Good morning, Bismarck.

As Memorial Highway construction continues, local businesses are seeing slower foot traffic while still receiving online orders and catering requests.

Business owners hope the Mandan Progress Organization will host events soon + the city will take steps to draw more customers to the area.

Native tourism leaders will host the North Dakota Native Heritage Showcase on Friday at the State Capitol — the event will feature native singing, dancing, poetry, and an Indigenous food crawl that starts at the Sacred Pipe Resource Center on Basin Avenue in Bismarck from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The U.S. Department of Education has announced a restructuring that creates six new interagency agreements with four federal agencies - a move designed to reduce federal bureaucracy.

State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler said the changes will not affect North Dakota schools because funding, accountability and federal programs remain intact, and she will step down later this month to become assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education at DOE.

Becca Larsen from Bank of North Dakota said shoppers can save money by buying used things—she listed nine items that are better bought second-hand.

The North Dakota Farmers Bureau will meet in Fargo on November 21 and 22 and elect a new president on Saturday—representing 28,000 member families.

The contest is between Director Lucas Lang and Vice President Val Wagner as long-time president Daryl Lies will not seek re-election.

Riverside Park Road in Bismarck is closing today for tree removal along the boulevard between Jefferson Avenue and Memorial Highway (drivers must use detours along Memorial Highway, Bell Street, and Jefferson Avenue) and will be closed for about two days.

Last night, Joel Porter spoke with Brenda Iverson from HIA Health in KX Conversation — discussing hospice and palliative care options for patients and families — to outline available care choices.

The interview explained key health care options — details that help locals understand care planning — and offered guidance for families facing serious illnesses.

North Dakota Game and Fish are monitoring sick and dead birds for avian influenza after increasing public reports this fall, mainly from snow geese and other waterfowl.

Wildlife officials noted that earlier cases were reported in a backyard chicken flock in April and a commercial turkey flock on October 30 (in LaMoure), and they advise people to limit contact with dead birds and to use gloves and wash thoroughly after handling them.

McQuade Distributing raised over $21,000 for the Bismarck Cancer Center through October fundraisers + a $5,000 donation from MatPac Wrestling.

The check was received Tuesday.

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.

62nd Annual Joint North Dakota Water Convention and Irrigation Workshop

December 9-11 — Bismarck Hotel & Conference Center — Registration required — Explore water management and irrigation practices at North Dakota's premier water convention.