Latest news with #NorthDakotaMonitor
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
North Dakotan leads while living with HIV, earns Bush Fellowship
Jason Grueneich, pictured June 2, 2025, at the Capitol in Bismarck, is a 2025 Bush Fellow. Grueneich works to build support for people living with HIV, including advocating for legislation approved earlier this year. (Amy Dalrymple/North Dakota Monitor) A Bismarck man who has experienced substance abuse, recovery and living with HIV is hoping to develop his leadership skills after being awarded a Bush Foundation fellowship. 'I've been able to change my own life and work to help others to do the same,' Jason Grueneich told the North Dakota Monitor. 'I'm just lucky to be alive and here doing the work. And it's amazing that the Bush Foundation saw something in me.' Grueneich's work includes being an advocate for those living with HIV. He created Bismarck's first LGBTQ+ recovery group and this year founded Shine Bright and Live, an HIV-focused nonprofit, and helped repeal a North Dakota state law that he said stigmatized people who are HIV positive. Grueneich is one of three North Dakotans awarded a Bush Fellowship in 2025. Up to 30 Bush Fellows are selected each year to receive up to $150,000 to support their leadership goals. Fellows can come from any sector — including business, nonprofit and government, according to the Bush Foundation. Grueneich said the Bush Foundation isn't so much about funding a project but investing in leaders. 'Leaders work to bring as many people with them as possible,' Grueneich said. 'It ripples out into the community and raises people up.' Gruenich grew up in Bismarck but said he moved away, developed a substance abuse problem and became infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. He returned to Bismarck and went through a recovery program in 2016. Since then, 'I have dedicated myself to community,' Grueneich said. Two other North Dakota also were awarded a Bush Fellowship. Sarah Dixon-Hackey of West Fargo will pursue certification in suicide prevention skills, expand her expertise in digital media, and deepen her research into cultural disparities in care, according to a news release. She has created storytelling projects with college students and produced podcasts for refugee families to amplify underrepresented voices, especially on the topic of mental health. Richard Pallay III of Fargo has used his experience as a DJ to found the cultural initiative WEAREONE. He also launched Soul Dads, a peer support network for Black fathers that blends mentorship with creative expression. Pallay will use his Bush Fellowship to launch a statewide artist network and scale Soul Dads into a model that can be replicated, the news release said. Grueneich chairs the North Dakota HIV Advisory Board while working in state government. He has worked for the Department of Transportation for the past five years and is operations manager for the driver's license division. After founding Shine Bright and Live in January, Grueneich spent time at the Capitol advocating for the repeal of a state law that makes it a felony to willfully transfer body fluid containing the HIV virus. Rep. Gretchen Dobervich, D-Fargo, sponsored House Bill 1217 that repeals the law. She said the law singled out HIV from other infectious diseases by creating the felony crime and discouraged people from getting tested for HIV, leading to the potential spread of the virus. The law, 'had the opposite effect of what it was intended,' Dobervich said. She said Grueneich was instrumental in getting the bill through the Legislature. 'He was able to make the issue real,' Dobervich said. Testifying in front of a legislative committee was new for him, Grueneich said. 'A leader faces fears,' Grueneich said. 'Somebody living with HIV, standing in front of the Legislature numerous times when there's a lot of stigma about HIV can be daunting.' In his testimony, Gruenich cited President Donald Trump, who in his first term in 2019, used the State of the Union address to announce a plan to end the HIV epidemic. Grueneich said it was a way to find common ground on HIV issues. 'Unfortunately, we see now the administration is cutting funding for HIV prevention. It's cutting funding for the years of work we've had on finding HIV vaccination or care,' he said. Grueneich said one way he hopes to benefit from the Bush Fellowship is learning how to deal with traumatic life experiences that come with working with high-risk communities such as HIV and recovery. 'You're continually working through trauma and loss,' Grueneich said. 'I want to learn how to heal and process those losses, so I can teach others how they can process that and then refill their cups so they can keep doing the work that's necessary.' Editor's note: The North Dakota Monitor is a recipient of funding from the Bush Foundation through its media partnership program. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rep. Fedorchak plans another online forum
