National Guard Soldiers welcomed home from National Capital Region

About 600 family members, friends and fellow National Guard members gathered to welcome home about 225 North Dakota Army National Guard Soldiers from the National Capital Region on Sept. 18 on the University of North Dakota campus in Grand Forks.

The ceremony recognized the accomplishments of the Grand Forks-based 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (1-188th) and thanked the families and employers for their support during the recent mission.

The Soldiers were mobilized from June 2021 to July 2022 and collaborated with other Department of Defense agencies in protecting the airspace around the Washington, D.C., area, contributing to Operation Noble Eagle.

Gov. Burgum, commander-in-chief of the North Dakota National Guard, Sen. John Hoeven, Sen. Kevin Cramer, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, senior enlisted leader for the North Dakota National Guard, addressed the air defenders and their families.

“(There are) a lot of reasons to celebrate this unit, but one of them of course is that you’ve got the record of the most deployed unit, so the most storied unit, in the best National Guard in the nation,” Burgum said, noting this was the unit’s 12th deployment since 2004. “The North Dakota National Guard always lives up to its motto, ‘Always Ready, Always There,’ … and (we) know that you delivered that in a great way for our Capital Region. The fight for freedom never ends. We’re grateful for your safe return.”

The air defenders supported the Operation Noble Eagle mission twice before; from July 2013 to April 2014 and March 2017 to February 2018. Soldiers from this unit deployed to Kosovo as part of a NATO peacekeeping mission, six times to Afghanistan and twice to Iraq. They were also activated in response to the North Dakota floods in 2009 and 2011. Many Soldiers in the unit also volunteered for the state Covid-19 response from 2020 to 2022. Since the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, this is the most deployed unit in the North Dakota Army National Guard.

“Anybody that’s deployed with the farm boys and girls from North Dakota… know how incredibly dedicated and professional the North Dakota National Guard is, and the 1-188th sets the example,” said Dohrmann. “You were doing the most important mission; you were defending the homeland. And it’s not against some threat that could happen, it’s against a threat that has already happened. You guys have to be at the tip of the spear, ready to go, and you absolutely were. You did a phenomenal job.”

Dohrmann also commended them for their many hours of volunteer work while in the National Capital. “Nobody says that you got to do that when you’re deployed, but this organization, 1-188th, did 4000 hours of volunteer work around the D.C. area. You took time when an honor flight came to town to greet those veterans when they came off the plane… It’s my honor to serve with you.”

About half of the Soldiers are veterans of previous deployments.

Ivona Todorovic of Grand Forks named 2023 North Dakota Teacher of the Year

Gov. Burgum and State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler announced Monday that Ivona Todorovic, an English Language teacher at Red River High School in Grand Forks, has been named North Dakota’s 2023 Teacher of the Year.

Burgum and Baesler made the announcement in the state Capitol’s Memorial Hall during a ceremony held to celebrate Todorovic and the three other Teacher of the Year finalists: Abby DuBord, of Bismarck, a first-grade teacher at Bismarck’s Elk Ridge Elementary; Megan Margerum, of Hunter, a third-grade English/Language Arts teacher at Northern Cass Public School; and Megan Wald, of Kintyre, a Linton High School business education instructor.

“Mrs. Todorovic has made an enormous impact on her students, on the Grand Forks community and the entire state through her passion for teaching students the English language and the skills they need to succeed in life, while giving them the opportunity to embrace and share their cultures with the community,” Burgum said.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Todorovic, for being a champion for your students, and for being the 2023 North Dakota Teacher of the Year,” Baesler said during the ceremony. “Thank you for the work that you do for our young people.”

Baesler said in recent weeks, she had attended celebrations for all four Teacher of the Year finalists at their home schools. She called the experience “inspirational and heartwarming. It was evident that (the four finalists) are respected and beloved by their students and their communities for the job they do as outstanding teachers.”

“It reminded me how important these teachers are to their communities, and the lives they touch every single day,” Baesler said. “They knew that their teachers cared for them, and they were eager to return that affection.”

Todorovic will succeed Bret Dockter, a sixth-grade teacher at B.M. Hanson Elementary School in Harvey, as North Dakota Teacher of the Year. Dockter, who attended Monday’s celebration, said he had three pieces of advice for Todorovic: Be ready to leave your comfort zone; get ready to explore; and be ready for hundreds of new relationships.

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Burgum addresses North Dakota League of Cities annual meeting

Gov. Burgum on Saturday addressed the annual meeting of the North Dakota League of Cities at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks.

"Healthy, vibrant communities make our state a great place to live, work and raise a family," Burgum tweeted after his remarks. "(We're) grateful for the leadership of the North Dakota League of Cities and the opportunity to discuss workforce, housing, infrastructure and other important issues at their annual meeting in Grand Forks."

The League of Cities provides educational opportunities and a variety of services to city officials and represents the interests of municipalities in state and federal public policy discussions.

Burgum welcomes CBP decision to temporarily expand hours at three ports of entry on northern border

Gov. Burgum on Wednesday welcomed a decision by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to temporarily expand operating hours at three ports of entry on the U.S.-Canada border in North Dakota.

