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ND News Cooperative

ND News Cooperative

Ripple effects across North Dakota from farming uncertainty

Ripple effects across North Dakota from farming uncertainty

Rising fertilizer and fuel costs are creating ripple effects across North Dakota’s economy, reaching far beyond the farm. Listen here: Backstory 460:00/900.0421541× In this episode of The Backstory, reporter Michael Standaert’s latest story looks at how global disruptions, tariffs, and supply chain uncertainty are driving

Did the No Child Left Behind Act and similar legislation prohibit schools from holding students back?

Did the No Child Left Behind Act and similar legislation prohibit schools from holding students back?

No. No Child Left Behind, signed into law in 2002, and its successor, the Every Student Succeeds Act, contain no statutory language prohibiting schools from holding students back. Promotion and retention, though variably influenced by legislative incentives, are under state and local purview. NCLB created sanctions to hold schools accountable

Do recreational drones need to be FAA-registered if they exceed a certain weight?

Do recreational drones need to be FAA-registered if they exceed a certain weight?

Yes. Recreational drones weighing 250 grams (0.55 lbs) or more are required to be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which costs $5 and is valid for three years. They must have a Remote ID. Recreational drones under this weight are not required to be registered and do

The hidden backbone of family care

The hidden backbone of family care

Family caregiving across North Dakota often happens quietly, but its impact is anything but small. In this episode of The Backstory, Michael Standaert discusses his reporting on family caregivers and the enormous role they play in helping loved ones remain at home. Listen here: Backstory 450:00/592.3797961× The

Have AI-related companies driven stock gains since the launch of ChatGPT?

Have AI-related companies driven stock gains since the launch of ChatGPT?

Yes. Though it is difficult to quantify the exact degree to which AI-related stocks have contributed to stock gains, analyses have found it is a key driver. A September 2025 J.P. Morgan report noted that since the launch of ChatGPT (November 2022), AI-related stocks had been responsible for 75%

Bakken boom lessons still shaping North Dakota communities

Bakken boom lessons still shaping North Dakota communities

The Bakken oil boom reshaped western North Dakota in ways that are still unfolding today, from strained housing and schools to long-term questions about water safety and community stability. Listen here: Backstory 440:00/597.6895461× In this episode of The Backstory, Michael Standaert discusses his reporting on a new

Can shadow flicker from wind turbines trigger seizures in people with epilepsy?

Can shadow flicker from wind turbines trigger seizures in people with epilepsy?

No. The flicker of a wind turbine shadow is far below the minimum frequency required to trigger photosensitive epilepsy. A wind turbine is said to produce a “shadow flicker” when its rotating blades pass between the sun and an observer, creating a repeating pattern of light and shadow. Photosensitive epilepsy