Many of North Dakota’s longtime newspaper publishers are turning a page as they prepare for what comes next. In this episode of The Backstory, NDNA Executive Director Cecile Wehrman joins us to talk about ownership transitions, workforce challenges and what it will take to sustain strong local newspapers across the state.

Wehrman shares what she’s hearing from publishers across the state, including concerns about succession and the search for the next generation of leadership. She also reflects on the continued impact community newspapers have in rural towns, where they often serve as both watchdog and gathering place for local life.

“The biggest thing overall that came out was the realization that we really are facing a generational shift in ownership.” - Cecile Wehrman, NDNA

As longtime publishers near retirement, the study recommends building stronger succession planning efforts to help position newspapers for sale and connect current owners with journalists interested in stepping into leadership roles. About 25 percent of journalists surveyed said they would consider becoming owners, offering a potential path forward.

The conversation also underscores why local newspapers matter. From saving a small-town movie theater to mobilizing support for community institutions, newspapers often serve as the connective tissue that keeps rural communities vibrant and informed.

A new statewide study offers a rare, data-driven look at the health of North Dakota’s local newspapers and what may be required to keep them alive.

In this episode of The Backstory, NDNC reporter Michael Standaert discusses his reporting on a two-year research project examining the state’s newspaper ecosystem. The study surveyed publishers, journalists, and news consumers, and took a close look at communities that no longer have a local paper. The findings highlight growing pressure on small, independent newspapers, while also revealing how readers perceive — and value — local news when it disappears.

“I think they see the value of those…of having a paper now that they’re gone.” – Michael Standaert, North Dakota News Cooperative

Michael explains how North Dakota’s effort has drawn national attention, what the data shows about consumer habits and expectations, and why the study points toward the need for newspapers to clearly communicate their value to the communities they serve. The conversation also explores how this research fits into broader efforts to stabilize and strengthen local journalism across the state.

Concern over immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota is rippling beyond state lines, raising questions about how communities in North Dakota are responding, and whether similar fears could take hold closer to home.

In this episode of The Backstory, NDNC reporter Michael Standaert talks with host Sabrina Halvorson about his reporting on how faith leaders in North Dakota and Minnesota are navigating growing anxiety among immigrants and mixed-status families. The conversation offers insight into both the substance of the story and the careful reporting process behind it.

“I think one thing that surprised me was just the level of concern about talking about these issues. I mean, I think a lot of these discussions are going on behind closed doors right now.” – Michael Standaert, NDNC reporter

Standaert explains that while much of the public attention has focused on visible enforcement actions in Minnesota, many of the responses he encountered were quieter and more cautious. Faith leaders described balancing the desire to address fear and uncertainty in their congregations with concerns about internal division and potential backlash.

The discussion also explores why the story focused on longer-term community impacts rather than day-to-day developments, and how NDNC reporters handle sourcing when people are afraid to go on the record. As Halvorson notes, the situation is changing rapidly, but the underlying questions about safety, trust, and responsibility remain.

The episode offers a closer look at how complex, fast-moving stories are reported with care, and how local concerns in neighboring states can shape conversations in North Dakota communities.

A new biography examines the life and long career of North Dakota’s longest-serving Supreme Court chief justice, tracing how decades of public service shaped both the man and the court he led.

In this episode of The Backstory, NDNC reporter Michael Standaert discusses his reporting on former Chief Justice Jerry VandeWalle, whose 65-year career in state government included 45 years on the North Dakota Supreme Court. Standaert describes learning about VandeWalle’s upbringing in Noonan, his commitment to service over personal recognition, and his reputation for approachability and fairness.

The reporting also examines VandeWalle’s strong belief in judicial nonpartisanship at a time when courts are increasingly politicized. Standaert shares insights from reading the biography Call Me Jerry and from speaking directly with VandeWalle and people who know him well.

“He’s kind of married to service, and married to service to the state. It just comes out in the book quite a bit.” – Michael Standaert, NDNC Reporter

The story examines how VandeWalle’s career intersected with the evolution of North Dakota’s Supreme Court over several decades.

While North Dakota’s overall economy remains relatively strong, recent polling shows that rising costs are affecting residents unevenly. In this episode of The Backstory, host Sabrina Halvorson talks with NDNC reporter Michael Standaert about what the data reveals, how inflation is being felt differently across the state, and why methodology matters when interpreting poll results.

Michael explains that on the surface many statewide indicators suggest economic stability. But the polling also points to disparities beneath those topline numbers. He notes that inflation does not affect everyone equally, and that people with less financial flexibility are more likely to feel its effects. The conversation also touches on how broader economic forces could shape conditions moving forward.

“Trade policies and tariffs might impact the economy even more going forward.” — Michael Standaert, NDNC

Michael also walks through how polling works, including margins of error and methodology, and why careful interpretation is essential when drawing conclusions from survey data.

The episode examines what polling data suggests about economic pressures in the state and how those pressures are felt unevenly.

To learn more about the North Dakota Poll, tune in to a previous podcast featuring NDNC board member Mary Jo Hotzler who explains what goes into conducting the poll.

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.