Burgum has been pushing CBP and Homeland Security since April to restore pre-pandemic hours of operation at several ports of entry on the U.S.-Canada border where hours were reduced in April 2020. The governor met with CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus in June and reiterated the request to restore crossing hours on the border in a letter sent in July to Magnus and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Operating hours at the Maida, Northgate and Sherwood ports of entry will be temporarily expanded by two hours, to 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., pending agreement from the Canada Border Services Agency, according to a letter from CBP to U.S. Sen. John Hoeven. The expanded hours will be evaluated after 120 days, CBP stated.

“The reduction in hours of operation on North Dakota’s 310-mile border with Canada has caused significant hardship on the movement of citizens, goods and tourists between our two nations,” Burgum said. “We appreciate this temporary expansion of hours at three ports of entry and will continue to urge CBP and Homeland Security to restore pre-pandemic hours at all ports of entry to ensure the secure and steady flow of people, goods and services between North Dakota and our northern neighbors and friends.”

Burgum had previously sent a letter to Magnus and Mayorkas in late April, in which Burgum noted that of the 10 U.S. ports of entry into North Dakota where hours were reduced, nine of the reductions ranged from four hours to six hours. The letter came after CBP informed the state Tourism Division it had no plans to change the hours at any ports of entry in North Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, Idaho or Washington.

Lt. Gov. Sanford congratulates new lawyers admitted to the ND bar

Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford on Friday delivered remarks to newly admitted attorneys after they took the Constitutional Oath at the State Capitol.

"Congratulations to the 37 new lawyers admitted to the North Dakota bar this year," Sanford said. "Your education has given you the knowledge and confidence you need to make a positive difference in the world."

A list of the newly admitted lawyers can be found on the North Dakota Supreme Court's website by clicking the button below.

See the list

Burgum, Sanford address North Dakota Petroleum Council members at annual meeting

Gov. Burgum and Lt. Gov. Sanford on Wednesday addressed North Dakota Petroleum Council members during their annual meeting in Watford City, urging them to keep innovating as they increasingly face federal policies unfavorable to the oil and gas industry.

In morning remarks, Burgum shared gratitude for the industry's positive impact on the state, crediting population growth and resurgence of oil patch communities such as Watford City to the industry's development and deployment of extended reach horizontal directional drilling that made it profitable for operators to extract oil and gas from shale rock.

"We got here because of innovation. It wasn't just because, 'Hey, we thought we (could do) it the old way. It was actually essentially cracking the code on how to develop those resources. That changed the course of the planet, and it should be changing it even more, but we're trapped in this national energy policy today," Burgum said. He criticized the current administration's actions to tap the nation's oil reserves and ask foreign countries to boost oil production, "when we could be doing it here cleaner, safer and faster, and (with) higher quality than anyplace in the world."

In the afternoon, Sanford moderated a panel discussion with state Sen. Dale Patten, McKenzie County Commissioner Joel Brown and Minot business owner Kevin Black. Discussion topics included workforce, higher education and the importance of energy producers to North Dakota and its communities.

Governor attends Japanese drumline performance, meets with Consul General

Gov. Burgum on Saturday attended “Rhythm of Japan in ND: Celebrating the friendship of North Dakota and Japan” at North Dakota State University's Festival Concert Hall, featuring a drum performance by Tsukasa Taiko, and also met with Tajima Hiroshi, Consul General of Japan in Chicago.

"Thank you to Consul General Tajima and the Japanese Consulate in Chicago for bringing the opportunity to experience traditional Japanese drumming to North Dakota as performed by Tsukasa Taiko. First Lady Kathryn and I enjoyed the music, culture and learning," Burgum said after the event hosted by the Japan America Society of Minnesota (JASM).

Tsukasa Taiko is a program of Asian Improv aRts Midwest, offering taiko drum instruction, education and performances. Its mission is to preserve, develop and pass on the traditional concepts of Japanese art as a cultural legacy, while also expanding and evolving the art of taiko, according to the JASM website. Tsukasa Taiko presents over 50 shows a year both locally and internationally.

Riley announces North Dakota Cyber Madness tournament for middle school students

North Dakota Chief Information Officer Shawn Riley announced the upcoming Cyber Madness Middle School tournament. The tournament is a two-round challenge designed for, and open to, all North Dakota middle school students. Students will work in teams of four to solve a variety of cybersecurity challenges. Round one will be held virtually and conducted statewide on Oct. 28.

Prior experience with cybersecurity is not required for participation. Students will be provided instruction and resources with partners from CYBER.ORG, who are moderating the event.

Participants will play Capture the Flag (CTF) — a competition format for a fun, interactive cybersecurity challenge. The CTF is set up "Jeopardy"-style, where users will choose a challenge from a board similar to a game of "Jeopardy."

The top 10 qualifying teams — five teams from the east and five teams from the west — will advance to the finals where in-person, simultaneous events will take place in Minot and Grand Forks on Nov. 18. The 10 finalist teams will compete for the statewide crown and awards.

"Bringing this tournament to North Dakota middle school is invaluable. NDIT is committed to increasing the number of young people going into the pipeline for this important professional field,” Riley said. “Our hope is this tournament will be a key step toward that important goal."

More information and registration

Boards and Commissions openings

Currently, there are many boards or commissions openings accepting applications.

Boards and Commissions is made up of North Dakota citizens appointed to represent their community and peers as they help influence policies and programs that play an instrumental and invaluable role to help Empower People, Improve Lives and Inspire Success.

The Governor appoints to over 150 Boards and Commissions representing a wide variety of industries.

To be considered for an appointment candidates are invited to complete the application located below.

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