The Backstory from the North Dakota News Cooperative

Special Guest: Josh Kramer, General Manager and Executive Vice President, North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives Electricity costs and data centers have been making headlines across North Dakota, but what’s really driving the changes in rates and demand? In this episode, host Sabrina Halvorson first sits down with Josh Kramer to unpack the complexities behind the state’s electric...

In this episode of The Backstory, host Sabrina Halverson and lead reporter Michael Standaert explore the story behind a North Dakota family that has turned to regenerative ranching to restore their land. Facing declining crop yields and deteriorating soil, the Maddock family adopted innovative grazing techniques that use cattle to naturally rebuild soil health. Their efforts earned them the Aldo L...

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...

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 tha...

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...

In this episode, Sabrina Halvorson and Michael Standaert dive into an inspiring arts and ecology initiative titled "Thinking Like a Prairie," where high school students from the North Valley Career and Technology Center engaged in a unique, hands-on learning experience. With support from the North Dakota Natural Resources Trust, the program partnered with artist Austin Camille to help students con...

In this episode of The Backstory, Sabrina Halvorson and Michael Standaert of the North Dakota News Cooperative unpack a new initiative aimed at reshaping the future of local journalism and why community support may be the key to its survival. The conversation centers around the findings of a statewide survey conducted with journalists, publishers, and news consumers as part of the Future of Local...

In this episode, journalist Michael Standaert joins Sabrina Halvorson to discuss the ongoing housing shortage in rural North Dakota. They explore the root causes, including infrastructure challenges, floodplain restrictions, and developer disinterest. Standaert also highlights Senate Bill 2225, a widely supported $50 million proposal that aimed to expand infrastructure and kickstart housing develo...

In this episode of Backstory, host Sabrina Halvorson speaks with Ryan Janke, the new owner and publisher of the Wishek Star and Ashley Tribune. Janke discusses his unexpected path from city employee and freelance reporter to small-town newspaper publisher, and the steps he took to keep two long-standing rural newspapers in operation following the passing of longtime publisher Tony Bender.

In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the North Dakota News Cooperative’s latest statewide poll. Host Sabrina Halvorson is joined by Michael Standaert, lead reporter at NDNC, to unpack how polling results are transformed into in-depth, unbiased journalism. They explore the full editorial process, from receiving raw data to selecting compelling story angles and conducting follow-up interviews...

In this episode, host Sabrina Halvorson talks with Mary Jo Hotzler, board member of the North Dakota News Cooperative, about the meticulous process behind their latest statewide public opinion poll. From selecting a polling company to crafting nonpartisan questions, Mary Jo explains the meticulous process behind ensuring accuracy, credibility, and a truly representative sample. Discover why live p...

In this episode, we look at how shifting U.S. tariffs are impacting North Dakota’s farmers and agricultural businesses. As new tariffs take effect, especially those on imports from Canada and China, farmers are seeing increased equipment costs, delayed deliveries, and growing uncertainty about future trade relationships. Michael breaks down what’s happening on the ground, including insight from so...

In this episode of The Backstory, host Sabrina Halvorson is joined by reporter Michael Standaert to explore a forward-thinking agricultural initiative in North Dakota: using rotational grazing practices to capture and store carbon in soil. Michael breaks down the science of carbon credits and the economics of carbon markets, sharing insights from his reporting and interviews with researchers and r...

Federal cost-cutting measures are putting some North Dakota senior programs at risk. In this episode of The Backstory, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Michael Standaert discuss Michael’s recent reporting on the uncertainty facing Senior Companions programs due to AmeriCorps funding delays. With more than 375 volunteers helping isolated older adults across 53 counties, the potential loss of this suppor...

In this special episode of The Backstory, host Sabrina Halvorson talks with reporter Michael Standaert about his work featured in an investigative series that received the Arthur E. Rowse Award for Excellence in Examining the News Media from the National Press Club. Michael’s reporting, produced in collaboration with FLOODLIGHT, uncovered the sudden appearance of a newspaper in Morton County, Nort...

A cyber attack on a national food distributor made headlines — but how does that trickle down to rural grocery stores in North Dakota? In this episode of The Backstory, host Sabrina Halvorson speaks with NDNC reporter Michael Standaert about his recent story, Grocery Stores in North Dakota affected by cyber attack on distributor. They unpack how supply chain disruptions disproportionately impact s...

In this episode, host Sabrina Halvorson speaks with journalist Michael Standaert about the growing interest in regenerative agriculture and how mini-documentaries are bringing attention to this important topic. Michael explains how farmers are working to restore soil health, reduce chemical use, and adapt to changing consumer demands. The discussion highlights a recent mini-documentary by Kiss the...

In this update episode, reporter Michael Standaert returns with a powerful follow-up on Ukrainian refugees living in North Dakota under the Uniting for Ukraine program. As the two-year parole period nears its end for many, families now face the threat of losing their legal ability to work — and the looming question of whether they'll be forced to leave. From a mother trying to keep her son in high...

In this episode, the Michael Standaert and Sabrina Halvorson explore the implications of proposed Medicaid changes on rural hospitals in North Dakota. Initial concerns suggested significant potential harm, but further research reveals that exemptions and low percentages of affected individuals might mitigate these effects. The discussion covers the specifics of Medicaid work requirements, tribal e...

This week on The Backstory from the North Dakota News Cooperative, host Sabrina Halvorson talks with reporter Michael Standaert about his latest article uncovering the impact of federal funding cuts to AmeriCorps programs in rural North Dakota. Standaert shares what he learned from educators and community members who relied on AmeriCorps support, particularly in small towns where one volunteer cou...

In this episode, we expand on an earlier Backstory discussion with reporter Michael Standaert with an additional guest. Keli Berglund, the former Department Commander for Disabled American Veterans in North Dakota and current mayor of Lincoln, joins us to discuss the critical challenges faced by veterans in accessing healthcare, especially in rural areas. She highlights the impact of potential fun...

In this episode, we discuss the recent measles outbreak in North Dakota, marking the state's first cases in over a decade. Journalist Michael Standaert shares insights on the timely reporting done by the North Dakota News Cooperative, detailing the rapid spread of the disease and the significant role declining vaccination rates have played. We explore the outbreak's origins, current status, and ef...

Federal funding cuts are putting pressure on key institutions in North Dakota. In this episode, host Sabrina Halvorson talks with NDNC reporter Michael Standaert about how these cuts could impact the state library and major research universities. Programs like interlibrary loans, online databases, and services for people with reading impairments are at risk. At UND and NDSU, canceled CDC and NIH g...

In this episode, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Michael Standaert delve into the anxieties local veterans are facing regarding proposed staffing cuts at the VA, which could potentially affect as many as 72,000 positions nationwide. The discussion includes insights from various veterans, who express fears about longer wait times and diminished care quality. Despite reassurances from the VA, veterans r...

In this episode, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Michael Standaert unpack what it means to be a “humanitarian parolee” in the U.S.—specifically focusing on Ukrainian immigrants in North Dakota under the “United for Ukraine” program. They break down how humanitarian parole differs from refugee status, why these distinctions matter, and what’s at stake as parolees face an uncertain legal future. The con...