AGP Executive Report

Cybersecurity & Public Sector: OSBI is probing a cybersecurity breach in Mountain Park, Oklahoma, after hackers accessed town email systems; officials switched internet providers and reset codes and passwords, with no sign yet that billing systems were hit. K-12 Online Learning: The North Dakota Center for Distance Education earned full AccredVEd accreditation for a six-year term, adding another quality check for statewide virtual programs. Agriculture Tech & Training: NDSU’s Carrington Research Extension Center will host a Crop Management Field School June 24, focusing on weed ID, herbicide groups, crop growth stages, and nutrient deficiency economics. Ag Policy & Risk: Pesticide manufacturers are pushing “liability shield” laws to block failure-to-warn lawsuits tied to glyphosate; Georgia and North Dakota already passed similar measures, with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling expected in July 2026. Recreation Tech Debate: Forward-facing sonar is sparking a split among anglers—some say it helps them find fish faster, others worry it changes fishing culture and could stress fish populations. Local Tech & Infrastructure: Fargo is using traffic-safety tech and planning around changing driver behavior, including expanded camera use and engineering approaches. Tourism Impact: A new report says reduced Canadian travel is dragging North Dakota tourism, though some 2026 indicators are improving.

Pesticide Liability Fight: Pesticide makers are pushing “liability shield” laws to block lawsuits over alleged cancer risks from products like glyphosate/Roundup, as the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule in July 2026 on whether federal law blocks state “failure to warn” claims—North Dakota is already among states that passed similar measures. Defense Tech Gap: The U.S. Air Force has lost nearly a third of its Reaper drone fleet in Middle East conflicts, with no clear funded replacement plan, raising questions about how capabilities will be restored. ND Education & Tech: The North Dakota Center for Distance Education earned full AccredVEd accreditation for a six-year term, adding another quality check for statewide virtual learning. Cybersecurity: Oklahoma’s OSBI is investigating a breach in Mountain Park that exposed town emails, prompting officials to switch providers and reset codes and passwords. AgTech Training: NDSU’s Carrington Research Extension Center will host a Crop Management Field School June 24, focusing on weed control, crop growth stages, and nutrient deficiency ID. Tourism Impact: A new report links a dip in North Dakota tourism in 2025 to reduced Canadian travel and border crossings, while noting some 2026 gains. Traffic Safety Tech: Fargo is using a mix of police tools and academic input to address changing traffic patterns and safety concerns.

Pesticide Liability Fight: Pesticide makers are pushing “liability shield” laws to block lawsuits tied to cancer-risk claims around glyphosate, with Georgia and North Dakota already passing similar measures and the U.S. Supreme Court expected to weigh federal limits on July 2026. Education Tech & Quality: The North Dakota Center for Distance Education earned full AccredVEd accreditation for a six-year term, adding another quality check for statewide virtual learning. State IT Modernization: North Dakota’s BRIDGE initiative continues rolling out support for districts moving to a modern student information system, with weekly office hours and data migration help. Ag Field Training: NDSU’s Carrington Research Extension Center will host a Crop Management Field School June 24, focusing on weed control, crop growth stages, and nutrient deficiency diagnosis. Tourism & Cross-Border Travel: A new report says fewer Canadian visits are hurting North Dakota tourism, driven by a 24% drop in border crossings, though some April gains and park visitation increases offer hope for 2026. Cybersecurity Watch: OSBI is investigating a cybersecurity breach in Mountain Park, Oklahoma, after hackers accessed town email systems—an alert for small communities relying on basic admin networks. Ballot Rules: North Dakota’s single-subject rule for constitutional amendments is set to take effect July 24, but questions remain about how “one topic” will be interpreted and whether court challenges follow. Local Governance: Grand Forks County reported the state’s lowest primary voter turnout, at 12.3% of eligible voters.

Pesticide Liability Fight: Pesticide makers are pushing “liability shield” laws to block lawsuits tied to glyphosate and other agricultural chemicals, as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule in July 2026 on whether federal law blocks state “failure to warn” claims; North Dakota Education Tech: The North Dakota Center for Distance Education earned full AccredVEd accreditation for a six-year term, adding another quality check for statewide virtual learning; School & Community Tech/Services: Grand Forks keeps expanding early literacy through the Little Red Reading Bus, while Grand Forks County reported the state’s lowest primary voter turnout; Cybersecurity: OSBI is investigating a cybersecurity breach in Mountain Park, Oklahoma, after hackers accessed town email systems and forced password/code resets; AgTech & Weather Data: Minnesota expanded its Ag Weather Network with new stations, underscoring the growing push for hyperlocal farm data; Tourism Impact: North Dakota tourism took a hit as Canadian travel fell, with international visits down sharply and border crossings still a key driver.