U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak, R-N.D., talks to voters through a virtual town hall meeting on March 25, 2025. (Amy Dalrymple/North Dakota Monitor) U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak, R-N.D., will host another online public forum, with topics including the 'one, big beautiful' budget bill being considered by Congress. Rep. Fedorchak vows to protect Social Security during virtual town hall The forum will be at 7 p.m. CDT June 10. People wanting to participate in the conversation must sign up on Fedorchak's website by noon that day. The forum will be livestreamed on her website and on her official Facebook page but will not be interactive. 'I'm especially looking forward to sharing what the One Big Beautiful Bill means for our state,' Fedorchak said in a news release. Fedorchak said earlier this month that changes to Medicaid, including work requirements, included in the bill are needed to keep the program viable. This will be the third online forum hosted by Fedorchak, who is in her first term as North Dakota's only member of the U.S. House. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
North Dakota coal mine to become processing site for Minnesota nickel
A former coal mine near Beulah, N.D., is being converted to a processing site for nickel and other minerals. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor) BEULAH, N.D. – A former coal mine in western North Dakota that will be converted into a processing site for nickel mined in Minnesota was touted Wednesday as a way for the U.S. to reduce its reliance on China and other countries for critical minerals needed for electronics and electric vehicles. The processing plant operated by Talon Metals will bring 150 jobs to Beulah, with processing expected to begin in 2028. Electric vehicle maker Tesla has contracted to buy about half the nickel processed in Beulah. Mike Kicis, president of Talon Metals, said the Department of Defense is another likely user of the nickel and other minerals. The raw ore will come from a mine near Tamarack in north-central Minnesota. It will be shipped by rail about 475 miles west to the Westmore Mining site just outside Beulah. The reborn mine site was introduced as the Beulah Minerals Processing Facility in an agreement signing ceremony in Beulah. North Dakota officials were at the signing ceremony to highlight what they said was the importance of domestic production of critical minerals such as nickel. 'It is a real national security issue,' Gov. Kelly Armstrong said of the U.S. reliance on China and countries for critical minerals such as nickel. Armstrong said the agreement is 'proof that North Dakota could be a leader in cutting edge, innovative projects combining economic development with environmental responsibility and community engagement.' The plan is contingent on permitting in North Dakota and Minnesota and at the federal level. The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality is among the agencies that will review the project. The mine has been opposed by some Native American and environmental groups in Minnesota that say the mining could pollute sensitive waters. Kicis said Talon has tried to address environmental concerns at the mine site by making plans for a building over the mine opening so railcars can be loaded indoors. Some of the environmental concerns have been about the processing that is slated for Beulah and the waste, also known as tailings, that results from separating the nickel and other minerals. Talon officials said Wednesday that there are potential uses for the waste, such as concrete, with the ash from burned coal as an ingredient. U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., said the $365 million investment is an economic win and by recycling the waste products to make road-building materials, is an environmental win. The project is being supported by a nearly $115 million Department of Energy grant that was announced by the Biden administration in 2022. Kicis said that without the federal grant, the project would have been 'a real challenge.' While welcomed by local officials, the project also will create some challenges, such as attracting labor and having enough housing for the workers at the new project. 'All good things are a challenge,' Granville 'Beaver' Brinkman, the economic development director for Beulah, said. He said when the mine was at its peak, it had about 100 employees. Since it has been in its reclamation phase, he said there have been about 40 workers at the site. Coal production stopped at the site in 2022. Beulah Mayor Sean Cheatley said he hopes that there won't be the need for crew camps when construction starts next year as planned. He said there also will be increased traffic for the town to deal with, but said it is good for the community and its neighbors. 'It's good for Beulah. It's good for Hazen. It's good for Mercer County. It's good for the whole nation,' Cheatley said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
North Dakota governor unintentionally vetoes $35 million for housing programs
Gov. Kelly Armstrong chairs a North Dakota Industrial Commission meeting on May 22, 2025, at the North Dakota Capitol in Bismarck. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor) Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced Thursday that he accidentally vetoed part of a bill that set aside $35 million for a state housing development fund. Senate Bill 2014 is the budget for the North Dakota Industrial Commission. On Monday, Armstrong announced two line-item vetoes for the bill. His office said a 'staff markup error' led to the unintentional veto of $25 million for housing projects and programs and $10 million to combat homelessness. Staff from the governor's office met with Legislative Council Thursday to discuss options for correcting the error. 