Good morning, Bismarck.

The North Dakota Supreme Court upheld Kaumari Kennedy’s life sentence for the 2021 murder of Domonique Kelley in Minot after his appeal was rejected.

The Bismarck Police Department is accepting Citizen Police Academy applications for an 11-week program starting Sept. 11—applications close Aug. 15—and the state fair will open later today with a new central fountain linking the fairgrounds.

A Mandan woman, Sabrina Kraus (accused of stabbing Kim Huber on May 7) was conditionally released from the State Hospital on Friday after a forensic psychologist ruled she no longer poses a substantial risk, and she remains subject to strict monitoring that could lead to her recommitment if conditions are violated.

Artists from North Dakota and other states met in the Badlands this week for the first-ever 'Echoes of the West' retreat—an event where they painted and photographed historic scenes for new art.

Their work will soon be shown at Capital Gallery in Bismarck and has sparked many fresh ideas.

Prairie Public Broadcasting in Bismarck is preparing for a $4 million loss over the next two years as federal spending cuts will remove funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting starting October 1—officials say the financial impact will start in January and may lead to staff reductions or departmental changes.

Today, ten students graduated from the Last Mile web development program at the state penitentiary run by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation — the program gives them coding training and life skills.

Graduates said they want to work in game development or cybersecurity when they are released.

Mandan Public Schools planned next year’s budget with federal funds they expected, but on June 30 the education department froze $565K, leaving the district to meet contracts already in place—Superintendent Dr. Mike Bitz warned that staff cuts and fewer paraprofessionals could limit student support—while they wait to see if any funds are released.

At the Indian Education Summit at the North Dakota State Capitol, Bismarck teen Haiden Person shared his personal struggle with mental health (his first public talk) and called for better support of Native students.

The summit, now in its 11th year (focusing on raising graduation rates and creating culturally responsive classrooms), ended Friday.

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.