AGP Executive Report

AI in Schools: North Dakota’s superintendent says lawmakers should regulate AI companies (especially chatbots) rather than classroom AI use, focusing on clear labeling, age limits, and company liability for harmful content. Aerospace & Training: M1 Support Services won a up-to-$10B U.S. Army Flight School Next contract to modernize rotary-wing pilot training, with UND’s Aerospace Foundation on the team; UND is also building a new $36M Flight Operations Center at Grand Forks International Airport. Aviation Manufacturing: Cirrus opened an expanded Grand Forks manufacturing facility, adding 30,000+ sq. ft. and new jobs, including composite work tied to future aircraft. Energy Infrastructure: Xcel Energy broke ground on Minnesota projects that connect large-scale wind/solar to the grid and add a peaking plant—relevant to the broader Upper Midwest power transition. Public Health & Safety: North Dakota moved hard on kratom, banning all products statewide and pushing a special session to codify restrictions. Community Tech & Research: Central Lakes College’s Ag & Energy Research Center Field Day spotlights drones, precision irrigation, soil sensors, and edible bean research. Cross-Border Incident: ND Highway Patrol helped track an alleged Manitoba abduction that ended with a suspect arrest in Minnesota after use of cameras, phone location data, and license plate readers.

AI in Schools: North Dakota’s superintendent says lawmakers should regulate AI companies and chatbots (with clear disclosure and age limits), not ban AI use in classrooms—while pushing for safeguards against harmful chatbot “companion” behavior. Education Funding Flexibility: The Trump administration is expanding “Returning Education to the States” waivers, letting states consolidate federal education dollars with fewer local requirements (including South Dakota). Agr Tech Field Day: CLC Ag & Energy Research Center’s Aug. 28 Field Day spotlights drones, precision irrigation, soil moisture sensors, and NDSU edible bean research. Cybersecurity & Water Systems: Reporting notes North Dakota utilities appear secure after Iranian-linked attacks hit some Minnesota and South Dakota water systems, with Fargo officials saying their system wasn’t compromised. Space Tech: Virginia Tech engineer Austin Phoenix’s lunar insulation concept was selected for NASA’s NIAC program, aiming to help future moon missions survive long dark periods efficiently. Energy Costs Debate: A 50-state analysis links climate/net-zero mandates to higher electricity rates, highlighting affordability concerns. Public Safety Tech: North Dakota Highway Patrol helped track a cross-border abduction using cameras, license plate readers, and cellphone location data—victim recovered, suspect arrested.

AI in Schools: North Dakota’s AI and Data Center Committee heard Superintendent Levi Bachmeier push for child-focused safeguards, warning especially about “companion chatbots” and arguing for rules that require similar reporting duties as educators. Public Safety Tech: North Dakota Highway Patrol helped track an alleged Winnipeg abduction suspect after investigators used cameras, cellphone location data, messages, and license plate reader technology; the victim escaped in Alexandria, Minnesota, and the suspect was arrested. Agriculture Research & Drones: Central Lakes College’s Ag & Energy Research Center Field Day returns Aug. 28 with hands-on sessions on 60-inch corn, cover crops, soil moisture sensors, drone applications, precision irrigation, and edible bean research. Cybersecurity & Water Systems: Fargo-area officials say North Dakota avoided compromised water systems after Iranian-linked attacks hit utilities in nearby Minnesota and South Dakota. Local Manufacturing Growth: Cirrus expanded its Grand Forks facility, adding 30,000+ square feet to boost composite production and automation for its aircraft lineup. Space Weather & Stargazing: NOAA forecasts possible northern lights visibility across North Dakota and nearby states, with best viewing around late evening into the hours after midnight.

