How electricity prices are determined is often less visible than other parts of the energy system, but they’re shaped by a mix of infrastructure, demand, and long-term planning. In this episode, we take a closer look at how those forces interact in North Dakota and what they mean for future energy costs.

Reporter Michael Standaert explains how electricity rates are influenced by infrastructure upgrades, transmission costs, and the growing demand from large industrial users such as data centers. While North Dakota continues to benefit from relatively low power prices compared with much of the country, utilities are navigating the challenge of modernizing the grid while keeping costs from shifting onto residential customers. The discussion also explores how renewable energy projects, backup generation, and long-term planning factor into price stability.

“They’re trying to balance bringing in new projects without passing those costs on to existing users, especially residential consumers,” said Michael Standart, NDNC reporter.

The episode places today’s energy price questions in a broader context of economic development, grid reliability, and long-term affordability for North Dakota communities.

Artificial intelligence is entering North Dakota classrooms, and while some educators see new opportunities, some are struggling to keep pace with the fast-moving technology.

In this episode, reporter Michael Standaert joins Sabrina Halvorson to break down how schools are navigating AI use, what guidance exists at the state level, and where the biggest challenges are emerging.

Standaert explains how teachers are simultaneously excited about AI’s potential for individualized learning and overwhelmed by the lack of consistent policies or time for training.

“Students in many cases are far ahead of teachers in using these tools, and districts are trying to manage it all with guidance that’s already outdated.” – Michael Standaert, NDNC reporter.

Sabrina and Michael also discuss concerns around student misuse, the promise of adaptive learning systems, and what school leaders may need as AI becomes a larger part of everyday education.

North Dakota’s first major winter storm has arrived, and while many families are settling into the holiday season, others are facing a harsher reality: rising evictions, limited shelter space, and growing housing insecurity. In this episode, reporter Michael Standaert joins Sabrina to break down the shifting landscape of homelessness services and the renewed effort to address it statewide.

Standaert explains how federal funding changes could leave major gaps in support, especially for organizations like the YWCA of Cass Clay, which may lose nearly half of its permanent supportive housing units. As he notes in the conversation, “If the state or other organizations can’t step up, they may have to lose those 45 out of 97 units. Their emergency housing is not affected, but this shift in funding is a big concern.”

Sabrina and Michael also discuss the reestablishment of the Interagency Council on Homelessness, the rise in evictions across the state, and what communities should be watching in the months ahead.