electric vehicles

The benefits of beneficial electrification

If “rural electrification” was a buzzword spreading across the nation in the 1930s, “beneficial electrification” might be a buzzword of the 2030s.

Rural electrification in North Dakota held dreams of making life better for every farm family, and eventually, meant serving members in every pocket of this state, from the most remote to urban areas.

Little Loboes Bright Beginnings

North Dakota’s child care crisis

“A child care crisis.”

That’s how Gov. Doug Burgum described the state of child care in North Dakota, speaking at a press conference in September 2022 to pitch his child care plan.

“In many cases, parents have to choose between working and paying for child care, or not working at all,” Burgum told the Legislature in his executive budget address in December. “Currently, child care costs account for 15% to 40% of the average household budget in North Dakota, which often isn’t sustainable for young working families.”

Lineworker Training Center

Cooperatives climb to the top

From Pearl Street to the Pierson farm. From New York to near York.

On Sept. 4, 1882, Pearl Street station, Thomas Edison’s complete direct-current electric system, was publicly unveiled in Lower Manhattan. Edison’s electric idea eventually reached North Dakota farm country, where the Ray and Evangeline Pierson farm, 3.5 miles south of York, was energized by Baker Electric Cooperative on Thanksgiving Day 1937. It was the state’s first farm to receive electricity.

Williston will host its fifth Babe Ruth World Series next month at Ardean Aafedt Stadium.

The baseball capital of the West

Williston might be known to America as a boom town. But the Western Star city is quickly developing another outside reputation – as a baseball town.

In August, Williston will host its fifth Babe Ruth World Series and third in the past decade. The town of nearly 30,000 expects to welcome around 40,000 World Series attendees over the 25-game period, with an estimated 40% coming from outside Williams County.