In this episode, host Sabrina Halvorson sits down with Mary Jo Hotzler, board member of the North Dakota News Cooperative, to pull back the curtain on their latest statewide public opinion poll. From selecting a polling company to crafting nonpartisan questions, Mary Jo explains the meticulous process behind ensuring accuracy, credibility, and a truly representative sample. Discover why live phone interviews still matter, how sample size impacts accuracy, and what it takes to reflect the true voice of North Dakotans.

This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of reliable state polling data.

Topics Covered:

• Why NDNC chose Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy
• How live phone interviews capture a representative demographic mix
• Balancing sample size with accuracy (625 respondents = ±4% margin of error)
• Maintaining strict nonpartisanship in question design
• The importance of wording, clarity, and avoiding leading questions
• The role of polling in connecting state leaders with the public

In this episode, we look at how shifting U.S. tariffs are impacting North Dakota’s farmers and agricultural businesses. As new tariffs take effect, especially those on imports from Canada and China, farmers are seeing increased equipment costs, delayed deliveries, and growing uncertainty about future trade relationships.

Michael breaks down what’s happening on the ground, including insight from soybean growers, ag suppliers, and business owners caught in the crosshairs. The discussion touches on fertilizer price hikes, disappearing orders from China, and how ripple effects from global trade decisions are being felt across rural communities and supply chains.

Key Topics:

• The impact of July 31st tariff announcements on ag imports
• North Dakota soybean exports and the stalled China trade relationship
• Fertilizer prices and Canada’s key role in U.S. ag input supplies
• Rising equipment costs from tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper
• Why rural communities feel the shockwaves from global trade
• The urgent need for certainty in agriculture policy and planning

Related Links & Resources:

• Article: North Dakota Farmers & Ag Businesses Brace for Tariff Blowback by Michael Standaert

In this episode of The Backstory, host Sabrina Halvorson is joined by reporter Michael Standaert to explore a forward-thinking agricultural initiative in North Dakota: using rotational grazing practices to capture and store carbon in soil. Michael breaks down the science of carbon credits and the economics of carbon markets, sharing insights from his reporting and interviews with researchers and ranchers like Louis Heaton.

They dive into how ranchers are trialing sustainable land management techniques that not only sequester carbon but also improve biodiversity, cattle health, and even bee productivity. Learn how these practices could lead to certification opportunities (like bird-friendly beef), revenue through carbon credits, and broader ecological benefits—all while navigating the complex and evolving voluntary carbon market.

Topics Covered:

• Pilot projects in North Dakota led by researcher Rebecca Phillips
• Economic challenges and opportunities in the carbon credit market
• Co-benefits for ranchers: healthier cattle, improved biodiversity, and certification potential
• The future of sustainable ranching and environmental economics

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Article: Projects Demonstrate Carbon Capture Ranchers Can Get Behind Read on the website

Federal cost-cutting measures are putting some North Dakota senior programs at risk. In this episode of The Backstory, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Michael Standaert discuss Michael’s recent reporting on the uncertainty facing Senior Companions programs due to AmeriCorps funding delays. With more than 375 volunteers helping isolated older adults across 53 counties, the potential loss of this support could have a profound impact—not just on those receiving care, but on the low-income senior volunteers who rely on modest stipends.

Michael shares how he uncovered the story, what it means for communities statewide, and the often-hidden role federal programs play in everyday lives. Plus, the team reflects on the importance of listener tips in surfacing critical local stories.

🎧 Tune in for insight on:

• What’s happening with AmeriCorps and how it affects North Dakota

• Who depends on Senior Companions programs—and why

• The ripple effects of federal funding gaps on vulnerable populations

• Behind-the-scenes of how journalists investigate underreported issues

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Read the full article: "Federal cost-cutting imperils North Dakota senior programs"

• Learn more about the AmeriCorps Seniors programs: https://americorps.gov

💬 Got a tip or story idea? Reach out to the North Dakota News Cooperative: info@newscoopnd.org

In this special episode of The Backstory, host Sabrina Halvorson talks with reporter Michael Standaert about his work featured in an investigative series that received the Arthur E. Rowse Award for Excellence in Examining the News Media from the National Press Club.

Michael’s reporting, produced in collaboration with FLOODLIGHT, uncovered the sudden appearance of a newspaper in Morton County, North Dakota. Although it appeared to be local, the paper promoted biased content just before a major trial involving Greenpeace. His article was part of a larger series focused on media manipulation and the influence of dark money in journalism. All contributing reporters share in the recognition for the award.

In this episode:

• How a misleading newspaper appeared ahead of a high-profile trial

• Why its content and timing raised serious ethical concerns

• The connection to national media influence campaigns

• How collaboration with FLOODLIGHT supported the investigation

• What this award means for local journalism and media accountability

This conversation highlights the importance of media literacy and the role of strong investigative reporting. Congratulations to Michael and all the journalists involved in the award-winning series.

🔗 Links mentioned:

• Read Michael’s story: “Weird newspaper calls out pipeline protests eight years later” (Published November 1, 2024) at ndnewscoop.org

• Learn more about the award from the National Press Club: press.org

• Explore the full series at floodlightnews.org

• Got a tip? Contact the North Dakota News Cooperative at info@newscoopnd.org

A cyber attack on a national food distributor made headlines — but how does that trickle down to rural grocery stores in North Dakota? In this episode of The Backstory, host Sabrina Halvorson speaks with NDNC reporter Michael Standaert about his recent story, Grocery Stores in North Dakota affected by cyber attack on distributor. They unpack how supply chain disruptions disproportionately impact small-town stores, the real-world challenges reporters face covering cyber security incidents, and why local news tips are critical to uncovering stories that matter.

Key Topics Covered:

• How a cyber attack on United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) disrupted grocery supplies across North Dakota

• The unique vulnerability of rural communities reliant on a single grocery store

• The ripple effect on small businesses and food accessibility

• Behind the scenes: The difficulties of reporting on cyber attacks and sourcing reliable information

• The role of local news in amplifying community concerns

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Read the full article: Grocery Stores in North Dakota affected by cyber attack on distributor

• Share your news tips: info@newscoopnd.org

About The Backstory: Produced by the North Dakota News Cooperative, The Backstory gives listeners a deeper look into the news shaping North Dakota. Each episode features candid conversations with the journalists behind the headlines.

In this episode, host Sabrina Halvorson speaks with journalist Michael Standaert about the growing interest in regenerative agriculture and how mini-documentaries are bringing attention to this important topic. Michael explains how farmers are working to restore soil health, reduce chemical use, and adapt to changing consumer demands.

The discussion highlights a recent mini-documentary by Kiss the Ground that showcases North Dakota farmers experimenting with regenerative practices. Sabrina and Michael explore how younger generations are leading this shift and how consumer awareness around soil health is reshaping agriculture.

Tune in for insights on the future of farming, soil sustainability, and the power of storytelling to drive change.

In this update episode, reporter Michael Standaert returns with a powerful follow-up on Ukrainian refugees living in North Dakota under the Uniting for Ukraine program. As the two-year parole period nears its end for many, families now face the threat of losing their legal ability to work — and the looming question of whether they'll be forced to leave. From a mother trying to keep her son in high school to a man who fled Mariupol through minefields, these personal stories reveal the human toll of policy limbo. Host Sabrina Halvorson and Michael discuss what’s changed, what hasn’t, and how both refugees and their sponsors are grappling with a system offering few answers.