In this episode, we explore the sweeping changes taking place in Medora, North Dakota, as the town prepares for the grand opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, scheduled for July 4th next year. The conversation highlights the transformative impact of the project on local infrastructure, tourism, and the small community of year-round residents.

Listeners get an inside look at the construction boom currently reshaping the area, including a new 100-room hotel, a roundabout, and a future event center near the Bully Pulpit golf course. As excitement builds, so does anxiety. Locals are both hopeful and uncertain about the disruptions and opportunities the influx of tourists will bring.

The episode covers:

• Why Medora is already near full capacity for the opening and why early booking is crucial
• How the library aims to turn Medora into a year-round destination
• The anticipated economic ripple effect for nearby towns like Dickinson and Bismarck
• The blend of nostalgia and anticipation as residents brace for change
• Broader implications for North Dakota tourism and statewide economic benefit

The hosts also reflect on personal visits and emphasize how the project could both preserve Medora’s charm and usher in a new era of national relevance.

In this episode, host Sabrina Halvorson speaks with Michael Standaert about the looming expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits and how this policy shift could lead to significant increases in health insurance costs for North Dakota farmers.

“This is the family business, and that's how they provide health insurance for the family. And now all of a sudden to see the potential for that to increase 75 percent… that's got to be very difficult.” — Sabrina Halvorson, NDNC CEO

They break down the financial implications, including estimates of a 75 percent rise in premiums for some families, and discuss how this burden adds to an already challenging economic landscape shaped by weak commodity prices, rising input costs, damaged grain storage, and lost markets in China. They also touch on the expiration of the Farm Bill extension and the government shutdown, highlighting the compounded uncertainty facing rural communities.

Key Topics Covered:

• Impact of expiring ACA enhanced tax credits on farm families
• Potential 75 percent increase in health insurance premiums
• Broader economic pressures on farmers including reduced market access and increased costs
• Declining commodity prices and the collapse of soybean exports to China
• Grain storage issues due to infrastructure damage and harvest timing
• Expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill extension and its effects on support programs
• The complexity of trade relations with China and its long-term effects on North Dakota agriculture
• The emotional and operational toll on farming families amid policy instability

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Farm Aid offers a free and confidential hotline at 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243), where farmers can talk to someone who understands the pressures of agricultural life. The hotline is open Monday through Friday, 9am to 10pm ET.

For 24/7 crisis support, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). You can also dial 988 to connect directly to a trained crisis counselor.

In this episode, Sabrina Halvorson and Michael Standaert dive into the vibrant world of running and biking events across North Dakota. From small-town trail races to the nationally recognized Fargo Marathon, they explore how these events are more than just athletic competitions—they’re engines of tourism, community connection, and local pride.

Michael shares his personal experiences with trail and obstacle course races and reflects on how a chance encounter led to reporting on these dynamic community gatherings. The hosts also highlight the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into organizing races, the economic boost they provide to local businesses, and the unifying atmosphere they foster among participants—no matter their background or political views.

Whether it's a Fourth of July fun run in Mandan or the endurance challenges of the Badlands Trail Run, this episode shines a light on how races throughout the state are building healthier, more connected communities.

Topics Covered:

• The inspiration behind reporting on North Dakota’s race scene
• Local events like the Cooley Run in Washburn and the Medieval Rush in Bismarck
• The economic and tourism impact of events like the Fargo Marathon
• Volunteerism and community effort in organizing races