New diversion and reentry programs aimed at steering some low-level cases away from the courts are beginning to take shape in North Dakota after a slow rollout.

In this episode of The Backstory, reporter Michael Standaert discusses his reporting on two bills passed during the last legislative session. One created pilot diversion programs designed to steer some low-level cases away from the traditional court process, while another provides grants to counties to strengthen programs that help people reenter society after serving time in jail or prison.

“What happens when somebody is arrested for or cited for a low-level violation, something where there’s no violence involved, that can be remedied without going through the full judicial process?” Standaert said.

The diversion program, created through House Bill 1425, provides funding to Cass, Grand Forks and Stark counties to test different approaches. In some cases, people cited for minor offenses such as a suspended license or low-level possession may be connected with services, such as substance-use treatment or help resolving licensing issues, instead of moving through the full judicial process. If participants complete the required steps, the citation or arrest may ultimately be cleared.

The rollout has taken time as counties work to find organizations that can serve as navigators for the programs and coordinate between law enforcement, prosecutors and service providers. Officials say the goal is to intervene early, connect people with help, and prevent minor violations from turning into a cycle of repeated offenses that can carry higher costs for individuals and communities.

The programs are still in their early stages, with only a handful of cases beginning to move through the system. Standaert said it will likely take time before lawmakers and local officials can evaluate whether the pilot efforts are reducing repeat offenses and improving outcomes.

In this episode of The Backstory, North Dakota News Cooperative CEO Sabrina Halvorson speaks with Allison Olimb, editor of the Walsh County Press in Park River. Olimb discusses how she first became interested in journalism, the influence of mentors who helped shape her career, and what it means to report on the people and issues in a small rural community where the stories you cover involve neighbors, friends and local leaders.

One of the most difficult parts of community journalism, Olimb says, is maintaining fairness while reporting on sensitive issues that directly affect the people around you.

“I've had stories before where I've had people from both sides of the topic come up to me and say, you did a good job on this… the one side is thinking you're taking their side, and the other side is thinking you took their side, so I kind of feel like I did okay. But it's always in the back of your head like, I'm going to screw this up and they're going to be talking about me at the bar.” – Allison Olimb, Editor, Walsh County Press

The conversation also highlights the realities of running a small-town newsroom, where limited staff means editors often juggle multiple roles — reporter, editor and community liaison — while trying to make sure important stories are still covered.

Despite the challenges, Olimb says local newspapers remain essential gathering places for community conversations and shared information. Even when coverage can be uncomfortable, providing accurate and fair reporting helps ensure residents stay informed about the issues shaping their towns.

New national nutrition guidelines are pushing schools to serve healthier meals, but the changes require more than simply updating a menu.

In this episode of The Backstory, reporter Michael Standaert explains how new federal school meal standards are affecting districts across North Dakota. The updated rules emphasize reducing sodium and sugar while increasing the use of whole and minimally processed foods. For many schools, that would mean shifting from prepackaged items to more “from-scratch” cooking, and that can mean higher costs.

“Cooking from scratch is definitely labor-intensive… you’ll need to beef up staff, you’ll need to beef up equipment, and have bigger kitchens in your schools.” – Michael Standaert, NDNC

School nutrition directors and administrators say the changes are intended to improve student health, especially for children who rely on school meals as a primary source of nutrition. However, meeting the new standards can be difficult, particularly in rural districts where budgets are tight and facilities were not designed for large-scale scratch cooking.