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Governor Armstrong to Announce New North Dakota Schools superintendent Today
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By davidharrison, world-today-news.com
BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota is poised to have a new leader in public education today, October 21, as governor Kelly Armstrong prepares to announce his appointment for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The appointment comes following the departure of Kirsten Baesler, who has accepted a position with the U.S. Department of Education.
Baesler’s Departure adn Federal Role
Kirsten Baesler has served as North Dakota’s State Superintendent since 2013, and was recently re-elected to a four-year term in 2024.Though, her career trajectory shifted when the U.S. Senate confirmed her on October 7 to the role of Assistant Secretary for Elementary and secondary Education within the U.S. Department of Education. This move necessitated the search for a successor to led North Dakota’s public schools.
Timeline for the New Superintendent
Governor Armstrong’s appointee will assume the duties of State Superintendent immediately and will serve until the november 2026 general election. At that time, North Dakota voters will elect someone to complete the remaining portion of the four-year term, which extends through 2028.
how to Watch the Announcement
The announcement is scheduled for 2 p.m. Central Time in the Governor’s Conference Room. Members of the public can view the announcement live via a stream on Governor Armstrong’s official facebook page.
Context and Trends in North Dakota Education
The transition in leadership comes at a pivotal time for North Dakota’s education system. Ongoing discussions around school funding, teacher recruitment and retention, and curriculum growth are key issues facing the state. The new superintendent will be tasked with navigating these challenges and ensuring continued progress in student achievement. The role also requires collaboration with local school boards, educators, and parents to address the unique needs of communities across the state.
frequently Asked Questions
Who is replacing Kirsten Baesler as North Dakota’s schools superintendent?
Governor Kelly Armstrong will announce his appointee today, October 21. The name of the new superintendent has not yet been released.
When was Kirsten Baesler confirmed for her federal position?
The U.S. Senate confirmed Kirsten Baesler on October 7 to serve as Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
How long will the appointed superintendent serve?
The appointee will serve as State superintendent through the November 2026 general election.
When will North Dakota voters elect a permanent superintendent?
North Dakota voters will elect someone to complete the four-year term in November 2026,with the term running through 2028.
Where can I watch the announcement of the new superintendent?
The announcement will be live streamed on Governor armstrong’s Facebook page.
When did Kirsten Baesler first become North Dakota’s State Superintendent?
Kirsten Baesler has served as State Superintendent since 2013.
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Xcel Energy‘s planned departure from coal-fired power generation is a central point of contention in ongoing North Dakota electric rate case proceedings, potentially impacting customer bills across the state. Public hearings began October 3, 2023, and are expected to conclude quickly, according to state Public Service Commissioner Julie Fedorchak.
The rate case, which affects approximately 235,000 North Dakota customers of Xcel Energy, centers on the company’s request for a $66.7 million revenue increase.A critically important portion of the debate revolves around how Xcel will manage the financial implications of retiring its coal plants – specifically, the Allen Generating Station near Casselton and the Milton R. Young Station near Center – and transitioning to renewable energy sources. The outcome will determine how those costs are allocated between shareholders and ratepayers.
xcel intends to cease coal-fired generation by 2030, a move driven by environmental concerns and evolving energy market dynamics. The company argues that a prudent cost recovery mechanism is essential to ensure a reliable and affordable energy supply during the transition. Opponents, including the North dakota Public Utilities Commission staff and the Sierra Club, contend that Xcel should bear a greater share of the costs associated with decommissioning the plants and investing in new infrastructure.
“We want to make sure that North Dakota ratepayers aren’t left holding the bag for investments that may not be prudent,” stated a representative from the Public Utilities Commission staff during the hearing. The Sierra Club echoed these concerns, advocating for a faster transition to renewable energy and a more equitable distribution of costs.
Fedorchak indicated the commission expects to reach a decision relatively soon, with a final order anticipated within a few weeks. The commission’s ruling will have long-term implications for Xcel’s investment strategy and the future of energy production in North Dakota. This story was originally published on NorthDakotaMonitor.com.
This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here.
Watford City, N.D. – Sept. 17, 2025 – North Dakota’s natural gas industry could see important expansion driven by the burgeoning demand for energy to power artificial intelligence data centers, Governor Doug Burgum indicated today at the North Dakota Petroleum Council annual meeting in Watford City. The potential for new markets comes as energy developers in the state face increasing challenges securing land access for pipelines and infrastructure.
