Good morning, Bismarck.

November marks National Adoption Awareness Month as North Dakota agencies report record growth in adoptions with 328 children adopted last year and a nearly 34% rise in public agency placements after a 2024 process update — state officials encourage families to open their homes for the 26 children still in foster care.

The City of Bismarck will host a community conversation on homelessness Tuesday, Nov.

18 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the City County Building at 221 N 5th St—allowing residents to speak with local leaders about challenges and responses.

The Bismarck Police Department said two students were hit by vehicles while walking in crosswalks near local high schools in the past two weeks—one 15-year-old had minor injuries on Oct.

21 and a second student suffered serious lower-body injuries six days later—and officers urged drivers and pedestrians to stay alert.

Mandan High School band students were surprised Monday with an invitation to perform in London on January 1st + the group will travel abroad for the New Year’s Day Parade.

The students are preparing for an international stage + this rare performance will give them a chance to represent their school worldwide.

Knife River Corporation reported a 9% increase in third-quarter revenue to $1.2 billion — its adjusted EBITDA rose by 11% to $273 million as strategic acquisitions and margin initiatives drove gains.

The company’s contracting services backlog reached a record $995.6 million — narrowing its full-year revenue guidance as it managed weather-related delays in some regions.

Mandan Public Schools head Mike Bitz will retire in 2026 after his current contract ends this school year—district officials said they will soon start searching for his replacement.

On November 4, Public Works advised Bismarck residents to bring their jack-o’-lanterns to local yard waste collection sites for composting (removing any candles first) and to take garden waste like corn stocks for composting.

The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians launched the Tribal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — a food help plan to give enrolled tribal members grocery cards because SNAP benefits were suspended during the government shutdown.

Eligible applicants include USDA SNAP recipients and furloughed state or federal workers, and the program will run until SNAP resumes.

Today, the Bismarck Police Department held a promotion ceremony to honor five officers for exceptional leadership and dedication—Deputy Chief Roger Marks will command the Patrol, Investigations and Traffic Divisions while Lieutenant Jeremy Curtis, Lieutenant Brandon Rosen, Sergeant Jeremy Seeklander and Sergeant Klaes Sheldon Welch received new shift assignments.

The Bismarck Cancer Center teamed with the Bismarck-Mandan Professional Women in Building to remodel two apartments for cancer patients, updating spaces that had not changed for decades.

An open house was held today—showing the refreshed rooms—and patients will move in next week.

BSC Women’s Wrestling has hired Tyshawn White as head coach after recruiting him from Pennsylvania to build a new team for local athletes+ including homegrown star Rei Ogden and six other transfers.

The team will play its first home dual against Jamestown on Nov. 20 as they set the foundation for college wrestling.

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.