medical personnel at our hospitals and clinics. And, most of all, ask the people who have contracted this…
Plain Talk 146: Senator Cramer Says He Thinks Americans Should Have Their Stimulus Checks by April 6
Senator Kevin Cramer says Congress is aiming to get stimulus checks, a response to the coronavirus crisis, into the bank accounts of Americans by April 6. That’s what he said on this episode of Plain Talk. The legislation isn’t finalized yet, but he expects each individual to get in the ballpark of $1,200 each. The…
The Government Is Ditching Regulations in Response to Coronavirus, Maybe We Didn’t Need Them at All
MINOT, N.D. — A lot is going on right now, thanks to coronavirus. The response to the COVID-19 outbreak has knocked us off our routines. The kids are home from school. Many of us aren’t going into the office. Everyone from the principal of your local school to the governor to the president of the…
Guest Post: You’re Going to Be Ok
This guest post was submitted by James Kerian of Grafton, North Dakota. Calm down. Don’t be afraid. Take some deep breaths. I’m not saying you shouldn’t follow the Governor’s instructions or the President’s instructions or the Bishop’s instructions. It’s their place, not mine, to lead. But follow them without being afraid. Everyone I talk to…
Calm, My Friends
MINOT, N.D. — Despite what you may have heard, this is not the new normal. As this dark cloud of agoraphobia descends on our communities, we’re all reading and viewing a lot of content telling us that our lives have been forever changed. They haven’t. Not really. We are a pampered people. Cynicism about America may be en…