'If necessary, we will call the Legislature back to ensure the appropriate funding is delivered, but we hope to avoid the expense of a special session. This was an honest mistake, and we will fix it,' Armstrong said in a Thursday statement. North Dakota governor issues 7 line-item vetoes, including lawmaker 'immunity' provision According to his veto message, Armstrong had intended to veto a $150,000 one-time grant for a Native American-focused organization to fund a homelessness liaison position. The veto markup also crossed some surrounding language, axing the full $35 million appropriation in the section. During a Thursday meeting of the Industrial Commission, which Armstrong chairs, he emphasized his 'full-throated' endorsement of the Housing Incentive Fund, which supports the construction of affordable housing. 'We are talking to whoever, everybody we can — Legislative Council, lawmakers, everybody — to figure out if there is a legal way we can solve this without calling them back into a special session and costing taxpayer dollars,' Armstrong said. 'However, if that is the only alternative, that would be exactly what I will be doing.' Legislative Council staff will advise on options to fix the error, but it will be up to the governor and legislative leaders to decide how to proceed, said Legislative Council Director John Bjornson. At this point, a special session is the only obvious legal remedy, he said. 'I think we all want the easy solution, but sometimes the easy solution has consequences down the line that you need to consider,' Bjornson said. Legislators have six days remaining of the 80-day legislative limit. If the governor calls them back into session, it would not count against that limit. Bjornson estimated it would take about a half day for lawmakers to consider overriding the governor's veto. But there is no mechanism for lawmakers to consider overriding part of a veto, he said. Lawmakers could also consider a standalone bill that restores the $35 million in funding. But Legislative Council estimates it typically takes three days to pass a bill. A special session is estimated to cost $65,000 a day, Bjornson said. Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, R-Minot, said lawmakers are still looking into how to proceed. 'We're just going to do the research first and pick the best course of action,' Hogue said. Dave Flohr, executive director of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, said during the Industrial Commission meeting that once the state sorts out the issue with the funding, the agency plans to set aside $5 million for single-family home projects and $20 million for multi-family housing. This story was updated to add comments from Gov. Armstrong, David Hogue and Dave Flohr. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
North Dakota lawmaker remembered for ‘quiet strength,' expertise in aviation, education
Rep. Cindy Schreiber-Beck, from left, talks to Rep. Bob Martinson and Rep. Karen Karls on May 2, 2025, while waiting for the House to reconvene. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Colleagues of North Dakota Rep. Cindy Schreiber-Beck are remembering her as a stalwart advocate for education, aviation and agricultural issues. Schreiber-Beck, R-Wahpeton, died Sunday at age 70. She was first elected to the North Dakota Legislature in 2014 and served as vice chair of the House Education Committee during the legislative session that adjourned earlier this month. Schreiber-Beck's expertise on K-12 education, higher education, aeronautics and agricultural issues was unparalleled, said her seatmate, Rep. Alisa Mitskog, D-Wahpeton. 'She truly represented her constituents, set aside partisan politics and she really went to work for the people she represented,' Mitskog said Tuesday. In a statement, State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler said Schreiber-Beck was a trusted legislative adviser, confidant and K-12 education advocate. 'Rep. Schreiber-Beck was tireless in her work to produce better education policy, and she had the welfare of students and their families foremost in her mind,' Baesler said. Schreiber-Beck volunteered as executive director for the North Dakota Agricultural Aviation Association for nearly 40 years. She and her late husband, Gerry Beck, operated Tri-State Aviation in Wahpeton. In March, Schreiber-Beck was inducted into North Dakota's Aviation Hall of Fame by the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission for her significant contributions. She served for 25 years on the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission and was a member of a governor's task force that established North Dakota's Unmanned Aerial Systems test site. In a statement, Gov. Kelly Armstong said she embodied the truest essence of public service, volunteerism and giving back to the community. 'Cindy Schreiber-Beck served the citizens of North Dakota with a quiet strength and determination that touched so many facets of life, from agriculture and aviation to education and community development, and it was an honor to call her a friend,' Armstrong said. Armstrong directed all U.S. and North Dakota flags to be flown at half-staff from dawn to dusk on the day of Schreiber-Beck's interment. Funeral services for Schreiber-Beck will be held at 4 p.m. May 28 at the Fargo Air Museum. The District 25 Republican Party executive committee will appoint a successor to complete her term, which runs through 2026. Mitskog said she'll remember fondly that Schreiber-Beck had a bit of a sweet tooth. 'I'll never walk past a bowl of candy without thinking of her. She loved candy … and I think that kind of helped drive her energy,' she said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
