In this episode, host Sabrina Halvorson speaks with Michael Standaert about the looming expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits and how this policy shift could lead to significant increases in health insurance costs for North Dakota farmers.

“This is the family business, and that's how they provide health insurance for the family. And now all of a sudden to see the potential for that to increase 75 percent… that's got to be very difficult.” — Sabrina Halvorson, NDNC CEO

They break down the financial implications, including estimates of a 75 percent rise in premiums for some families, and discuss how this burden adds to an already challenging economic landscape shaped by weak commodity prices, rising input costs, damaged grain storage, and lost markets in China. They also touch on the expiration of the Farm Bill extension and the government shutdown, highlighting the compounded uncertainty facing rural communities.

Key Topics Covered:

• Impact of expiring ACA enhanced tax credits on farm families
• Potential 75 percent increase in health insurance premiums
• Broader economic pressures on farmers including reduced market access and increased costs
• Declining commodity prices and the collapse of soybean exports to China
• Grain storage issues due to infrastructure damage and harvest timing
• Expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill extension and its effects on support programs
• The complexity of trade relations with China and its long-term effects on North Dakota agriculture
• The emotional and operational toll on farming families amid policy instability

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Farm Aid offers a free and confidential hotline at 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243), where farmers can talk to someone who understands the pressures of agricultural life. The hotline is open Monday through Friday, 9am to 10pm ET.

For 24/7 crisis support, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). You can also dial 988 to connect directly to a trained crisis counselor.

In this episode, Sabrina Halvorson and Michael Standaert dive into the vibrant world of running and biking events across North Dakota. From small-town trail races to the nationally recognized Fargo Marathon, they explore how these events are more than just athletic competitions—they’re engines of tourism, community connection, and local pride.

Michael shares his personal experiences with trail and obstacle course races and reflects on how a chance encounter led to reporting on these dynamic community gatherings. The hosts also highlight the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into organizing races, the economic boost they provide to local businesses, and the unifying atmosphere they foster among participants—no matter their background or political views.

Whether it's a Fourth of July fun run in Mandan or the endurance challenges of the Badlands Trail Run, this episode shines a light on how races throughout the state are building healthier, more connected communities.

Topics Covered:

• The inspiration behind reporting on North Dakota’s race scene
• Local events like the Cooley Run in Washburn and the Medieval Rush in Bismarck
• The economic and tourism impact of events like the Fargo Marathon
• Volunteerism and community effort in organizing races

In this episode, Sabrina Halvorson and Michael Standaert dive into an inspiring arts and ecology initiative titled "Thinking Like a Prairie," where high school students from the North Valley Career and Technology Center engaged in a unique, hands-on learning experience. With support from the North Dakota Natural Resources Trust, the program partnered with artist Austin Camille to help students connect with the prairie landscape through art, ecology, and community storytelling.

Michael shares details from his recent article and interviews, discussing how students visited a bison ranch near Grafton, collected natural materials, and used them to create art, including soil-based pigments and clay plates for a future "prairie potluck." Sabrina highlights the broader environmental importance of preserving native prairie, much of which has been lost to agriculture and development.