Rural Health Tech: North Dakota HHS is offering about $500,000 per awardee to help rural providers upgrade electronic medical records, aiming to improve care coordination and cut down on patients repeating their stories. Heat & Climate Signals: A new look at NOAA data finds July is among North Dakota’s hottest on record since 1895, underscoring how rising temperatures are stacking the odds for extreme heat. Water Safety: The state DEQ warns that harmful algae has been detected in three North Dakota lakes—Lake Darling, Bowman-Haley Dam, and South Golden Lake—raising risks for people and animals. Lead in Drinking Water: Cities including Mandan are hunting for hazardous lead service lines, using mapping and inventories to target replacements and reduce exposure. Wildlife Watch: North Dakota’s spring breeding duck survey shows breeding duck numbers have fallen below the long-term average for the first time in 33 years, as habitat declines. Conservation Debate: Conservation leaders are pushing back on how Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum are handling Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy and public lands. Drought Planning: NDSU Extension urges ranchers to consider supplemental forage options as drought and abnormally dry conditions persist. Public Lands & Access: Conservation groups are also sounding alarms about rules that would limit public input on oil and gas leasing. Grid Build-Out: Western governors, including North Dakota, signed on to speed transmission planning and permitting to strengthen the regional electric grid. Local Culture: Arlee Esyapqeyni powwow royalty reflect on a year of growth, community service, and cultural leadership.