Education & Labor: Minot Public School Board ratified new one-year union contracts, including a 4% base wage bump for teachers and administrators’ package updates plus changes to health savings account contributions and personal leave terms. Public Health Tech: North Dakota HHS is launching a $1.5M mobile mammography funding opportunity to bring 3D screenings closer to rural and underserved western communities. State Ed Systems: The BRIDGE initiative continues momentum with ongoing office hours and data migration support for districts moving toward a modern student information system statewide. Cybersecurity: OSBI is investigating a cybersecurity breach in Mountain Park, where hackers accessed the town’s administrative email system; officials say billing systems weren’t affected and are tightening passwords and infrastructure. Virtual Learning Quality: The North Dakota Center for Distance Education earned AccredVEd accreditation for a six-year term, adding another quality assurance layer for K–12 virtual and blended programs. Policy Watch: Fargo coverage highlights lingering questions about North Dakota’s new single-subject rule for constitutional amendments and how “one topic” will be interpreted. STEM Workforce: Devon Energy and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation hosted a regional STEM Summit for educators, emphasizing hands-on training and classroom-ready tech. Agriculture & Data: NDSU-linked reporting points to major tariff-driven farm losses, while regional ag-weather expansion news underscores the push for more localized field data.

Education Tech Modernization: North Dakota’s BRIDGE project is rolling out a statewide switch from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus, with office hours and data migration support aimed at keeping student data secure during the July 2026 transition. Public Safety & Mobility: Bismarck police are running free e-bike safety checks and reminding riders that North Dakota class rules depend on motor power and top speed—some “e-bikes” sold online don’t meet the state definition. Rail Safety: The NTSB says a July 5, 2024 derailment near Carrington was triggered by a collapsed rail subgrade tied to inadequate culvert inspections, leading to hazardous material releases and evacuations. Health Access: North Dakota HHS is launching a $1.5M mobile mammography initiative using 3D technology to bring breast cancer screenings closer to rural and underserved western communities. STEM Workforce: Devon Energy and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation hosted a regional STEM Summit for educators, emphasizing hands-on training and classroom-ready tech. Agriculture & Policy: A Supreme Court decision expected in July 2026 could reshape pesticide liability, as states including North Dakota already passed “liability shield” laws while manufacturers push for broader protections. Research & Field Days: NDSU set 2026 Research Extension Center field day dates across the state, spotlighting agronomy, livestock, rangeland, precision ag, and value-added work.

Education Tech Modernization: North Dakota launched the BRIDGE initiative to replace PowerSchool with Infinite Campus statewide, aiming for more consistent student data standards and stronger privacy protections as the new Student Information System rolls out in July 2026. Public Health Access: North Dakota HHS is funding a $1.5 million mobile mammography unit to bring 3D breast cancer screenings to rural and underserved western communities, cutting travel and time barriers. Transportation Safety: The NTSB released its final report on the 2024 Carrington-area train derailment, citing a collapsed subgrade tied to inadequate culvert inspections and detailing hazardous-material releases. STEM & Research Outreach: NDSU set dates for its 2026 Research Extension Center Field Days across multiple sites, with tours and demonstrations for farmers and landowners. Space STEM Recognition: UND named its first Astronaut Scholarship Foundation scholar, physics-and-math student Casia Steinhaus, as the university expands STEM fellowships. AI & Civil Rights: A Florida man sued after a facial recognition misidentification led to a wrongful arrest, underscoring the need for safeguards in high-stakes tech.

Education Tech: North Dakota Center for Distance Education says its Innovation Waiver rollout is now in full practice, with 300+ competency-based courses, a 97% completion rate, and an 85% pass rate, supported by upgrades to its student information system and proficiency-based grading. Public Health Access: North Dakota HHS is launching a $1.5M funding opportunity to bring mobile mammography to rural and underserved communities in western North Dakota, aiming to cut travel and scheduling barriers. AgTech & Workforce: Senator John Hoeven highlights Fargo’s AgTechWeek and student visits, while a national workforce push targets skilled trades needed for data center and AI infrastructure—an angle that matters for North Dakota’s tech pipeline. AI & Safety Risks: A wrongful-arrest case tied to facial recognition errors underscores the need for safeguards when law enforcement uses automated identification. Local Tech in Action: Williston’s Tech & UAS Summit (June 11) spotlights VR career tools, supply-chain automation, and healthcare tech. Community Tech/Infrastructure: Mandan buys 24 vehicle barriers for crowd safety at Buggies and Blues. STEM Youth: NDSU Extension’s Junior Crop Scout School returns for ages 12–18 with hands-on agronomy field training.