Military Aviation & Infrastructure: The U.S. Army picked M1 Support Services to overhaul initial helicopter pilot training under a up-to-$10B, 26-year “Flight School Next” deal at Fort Rucker, shifting to contractor-owned aircraft and support to cut long-term costs. North Dakota Cybersecurity: Fargo-area officials say North Dakota water systems were not compromised in a recent wave of Iranian-linked hacks targeting municipal utilities in Minnesota and South Dakota. AI & Public Services: Prairie Public rolled out “Ask Prairie Public,” a Fargo-built AI chatbot that helps members and viewers get answers without flooding staff inboxes and voicemails. Aviation Manufacturing in ND: Cirrus expanded its Grand Forks facility by more than 30,000 square feet to boost composite production flow, automation, and capacity for its SR and Vision Jet lines. Public Safety Tech: North Dakota BCI’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force warns that AI is “supercharging” child sexual exploitation by enabling image manipulation and easier identity fraud. Health Policy: KFF reports Medicare Advantage plan cuts are hitting North Dakota among other states, with many seniors facing terminated plans and needing to switch coverage. Agriculture & Learning: NDSU Extension will host fall suicide prevention webinars, and a Menoken Farm field day on Sept. 30 will focus on soil health and regenerative practices.

Medical Liability Watch: New data puts New York near the top for medical malpractice payments, while North Dakota sits far lower, highlighting how risk and reporting vary widely by state. Dental Health Gap: A new national map shows childhood tooth decay is most common in a handful of states, with South Dakota among the highest—another reminder that prevention and access matter. Medicare Advantage Shake-Up: Insurers are cutting or exiting Medicare Advantage plans in high-cost markets; KFF research flags North Dakota among states where many enrollees faced terminated plans. Cybersecurity & Water: North Dakota officials say local water systems weren’t compromised in a wave of attacks targeting utilities in neighboring states, while Fargo and Moorhead report no impact. Aviation Training Upgrade: The U.S. Army selected M1 Support Services to overhaul helicopter pilot training at Fort Rucker, using Robinson R66 aircraft and a contractor-run training model. AI Safety in ND: North Dakota’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force warns AI is “supercharging” child sexual exploitation and identity fraud, pushing criminals to scale abuse faster. Local Tech in Action: Prairie Public launched an ND-built AI chatbot to help members get answers and reduce weekend inbox overload. Agriculture & Soil: A Menoken Farm field day in late September will focus on regenerative practices and soil health principles. Health & Community: NDSU Extension will host fall suicide prevention webinars, and a North Dakota student earned a perfect score on a physical therapy exam.

Suicide Prevention: NDSU Extension will run fall “Question. Persuade. Refer.” webinars in September and October to help reduce stress and suicide risk in agriculture and related communities. AI & Public Safety: North Dakota BCI Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Commander Cassidy Halseth says AI is “supercharging” child sexual exploitation by making image manipulation and fake identities easier, with tips hitting an all-time high. State Tech Policy: Gov. Kelly Armstrong rescinded North Dakota’s TikTok ban on state-owned devices after IT determined the app is no longer a cybersecurity threat. Local AI in Media: Prairie Public rolled out “Ask Prairie Public,” a Fargo-built chatbot that helps members get answers and reduces weekend inbox and voicemail load. Aviation Training: The Army selected M1 Support Services to lead Flight School Next, with a team that includes the University of North Dakota Aerospace Foundation, aiming to modernize rotary-wing pilot training. Energy & Carbon Capture: Project Tundra’s development leadership shifts to Reliant Carbon Capture & Storage, targeting up to 5 million tons of CO2 capture annually at Milton R. Young Station. Manufacturing Growth: Cirrus expanded its Grand Forks facility, adding 30,000+ square feet and more capacity for SR Series and Vision Jet production. Education Recognition: Valley City State University’s Dr. Amber Ussatis Aberle was named ND Teacher Educator of the Year, highlighting innovation in career and technical teacher preparation. STEM in Schools: Rugby’s agriculture education program earned a national Region III honor from the National Association of Agricultural Educators.

