Good morning, Bismarck.

Between May and June, police across the state issued over 4,000 citations in the Click It or Ticket campaign—nearly three-quarters for drivers not wearing seat belts, and ND DOT's Lauren Wahlman said that since the law took effect in Fall 2023, seat belt use has improved but remains below the national rate as 43 traffic deaths in 2025 showed 58% of victims were unbuckled.

Bismarck officials have named two finalists to replace retiring Police Chief Dave Draovitch—one is an internal candidate and the other is external.

The two were chosen from a pool of seven applicants.

Daniel Weigel and Jason Stugelmeyer are named as finalists for the new Bismarck police chief position, which will open when Chief Dave Draovitch retires at the end of the month.

The finalists will be interviewed and a recommendation presented at the City Commission meeting on July 22 — where the new chief will be chosen.

Today, the Bismarck City Commission approved spending $100,000 from opioid settlement funds to hire experts for planning a Community Triage Center to ease pressure on emergency services and law enforcement.

City leaders used their share of funds after federal money was pulled and the county did not share the cost—Public Health officials say the study will guide long-term solutions.

Daniel Weigel and Jason Stugelmeyer have been named as finalists for the upcoming Bismarck police chief position as Dave Draovitch retires; they will be interviewed before the City Commission meeting on July 22—where a recommendation for the new chief will be made.

Wood chips will soon be available free on a trial basis at two grass collection sites in Bismarck.

The Forestry Division will drop off chips from tree work at the Cottonwood Park parking lot on Santa Fe Ave & 12th St and at the Ash Coulee Water Tower as workload allows, and residents must bring a shovel to load their own chips.

Today, a new gallery broke ground in Bismarck to honor veterans and service members, with Governor Armstrong and Brigadier General Johnson attending the ceremony.

The facility will educate the public about North Dakota's military history and is set to open with a ribbon cutting in the coming years.

Rock the Deck at Hillside

4:30-8 p.m. — Hillside Aquatic Complex — Regular admission rates apply — Dive into a fun evening of swimming, music, and prizes for incoming middle schoolers.