Rural Health Access: North Dakota HHS is launching a $1.5 million funding opportunity to bring mobile mammography to rural and underserved communities in western ND, aiming to cut travel and time barriers to early breast cancer screening. Public Safety Tech: A Florida man is suing after a wrongful arrest tied to a faulty facial recognition match, renewing scrutiny of how police use biometric tools and what safeguards they should require. State Politics: Six incumbent North Dakota GOP lawmakers lost in Tuesday’s Republican primaries, including Rep. Eric Murphy, while ND’s only contested Democratic race also saw an incumbent fall. Local Governance: Fargo elected Josh Boschee as mayor, and he laid out priorities on housing affordability and downtown issues in a post-election interview. Ag & Trade: A North Dakota State University report estimates Indiana farmers lost $607M in exports during China’s latest retaliatory tariffs, with soybeans taking the biggest hit. Space & Defense: Sen. John Hoeven highlighted Fargo’s AgTechWeek and met with U.S. Space Force leadership on space security priorities. Tech & Aviation: Williston’s Tech & UAS Summit (June 11) spotlights drones, VR career tours, and supply-chain automation for regional industries.

AI Workforce Gap: Meta’s president and Mike Rowe’s foundation promoted a $115M workforce push aimed at training skilled trades for data-center and AI infrastructure—electricians, fiber techs, welders—where shortages are slowing buildouts. Smart Transportation in Fargo: Fargo selected Aeva’s AI-powered 4D LiDAR traffic system (CityOS) for intersection monitoring designed to keep working in snow, fog, and low light. AgTech Boost for Barley: Anheuser-Busch awarded $80,000 to Grand Farm to fund barley research and tech trials with farmers and startups. NDSU Trade Impact Study: A new NDSU report estimates China’s 2025/26 retaliatory tariffs cut U.S. ag exports by about $14.9B, with Indiana alone losing about $607M—highlighting how North Dakota’s soybean and corn supply chains can get hit by global policy swings. Local Tech & UAS Summit: Williston’s Tech & UAS Summit (June 11) spotlights regional innovation across VR career tools, supply-chain automation, and drone use. Public Safety/Health Tech Angle: A North Dakota primary and local election coverage also surfaced, but the standout tech-relevant item was Fargo’s traffic sensing deployment.

Local Elections: Minot voters kept Mayor Mark Jantzer in office and picked Stephan Podrygula, John MacMartin and Eric Locken for the council, while Grand Forks saw a Ward 2 recount triggered by a two-vote gap between Rebecca Osowski and Ryan King. Education Tech & Workforce: NDSU is expanding its AgTech program, aiming to grow a data- and computer-ready agriculture workforce, and Valley Middle School technology teacher Tracy Foss and business manager Levi Bachmeier advanced to the general election for North Dakota superintendent of public instruction. Connectivity & Rural Access: Integrity Technologies Corp. teamed with World Mobile to explore fiber backhaul plus fixed wireless and cellular for rural and tribal connectivity across the U.S. AI & Infrastructure Finance: Applied Digital priced $1.59B in senior secured notes to fund a 150-megawatt data center build at its Polaris Forge 1 campus in Ellendale. Public Safety & Planning: Northwood moved forward on a street improvement project after voters backed a non-binding advisory measure, setting up possible special assessments. Health & Kids Well-Being: A national report found children’s well-being dropped in 29 states, with North Dakota among the biggest declines.

Rural Connectivity: Integrity Technologies Corp. (Grand Forks) is teaming with World Mobile to test a mix of fiber backhaul, fixed wireless, and cellular gear aimed at closing connectivity gaps on rural and tribal lands across the U.S. AI Infrastructure in ND: Applied Digital says it plans to raise $1.59B via senior secured notes to fund a 150-megawatt IT load buildout for its Polaris Forge 1 “AI Factory” campus in Ellendale, plus related costs and debt service. Local Tech Procurement: Grand Forks City Council gave preliminary approval to a consultant for the Alerus Center indoor LED scoreboard project, moving the rebid process forward after a terminated Daktronics deal and a local bid protest. STEM & Careers: UND law faculty are taking students abroad for international organizations and institutions coursework, with a focus on helping North Dakota lawyers and businesses operate globally. Weather & Safety: Western North Dakota is still assessing hail, high winds, and tornado damage after a derecho, with another derecho possible Tuesday. Community Tech/Access: Lemonade expanded renters insurance to North Dakota through its app-based, instant-claim model. Public Health Policy: A national report says pesticide makers are pushing “immunity” laws to limit lawsuits, centered on “failure to warn” claims.