Energy & Grid Policy: The U.S. Energy Department killed three National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor proposals, including a Tribal Energy Access Corridor that touched North Dakota, after years of uncertainty and landowner concerns. Manufacturing & Aviation: Cirrus expanded its Grand Forks facility by 30,000+ square feet to boost composite production, add automation capability, and support growing demand for its SR Series and Vision Jet. Carbon Capture: Project Tundra’s new structure names Reliant Carbon Capture & Storage as lead for the Milton R. Young Station retrofit near Center, aiming to capture up to 5 million tons of CO2 annually. AI in Government & Safety: North Dakota reported high Copilot adoption across state agencies, while a BCI task force warned AI is “supercharging” child sex crime tactics. Local AI for Public Media: Prairie Public launched “Ask Prairie Public,” a Fargo-built chatbot to help members find PBS content faster. Health Tech: A veterans study on the Nerivio wearable found fewer people needed prescription medicine to manage migraine symptoms. Wildlife & Food Science: A Cheyenne-area Cooper’s hawk nesting story and a practical guide on preserving green beans (pressure canning vs freezing/pickling) rounded out the week.

AI in ND Government: North Dakota says it leads the nation in enterprise Copilot adoption, with nearly 3,000 state employees using it monthly and reporting hours saved each month. Public Safety & AI: A North Dakota BCI Internet Crimes Against Children task force commander warns AI is “supercharging” child sex-crime tactics, from altered images to easier impersonation. AI in Education & Business: Fargo-area leaders and educators discuss how AI is changing skills needs, while NDSU research leadership highlights a closed AI network for campus use. Cybersecurity Policy: Gov. Kelly Armstrong rescinds North Dakota’s TikTok ban on state-owned devices after updated risk reviews tied to changes in ownership. Grid & Energy Funding: The U.S. Department of Energy is blocking or delaying billions in grid-fix grants and transmission work, adding uncertainty for reliability and affordability. Kratom Crackdown: Mandan families push for a permanent kratom ban after a death, as lawmakers debate a path forward. Data Centers Debate: National coverage spotlights how data centers can reshape small towns—both the promise and the pressure—relevant to ND’s ongoing conversations.

AI in State Government: North Dakota says it’s the top state for Microsoft Copilot use, with nearly 3,000 employees using it monthly and reported savings of 5–6 hours per month (up to 20 for power users), as the state pushes “thoughtful” AI with guardrails. Grid & Transmission Politics: The U.S. Energy Department is canceling Biden-era plans for three multistate transmission corridors, including a Tribal Energy Access corridor that runs through North Dakota, as the fight over reliability vs. climate-driven costs spills into infrastructure. Kratom Crackdown: Lawmakers are weighing whether to ban kratom outright or target synthetic derivatives like 7-OH ahead of a Sept. special session, after months of public testimony and a recent executive order. Cyber & TikTok: Gov. Kelly Armstrong rescinded North Dakota’s TikTok ban on state-owned devices, citing updated risk reviews and a shift to a majority-American-led ownership structure, though access still goes through NDIT review. Transportation Planning: ND DOT released a draft 2027–2030 STIP for public comment through Sept. 12, outlining federal-funded road, safety, bike, and transit projects. STEM Facilities: The North STAR Center for robotics opened in northern Minnesota with a focus on expanding hands-on STEM practice for students across western North Dakota and the region.

North Dakota Tech & Policy: Gov. Kelly Armstrong rescinded North Dakota’s TikTok ban on state-owned devices, saying the app is now majority-owned by an American-led consortium; agencies can request access through NDIT’s security review. Public Health & AI: A KFF Health News report highlights rural patients’ skepticism as federal programs push AI health tools before clear proof of better outcomes. STEM & Workforce: The North STAR Center opened in northern Minnesota as a shared robotics practice space aimed at boosting hands-on STEM access for students in western North Dakota and the region. State Law & Drug Policy: Lawmakers continued kratom hearings ahead of a Sept. 2 special session, weighing a full ban versus limits focused on synthetic 7-OH derivatives. Infrastructure: NDDOT will inspect the Memorial Bridge (Bismarck–Mandan) Aug. 17–19 with single-lane closures and reduced speeds. Local Economy Tech: Titan Machinery (West Fargo) set an Aug. 27 earnings release for its fiscal second quarter.

