News

Mosquito bite prevention remains best defense against West Nile virus

Mosquito bite prevention remains best defense against West Nile virus

Mosquito bite prevention remains best defense against West Nile virus

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
North Dakota Health and Human Services reminds residents that preventing mosquito bites remains the most effective way to avoid West Nile virus. Although no human cases have been reported in North Dakota so far this year, officials say the risk of contracting the disease exists anytime mosquitoes are active.
Eighth-grade students gather on the football practice field before the annual Bottle Rocket Challenge, a hands-on engineering project in Rich Olson’s Exploring Technology class. Photo by Larry Stokke

Eighth-grade students gather on the football practice field before the annual Bottle Rocket Challenge, a hands-on engineering project in Rich Olson’s Exploring Technology class. Photo by Larry Stokke

Rockets take flight in Exploring Technology challenge

Sarah Overby
Thursday, June 11, 2026
JH students put engineering skills to the test LANGDON - A very fitting story to go along with our front page feature this week. At the end of the school year, the football practice field became a launch pad for creativity and engineering on the last day of school, as students in Rich Olson’s eighth-grade Exploring Technology classes took part in the annual Bottle Rocket Challenge.
Travis and Autumn Bennett, owners of Smoke Wagon Meats in Walhalla, are pictured outside their business. The former educators opened the shop in 2024, bringing decades of butchering experience to serve customers across the region. Submitted photo

Travis and Autumn Bennett, owners of Smoke Wagon Meats in Walhalla, are pictured outside their business. The former educators opened the shop in 2024, bringing decades of butchering experience to serve customers across the region. Submitted photo

Smoke Wagon Meats opens near Pembina Gorge, bringing artisan butchery to the region

Sarah Overby, Editor
Thursday, June 11, 2026
A new, locally-owned meat shop is serving customers near the Pembina Gorge, offering custom-cut steaks, handcrafted sausages and a personalized experience that owners Travis and Autumn Bennett hope will become a staple for area residents and visitors alike. Smoke Wagon Meats, LLC, located just northwest of Walhalla near the Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area, recently received its Retail Meat Market License and has officially opened its doors to customers.
Chris Johnson, standing center, poses with members of the Artemis I recovery team aboard a U.S. Navy vessel following the successful splashdown and recovery of the Orion spacecraft in 2022. Johnson served as part of the Air Operations team during the mission. Photo courtesy of NASA

Chris Johnson, standing center, poses with members of the Artemis I recovery team aboard a U.S. Navy vessel following the successful splashdown and recovery of the Orion spacecraft in 2022. Johnson served as part of the Air Operations team during the mission. Photo courtesy of NASA

From Langdon to the Moon

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Local graduate helps lead NASA's return to deep space From a small-town upbringing in northeastern North Dakota to helping lead NASA's return to the moon, Chris Johnson's journey is proof that big dreams can begin in unexpected places. The son of longtime Langdon residents John and Kathie Johnson, the 1991 Langdon High School graduate now serves as deputy manager for NASA's Orion Program Hardware Production and Reuse office.

Return June primary election absentee ballots

News Staff
Thursday, June 4, 2026
BISMARCK, N.D. - As the June 9 Primary Election approaches, citizens who are voting absentee are encouraged to fill out and return their ballot as soon as possible. Absentee ballots must be received by the county auditor by the close of polls on election day to be counted.
From the left: Superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction Levi Bachmeier (Photo courtesy of Office of the Governor), Tracy Layne Foss (Photo courtesy of Foss campaign) and Charles Tuttle (Photo by Jacob Orledge/North Dakota Monitor).

From the left: Superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction Levi Bachmeier (Photo courtesy of Office of the Governor), Tracy Layne Foss (Photo courtesy of Foss campaign) and Charles Tuttle (Photo by Jacob Orledge/North Dakota Monitor).

How candidates for North Dakota’s top K-12 job would address teacher recruitment, retention

Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Candidates for superintendent of public instruction have different takes on how to improve North Dakota teacher recruitment and retention. The North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board has for the past three years declared critical shortages in all teaching areas.
Sen. Michelle Axtman, R-Bismarck, speaks during a press conference May 28, 2026, launching a statewide survey on student technology use. Also pictured are, from left, Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden, first lady Kjersti Armstrong and Superintendent of Public Instruction Levi Bachmeier. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Sen. Michelle Axtman, R-Bismarck, speaks during a press conference May 28, 2026, launching a statewide survey on student technology use. Also pictured are, from left, Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden, first lady Kjersti Armstrong and Superintendent of Public Instruction Levi Bachmeier. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Public asked to weigh in on technology use in North Dakota schools

Michael Achterling, North Dakota Monitor
Thursday, June 4, 2026
After K-12 cellphone ban, restrictions on other devices could be proposed in 2027 legislative session A new North Dakota Department of Public Instruction survey seeks statewide feedback on potential changes to how students are using technology. Superintendent Levi Bachmeier, who took over the state’s top education role in November, said he hopes the survey results will inform policymakers on potential reforms to school-issued device policies across the state.

Borderland BRIEFS

News Staff
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Meidinger retires after more than 35 years in law enforcement Pembina County Sheriff Terry Meidinger has retired from law enforcement after more than 35 years of service to the region. Meidinger, who is not seeking re-election in the June 9 primary, announced his intention to retire during the May 19 meeting of the Pembina County Commission and officially stepped down May 31. Before becoming sheriff in January 2015, Meidinger served 24 years with the Walhalla Police Department. He then served 11½ years as Pembina County sheriff. The Pembina County Commission accepted Meidinger’s resignation and expressed appreciation for his years of service to the county. Deputy Sheriff Cory Mortensen was appointed interim sheriff effective June 1. Mortensen is one of two candidates seeking election as sheriff in the June 9 primary. Former Chief Deputy Marcus Ramsay is also running for the position.
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