Good morning, Bismarck.

Today the Morton County Sheriff’s Office is turning the courthouse into a haunted house with the event Morton’s Most Haunted: The Trial of Elias Voss — a guided 15-minute tour featuring spooky jump scares and candy for kids ten and older.

Deputies are also collecting donations for five-year-old Colter Hanson, who is battling stage 4 Burkitt’s lymphoma.

The city of Bismarck bought a historic 1926 Seagrave fire truck for $25,000 to bring back a piece of local history.

City staff will repair the non-running truck at the public works building this winter—planning to use it in parades and community events in the future.

On Thursday, volunteers and tribal members searched along the Missouri River south of Mandan for Renzo Bullhead—who went missing in March from the Standing Rock tribe.

They used drones, boats, search K9s and horses while covering areas from Fox Island to Graner Bottoms and said they will return as river conditions change before winter.

At Mandan Middle School, students and staff observed Unity Day near the end of October—a movement started three years ago by an ambassador group to promote kindness and inclusion—with counselors Pam VanBeek and Kaitlyn Ozbun hoping the celebration will shape school culture throughout the year.

State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler said yesterday that free or reduced-price meals for qualifying students will continue through the school year despite the federal shutdown possibly suspending SNAP benefits starting Saturday—she stressed that school meal programs are managed by the Department of Public Instruction and remain separate from SNAP.

As Winter Weather Awareness Week wraps, Bismarck meteorologist Michael Gonzalez advises residents to check weather forecasts and road conditions (to avoid a $250 fine for breaking road closures) and to prepare vehicles with vital items such as a shovel, kitty litter, and extra gloves (for added safety) before traveling on slippery roads.

Becca Larsen from Bank of North Dakota urged residents to review their budgets as the new year nears—she explained practical steps for creating a workable budget.

A Williston local won $100,000 in Wednesday night's Powerball draw by matching four white balls and the Powerball with a Power Play multiplier that doubled a $50,000 prize—ticket bought at Westside Fuel on 2nd St. W, with the winner set to claim the prize within 180 days.

State officials say the federal shutdown has ended SNAP funding and urge residents to seek help from local food pantries, mobile services+and senior nutrition programs for emergency support.

They note that community partners like the Great Plains Food Bank and faith-based groups will assist families facing food insecurity.

Governor Kelly Armstrong announced over $1.5 million in state money to help food programs during the federal shutdown — $915,000 will support the Great Plains Food Bank in distributing food to about 24,000 households and $600,000 will aid the WIC program until federal funds run out on November 10.

As fall brings cooler weather and local gardens are put to bed, Dakota Gardener offers indoor gardening tips—helping Bismarck residents extend their growing season inside despite the early winter chill.

Youthworks 40th Anniversary Celebration

11 PM – 1 AM — 930 N Griffin St, Bismarck, ND — Ticket required — Celebrate 40 years of Youthworks making a difference in the lives of youth across North Dakota.

16th Annual Bismarck Christmas Show 2025

Nov 21-22 — Bismarck Event Center — Free entry — Explore over 250 booths featuring unique handmade gifts and festive treats from local artisans.

Holiday Pizza Bash

4-6 p.m. — Bismarck Event Center — Enjoy a festive evening sampling pizza and holiday-themed fun for the whole family.