Good morning, Bismarck.

Ministry on the Margins sees more residents needing help as cold weather raises heating costs and spurs extra demand for its food pantry and ride services.

The nonprofit runs a warming house from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. — it expanded Sunday service after receiving 11,000 pounds of food.

MPO and Pegasus Illuminations have planned a world record fireworks event titled New Year, New Light—Remember Our Veterans 2026—to honor veterans, raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project and support the Mandan High School Marching Band's London parade trip.

The event will take place Dec 31 at 10:00 p.m. at the Mandan High School parking lot and will feature 20 minutes of fireworks with 2.5 million roman candle shots set to music.

Phase 1 of the massive Native Green Grow greenhouse in the MHA Nation is complete and set to produce nearly 2 million pounds of food per year to feed at least 25,000 people—officials noted that the project uses flared gas from oil wells to power three heating systems keeping the facility at 90° year-round, with future phases planned to add gas capture treatment, irrigation ponds, a data center and a hotel.

The North Dakota University System has named a 12-member committee to lead the search for the next president of Bismarck State College.

Today, a committee led by Together for School Meals submitted a petition to Secretary of State Michael Howe to amend the state constitution so that all public schools provide free breakfast and lunch to students.

The measure requires 31,164 signatures—its petition title will be drafted between December 4 and December 8—before it can appear on the ballot in a 2026 election.

CenCom advised CodeRED subscribers in Bismarck, Mandan, and Burleigh County to update their passwords after a cyberattack affected an older system.

The new CodeRED platform is secure and working—users are urged to guard against phishing scams by using unique passwords.

City officials announced that Main Street in Mandan will be closed from 2nd Avenue NW through 6th Avenue NW from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on November 28 due to Holiday Lights on Main Grand Lighting — and Santa's Arrival, with detours directing motorists to 1st Street to keep pedestrians safe.

Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck received below-average marks in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for fall for low scores in infection control and surgical safety—officials defended the hospital's overall safety by citing strong CMS ratings and national recognition.

Two South Prairie-Max girls basketball players, Skotti Beck and Maycie Talbott, signed college letters of intent on Wednesday at South Prairie School; Beck signed with Minot State while Talbott will join the University of Jamestown women's basketball team.

Beck earned first-team all-state honors in basketball and volleyball last season.

Bismarck State’s Mystics have added the Davis brothers from United Tribes as transfers to boost the team in NAIA play.

Houston now leads in points per game and Tristin ranks third in assists + their strong high school bond fuels the team’s play.

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.