Good morning, Bismarck.

Famous Dave’s in Bismarck will serve its final meal on Sunday, July 20 and close after 21 years—customers with gift cards or rewards can redeem them at the restaurant through that day.

A former National Guard staff sergeant, Daniel Carpenter, was convicted Wednesday evening for gross sexual imposition after assaulting a severely intoxicated woman in a hotel room in June 2023—officials are also monitoring McDowell Dam for toxic blue-green algae with tests pending after earlier results halted the swim portion of a triathlon. A weekend traffic enforcement campaign led by local and state agencies resulted in 405 speeding tickets, 35 warnings and several arrests for DUI, reckless driving, drug offenses and terrorizing.

North Dakota’s highest court upheld the murder conviction of Kamauri Kennedy—found guilty in September 2024 for the 2021 murder of Domonique Kelley—by denying his appeal on Thursday.

Today, the North Dakota State Fair starts in Minot—marking its 60th anniversary—and runs until July 26.

The fair brings concerts, competitions, and over 60 free attractions, with tickets available at ETIX kiosks in Minot, Bismarck, and Williston.

BisMan Transit installed new fat tire bike racks on CAT buses that can hold at least two bikes—standard, fat-tire, or e-bikes.

Transit officials noted more riders are using bikes and said they are exploring changes to service hours—responding to growing community needs.

Planning for Amtrak service to return to Bismarck is underway with a proposed route from Chicago to Seattle—reviving rail service lost in 1979—while the Bismarck-Mandan Metro Planning Organization assesses challenges like station locations and funding.

On Wednesday, the North Dakota Ethics Commission elected Cynthia Lindquist— a member of the Spirit Lake Dakota Nation and director of Tribal Initiatives at UND—as its new chair following the death of Brig.

Gen. Dave Anderson, and the meeting also heard Governor Kelly Armstrong’s concerns over travel disclosure rules and penalties that may lack proper due process. The governor argued that high fines should include safeguards while the Commission plans to review staff treatment and repair its working relationship with the Attorney General’s Office.

Officials worked through the night to adjust lane closures on I-94 as a construction project created massive traffic jams in the Bismarck-Mandan area this week — the DOT said new changes will ease congestion soon.

AAPNAC Resident Assessment Coordinator Certification Workshop

Aug 12-14 — Courtyard Bismarck North — Member Rate: $777, Non-Member Rate: $996 — Enhance your clinical assessment skills and earn the RAC-CT credential in this comprehensive certification workshop.

Evening Exploration at ND's Gateway to Science

6-8 p.m. — North Dakota's Gateway to Science — $14 Non-members | $9 Members — Discover hands-on science and enjoy immersive planetarium shows just for adults.

Brew at the Zoo

6-9 p.m. — Dakota Zoo — $40 members, $45 non-members — Sample local brews and enjoy a unique tasting experience at the zoo.