Good morning, Bismarck.

The North Dakota state auditor’s office hosted its annual food drive before Thanksgiving, where 15 state agencies collected 12,323 food items donated to the Bismarck Emergency Food Pantry & Ministry on the Margins.

The ND Department of Labor and Human Rights won the competition by gathering 520 items.

Bismarck Emergency Food Pantry is open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and serves anyone who shows a photo ID, offering enough food to last two to three weeks for families facing food insecurity + volunteer efforts keep the shelves stocked and the facility running smoothly. In the past year, the nonprofit has seen a 25% increase and now aids about 325 families each month.

Soda Drop opened today at Kirkwood Mall, serving dirty sodas with flavors like glitter, boba, and energy drink mixes—owner Kim Hertz said the drinks are made using a soda base, syrup, and creamers.

Future plans include adding a drive-thru and offering sugar-free options for diabetic customers.

A September report showed steady oil and gas production in North Dakota at 1.16 million barrels per day and 3.57 billion cubic feet per day, according to the Mineral Resources department.

Director Nathan Anderson said that producers dropped frac crews—falling from about 13 to 10 due to lower oil prices in November—and the pipeline authority warned that the outlook for 2026 remains bearish.

An outbreak of New World Screwworm in Mexico has led to over 10,000 cases and nearly 1,000 active cases as of November 16.

USDA launched a new website as part of a five-part plan led by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins—officials urge producers to remain alert since the pest is near the border.

NDSU's Bison clinched the number one seed and a first round bye in the 2025 FCS Playoffs after defeating No. 6 Illinois State earlier in October.

UND secured an at-large bid despite losing to South Dakota State and will face No. 13 Tennessee Tech after their bye week.

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.

Candlelight: Tribute to Adele

6:30-7:45 p.m. — Russell Reid Auditorium - North Dakota Heritage Center — Tickets required — Experience a mesmerizing tribute to Adele performed by Listeso String Quartet in a candlelit ambiance.