Good morning, Bismarck.

Fleet Farm—a Midwestern one-stop-shop—is celebrating the grand opening of its second North Dakota store in north Bismarck this weekend.

Starting Tuesday, May 13, crews will seal cracks on several arterial streets in Bismarck.

Drivers may experience lane shifts — reduced lane widths and flagger presence — for about five weeks weather permitting.

The newly passed Property Tax Reform Bill limits annual property tax increases to 3% and has led city leaders in Bismarck and Mandan to plan for changes in funding essential services.

Bismarck Mayor Mike Schmitz said his city used extra revenue from past years to help maintain services while Mandan officials focus on immediate needs and consider new revenue sources — and homeowners can get a $1,600 primary residence credit.

Bismarck residents heard a panel of local experts on Thursday discuss barriers to public transportation, including long wait times, safety issues at bus stops, and limited evening service.

The forum came after voters approved a half-cent sales tax with two-tenths for transit funding—experts urged steps like expanding routes and adding shelters to improve access.

Carolyn Freer, diagnosed with Brugada Syndrome after nearly passing out at work, became the first patient at Sanford Health in Bismarck to receive Medtronic’s new implantable defibrillator.

The device (Aurora-ICD MRI SureScan) monitors her heart to correct abnormal beats and gives her and her family peace of mind.

Alan O’Neil, CEO at Unity Medical Center in Grafton, is leading a proposal called Medicare Part V that would let rural veterans use VA benefits at local clinics and hospitals — avoiding long drives to Fargo’s only full-service VA hospital.

He has met with state lawmakers and hospital leaders and will continue discussions with senators and CMS advisors to expand care for more than 55,000 veterans in North Dakota.

AARP Smart Driver Course

10-11 a.m. — Burleigh County Senior Adults — $20 for members, $25 for non-members — Learn defensive driving skills and possibly save on car insurance.

STEM Expo 2025

10 AM – 1 PM — Bismarck Municipal Ballpark — Free entry — Experience hands-on STEM learning with exciting activities and prizes for kids of all ages.