Kratom Policy Push: North Dakota lawmakers are weighing what to do next after Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s Aug. 5 executive ban, as the Kratom Working Group hears hours of testimony ahead of a Friday bill deadline for a Sept. 2 special session; debate centers on a full ban versus targeting synthetic kratom derivatives (especially high 7-OH) while possibly regulating natural products. Cybersecurity & State Tech: Armstrong rescinded the TikTok ban on state-owned devices, saying updated risk reviews show the app no longer poses an “unmitigated or unique” threat after TikTok’s U.S. operations shifted to a majority-American-led consortium; access requests still go through NDIT security review. Rural Health AI Skepticism: A KFF Health News report highlights how states are spending federal rural health dollars on AI tools despite thin proof of patient outcome benefits, with rural residents wary of “AI as a healthcare solution.” Workforce Tech Platform: The Grand Forks/East Grand Forks Chamber partnered with Golden Path Solutions to expand an online career platform connecting students to local internships and job opportunities. UND Aviation Upgrade: Construction is underway on UND’s new $36M Flight Operations Center at Grand Forks International Airport, targeting completion in February 2027. Data Centers & Power Reality: National coverage continues to focus on how AI-driven data centers are straining power and infrastructure—an issue that’s already showing up in local planning conversations. Solar Eclipse Watch: Multiple reports track Aug. 12 eclipse viewing, noting North Dakota will see a partial eclipse and emphasizing safe viewing and livestream options.

AI in Rural Health: A new review says states are preparing to spend a big federal rural health fund on AI, but the peer-reviewed base is thin—only 26 studies from 2010 to early last year, with few looking at real patient outcomes. Data Center Policy: An NDSU researcher published a guide for North Dakotans on how AI data centers could affect water use, power costs, and noise—plus what questions to ask before approving projects. Space & Defense Tech: SciTec is part of a $423.4M Space Force push to digitize aging missile warning radars, aiming to better track smaller, faster threats. Agritech & Research: USDA scientists released flea beetles in North Dakota in 1988 to fight leafy spurge; their descendants helped restore rangelands across the northern Plains. Education & Workforce: Dickinson State University named Amy Grinsteinner dean of its School of Education, continuing efforts to grow regional teacher training. Public Health Oversight: A CBS report says FDA foreign food safety inspections are far below required targets, including during the cyclosporiasis outbreak. Eclipse & STEM Outreach: Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s Dakota Nights festival brings stargazing and hands-on astronomy Aug. 14-15.

Space & Defense Tech: SciTec has joined a $423.4M Space Force push to digitize analog missile warning radars, aiming to better track smaller, faster threats through April 2028. Eclipse Watch: NASA says Wednesday’s Aug. 12 total solar eclipse will be total only across parts of Greenland, Iceland, Portugal, Spain and northern Russia, while the U.S. gets a partial view; forecasts note clearer odds in parts of New England, northern Alaska and the Upper Midwest, plus the Perseids peak after dark. ND Research & Agriculture: NDSU opened the Bolley Agricultural Laboratory, expanding work in plant pathology, breeding, weed science, agronomy, soil science and horticulture. Public Health & Food Safety: A report says FDA conducted fewer than 1,000 foreign food safety inspections in 2025, while a Mexico farm tied to the cyclosporiasis outbreak wasn’t inspected. Local Tech in Policing: Moorhead police used Flock license plate reader tech to help track a stolen trailer and arrest a suspect. Education Leadership: Dickinson State named Amy Grinsteinner dean of its School of Education for 2026-27. Internet & Infrastructure: HighSpeedInternet.com ranked states by median download speeds, with rural areas showing the biggest gains in 2026. Policy & Regulation: North Dakota moved to pull kratom from shelves via a public health emergency order, citing overdoses and deaths.