The governor’s comments arrive as North Dakota navigates a period of energy growth alongside landowner concerns and infrastructure strains. While the state has experienced recent increases in oil and gas activity, especially in counties like Burke, lawmakers acknowledge a growing need to balance energy development with property rights and resource management.
Rep. Craig Headland, R-Montpelier, highlighted the difficulty in obtaining easements for essential energy infrastructure. “The public good doesn’t seem to matter like it used to,” Headland said during a lawmaker panel discussion.
sen. Mark Enget, R-Powers Lake, emphasized the importance of respectful engagement with landowners. “North Dakota people are very reasonable. If you talk to them respectfully and you work towards a solution and discuss it in a way that resonates and makes sense to them, there’s a way through it,” he stated.
however, Enget also pointed to challenges accompanying growth in his home county of Burke, including school overcrowding, infrastructure wear and tear, and increasing concerns about water resource depletion due to hydraulic fracturing. “It creates a problem where many of our water resources in the county are really being drawn down,” Enget said. “So I worry about the longer term and if we see more and more activity, where all of that water is going to come from.”
sen. Brad Bekkedahl, R-Williston, predicted that balancing infrastructure needs, property rights, and energy development will be a key issue in the upcoming legislative session. “I think it’s going to loom large in the next session,” Bekkedahl said.
(Photo by Jacob Orledge/North Dakota Monitor)
North Dakota‘s Pembina Gorge Named Among Midwest’s Best Fall Color Destinations
Pembina Gorge State Recreation area has been recognized as a “must-see” location for autumn foliage by Midwest Living, placing North Dakota within the top 30 fall color getaways in the entire Midwest. The designation highlights the state’s unique blend of boreal and deciduous forests, offering a vibrant display of crimson, amber, golden, and russet hues.
As peak fall season approaches, outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers have a prime location within the state to experience the changing leaves. The Pembina Gorge, North Dakota’s largest uninterrupted stretch of oak woods, provides an ideal backdrop for hikers and bird watchers.Camping is also available nearby, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the autumn scenery.
According to the Midwest Living article, the Pembina Gorge’s diverse ecosystem creates a particularly stunning visual experience. The area’s combination of boreal and deciduous forests results in a rich tapestry of fall colors, making it a destination for those seeking breathtaking natural beauty.
North Dakota Faces Rising Homelessness Amidst Housing Affordability Crisis
BISMARCK, ND – A growing number of North dakotans are experiencing homelessness as rising housing costs and stagnant wages strain affordability, according to testimony presented to teh interim Human Services Committee this week.The state is grappling with a shortage of affordable rental units, leaving many vulnerable households struggling to secure stable housing.
Data presented at the hearing revealed that of households applying for rent assistance, 48% where temporarily staying with friends or family, while 25% were residing in emergency shelters or transitional housing. A critically important 19% were considered unsheltered at the time of request.
“People tend to forget that the moast affordable rental units are the most competitive,” explained Thomasson to lawmakers. ”That means someone who misses out on an affordable unit may sometimes spend more than they can afford to secure housing.”
The situation is exacerbated by income levels. Jennifer Henderson,director of planning and housing development for the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency,noted federal guidelines reccommend housing costs not exceed 30% of income - a benchmark increasingly difficult to meet. North Dakota currently has over 106,000 households earning less than $23 per hour, categorized as very low to extremely low income, and that number is projected to increase by 2027.
“when you see rents going to $1,100 plus,per month,there are going to be less and less people that are going to be able to afford those rents based on our projections of income,” Henderson stated.She further highlighted that approximately 38% of job openings in North Dakota offer an average starting wage under $20 per hour.
U.S. Census Bureau data shows a disparity between renters and homeowners, with 39% of renter households in North Dakota spending more than 30% of their income on housing, compared to 15% of homeowners.The burden is particularly acute for seniors, with 56% of renter households over age 65 exceeding the 30% threshold.
Senator Kyle Davison, R-Fargo, chair of the interim Human Services Committee, acknowledged the complexity of the issue. “There’s a lot there to unwind,” he said, adding that improving data collection on homelessness is a priority. Davison indicated the committee will focus on developing potential solutions, with a particular emphasis on preventative measures. “trying to be more proactive to prevent homelessness before it occurs could be a better use of taxpayer dollars than building shelters,” he suggested.
The committee will continue to discuss potential solutions at future meetings.