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.

In this episode of The Backstory, Sabrina Halvorson and Michael Standaert of the North Dakota News Cooperative unpack a new initiative aimed at reshaping the future of local journalism and why community support may be the key to its survival.

The conversation centers around the findings of a statewide survey conducted with journalists, publishers, and news consumers as part of the Future of Local News project.

They discuss the continued public trust in local newspapers, the disconnect between consumer support and publisher concerns, and how communities might help ensure their local news outlets survive and thrive. Topics include generational preferences for print vs. digital, declining ad revenues, and the need to shift public mindset toward supporting journalism through subscriptions or donations.

Key Takeaways:

• Broad community support exists for local journalism, especially in rural areas.
• Younger audiences still value print, but expect digital access.
• Sustainable funding models must replace traditional advertising.
• Publishers and editors need to actively engage their communities.
• 80% of surveyed consumers said losing a local newspaper would harm their community.

In this episode, journalist Michael Standaert joins Sabrina Halvorson to discuss the ongoing housing shortage in rural North Dakota. They explore the root causes, including infrastructure challenges, floodplain restrictions, and developer disinterest. Standaert also highlights Senate Bill 2225, a widely supported $50 million proposal that aimed to expand infrastructure and kickstart housing development but failed quietly at the end of the legislative session. The conversation examines why this failure received little public attention and how a similar proposal might return in the future.

Key Discussion Points:

• The rural Grand Forks region faces a shortfall of approximately 4,800 homes, excluding the city itself
• Floodplain restrictions and valuable farmland limit geographic expansion in small towns
• Developers are reluctant to invest in rural areas, preferring high-profit urban projects
• Senate Bill 2225 proposed infrastructure funding for housing development, but failed despite broad support and no opposition testimony
• The bill's failure occurred in the final hours of the session (around 2:10 a.m.)

In this episode of Backstory, host Sabrina Halvorson speaks with Ryan Janke, the new owner and publisher of the Wishek Star and Ashley Tribune. Janke discusses his unexpected path from city employee and freelance reporter to small-town newspaper publisher, and the steps he took to keep two long-standing rural newspapers in operation following the passing of longtime publisher Tony Bender.

In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the North Dakota News Cooperative’s latest statewide poll. Host Sabrina Halvorson is joined by Michael Standaert, lead reporter at NDNC, to unpack how polling results are transformed into in-depth, unbiased journalism. They explore the full editorial process, from receiving raw data to selecting compelling story angles and conducting follow-up interviews.

Michael shares why maintaining independence from the polling process is critical to journalistic integrity and how he approaches sensitive topics with a neutral lens. You'll also hear about the challenges and benefits of polling in a state like North Dakota and how increased participation this year adds value to the insights.

Key Topics Covered

• How NDNC ensures neutrality in reporting poll results
• Behind-the-scenes look at the reporter’s role after poll data is released
• Why separation between poll design and reporting matters
• The value of expert commentary for context and clarity
• Expanding poll reach: What 625 participants means for accuracy in North Dakota

Mentioned in This Episode

• Learn more about NDNC’s polling process: www.newscoopnd.org

About The Backstory The Backstory offers a look into the reporting process behind top stories from the North Dakota News Cooperative, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to serving communities across the state.

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In this episode, host Sabrina Halvorson talks with Mary Jo Hotzler, board member of the North Dakota News Cooperative, about the meticulous process behind 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