In this episode, journalist Michael Standaert joins Sabrina Halvorson to discuss the ongoing housing shortage in rural North Dakota. They explore the root causes, including infrastructure challenges, floodplain restrictions, and developer disinterest. Standaert also highlights Senate Bill 2225, a widely supported $50 million proposal that aimed to expand infrastructure and kickstart housing development but failed quietly at the end of the legislative session. The conversation examines why this failure received little public attention and how a similar proposal might return in the future.

Key Discussion Points:

• The rural Grand Forks region faces a shortfall of approximately 4,800 homes, excluding the city itself
• Floodplain restrictions and valuable farmland limit geographic expansion in small towns
• Developers are reluctant to invest in rural areas, preferring high-profit urban projects
• Senate Bill 2225 proposed infrastructure funding for housing development, but failed despite broad support and no opposition testimony
• The bill's failure occurred in the final hours of the session (around 2:10 a.m.)

In this episode of Backstory, host Sabrina Halvorson speaks with Ryan Janke, the new owner and publisher of the Wishek Star and Ashley Tribune. Janke discusses his unexpected path from city employee and freelance reporter to small-town newspaper publisher, and the steps he took to keep two long-standing rural newspapers in operation following the passing of longtime publisher Tony Bender.

In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the North Dakota News Cooperative’s latest statewide poll. Host Sabrina Halvorson is joined by Michael Standaert, lead reporter at NDNC, to unpack how polling results are transformed into in-depth, unbiased journalism. They explore the full editorial process, from receiving raw data to selecting compelling story angles and conducting follow-up interviews.

Michael shares why maintaining independence from the polling process is critical to journalistic integrity and how he approaches sensitive topics with a neutral lens. You'll also hear about the challenges and benefits of polling in a state like North Dakota and how increased participation this year adds value to the insights.

Key Topics Covered

• How NDNC ensures neutrality in reporting poll results
• Behind-the-scenes look at the reporter’s role after poll data is released
• Why separation between poll design and reporting matters
• The value of expert commentary for context and clarity
• Expanding poll reach: What 625 participants means for accuracy in North Dakota

Mentioned in This Episode

• Learn more about NDNC’s polling process: www.newscoopnd.org

About The Backstory The Backstory offers a look into the reporting process behind top stories from the North Dakota News Cooperative, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to serving communities across the state.

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