Good morning, Bismarck.

Chord Energy acquired 48,000 acres in the Bakken from XTO Energy, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, though officials at the Department of Mineral Resources said its plans remain unclear.

Officials said Chevron will merge with Hess later this week and reduce its rig count to three while oil production reached 1.1 million barrels per day in July — marking significant oil developments.

Bismarck Public Schools unveiled its new Stop Finder app today to help parents track bus schedules and get alerts when buses are early, late, or close by — the message center also lets parents send alerts if their child is not riding the bus.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department confirmed the presence of invasive zebra mussels in Smishek Lake on Sep 29 and classified it as a Class I ANS area.

Warning signs will be posted at lake access points—officials urge boaters to follow cleaning, draining, and drying guidelines to prevent further spread.

High school teams will compete in Envirothon on Oct.

8 at the Game and Fish Department to answer questions on trees, water, and wildlife. Beth Hill from the North Dakota Forest Service said the contest will help teens reconnect with nature—an effort to address their reduced time outdoors.

Eastbound Bismarck Expressway was reduced to one through lane between Washington Street and 3rd Street starting Monday after 8:15 a.m.—the roadway repairs required the change and it is expected to last two to three days, weather permitting—with no detour available.

Rep. Julie Fedorchak held a virtual town hall on September 29 to discuss trade policy and its local impact—she defended that free trade deals were one-sided while calling for new trade negotiations and bridge payments for affected farmers, and she supported cuts to public media and a House Oversight investigation into Epstein files.

Bismarck officials are planning two ballot measures for next year to extend the half-cent sales tax and introduce a street utility fee for road repairs—voters will see competing options for funding road projects.

A citizen group led by Carl Young is also preparing its own half-cent sales tax measure to offer an alternative for road improvements.

The Mandan City Commission is seeking local residents and business owners to fill 20 positions on 10 city governance boards—terms begin in 2026.

Applicants must submit by October 31 to serve on boards such as the Airport Authority and Architectural Review Commission.

NASA released the first radar images from its new Earth-mapping satellite that showed the Maine coast and North Dakota farmland in incredible detail—displaying clear shapes of both coastal and rural areas.

Creepy Classic Tennis Tournament

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM — Capital Racquet & Fitness Center — Registration required — A fun-filled tennis competition for all skill levels with a spooky twist.

Bismarck Fall & Holiday Market

10 AM - 5 PM — Bismarck Event Center — $5 entrance fee for adults — Discover over 100 vendors and meet live reindeer and alpacas.

St. Olaf Orchestra Concert

7-9 p.m. — Bismarck High School — Tickets available — Experience the rich artistry and tradition of the St. Olaf Orchestra under conductor Chung Park during their Fall Tour.

Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics

8:30-9:30 p.m. — Russell Reid Auditorium, North Dakota Heritage Center — Tickets required — Experience a spine-chilling musical journey with candlelit performances of Halloween classics.