Good morning, Bismarck.

Bismarck police arrested Ramone Rodriguez on Friday after he was seen assaulting an unconscious man outside a mobile home park — they later discovered a bedridden senior covered in flies and a neglected animal in a cage, and he now faces three felonies and one misdemeanor with a trial set for December.

Bismarck police arrested a woman on Sunday after finding two unsupervised children in a mobile home park with soiled diapers and empty wine bottles—she now faces four counts of felony child neglect and was previously arrested in May—and her first trial is scheduled for next month.

The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction began implementing a new charter school law, Senate Bill 2241, which took effect last week and was announced by State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler—she noted the department is hosting public meetings and drafting rules for school formation. Baesler said that while formal applications are not yet open—and no charter schools are expected to start during the 2025-2026 school year, teachers and educators are exploring ideas in small and mid-sized communities.

A rural grocery and local food hub program was discussed in Mandan and may soon launch to help rural residents access fresh food, while the Senate Appropriations Committee approved agriculture funding that will support local research and farmer services—officials also said North Dakota’s early Canada goose hunting season opens on August 15 with hunters allowed up to 15 geese per day.

Fleet professionals from across North Dakota gathered in Bismarck for the first statewide roundtable hosted by the City of Bismarck Fleet Services Division at Bismarck Public Works.

The event began Tuesday with roundtable discussions from 2 to 3 p.m. and continues today with a fleet tour from 9:15 to 10:45 a.m. — officials said the roundtable aims to share fleet strategies that have reduced costs over the past decade.

New speeding ticket fees went into effect August 1, adding a $20 base fee in all zones—$3 per mile over 55–65 mph and $5 per mile over 70 mph with an extra $20 if exceeding 16 miles over—and officials urge drivers to slow down and drive safely.

Jason Stugelmeyer was appointed as the new police chief after 24 years of service when Dave Draovitch retired at the end of July — he said he would continue the department's focus on officer well-being and choose a new deputy from within the team.

Crews working on the East Century Ave revitalization project said paving on the section east of Stonewall Drive is finished and concrete work on tie-ins, sidewalks, and intersections at Greensboro, Stonewall, and Roosevelt Drives is underway—the area west of Roosevelt Drive will open shortly after the school year starts.

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.

Vendors Needed for Maleah Cares Talk Show

7-10 p.m. — Bismarck, ND — Showcase your products during an uplifting talk show highlighting inspiring stories.

FARMS to Table 2025

5:30-9 p.m. — North Dakota's Gateway to Science — Free entry — Celebrate Indigenous food traditions with a four-course meal curated by local chefs and learn about sustainable agriculture.