Space Tech in North Dakota: NASA is testing a mobile wastewater treatment system at UND in Grand Forks, aiming to support long-duration Moon and Mars missions by recycling multiple waste streams separately. Local STEM & Research Pipeline: UND will train 15 graduate students through an NSF program focused on water and land conservation, while UND also earned an Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation tied to its community-facing “UND LEADS” planning. AI in the Real World: A new study highlights how the National Weather Service is using AI to translate warnings into multiple languages, and separate coverage notes the surge in AI degree programs (including UND’s AI doctorate). Fargo Tech & Policy: Fargo police remind e-bike and e-scooter riders to follow local speed and sidewalk rules, and Fargo approved $1.3M in federal housing and development grants for neighborhood infrastructure. Health Access Pressure: KFF reports Planned Parenthood clinic closures tied to Title X and Medicaid funding changes, raising concerns for Medicaid patients. Data Center Debate: A national look at Democratic governors’ data center dilemmas lands in North Dakota coverage, alongside local warnings about noise and environmental impacts. Prairie Science: A new naturalist is bringing prairie ecology outreach to Clay County, and Marketplace for Kids is expanding its entrepreneurship education program in Dickinson.

STEM Education: UND will train 15 graduate students through an NSF Research Traineeship focused on water and land conservation, aiming to build interdisciplinary STEM skills tied to real-world resource challenges. Research & Talent Pipeline: A Sabattus woman is one of just three U.S. students accepted into the NSF Undergraduate Summer Research Experience in North Dakota, working on a computational model to predict how drugs block cancer-cell activity. Data Centers & Public Health: An environmental health specialist warned Minot residents that hyperscale data centers may be built without enough public safeguards, sparking debate over noise, wildlife impacts, and regulation. Agritech & Livestock Research: NDSU’s Carrington Research Extension Center will host a beef production field day July 14, with sessions on fly life cycles, fly control, cattle proteins, and emerging tech like spray drones. Construction Standards: Solid State Concrete Fargo says it’s rolling out ACI-certified engineering protocols for new development in West Fargo, Horace, and Dilworth to better handle Red River Valley winter stress. Agriculture Data Modernization: North Dakota is among the first states to use USDA’s upgraded crop acreage reporting system, moving from manual entry toward computer-scanned maps to speed and improve reporting for federal programs.

Coal & Grid Policy: Trump’s administration is pushing major coal funding using wartime powers, including $700M for “clean, beautiful” coal and keeping plants online in North Dakota and other states—raising fresh questions about how energy policy will shape reliability and emissions. Public Safety Training: Mayville Fire and Rescue is fundraising for a regional training facility with a burn tower and upgrades, aiming to reduce travel costs for firefighters across eastern North Dakota and beyond. Higher Ed Leadership: North Dakota State College of Science President Rod Flanigan announced retirement effective Dec. 31, 2026, citing record enrollment growth and new programs during his tenure. AI & Privacy: A new report highlights how facial recognition is improving, while also renewing concerns about accuracy and bias as the tech spreads. Agriculture Data Modernization: Farm Service Agency upgrades will let North Dakota farmers use a more computer-friendly crop acreage reporting system, starting with improved scanning-based imports. Local Tech & Infrastructure: Jamestown approved a shared-lanes pilot for vehicle and bicycle traffic on 8th Ave NE, tied to upcoming chip sealing. Solar Science: A total solar eclipse on Aug. 12 will darken skies across parts of Europe, fueling renewed interest in space science. Health Tech in Practice: Alphabet/Google’s “Debug” plan to release millions of male mosquitoes is drawing local attention in Cass County.

Coal & Grid Funding: The Trump administration is using wartime-style authority to push major federal dollars into coal plants, including support that keeps facilities operating in North Dakota and other states, plus funding aimed at modernization and new export capacity. Border Wall Contracts: A new report says border wall spending has surged with large contracts going to a small set of politically connected firms, raising transparency concerns. AI & Privacy: A story on facial recognition highlights how deep-learning systems can improve accuracy, while also renewing debate over bias and surveillance. Higher Ed Leadership: North Dakota State College of Science President Rod Flanigan announced he’ll retire at the end of 2026 after record enrollment growth and new programs. Agriculture Tech Modernization: North Dakota is among the first states to adopt improved Farm Service Agency crop acreage reporting, moving from manual keying toward scanned maps and more automated data entry. Public Health Tech: Google’s “Debug” mosquito plan is drawing attention, with local vector-control officials in North Dakota weighing the science and the public reaction. Solar Science: A total solar eclipse is set for Aug. 12, with totality visible in parts of Europe.