Data Centers & State Policy: A Fargo Democratic lawmaker wants a data-center transparency bill that would bar public officials from signing location-related non-disclosure agreements and is floating a temporary moratorium, while a top legislative leader questions whether a short special session is the right time. Space Tech at UND: UND and NASA are testing a mobile wastewater purification system at the Integrated Lunar/Martian Analog Habitat, aiming to help future moon crews reclaim water. Agriculture Research: NDSU researchers say sugarbeet “mix-and-apply” chemical blends don’t reliably deliver maximum crop safety, and separate applications still matter for plant health. New Lab for Plant Science: NDSU dedicated the Bolley Agricultural Laboratory, a major plant-pathology and agronomy research hub funded by state and private support. Public Health: North Dakota is seeing a summer surge in cyclosporiasis cases, running above the state’s usual average. Climate Record: NOAA reports July 2026 was the hottest month ever recorded in the contiguous U.S., underscoring intensifying heat extremes. Digital IDs: North Dakota residents can use digital driver’s licenses and passports in Apple/Google/Samsung Wallet for faster TSA processing where supported. Business/Tech Economy: A new report ranks North Dakota among the best states for graduate “value” after college, citing low unemployment and favorable affordability.

Space & Water Tech: University of North Dakota is partnering with NASA to test a mobile wastewater purification system at UND’s Integrated Lunar/Martian Analog Habitat—aimed at helping future astronauts reuse water on the moon. AI Infrastructure & Local Impact: A new report highlights how an AI data center project is reviving Ellendale, North Dakota, bringing construction jobs and new tax revenue to a small town. Digital IDs: North Dakota is among the states supporting digital driver’s licenses in major wallet apps, making airport and other check-ins faster. Climate Extremes: NOAA says July 2026 was the hottest month ever recorded across the contiguous U.S., underscoring intensifying heat risks. Public Health: North Dakota is seeing a summer surge in cyclosporiasis, with reported cases running above the state’s usual average. Energy & Industry: Phoenix Energy One posted strong Q2 results and scheduled an earnings call, while UND research also points to fertilizer potential from lignite critical-minerals refining. Community & Safety: Grand Forks is moving to update its no-trespass ordinance so second offenses become Class A misdemeanors statewide.

Mass timber boom in ND: JLG Architects’ Eric Hoffer says updated building codes and embodied-carbon demand are driving faster adoption of cross-laminated and glulam projects, with code pathways now reaching up to 18 stories. Critical minerals + fertilizer from lignite: UND secured a DOE contract to scale critical-mineral refining at the Falkirk coal mine near Underwood, with a commercial-scale test that could also produce humic-acid fertilizer. Kratom policy in focus: North Dakota lawmakers are starting public talks on regulating kratom after Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s emergency action targeting 7-OH, with a special session planned and a working group weighing bans vs. limits. Public health watch: A drought-linked drop in mosquitoes across the Upper Midwest is coinciding with rising West Nile virus cases, raising concerns that fewer insects can still mean higher disease risk. Safety tech on ND roads: North Dakota Highway Patrol says smartphone crash detection has helped trigger 911 alerts after rollovers, improving response when drivers can’t reach their phones. UAS career push: Grand Forks highlights growing uncrewed/autonomous and satellite systems opportunities, pointing readers to local job listings and the region’s BVLOS and accelerator ecosystem. Local health recognition: 38 North Dakota hospitals were recognized by the American Heart Association for heart disease and stroke quality-improvement programs. Wildlife training: Fur Harvester classes in Bismarck continue to teach trapping skills with emphasis on safety and animal welfare.